Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:09 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:44 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2018 3:40 pm
Posts: 500
First name: Ernest
Last Name: Kleinman
City: Guthrie
State: OK
Zip/Postal Code: 73044
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
. I have a nice ramirez guitar that I would like to put a pickup on, for myself , to practice through a small amp . Suggestions ?? thank you


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:16 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:42 pm
Posts: 1701
First name: John
Last Name: Parchem
City: Seattle
State: Wa
Zip/Postal Code: 98177
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I like the K&K Pure Classic. It takes a bit to install them in a completed classical guitar, but doable with care. They sound great. They work with amps without a preamp or with an external preamp. No batteries.

_________________
http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com



These users thanked the author johnparchem for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:54 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:01 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:44 am
Posts: 5398
First name: colin
Last Name: north
Country: Scotland.
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
http://jjb-electronics.com/prestige-430c.html

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.



These users thanked the author Colin North for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:54 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:55 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:42 am
Posts: 1574
Location: United States
There are some top classical virtuoso who use some hidden system that broadcasts to a receiver at the amp. It is totally invisible, because of the great prejudice against showing electronics during a classical recital, but it works great. One who used this is Sharon Isben, head of the guitar department at Julliard. I had years ago seen an article in which she mentioned this and named the installer. IF you cannot find via Internet search, try emailing her at Julliard or her personal web site.



These users thanked the author wbergman for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:54 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:15 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 272
First name: Chris
Last Name: Reed
City: Stowmarket
State: Suffolk
Zip/Postal Code: IP14 2EX
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Today's post brought me an iRig Acoustic Stage, https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigacousticstage/

A flat microphone (not a piezo) about the size of a triangular pick clips to the sound hole, and from there a thin wire runs and plugs into a box on your belt, and from that a standard 1/4 inch jack cable to the amp. The box has volume controls, tone selection (there's a nylon setting which lets you chose from natural, warm and bright) and a feedback cutout button.

I tried this on a ukulele and a steel-strung tenor guitar through my practice amp, and the sound was very, very close to a decent instrument mic. I'll be trying it out on stage on Friday, so will report back (particularly what the sound guy says about controllability and feedback).

Amazon had it on offer so I paid the equivalent of roughly US$100.

The big pluses are:
    it takes maybe 10-15 seconds to swap between instruments, and I can always get a second pickup/lead for around US$25 so it's just a matter of plugging and unplugging
    no modification to the instrument at all
    sounds like a mic, not a piezo

I'll discover any drawbacks over time as I gig it in bars and so on, but my initial impression is very positive.



These users thanked the author profchris for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Wed Apr 10, 2019 1:15 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:18 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 5:46 am
Posts: 2931
Location: United States
+1 for K&K

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com



These users thanked the author Jim Watts for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Wed Apr 10, 2019 1:15 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 1:17 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2018 3:40 pm
Posts: 500
First name: Ernest
Last Name: Kleinman
City: Guthrie
State: OK
Zip/Postal Code: 73044
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Thanks chris , yes please report the results you get . I could then swap out betweenmy classicals and ukes


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:02 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:14 am
Posts: 982
Location: Shefford, Québec
First name: Tim
Last Name: Mullin
City: Shefford
State: QC
Zip/Postal Code: J2M 1R5
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Don’t get me wrong, the K&K is a great sounding pickup, but installation is best when the transducers are CA’d in place — tricky on a steel string and, for me, virtually impossible on a classical unless installed before you close the box. I really prefer PUPs that sound good with a tape application — much easier to install, de-install and to shift when you find they aren’t as well balanced as you like. I keep the LR Baggs Lyric and the Schatten HFN on the shelf for classicals and like both. For us in Canada, the Schatten is tremendous bargain as it’s Canadian-made and much better priced than the Lyric. To my ears, they both sound great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


Last edited by Tim Mullin on Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:57 am 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12971
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Hey Ernie, LR Baggs Lyric Classical. Have installed a goodly amount of these and folks like them. No CA to glue your fingers inside the guitar either and no I've never done that, well once maybe... :)

They don't sound very good playing purple haze but do Mozart well. :)

_________________
Ann Arbor Guitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:36 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2018 3:40 pm
Posts: 500
First name: Ernest
Last Name: Kleinman
City: Guthrie
State: OK
Zip/Postal Code: 73044
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Tnx for the recommendations Hesh, and all the other suggestions. I have not installed anything in ages. so its time to get in gear for me, and hey shmendrik hesh I luv purple haze ,. but shmozart makes me smarter I hope LOL.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 10:59 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 2953
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
If you have to use a pickup, I'm a pretty big fan of the LR Baggs Lyric in general, particularly if you match it up with an LR Baggs Venue preamp. Great sound (for a pickup), not super expensive, not that hard to install, no horrible holes in the guitar (other than the end pin jack), and not finicky or delicate feeling while you are on stage. It ticks a lot of boxes.

I always prefer mics, though, when mics can work in the situation, which is more often than people give them credit for these days.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:12 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3289
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
If it helps, here is how I installed the K&K with CA. Pucker factor reduced to half with the jig, but there was still sweat on the brow. :D

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=51437

Edited to add: There is a couple of youtube links buried in the post that show the jig in use which might help.

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:37 pm 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12971
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Ernie Kleinman wrote:
Tnx for the recommendations Hesh, and all the other suggestions. I have not installed anything in ages. so its time to get in gear for me, and hey shmendrik hesh I luv purple haze ,. but shmozart makes me smarter I hope LOL.


:). Me too brother, me too! :)

_________________
Ann Arbor Guitars



These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:10 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:43 pm 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12971
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Here's a tip for folks installing K&K pups with the two or three glue on transducers.

Hit the plate, the bridge plate with some 180 - 220 paper first and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Then spray accelerator on a clean paper towel and wipe the bridge plate with it. This will flash the glue much faster.

Dave uses a jig that he made that registers on two pin holes to position the transducer. I position my bench light directly overhead and locate where I want the transducers free hand using two pin holes at a time sighting downward through the holes. Both methods work fine.

Love K&K too and much less expensive.

Check out our friend Dave Farmer's site for a pic of his services and you will see a clever way to loop the K&K cable inside the box taking up lots of slack.

_________________
Ann Arbor Guitars



These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:10 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 5:09 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7241
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
I'm a K&K fan too, put one in yesterday. Too get the cord to loop I just turn the jack with a mini screwdriver using the horizontal holes that are in the jack then tighten the nut when the loop is in the position I want.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"



These users thanked the author SteveSmith for the post: Ernie Kleinman (Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:10 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:12 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2018 3:40 pm
Posts: 500
First name: Ernest
Last Name: Kleinman
City: Guthrie
State: OK
Zip/Postal Code: 73044
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Will wait till july on this, am getting eye surgery, in june and new lenses. Tnx everyone it is much appreciated !!!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:12 pm 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12971
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Ernie Kleinman wrote:
Will wait till july on this, am getting eye surgery, in june and new lenses. Tnx everyone it is much appreciated !!!


Cataracts? I always figured you for a Lincoln Continental type of guy.... :) laughing6-hehe gaah :D

_________________
Ann Arbor Guitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:18 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 272
First name: Chris
Last Name: Reed
City: Stowmarket
State: Suffolk
Zip/Postal Code: IP14 2EX
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Just back from gigging using the iRig Acoustic Stage. I'm impressed, and so was the sound man. It sounded as good as a decent instrument mic though a little different - less airy, stronger on the bass and mids. Definitely an acoustic sound though, nothing like the artificiality of even a good piezo. No feedback problems.

Two minor issues:

1. It's loose on my ultra thin uke top. A scrap of 1mm rubber sheet fixed that fine. It fits my tenor guitar well though.

2. The belt clip wouldn't stay on, fixed with a couple of small strips of gaffer tape.

I'd say it's a very good solution if you can get one in the US.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 50 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com