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  #1  
Old 12-04-2018, 01:52 PM
ssjk ssjk is offline
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Default Modest price acoustic pickup suggestions, if you please

I’m leading a guitar instruction group of advanced beginner/intermediate level and prefer to use one of my less valuable guitars. But they can’t be heard over the sound of up to 20 folks strumming or picking along. So I’m looking for a reasonable cost/ OK sound option for a pickup.

From reading the threads here, it sounds like $30-50 will get me something that sounds more electric than acoustic. There is some love for the K&K at around $100, and that’s about as high as I want to go for this one trick pony.

Any “good enough” suggestions for around $50? As long as it sounds like an acoustic guitar, that’ll do.

Will feed directly into a Loudbox Artist.
I’m OK doing a simple install like a K&K pure mini and don’t mind drilling a hole
Soundhole mounted is fine as well - maybe even better so I can easily move it to another beater
Likely guitar is a 1980 or so Sigma dread. All laminate I think, sides for sure.

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 12-04-2018, 02:08 PM
Goat Mick Goat Mick is offline
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I actually prefer JJB pickups over K&K and they're about half the money (~$50.00). I have them in 3 guitars and a K&K in one. The K&K pickup is a bit more crisp but to me the JJB sounds more natural and is more easily controllable.

http://www.jjb-electronics.com/
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Old 12-04-2018, 02:12 PM
drive-south drive-south is offline
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With a budget of $50 you def should look for a lightly used unit. I suggest you check the AGF classified.

K&K is a nice sounding pickup but really needs an external preamp to sound good. I suggest an active puckup thats fits in your budget.
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Old 12-04-2018, 03:35 PM
BT55 BT55 is offline
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Default Modest price acoustic pickup suggestions, if you please

+1 for the JJB pickups. They are comparable with K&K mini’s at half the price. The only problem with JJB & K&K units is that you may need a preamp to use them in many situations.
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Old 12-04-2018, 04:09 PM
drive-south drive-south is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BT55 View Post
+1 for the JJB pickups. They are comparable with K&K mini’s at half the price. The only problem with JJB & K&K units is that you may need a preamp to use them in many situations.
I concur and the preamp will def cost more than the pickup. So much for the budget.

Perhaps a used active soundhole pickup like Baggs M1A. Run the cable out the soundhole with no end pin jack. Easy to move from 1 guitar to another.
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Old 12-04-2018, 04:46 PM
ssjk ssjk is offline
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Thanks to all. I have a jjb on the way. I’ll let you know if it needs a preamp before the loudbox.
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Old 12-04-2018, 05:57 PM
Molder Molder is offline
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I would be shocked if you needed a preamp going into an Artist. I use them with a couple of different guitars, and go right into my Mini. They sound good. If you were going straight into a mixer that might be a different story.

I did end up ordering their volume control, which mounts right into the endpin jack. It works well if you need to tweek your volume while away from the amp.

Good luck!

Dave
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Old 12-04-2018, 06:21 PM
Irish Pennant Irish Pennant is offline
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I just now ordered a JJB. It requires you to go through PayPal, I don't have a PayPal account and so I performed the purchased as a PayPal guest. I was charged for two pickups with no easy way to correct it. I've used JJBs before and so having a second one around doesn't ruin my day, I'll put it to good use, eventually. They're good pickups. If you decide to go JJB, just be careful when ordering so you can stay near your budget.
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Old 12-04-2018, 06:47 PM
Wooly Wooly is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Irish Pennant View Post
I just now ordered a JJB. It requires you to go through PayPal, I don't have a PayPal account and so I performed the purchased as a PayPal guest. I was charged for two pickups with no easy way to correct it. I've used JJBs before and so having a second one around doesn't ruin my day, I'll put it to good use, eventually. They're good pickups. If you decide to go JJB, just be careful when ordering so you can stay near your budget.
I think you you email Jessie at JJB and let him know what happened, he would be able to help you out with that.
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Old 12-04-2018, 07:03 PM
Irish Pennant Irish Pennant is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wooly View Post
I think you you email Jessie at JJB and let him know what happened, he would be able to help you out with that.
Thanks for the tip, I'll do that.
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  #11  
Old 12-06-2018, 09:27 AM
Marshall Marshall is offline
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I'll put in a good word for the Schatten HFN. It's the same price range as the K&K. It's an easier install and isn't permanent.

And they sound great. It's a sound board transducer sort of like the K&K
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  #12  
Old 12-06-2018, 01:30 PM
roylor4 roylor4 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssjk View Post
I’m leading a guitar instruction group of advanced beginner/intermediate level and prefer to use one of my less valuable guitars. But they can’t be heard over the sound of up to 20 folks strumming or picking along. So I’m looking for a reasonable cost/ OK sound option for a pickup.

From reading the threads here, it sounds like $30-50 will get me something that sounds more electric than acoustic. There is some love for the K&K at around $100, and that’s about as high as I want to go for this one trick pony.

Any “good enough” suggestions for around $50? As long as it sounds like an acoustic guitar, that’ll do.

Will feed directly into a Loudbox Artist.
I’m OK doing a simple install like a K&K pure mini and don’t mind drilling a hole
Soundhole mounted is fine as well - maybe even better so I can easily move it to another beater
Likely guitar is a 1980 or so Sigma dread. All laminate I think, sides for sure.

Thanks.
I have JJb's in two of mine. They sound fine but you will most likely need a preamp. I'm a gigging musician and find them feedback prone in louder situations. I far prefer my Seymour Duncan Woody XL. I have asked Santa for a DeArmond Tone Boss so I can have a permanent install.

For tone, volume and ease of use the Woody XL is hard to beat although it is a tad over your budget. The ability to adjust pole pieces on a mag pickup is critical to getting even tone IMO.
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  #13  
Old 12-06-2018, 04:40 PM
Br1ck Br1ck is offline
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JJBs are fine, but a DI or pre with a 1 meg ohm input is necessary.
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Old 12-08-2018, 09:33 AM
Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Br1ck View Post
JJBs are fine, but a DI or pre with a 1 meg ohm input is necessary.
Why is it necessary? I am new to JJB's and K&K's. I have used a K&K at a gig with successful results. What would a DI or a preamp do for me? I run my guitar straight into a mixer. Thanks!
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  #15  
Old 12-08-2018, 09:40 AM
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I like the Dimarzio soundhole dual coil humbucker. Very inexpensive and very good sounding.
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