K&K Pure Mini tips

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Dut4907

Just ordered a K&K pickup for my Taylor DN3 and was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions on installation or playing with the pickup?

Hi D-4907

I own 5 acoustic guitars with K&K Pure Mini pickups, and paying a professional tech to install them was worth the extra $50…EVERY TIME.

No templates, no practicing feeling around in the inside and attempting to visualize what I cannot see etc.

[tadol]

I’d highly recommend the UltraTonic - a big step up from the K&K, and arguably easier to install. But if you have already purchased the K&K, the UltraTonic conversion/upgrade kit should be on your radar -

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

...

In high precision applications flatness is *THE* critical manufacturing factor for flexural piezoceramics. It is very important and makes a big difference.

Low cost manufacturing is low cost because sometimes you skimp on the finer details. Getting this detail right is expensive but also very important.

[Bluenose]

I've drilled out endpin holes using two methods, drill bits and a reamer that I bought specifically for the job from Stewmac. Both worked well but it took many weeks to get the reamer. I suggest that if you use the step up method with drill bits that you go with as small increments as possible using sharp bits. Also no need to drill all the way to the full 1/2" dia. I found that the bit in my index just before the 1/2" bit (31/64th) gave a nice fit to the jack plug. I've done 3 installation of K+K pure minis with total success. I'd also suggest that you mask off the top just to be safe from the CA glue dripping on the finish. Good luck.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

The template (and supplied golf tee...) are a nice feature, but I found other differences, too. Since I've used both I was interested in comparing the ACTUAL differences rather than opinions on what someone thought was a better deal.

The barrel jack threads are rough on the JJB and the end cap is less substantial where the strap notch is. The more concerning part for me is the actual transducer faces are slightly cup-shaped on the JJB I ordered. All of my K&Ks have been perfectly flat. It might not make any difference ultimately if they are installed with a thick layer of CA gel glue, but it didn't give me the idea that they are "identical" as what you usually see posted by users.

Is the K&K worth twice the price? That's up for debate.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had to replace the original input Jack that came with the JJB. I have heard he is using a better one now.
As far as the price goes, I still like the more natural voicing I get out of the JJB. As Leew said, you may have some bass issues with the K&K and it is a “hotter” pickup. Could be that “shape thing” ??

[euraquilo]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

The barrel jack threads are rough on the JJB and the end cap is less substantial where the strap notch is. The more concerning part for me is the actual transducer faces are slightly cup-shaped on the JJB I ordered. All of my K&Ks have been perfectly flat. It might not make any difference ultimately if they are installed with a thick layer of CA gel glue, but it didn't give me the idea that they are "identical" as what you usually see posted by users.

Thanks for the detailed comparison. It makes sense that there might be some corners cut with the JJB. I have installed JJBs on a number of guitars and my ears were satisfied.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Dut4907

Which acoustic amp would work best with the K&K?

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this. For me it's the ToneDexter.

[poopsidoo]

Originally Posted by Dut4907

Which acoustic amp would work best with the K&K?

My k&k on my Gibson sounds Great straight into my Gentzler AA Pro. I HIGHLY recommend it

[Slothead56]

Originally Posted by Corndog

Put several layers of blue tape where you will drill out the end pin hole and I recommend using a countersink bit before drilling. Carefully use the countersink until you get a diameter "just" larger than the drill size. This will help keep the drilling process from pulling a chip from the face of the guitar. Don't go too large or the jack won't cover the area.

I’ve done 6 or 7 myself. It’s not hard if you take time and practice.

As far as tape..I always tape up the face of the guitar between the sound hole and the bridge as well as a couple inches from the sound hole to the sides. CA gel destroys a finish upon contact, even a pinhead size drop. (Ask me how I know.)

Oh, and take your Rolex off before you go reaching into the guitar...

[James May]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

...
Oh, and take your Rolex off before you go reaching into the guitar...

That's very funny. I'd hate to buy a used guitar and find a Rolex left in there by accident... surely a sign that the install was not done by a luthier!

[fujauroste]

Originally Posted by alnico5

I use them with a Loudbox Mini amp at my gigs. I am not looking for any improvements. The pickup wants a 1 megohm input impedance and the Loudbox Mini supplies this. I do not use an external preamp.

The Loudbox Mini is 10 megaohms. I have to turn down the bass all the way one mine when using the K&K pure mini.

[Corndog]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I’ve done 6 or 7 myself. It’s not hard if you take time and practice.

As far as tape..I always tape up the face of the guitar between the sound hole and the bridge as well as a couple inches from the sound hole to the sides. CA gel destroys a finish upon contact, even a pinhead size drop. (Ask me how I know.)

Oh, and take your Rolex off before you go reaching into the guitar...

On a related note, if installing on a guitar that has a small sound hole you may have to make a new jig. This was the first I installed and the victim was a Little Martin.

Added: the point of this post was to show a jig I made for this purpose but I was unable to both attach an image file and a link to the file on another site.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by Corndog

On a related note, if installing on a guitar that has a small sound hole you may have to make a new jig. This was the first I installed and the victim was a Little Martin.

Added: the point of this post was to show a jig I made for this purpose but I was unable to both attach an image file and a link to the file on another site. Couldn't delete the post either. Awesome.

Now you make me wonder what the sound hole size has to do with the alignment jig. I'm not following that.

[Corndog]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Now you make me wonder what the sound hole size has to do with the alignment jig. I'm not following that.

It's a matter of getting one's hand in the guitar to actually install it.

[dnf777]

Use gel glue as they strongly recommend. Dont even THINK about not covering every square inch of guitar that you dont want to drop glue on!