martin ceo-9 - what pickup

leinad · #1 09-10-2020, 06:05 AM

just looking for some input on pickup selection for my ceo-9. i've used the anthem sl and k&k mini and like both but the sl will add a little weght to the guitar. just would like to know what you are using and thoughts on them.

llew · #2 09-10-2020, 06:17 AM

I use the K&K mini in all my guitars. The mini weighs near nothing and adds very minimal hardware to the inside of the guitar. K&K will tell you to use their preamp but I've found I like the Baggs Session DI more. Best of luck!

KenL · #3 09-10-2020, 06:22 AM

I use the K&K as well. Had one in my CEO-7, sounded great.

leew3 · #4 09-10-2020, 06:45 AM

I love the K & K in my CEO 7 as well. But also the Anthem SL in my Larrivee L 03. I'm not much help am I?! Be prepared for LOTS of claims that the mic of the Anthem ruins the acoustic sound of your guitar. This has not been my experience but evidently has been a problem for others. YMMV, IMHO, EIEIO.

ljguitar · #5 09-10-2020, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leinad

just looking for some input on pickup selection for my ceo-9. i've used the anthem sl and k&k mini and like both but the sl will add a little weght to the guitar. just would like to know what you are using and thoughts on them.

Hi leinad

It's hard to go wrong with a K&K Pure mini. I've been using them both alone and paired with mics for over 15 years in all sorts of guitars.

I've actually never heard a guitar with one that didn't sound very 'guitar-like'.

The K&K Pure Mini is the hottest passive pickup I've ever used/mixed/owned, and if you run it through a preamp (which improves it), this assures a lower noise floor in the preamp.

Unless you are playing your acoustic as the lead guitar in an in-your-face-electric-band it's a great choice.

If you are playing your acoustic in an in-your-face-electric-band I suggest a mag pickup.

AeroUSA · #6 09-10-2020, 07:39 AM

Anthem SL if you plug in regularly. K&K and external preamp if you plug in occasionally.

Rudy4 · #7 09-10-2020, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

I use the K&K mini in all my guitars. The mini weighs near nothing and adds very minimal hardware to the inside of the guitar. K&K will tell you to use their preamp but I've found I like the Baggs Session DI more. Best of luck!

Ditto this!

varmonter · #8 09-10-2020, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leew3

I love the K & K in my CEO 7 as well. But also the Anthem SL in my Larrivee L 03. I'm not much help am I?! Be prepared for LOTS of claims that the mic of the Anthem ruins the acoustic sound of your guitar. This has not been my experience but evidently has been a problem for others. YMMV, IMHO, EIEIO.

Maybe my ears are not as sensitive as others.
But I dont ever notice this with my guitars.
Shy of a soundhole plug. I put a sunrise in my
Taylor custom shop. Which is a heavy mag
pickup and cant tell the difference . Maybe
It's the stiffer adi top but I've had the sunrise
In my martin as well and heard no difference.

leinad · #9 09-10-2020, 10:16 AM

i've got the anthem sl in my eastman dt30d and i can't hear any loss of tone in this guitar , so i'm not really concerned with that possibility .

AeroUSA · #10 09-10-2020, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leinad

i've got the anthem sl in my eastman dt30d and i can't hear any loss of tone in this guitar , so i'm not really concerned with that possibility .

It doesn’t affect the tone. I did a comparison video recently if you want to decide for yourself.

Greyhound · #11 09-11-2020, 06:00 PM

I have a CEO 9 arriving tomorrow and plan on having a K&k mini installed. I have K&K in most of my guitars and am very satisfied for my applications. Also have a T Rex soulmate acoustic that I purchased on the AGF arriving tomorrow. Hopefully the FedEx folk won’t break my heart and delay both until Monday.

leinad · #12 09-11-2020, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyhound

I have a CEO 9 arriving tomorrow and plan on having a K&k mini installed. I have K&K in most of my guitars and am very satisfied for my applications. Also have a T Rex soulmate acoustic that I purchased on the AGF arriving tomorrow. Hopefully the FedEx folk won’t break my heart and delay both until Monday.

hope you enjoy your new ceo-9 as much as i do!

j3ffr0 · #13 09-12-2020, 07:51 AM

I have a couple of Fishman rare earth blends that I like... The sounds better to me than K&K or piezo and it comes with a mic to give it that ambiance and air. I have one wired in to an acoustic and another one that floats between acoustics (uninstalled) that I don't amplify as often.

leew3 · #14 09-19-2020, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AeroUSA

It doesn’t affect the tone. I did a comparison video recently if you want to decide for yourself.

I agree-I was trying to preclude what seems to be frequent claims to the contrary here in AGF world. Thanks for your well done comparison video btw and may that finally put this issue to bed.

AeroUSA · #15 09-19-2020, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leew3

I agree-I was trying to preclude what seems to be frequent claims to the contrary here in AGF world. Thanks for your well done comparison video btw and may that finally put this issue to bed.

I used to say that myself but after two of my comparison videos I changed my mind.