Anything better than Anthem besides K&K?

[BluesKing777]

Originally Posted by 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.

If you have the full Anthem on a J45, you could turn the mic off and either run a Spectrum Aura (they have J45 files online) or a Tonedexter file - handy for playing those awful echo rooms. This is not possible on the Sl version - the mic will interfere with the processing.

BluesKing777.

[AeroUSA]

For what you’re doing. Full Anthem.

[JackB1]

You can always use the little screw which turns down the mic output. Wouldn't that also fix the problem? You could also use a soundhole cover as a last resort. For the record, I've yet run into a feedback problem with my Anthem SL.

Originally Posted by BluesKing777

If you have the full Anthem on a J45, you could turn the mic off and either run a Spectrum Aura (they have J45 files online) or a Tonedexter file - handy for playing those awful echo rooms. This is not possible on the Sl version - the mic will interfere with the processing.

BluesKing777.

[Lucky Ambrose]

Better than any pickup I’ve tried is the Barbera!
Pretty amazing hand made saddle pickup.
Check it out...
https://www.barberatransducers.com/

I’ve tried:
LR Baggs Element (good)
LR Baggs Full Anthem (better)
LR Baggs Ibeam
Fishman Rare Earth blend
Fishman AG
Schertler M-AG6
Schatten HFN
K&k (the worse of the bunch)

Hope that helps.
Good luck, it ain’t easy finding the right pickup. Quite a journey if your picky.

[BluesKing777]

Originally Posted by JackB1

You can always use the little screw which turns down the mic output. Wouldn't that also fix the problem? You could also use a soundhole cover as a last resort. For the record, I've yet run into a feedback problem with my Anthem SL.

Can you turn the mic all the way off in the SL? I thought the screw was just a fine tune? It needs to be right off for TDexter.

You will have to cut a hole in the soundhole plug for the Anthem control, and use a flap of gaffa tape over it to stop the Guitar Fairies crawling out....

BluesKing777.

[mondoslug]

Originally Posted by JackB1

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

The unofficial score so far:
.
3-LR Baggs Element VTC
3-Trance Audio Amulet
2-Dazzo
3-Trance Audio Amulet
1-Enke
1-Fishman Matrix Infinity Blend
1-Fishman Matrix
1-JJB
1-Barbera

[JackB1]

I can use a full soundhole cover no problem with the Anthem SL....but I never need to.

The screw is for mic gain level, but I don't think you can turn it off all the way.
I wonder if you could just pull the little cord out from the preamp?

Originally Posted by BluesKing777

Can you turn the mic all the way off in the SL? I thought the screw was just a fine tune? It needs to be right off for TDexter.

You will have to cut a hole in the soundhole plug for the Anthem control, and use a flap of gaffa tape over it to stop the Guitar Fairies crawling out....

BluesKing777.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by Lucky Ambrose

Better than any pickup I’ve tried is the Barbera!
Pretty amazing hand made saddle pickup.
Check it out...
https://www.barberatransducers.com/

I’ve tried:
LR Baggs Element (good)
LR Baggs Full Anthem (better)
LR Baggs Ibeam
Fishman Rare Earth blend
Fishman AG
Schertler M-AG6
Schatten HFN
K&k (the worse of the bunch)

Hope that helps.
Good luck, it ain’t easy finding the right pickup. Quite a journey if your picky.

That's some good praise. What is it about the Soloist do you like over the other options that you listed?

[baw3]

Jack, Have you heard the new K&K double helix solo sound hole pick up yet. I just put one in My D-18 and I am really happy with the sound of it. I just plug straight into my Fishman amp and I think it sounds really good. My pure minis I have to use a pre amp to get the sound I like. Might want to check it out.

[Marty C]

Gosh, I don’t know what I am missing. I tried my Anthem SL in three different guitars and haven’t liked it in any of them. Does anyone recommend different strings? I have tried that screw adjustment to no end, moving the mic placement. Different saddles, etc.

What am I missing? Sorry to the OP. Not trying to hijack your thread.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Marty C

Gosh, I don’t know what I am missing. I tried my Anthem SL in three different guitars and haven’t liked it in any of them. Does anyone recommend different strings? I have tried that screw adjustment to no end, moving the mic placement. Different saddles, etc.



What am I missing? Sorry to the OP. Not trying to hijack your thread.

Same for me. I think installation is important. Also, we all just like different sounds. We all like acoustic guitars. But, they vary so much it’s no wonder we don’t all like the same pickups. They each seem to have their own distinct character.

[SpruceTop]

I like the Trance Audio Amulet M-VT System. I've gotten consistent results from my installations of it several dreadnoughts.

[guitaniac]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I can use a full soundhole cover no problem with the Anthem SL....but I never need to.

The screw is for mic gain level, but I don't think you can turn it off all the way.
I wonder if you could just pull the little cord out from the preamp?

In theory, at least, the Anthem SL UST doesn't provide any signal above 250Hz. I suspect that there's some UST signal bleedover above 250Hz, but you definitely can't get a usable high end from the UST alone.


The good news is that the Anthem SL system can sound great once you balance the UST signal level and the mic signal level as best you can, then apply some corrective EQ (when needed) with your Zoom A1 Four. I'd leave the A1 Four modeling off entirely.

The above is the exact setup which I used for this gig recording. I thought the guitar sound was pretty good for this one, despite the guitar being a cheap ebay special. The Anthem SL and the Zoom A1 Four manage to get the best out of it.

https://youtu.be/2nbEKqcZ4t4

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by guitaniac

In theory, at least, the Anthem SL UST doesn't provide any signal above 250Hz. I suspect that there's some UST signal bleedover above 250Hz, but you definitely can't get a usable high end from the UST alone.


The good news is that the Anthem SL system can sound great once you balance the UST signal level and the mic signal level as best you can, then apply some corrective EQ (when needed) with your Zoom A1 Four. I'd leave the A1 Four modeling off entirely.

The above is the exact setup which I used for this gig recording. I thought the guitar sound was pretty good for this one, despite the guitar being a cheap ebay special. The Anthem SL and the Zoom A1 Four manage to get the best out of it.

https://youtu.be/2nbEKqcZ4t4

Sounds Good, Gary! I think your gigs would be fun to be at!

[guitaniac]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Sounds Good, Gary! I think your gigs would be fun to be at!

Thanks for the kinds words. Unfortunately, the gigs have to be fun. Local live music is no longer worth doing for the money in our area. Those $50 gigs which we took for granted in the '70s had an equivalent purchasing power of $239.75 in 2020 dollars. (That's based on $50 in 1975.) These days, accomplished young acts seem surprised that I'll pay them $25 to kick off our weekly open mics on a high note.