Fishman Platinum Pro vs Baggs Venue with K&K

[pagedr]

I'm looking for a new preamp to use with my K&K equipped guitars. Have been using a Pure XLR for the last year or two but haven't been all that happy with it, just a bit too harsh.

I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Fishman Platinum Pro and the Baggs Venue, but not sure if one might work better with the K&K, so curious to hear some opinions. I've also looked at the Red Eye but really want something with more EQ capabilities. Also have considered the ToneDexter but I don't have any nice mics (my "best" mic is a Shure SM57) and I'd rather not go down that rabbit hole.

[jonfields45]

I think you should go with ToneDexter, no IR. You can get decent results with your SM57, but you could also look around for a ToneDexter IR you could download that matches your pickup (plentiful) and instrument.

[guitarman68]

I tried or own some of them and really can recommend the Fishman with the K&K.
TD is great, but yes, it's a rabbit hole.

[RockerDuck]

I'd rather have the Fishman Platinum Pro eq (all analog) than a computer based Tonedexter. You can also use a Fishman ToneDeQ which sounds good and has effects. You can find Youtube videos of K&k pickups with both of these. I own both and can recommend both.

[jonfields45]

If you don't bother with an IR, ToneDexter is just a full featured analog preamp physically built incredibly well (that is my EE opinion) that should you change your mind, could load or generate an IR.

I think to spend dramatically more than the $33 for a Behringer ADI21 and not get an IR loader/generator is not a good value with where technology is today.

At least a ToneDeq has effects and a compressor. It is not built like a tank but it is very light.

[pagedr]

Appreciate the thoughts so far! Have been leaning toward the Fishman lately so might just go that route.

[Nick84]

I have a Baggs venue that works fine with K&K - also had a Fishman platinum stage. I liked using the low cut on the Fishman with the K&K

[guitarman68]

Yes, Lo Cut and presence knob makes the Platinum Pro EQ a perfect choice with the K&K - as long as you do not want to go the TD route.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by pagedr

I'm looking for a new preamp to use with my K&K equipped guitars. Have been using a Pure XLR for the last year or two but haven't been all that happy with it, just a bit too harsh.

I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Fishman Platinum Pro and the Baggs Venue, but not sure if one might work better with the K&K, so curious to hear some opinions. I've also looked at the Red Eye but really want something with more EQ capabilities. Also have considered the ToneDexter but I don't have any nice mics (my "best" mic is a Shure SM57) and I'd rather not go down that rabbit hole.

Hi pagedr

I prefer the Fishman over the Aura, and both are great. The Fishman gives one more control over the signal…

• Input gain
• Ground lift
• Adjustable Compressor
• Low cut (adjustable)
• Phase invert
• Pre/Post EQ

Both of them have tuners built in, but they are actually pretty lame compared to a good clip on tuner. The tuner works as a good mute control…


Just my two cents worth…(which is worth less every year)

[mondoslug]

Incoming opinion...kinda apples & beer also.

Fishman Platinum Pro. I had the Baggs Venue and yeah it does have an extra band of Para EQ I believe but I still prefer the Fishman. I like the design better.
In all fairness though, I didn't have a K&K guitar when I owned the Venue. My K&K Collings sounded ok with the Platinum Pro although I didn't really care for the K&K so I tossed it, so there's that. I had a ToneDexter with the K&K and it was certainly interesting. I have a Felix and it was decent with the K&K but...

Platinum Pro, it's solid and the Tuner actually works....at least for me. It's a little noisy though but bearable in a live situation, IMHO of course, if there are ever any more of those that is.

[djeffcoat]

You might like this. I use it with K&K and Baggs pickups with success.

https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Eye-Deve.../dp/B0089EUZ4A

[Marty C]

To the OP, I really think they are all rabbit holes. We get to where we want with trial and error. Thank God some of the rabbit holes have a bottom!