Most natural pickup

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Murray Kuun
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:37 am

Most natural pickup

Post by Murray Kuun »

I'm in the throes of completing my most unusual nylon string archtop and would like some advice about the obtaining the most natural (simple?) acoustic pickup for it. U/saddle types are out of the question due to the bridge type.

The guitar is not yet finished but I have strung it up with a few frets to get an idea of the sound achieved. Although it exceeds my expectations, I do think a pure natural pickup could enhance the package (in case of a performance in a biggish room :-)

The pic below gives a rough idea of the guitar, having no conventional soundhole, I may find it difficult to fit a complex pup system (can work through the f-holes and the port)
Attachments
archangelxxx.jpg
Darrel Friesen
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Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:48 pm

Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Darrel Friesen »

I've used the K & K pick-ups on a couple of archtops and like them a lot.
Dave Stewart
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Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Dave Stewart »

Murray, you might find an internal mic arrangement best gives you what you're after, (although just a guess....I've never tried one). Very nice archtop BTW.
Darrel, did you find the K&K somewhat harsh and/or midrange "peaky". (I've heard some EQ is strongly recommended to adjust for this, but have no experience.)
Dave
Milton, ON
Mario Proulx
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Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Mario Proulx »

I've not installed one on an archtop(but will in a couple months), but I've not found an instrument upon which a K&K system didn't sound great, and very natural. I've even stuck a "pure mini"(formerly known as the mini western triple) system on my upright bass one time when I had a last-minute gig come up that necessitated a pickup, and it sounded great! Ran it straight out to the bass amp, no EQ....
Darrel Friesen
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Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Darrel Friesen »

Dave Stewart wrote:Murray, you might find an internal mic arrangement best gives you what you're after, (although just a guess....I've never tried one). Very nice archtop BTW.
Darrel, did you find the K&K somewhat harsh and/or midrange "peaky". (I've heard some EQ is strongly recommended to adjust for this, but have no experience.)
I didn't find that Dave. I've only run it through smaller PAs, mainly my Peavey Escort with built in EQ, in medium sized rooms, but it sounds very natural to me. I do have the pre-amp with bass and treble adjustment (no EQ), but find that I never bother with it. If you were trying to fill a large space like a tavern, then I would likely use the pre-amp for a bit more power.
Michael Lewis
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Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Michael Lewis »

Piling on for K&K also. Great signal and you don't NEED a preamp unless you are in a high sound level situation. In high sound level situation you will lose the tone in in order to get volume.

You CAN use an under saddle type element if you make your bridge to accept it. I have done that and it works fine. I made a saddle (upper part of the bridge) , slotted it, and made individual saddle pieces for each string. You will have a wire out of the saddle to deal with but there is usually a sound hole nearby or a pick guard to hide it under. The main problem with the under saddle pick ups is they do need a preamp, and that means batteries. K&K wins.

Oh, by the way, a good microphone is the best acoustic sound, though it depends on the system it is run through.
Arnt Rian
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Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Arnt Rian »

I'm also a big fan of k and k, but if the most natural sound is your main goal, nothing beats a good condenser microphone. Studio mics are unpractical for most live situations, but clip on systems like dpa work well, unless you have loud stage volumes. The main drawback is cost, and the cantilevered arm may take some getting used to. These are getting very popular in the classical violin world etc
Murray Kuun
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:37 am

Re: Most natural pickup

Post by Murray Kuun »

A pic of the guitar now.
Attachments
archangel 1.jpg
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