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  #1  
Old 04-29-2021, 07:39 PM
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Default Pickup for classical guitar

Recommendations? Something that sounds realistic and natural?
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  #2  
Old 04-30-2021, 03:03 PM
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Sand uses the Barbera pickup. I've tried it and think it's as good as it gets.
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Old 04-30-2021, 05:21 PM
Dogsnax Dogsnax is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EvanB View Post
Sand uses the Barbera pickup. I've tried it and think it's as good as it gets.
Spot on Evan. A number of classical builders prefer the Barbera soloist system, utilizing a separate saddle pick-up for each string. Kenny Hill uses the Barbera system when equipping his guitars with pickups.
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Old 04-30-2021, 05:27 PM
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For something much more economical, you might also take a look at the Kremona pickup that slides in between the saddle and the tie-down--I haven't tried one, but it seems like an elegant and easy way to power up a guitar. If you try one, I'd like to hear a report back. The reviews of the Kremona are pretty good.
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Old 04-30-2021, 07:15 PM
j3ffr0 j3ffr0 is offline
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I have a mic (an ATM 350) that I can clip to one of the internal braces or the side of the soundhole (depending on the guitar) for occasional amplification. My main classical is plenty is loud enough to begin with, so using a mic internally offers as more than I need (with a little EQ).

There is also that kremona pickup... I need to get one of those. As well ad the DPA external clamp on mics.... I'll probably get one of those too (but not just for classical).

I personally would be hesitant to mess around with a saddle type pickup on any classical where I was happy with everything.
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Old 04-30-2021, 11:27 PM
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for a simple economic pick up which is very unobtrusive i really like my Cling on for my boutin, and i like it better than saddle types cause i can move it anywhere on body fairly easily and change the type of sound i get (they use simple magnet system - one piece goes on inside of body via soundhole using dic-a doo, and then the main pick up simply stays in place on outside via the magnetism- or can be removed without trouble.) only 90+tax here in canada.
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Old 05-02-2021, 12:32 PM
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Thanks everyone! How hard is the Barbara pickup to install. Am I right that you have to measure your bridge first?
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Old 05-02-2021, 05:15 PM
alnico5 alnico5 is offline
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I put a K&K in my La Patrie Concert. I like it.
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Old 05-05-2021, 04:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alnico5 View Post
I put a K&K in my La Patrie Concert. I like it.
I also use a k&k

I highly recommend it, assuming you are not going for high volumes

You’ll need to get a good pre-amp
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Old 05-05-2021, 04:58 AM
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This was recorded with k&k direct to DAW, no mic involved:

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Old 05-07-2021, 06:53 PM
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I guess I should have mentioned, this is for a La Petrie Concert. So it's built a little more stout than many classical guitars.
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Old 05-10-2021, 01:10 PM
ceciltguitar ceciltguitar is offline
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Barbera enjoys excellent reputation.

James May’s new Ultratonic is supposed to be similar to K & K, but “improved” due to feedback suppression.
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Old 05-23-2021, 12:57 PM
hushnel hushnel is offline
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Default Transducers

I’ve done some fairly substantial research into transducers. It started off with building a cigar box bass to replace the Ashbory I traded for a ukulele. I’ve used a couple of K&K to good effect. What I Discovered is transducers are pretty much the same. Disks come in several diameters, I assume that larger surface/diameter disk pickup more signal, ribbon transducers seem fairly standard in diameter but can be cut to various length. They are most often used to signal traffic light change and are situated under the blacktop, triggered by the weight of the vehicle.

So, I purchased a bunch of disk transducers in a couple of diameters and have installed them in various instruments, like the Guild fretless B-50, and an older Yamaha Classical guitar, I can’t tell any difference between them and the K&K other than a few bucks can get you a dozen or so transducers, wiring them up is pretty straight forward. The under saddle placement of ribbon transducers can actually pick up too much signal and bark a bit, My best experience is using a two or three smaller diameter transducer on the bridge plate just behind the saddle. The adhesive does not need to be a permanent instillation, I used a phone plug lower strap button to plug in. Going through the lower bout block is an easy fix if you want to revert the instrument to stock.

An example https://www.amazon.com/15Pcs-Trigger...76497695&psc=1

Last edited by hushnel; 05-23-2021 at 01:08 PM.
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Old 05-23-2021, 03:07 PM
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Hush;

Very interesting; building from scratch with a method to the madness. Cool.
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Old 05-24-2021, 08:05 AM
hushnel hushnel is offline
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I’ve used the prewired JJB transducer, a decent price ready to install for about $50
http://jjb-electronics.com/our-products.html
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