Anything better than Anthem besides K&K?

[BluesKing777]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi JackB1

Not sure such a pickup exists. In over 55 years of amplified playing, I've never owned a pickup, mic, combination of the two which were plug-n-play without touching tone controls, hi-pass filters, etc.

^ This ^

Not invented yet. Let's hope Apple come up with something simple.

What about getting some gaffa tape and sticking your iPhone into your guitar?

Even the M-a-t-o - ,ha, that one, is vastly more controllable with an extra preamp and EQ box. Must haves! Sweepable mids, pad for dreads, gains, tones, DIs and a floor board that looks like an airport trolley!


BluesKing777.

[Vancebo]

Count me in for a Dazzo to be my go to easy solution. Dazzos come easy to install, passive, and you can choose a bass response to your liking. This gets you in the ballpark. Any EQ is usually minimal. Dazzos can be paired with a Sunnaudio onboard preamp for tone and volume control at the sound hole if desired. They sound very natural with absolutely no piezo quack.

[guitarwebguy]

I’d certainly second the Trance Amulet ..... I’m considering removing K&K Powermix from my 6 string and replacing it with a Trance Amulet. (Had one before and loved it)

[SalFromChatham]

Element VTC is pretty clutch for a UST.

i also find that the Baggs Soundhole pups, once individual pole heights are adjusted when you first get it... are great.

k&ks are great too. they do need the most tweaking by me though.

[MaurysMusic]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Has anyone found a better sounding pickup than the Anthem (Full or SL) besides the K&K or soundhole pickups?

I know lots of folks here swear by the K&K, but it needs some EQ to make it sound good. I am looking for something more plug and play. Also, this needs to be something that can be installed into an existing guitar, so don't say "Takamine" or "Maton". Thanks

Trance Audio Amulet M.

[JackB1]

Where can you buy these Dazzo pickups? link?

Originally Posted by Vancebo

Count me in for a Dazzo to be my go to easy solution. Dazzos come easy to install, passive, and you can choose a bass response to your liking. This gets you in the ballpark. Any EQ is usually minimal. Dazzos can be paired with a Sunnaudio onboard preamp for tone and volume control at the sound hole if desired. They sound very natural with absolutely no piezo quack.

[JackB1]

I agree the Element VTC isn't bad. Had one in my J45.

Wasn't a fan of the Baggs soundhole pickups, but they also weren't bad. Just didn't like having the pickup across the soundhile for some reason.

Originally Posted by SalFromChatham

Element VTC is pretty clutch for a UST.

i also find that the Baggs Soundhole pups, once individual pole heights are adjusted when you first get it... are great.

k&ks are great too. they do need the most tweaking by me though.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I agree the Element VTC isn't bad. Had one in my J45.

Wasn't a fan of the Baggs soundhole pickups, but they also weren't bad. Just didn't like having the pickup across the soundhole for some reason.

I replaced a Bagg Element VTC with a Bagg Anthem in a Gibson J-45 Cutaway. It wasn't even close. The Anthem blew the Element VTC away. The Anthem was so much more musical and sweet. Yes, I am an Anthem Fanboy, but I have yet to find a pick up that is plug-n-play that is anywhere near as natural and musical sounding.

[Petty1818]

The only pickup that I have found to be plug and play is the Fishman Matrix/Aura set up. All SBT's that I tried (Dazzo, Amulet, K&K & Dazzo) all required eq to sound right and were always a bit of a challenge in a live setting. The Anthem was a pickup that I wanted to be plug and play but had to eq significantly. Others can plug it right in and be good though!

[LifesShort]

To me, the most natural sounding pickup there is is made by JJB Electronics. (http://jjb-electronics.com/our-products.html) They sound very natural and need very little EQ. They can be used both with or without a preamp. I've used them both ways and they sound great either way.

[rschultz]

I think you're comparing Apples and Oranges. Anthem is a great all around pickup and stage ready. K&K is nice too and maybe better in some regards but is more feedback prone. Kind of depends on your situation and playing style.

[midwinter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I did just that in five guitars, and good riddance for me.

...

As for plug and play, they were far from it, and I have some of the best acoustic guitar EQs (Grace Alix and Felix, Empress Para EQ, DTAR Equinox) and I didn't like the K&Ks with any of them.

My experience as well. The JJB I had in my Breedlove drove me, and every sound guy I worked with in SLC, crazy—and I was running it through an Empress Para EQ.

Swapped it out for a B-Band at Rockabilly69's suggestion and have been perfectly happy—and so have the sound guys. With that said, I think my partner's Anthem sounds better than my B-Band, but not so much better that I'm thinking of yanking it out.

Edit: I *love* the JJB in my mandolin and banjo. Just not in my guitar.

[martingitdave]

K&K with a Mic
Schatten HFN
Dazzo
Fishman Aura

However, with the number of IR pedals out there, I find it hard not to settle on a passive K&K to keep the junk out of the guitar.

[southbeck]

Haven´t tried/heard anything better than the anthem. Haven´t tried a k&k but Taylor es.2, Baggs M1, Takamine and fishman aura.
I actually don´t think I´ve read about anyone not being impressed with the anthem.

[JackB1]

I also have a J45. Did you get the full Anthem or the SL? I don't think you lose much with the SL...just the ability to blend out the mic if you don't want it.

Originally Posted by Groberts

I replaced a Bagg Element VTC with a Bagg Anthem in a Gibson J-45 Cutaway. It wasn't even close. The Anthem blew the Element VTC away. The Anthem was so much more musical and sweet. Yes, I am an Anthem Fanboy, but I have yet to find a pick up that is plug-n-play that is anywhere near as natural and musical sounding.