Soundhole pickup removable installation

Jim_Cross · #1 04-30-2018, 01:46 AM

Hi,

I have a Fishman Rare Earth Blend, which I really like. Currently I use it as a temporary install with the lead running out of the soundhole, which makes it easy to remove. However, running the cable out of the soundhole isn't ideal.
I don't want to go with a permanent install option as I record quite a lot with this guitar and prefer not to have the pickup weighing down on the sound board when I'm not using it.
Has anyone tried an install where a cable is run internally from the end pin to a point above/below the sound hole (similar to the cable run for soundhole controls for USTs) and finished with a mini plug that would allow the pickup to quickly be installed and plugged in to the mini jack? Is that even possible?

Thanks,

Jim

atticus1019 · #2 04-30-2018, 08:16 AM

I did this with my sunrise. Super easy if you can solder. Just get a mini jack and install it in line. Maybe a cable keeper to make sure you don’t have wires flopping around.

meb · #3 04-30-2018, 08:28 AM

Hello Jim. The Dimarzio Black Angel and the LR Baggs M80, M1A, and M1
all have a mini-plug insert. The end-pin jack has a mini-plug at the end.
I can easily swap among these
pickups or remove the pickup entirely with just the cable left inside
the guitar. I do wish other manufacturers would do this, thus making
soundhole pickups swappable. I wonder if any others do this. BTW,
I would love to try the RE Blend, myself.

Jim_Cross · #4 04-30-2018, 01:33 PM

Thanks guys!
I was just thinking it would be cool if the end pin jack had a gooseneck with a mini plug on the end to avoid having a loose cable in the guitar when the pickup is removed...

RustyAxe · #5 04-30-2018, 03:45 PM

I installed an endpin jack to mini plug in three guitars in which I'll often use a Baggs M1A. You can buy them pre-made at LR Baggs, BTW.

jkilgour2000 · #6 04-30-2018, 08:58 PM

Check out the Schertler M-AG6-Black Magnetic Pickup. Not only does it have the 1/8” jack, but it got an on board battery and a mic. I have one, and it’s so easy to swap!

AndyC · #7 05-01-2018, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkilgour2000

Check out the Schertler M-AG6-Black Magnetic Pickup. Not only does it have the 1/8” jack, but it got an on board battery and a mic. I have one, and it’s so easy to swap!

Whats is the sound like??

jkilgour2000 · #8 05-01-2018, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyC

Whats is the sound like??

Compared to the Seymour Duncan Mag Mic, I like the Schertler better

varmonter · #9 05-01-2018, 07:47 AM

Like said it is doable . I did it with my sunrise and m80. as i swap them
in and out of two guitars frequently,

Pnewsom · #10 05-01-2018, 08:50 AM

I do that with my M1, on my 000-18.
To keep the the cable from running loose when the pickup is not installed, I use some industrial self adhesive Velcro. I attach a little piece of the rough part to inside of the uppers side panel of the guitar near the sound hole, and wrap a bit of the fuzzy stuff around the cable near the 1/8 inch jack. It attaches easily when not in use and stays out the way.

Definitely worth doing because the weight of the pickup seems to dampen the top of my guitar acuostically, so I don't tend to keep it installed unless I need it.