Can you put K&K Pure Mini to an already piezzo-equipped guitar?

[diego]

I have Yamaha CPX500II with a factory preamp and undersaddle piezzo - wihout taking the preamp out (which would leave an ugly hole), can you put K&K Pure Mini, (or some other) pickup?

[BlueStarfish]

Yes, easy peasy. Just drill a second end pin jack hole in the tail block, about halfway between the existing one (which is usually centered on the tail block) and the back of the guitar. Then install the new pickup into the new hole. With this set-up you can choose which pickup to use by which jack you use.

If I owned a 50 year old vintage Martin I wouldn’t do this. But a reasonably priced, recent vintage “player’s instrument?” Sure, no worries, mod it up.

[diego]

Originally Posted by BlueStarfish

Yes, easy peasy. Just drill a second end pin jack hole in the tail block, about halfway between the existing one (which is usually centered on the tail block) and the back of the guitar. Then install the new pickup into the new hole. With this set-up you can choose which pickup to use by which jack you use.

If I owned a 50 year old vintage Martin I wouldn’t do this. But a reasonably priced, recent vintage “player’s instrument?” Sure, no worries, mod it up.

Thanks. The reason I'm doing this is because I'm not satisfied with the amplified tone of Yamaha, but I like the guitar itself. I would leave the Yamaha pickup only for the handy Tuner (and perhaps as a second sound source, but I doubt it), so I might even use the existing pin jack hole on the tail block for K&K.

[BlueStarfish]

The tuner design might require the UST to be operational, so if you want to be sure you can still use the tuner, then you might consider to leave the existing system intact.

[diego]

Originally Posted by BlueStarfish

The tuner design might require the UST to be operational, so if you want to be sure you can still use the tuner, then you might consider to leave the existing system intact.

Yes, I would leave the under-saddle piezzo strip intact, I might only remove the tail end jack so K&K can go in its place. That surely won't bother the tuner to maintain its work?

[BlueStarfish]

It might interfere with the power circuitry. Most endpin jacks also function as an on-off switch for the preamp. Plug in a cord, the preamp switches on. Unplug, it switches off. If it's switched on, battery is draining.

Whether disconnecting all of that messes with the tuner function, I don't know. Somebody with stronger knowledge of circuits than me would have to comment.

[ManyMartinMan]

Yes, of course. It won't interfere with anything. Many of my guitars have separate dual pickup systems in them. An active may work better for some situations and a passive for others. Additionally, you can use both at the same time and have the two systems EQ'd differently. You can delay one and sound like two guitars are playing together. Two pickup systems give you wonderful control of your output. You can use one jack or two. I generally prefer two. Both of these happen to have a K&K combined with a passive system.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by diego

...I would leave the Yamaha pickup only for the handy Tuner (and perhaps as a second sound source, but I doubt it), so I might even use the existing pin jack hole on the tail block for K&K.

As mentioned, the tuner may not work unless you're plugged into that system. I'd get a $10-15 clip on (and off) Snark tuner and go ahead and run the K&K thorugh the existing end pin jack.