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Post by Janey on Jul 24, 2021 18:21:43 GMT
I've looked but haven't been able to find a thread on this (I'm sure that it must be there but I can't find it)
What soundhole pickup would folk recommend I use on my guitar?
I play mainly finger style
Thank you everyone
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Post by lavaman on Jul 24, 2021 21:40:41 GMT
Pickup choice is very personal and I'm sure you'll get diverse replies. Don't expect any pickup to capture the true acoustic sound, aim for getting an acceptable amplified sound.
Most of my guitars are fitted with a K&K pure mini. They sound decent and have no batteries to replace. I get a good sound from both plugging directly into a PA and when I use an Orchid preamp.
If you definitely want a soundhole pickup, consider a Fishman Rare Earth humbucking pickup. I'm happy with the sound I get from mine. I think you can also get these with a blending microphone but at increased cost.
Iain
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 24, 2021 22:08:02 GMT
I'm definitely with Iain on this one, Janey. The sound from K&K mini bridgeplate transducers can be so much more pleasant than most soundhole pickups. K&K are not perfect, but generally less "electric" sounding than soundhole pickups. With careful eq though, soundhole pus can be made to sound quite good.
I have several instruments I've fitted with K&K, and, like Iain, mostly use an Orchid preamp, but sometimes a K&K or Baggs PADI or even a Boss eq pedal - all work well enough. Extra cost, but it's good to have tone/vol control at your fingertips whatever you are playing through - which prompts me to ask what will you be using for amplification, Janey?
Are you thinking of soundhole pickups as a permanent fitting, or to be removeable?
I have no personal experience of using soundhole pickups and I have only heard the inexpensive Seymour Duncan Woody soundhole pu in a friend's Martin. It doesn't do the Martin any favours though, but as a plug-and-play option in a band context it sounds tolerable.
The problem with K&K is that you can't try before you buy - once it's in, it's, er, in! But you might find a shop willing to let you try a soundhole pickup in your guitar to see what you think - but try also to play it through your own amp if that's what you're going to be using.
Let us know how you get on!
Keith
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Post by Janey on Jul 25, 2021 14:40:35 GMT
Thanks guys appreciate your knowledge.
As for why a soundhole pickup, well I don't fancy drilling holes in my Guild (Though I put a bridge pick up in my yamaha years ago) Also I was thinking a soundhole pickup could be removed and inserted on the very rare occasions when I have a gig. Again this hasn't happened for 30 odd years (lol back in the day when I had two lungs and could at least try to get the high notes) but one lives in hope.
As for what it's plugged in to 35 years ago I used a Winfield (yes from Woolworths) combo amp so I hadn't even thought of preamps and stuff. Oh dear!
Ok K K Mini it is then when I get one (probably Christmas pressie). Though I think I'll have to get someone to fit it for me
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 25, 2021 16:04:11 GMT
As it seems that use will be infrequent, why not just get a really cheap soundhole pu and try it through your amp? - you can always sell the pu if you do go K&K.
Keith
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Post by Janey on Jul 25, 2021 18:26:05 GMT
Maybe. I like to think that perhaps I'll suddenly get brilliant and be in demand! Lmao 😉
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Post by grayn on Jul 26, 2021 12:50:04 GMT
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Post by Janey on Jul 26, 2021 14:17:21 GMT
Thank you 🙂
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Post by fred7 on Aug 9, 2021 9:20:25 GMT
Hi Janey, I have used a Fishman Rare Earth for many years now and it works very well. As others have said, the K&K might be a better option but the beauty of the Fishman is the ease for changing between guitars. It is good to have your main instrument fitted with something permanent and a good soundhole pick up on standby for any additional guitars/12 strings etc whenever needed.
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Post by scorpiodog on Aug 9, 2021 16:32:10 GMT
When I started gigging, about 14 years ago, I only had an acoustic guitar with no p/u. I bought a Fishman blend soundhole jobbie. I thought, as you do, that I could avoid changing the strcuture of the guitar. However, using a soundhole pickup with the wires (flimsy wires, at that) hanging out of the soundhole is a recipe for disaster. Stand on the lead by accident, and it rips out the wires (don't ask me how I know!).
Far better to have the strap button hole enlarged so you have a proper jack socket to use, whether or not you have a soundhole p/u.
For myself, I'd rather use K&K for more reasons that I can name, but I know that others have different preferences. But whatever you do, use a properly installed p/u, and don't think of a soundhole pickup as easily dismountable.
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Post by Janey on Aug 10, 2021 18:21:07 GMT
I have decided that I'm going to have a K&K installed if I can find someone to do it for me. There's no rush but I suppose old age is teaching me that if it's worth doing I may as well do it properly. Thank you everyone as always for your sage and learned advice. Much appreciated.
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Post by lavaman on Aug 10, 2021 22:25:15 GMT
K&K is a good choice Janey. I've had all of mine fitted by Alan at KGB Music in Birkenhead. He does a really good job for a reasonable price and is just a few stops down the Northern / Wirral line at Hamilton Square station. Iain www.kgb-music.co.uk/
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Post by Janey on Aug 11, 2021 14:15:13 GMT
K&K is a good choice Janey. I've had all of mine fitted by Alan at KGB Music in Birkenhead. He does a really good job for a reasonable price and is just a few stops down the Northern / Wirral line at Hamilton Square station. Iain www.kgb-music.co.uk/Brilliant Iain thank you. Not too far from me
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Post by papadon on Jan 18, 2022 3:53:12 GMT
Hi Janey, I have used a Fishman Rare Earth for many years now and it works very well. As others have said, the K&K might be a better option but the beauty of the Fishman is the ease for changing between guitars. It is good to have your main instrument fitted with something permanent and a good soundhole pick up on standby for any additional guitars/12 strings etc whenever needed. +1
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Post by papadon on May 6, 2022 20:16:03 GMT
Having said what I said in the post above although I still very much like my Fishman Rare Earth when I bought my new Guild which came with a piezo pickup (which I hate almost as much as Vladimir Putin)I remembered that some years back I owned a Martin with an onboard Fishman Aura system. Rather than install another Rare Earth based on my prior experience I decided to try out their pedal version. I've had it for about a week now and even though it was pricey all I can say is wow! I'm a low tech guy but as far as I understand it's based on what is called IR (impulse response technology) which means that they digitally record various guitars through high end mics and when you apply those presets to your guitar and amp it makes it sound just like that with less feedback problems and you aren't glued to a mic. It comes with a ton of presets and I do have to admit that a lot of them seem to be redundant and unless you own the exact guitar they recorded it with it may not sound exactly like your guitar but they all seem to sound pretty damn good. Anyway I couldn't be happier with this thing.
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