Whats The Latest Greatest Pickup This Week?

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by GuitarLuva

I, like you, first installed the pickup in a carbon guitar. While I was happy with what I was hearing I had to boost the bass and cut the trebles. It wasn't until I read some info on different install mediums producing different tone that I gave the putty a try. To my amazement, the putty install yielded the results I was looking for. All the bass that was missing was back and I was shocked. I got the same result in a wooden guitar. I'm still using both with no EQ so I really do suggest that you give the putty a chance, you might just get your wish.

I asked Les at Schatten about this exact option and he thought it would not make much of a difference. But it seems intuitive to this EE that a more flexible adhesive might absorb highs more than lows (my intuition is not as often right as I might like). However following that reasoning lower the total output too (like taking a K&K from cyanoacrylate to tape). What do you think? Did the putty seem to lower the total output?

[Rudy4]

The greatest this week? Same as last week, and the week before, and the week before, and the week before...

K&K Pure Mini.

I figure if I have to acoustically filter the pickup by sticking it in a bed of goo to mount it then perhaps it's "not ready for prime time".

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

I asked Les at Schatten about this exact option and he thought it would not make much of a difference. But it seems intuitive to this EE that a more flexible adhesive might absorb highs more than lows (my intuition is not as often right as I might like). However following that reasoning lower the total output too (like taking a K&K from cyanoacrylate to tape). What do you think? Did the putty seem to lower the total output?

No not at all. While not night and day output difference I think I actually got a little more output with the putty. That might be due to the tonal differences but I'm not really sure. I think the putty transfers vibrations better than the tape. Maybe when I do my next install I'll do a little video of the tape vs putty. I still think you should try it as I'm 2 for 2 so far with the putty.

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by varmonter

I have a kk installed
in my guitars so i would have to scrape them
out before installing the hfn. Something im
not gonna do. For what seems like a lateral move.
.

I pulled two K&K's and replaced them with HFN passives. Not a lateral move at all IMO. The HFN is more natural sounding and doesn't have that K&K midrange bump that I'm always having to EQ out.

[Vancebo]

Still the flavor of the week, month and the last few years for me is the Dazzo. I haven’t tried the Schatten, I am sure it’s great and all. I am happily epoxying my Dazzos in place because it sounds better than tape and putty. Sounds very natural, balanced on all strings every time, made to compliment the voice of your guitar so you start with a balanced sound with no need to use EQ to make corrections in your tone but just a little to tailor your sound to the room or situation. They run beautifully passive but I like them best through a Sunnaudio preamp. I have both on board version and an off board version as well. My Grace Alix is jealous and lonely because I never need to use it. And it’s a great one.

All other pickup manufacturers are probably going out of business because I stopped buying their pickups. I personally kept many of them afloat because of all the money I spent. 😁

[Cuki79]

Thanks Vancebo,

Can you precise "better" when comparing epoxy, tape and putty?

Is it louder? Or does it have more or less low/high end?

Cuki

[SpruceTop]

I like the Trance Audio Amulet M-VT System. 'Nuff Said.

[hat]

Originally Posted by varmonter

.... Ask this question of 20 folks here and
youll get 20 different answers. .... The folks listening dont know or care to know..... Any improvements are for my ears.

This - the majority of the audience doesn't know or care. All of this effort is for our own gratification basically. Not a bad thing though, just what it is...

[Vancebo]

Cuki, Tape and putty have less clarity for the Dazzo. It may be exactly what the HFN needs. The solid connection with the soundboard is what is best for the Dazzo.

I am in the middle of switching out Dazzos in each of my guitars to install a lower numbered Dazzo. I am going for less bass response in each of my guitars. So a 70 becomes a 60, etc. I will report about the process when I am done. It’s easy to pop off a pickup with a razor blade and then use a little epoxy remover on the epoxy residue, then a little scrape then 30 seconds to a minute of sanding then it’s reasy for the next install.

Go back and listen to Doug Young’s pickup test page and listen to the HFN and the latest Dazzo sample. Both have similar characteristics but the Dazzo seems to excel in mid range warmth. Some people may not like that sound. It’s a matter of personal taste. No microphones in either sample but it’s hard to tell.

[varmonter]

Originally Posted by Vancebo

Cuki, Tape and putty have less clarity for the Dazzo. It may be exactly what the HFN needs. The solid connection with the soundboard is what is best for the Dazzo.

I am in the middle of switching out Dazzos in each of my guitars to install a lower numbered Dazzo. I am going for less bass response in each of my guitars. So a 70 becomes a 60, etc. I will report about the process when I am done. It’s easy to pop off a pickup with a razor blade and then use a little epoxy remover on the epoxy residue, then a little scrape then 30 seconds to a minute of sanding then it’s reasy for the next install.

Go back and listen to Doug Young’s pickup test page and listen to the HFN and the latest Dazzo sample. Both have similar characteristics but the Dazzo seems to excel in mid range warmth. Some people may not like that sound. It’s a matter of personal taste. No microphones in either sample but it’s hard to tell.

Yes Its certainly subjective at best. I listened
to Doug youngs recording and The schatten is not my cup
of tea. I also keep reading how folks are dealing
with the sonic issues they are having. Not bad
issues just comments like dialing back this and
dialing back that. All correctable of course. But
it sounds like any other sbt ive tried.
I prefer SBT pickups to UST I just think
They sound better with less quack. But like
I stated above im not gonna scrape out my
kk for what seems like a lateral move. Ymmv
I mostly use mag pups these days when playing
with a band. Just tired of the issues at volume with sbts
But when I do a solo i like to use the kk and a mic.( sm81)
I like the sbts sound at lower volume levels.

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by varmonter

Yes Its certainly subjective at best. I listened
to Doug youngs recording and The schatten is not my cup
of tea. I also keep reading how folks are dealing
with the sonic issues they are having. Not bad
issues just comments like dialing back this and
dialing back that. All correctable of course. But
it sounds like any other sbt ive tried.
I prefer SBT pickups to UST I just think
They sound better with less quack. But like
I stated above im not gonna scrape out my
kk for what seems like a lateral move. Ymmv
I mostly use mag pups these days when playing
with a band. Just tired of the issues at volume with sbts
But when I do a solo i like to use the kk and a mic.( sm81)
I like the sbts sound at lower volume levels.

The demo of the HFN on Doug's site is the older version of the pickup with the rosewood base. How different it is from the new one I do not know.

Tone is certainly a personal thing and I'm not here to tell people what they should be liking but I've owned k&k guitars before and while there's nothing wrong with the k&k it doesn't compare to the HFN in its mic like characteristics. It also required serious EQ to remove the boxy sound. I'm one of the few reporting that I don't need to EQ the HFN.

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by GuitarLuva

I'm one of the few reporting that I don't need to EQ the HFN.

I don't have to do much at all to the HFN to make it sound great. Maybe it's the install. No idea. I'm very pleased with it, and it doesn't bother me if other people prefer other pickups. I hope everyone finds something that they really dig.

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by The Kid!

I don't have to do much at all to the HFN to make it sound great. Maybe it's the install. No idea. I'm very pleased with it, and it doesn't bother me if other people prefer other pickups. I hope everyone finds something that they really dig.

Amen to that! It's a great pickup, all we can do is spread the word.