Brad Clark SuperNatural Pickup Review

[AeroUSA]

Has anyone else tried this?

[Methos1979]

Great review, as always, Aaron - thanks. I remember hearing that Brad Clark was working on a pickup system some time back and was wondering when that was going to show up. I really liked the tone from that first example of the pickup system that you had custom dialed in. Oddly, I really didn't like the sound of that guitar mic'd as it had a very noticeable and annoying plink or clinkiness in that high end that jumped out at me. But once you started the pickup demo that was gone. Not sure how I feel about the little battery tool as it seems like it's a prime issue for either wearing out, breaking or losing it when you need it most. I suppose if you have a guitar you love that you just can't get a great pickup sound out of it's worth a try but in all honesty I'm sure I'd just buy a Cole Clark guitar.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

I really liked the tone from that first example of the pickup system that you had custom dialed in. Oddly, I really didn't like the sound of that guitar mic'd as it had a very noticeable and annoying plink or clinkiness in that high end that jumped out at me. But once you started the pickup demo that was gone.

Same here. Didn't like the mic only tone either, but the pickup sounds good.
But with all the parts it doesn't look like an easy DIY install.

[AeroUSA]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Great review, as always, Aaron - thanks. I remember hearing that Brad Clark was working on a pickup system some time back and was wondering when that was going to show up. I really liked the tone from that first example of the pickup system that you had custom dialed in. Oddly, I really didn't like the sound of that guitar mic'd as it had a very noticeable and annoying plink or clinkiness in that high end that jumped out at me. But once you started the pickup demo that was gone. Not sure how I feel about the little battery tool as it seems like it's a prime issue for either wearing out, breaking or losing it when you need it most. I suppose if you have a guitar you love that you just can't get a great pickup sound out of it's worth a try but in all honesty I'm sure I'd just buy a Cole Clark guitar.

It’s worth noting that the guitar sustained damage to the end pin which is why I didn’t review the guitar solely as an acoustic guitar in case it was somehow compromised.

[SGFletch]

Cool review, Aaron! Interesting system. I really thought the battery replacement was cool. You mentioned 6 holes in the bridge for installation. That might be kind of daunting.

It sounded pretty good and your review was systematic and informative, as always.

You did mention Cole Clark and Maton in the review and the obvious connection. I have a slightly off-topic question, as I know you have played both CC and Maton.

Is the neck profile on the Cole Clark similar to Maton? I have gigged a Maton as my main stage acoustic for the past 2 years. It always sounds great live and is predictable and easy to dial in. Just plug in and go, for the most part. I don't love the guitar itself, though. I've tweaked it a lot, but the neck profile is a little on the deep side for me, and though I'm not sure of the fingerboard radius, it feels less flat than some other guitars I like.

Again, off-topic - but any insight on how the Cole Clark feels in the left hand? Bigger, smaller, Wider, thinner, etc?

Thanks for the great info as always.

[Marshall]

Nice review.

As a side note, I've used feedback busters that have soundhole controls. You just cut out a portion of the rubber feedback buster to accomodate the controls. You're still covering 80-90% of the soundhole. It's the long waves that cause the most feedback issues anyway.

[AeroUSA]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Nice review.

As a side note, I've used feedback busters that have soundhole controls. You just cut out a portion of the rubber feedback buster to accomodate the controls. You're still covering 80-90% of the soundhole. It's the long waves that cause the most feedback issues anyway.

Yeah I know but I prefer not having to do any cutting and covering the whole thing.

[Br1ck]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the mic had nothing to do with the pickup. Used only as a reference. While you can get the system with a mic, I believe he said that the guitar he was sent had a UST paired with a SBT.


To date the Cole Clark system is the best I've heard.

[SpruceTop]

Well, Aaron, it all sounded pretty good. I'll take my single-source Trance Amulet Dual Mono M installations over this Brad Clark system.

[Marshall]

Back on this pickup. Your video says "link to their web site below." But I'm not finding a link.

Of course the question is can this be installed in a separate guitar? Surfing it I find their are mfrs (Kepma, Auden) that are including it as an option.