Acoustic Guitars

[rugge78]

I need to amplify my acoustic (Epi masterbuilt) with an external mic. I don’t like undersaddle and I don’t want to make holes on the axe.

I need amplification for my church service.

I already have the Behringer condenser C2 but need phantom power.  So I would keep for my services an amp (doesn’t have phantom +48) , guitar, mic stand, mic phantom adapter

I want to keep it simple so I considered also a simple lavalier omni AT 3350.

Or does it worth changing my guitar amp?

Thanks for suggestions about your experience.

[Sangemon]

A lavalier is designed to be clipped onto clothing in the vicinity of your head. I don't see it being applicable to micing a guitar.

Have you considered installing a soundboard transducer, like a K&K?

[rugge78]

I see sometimes people who attach lavalier on the soundhole of the guitar. I don't want to install endpin jack bacause I amplify my guitar only few time per year...

[Scodiddly]

You can do a lav, but you're probably going to have a tough time dealing with feedback if it's just going to your amp. A stand-mounted directional mic is probably your best bet in that situation.

How much of a sound system does the church have? Can you just beg a proper input to the mixer and ditch your amp?

[acousticdepot]

A condenser will be prone to feedback as well.  It will also pick up everything in the general vacinity of the mic ... so get one with a switch.

I myself think the undersaddle pickups like the K&K, and JJB electronics Prestige 330 is the best option.  I do recommend a preamp with this option.  As far as cutting into your guitar, I recommend going down to sears and getting a reamer ... instead of using a drill.  If you own a Taylor, you don't even have to do this since they make the hole big enough for a jack ... no cutting required.

JJB Electronics Prestige 330 - $50

Least expensive (new) acoustic preamp - Fishman GII - $60

Good luck with whatever option you go with.

[Sangemon · Accepted solution]

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rugge78 wrote:

I see sometimes people who attach lavalier on the soundhole of the guitar. I don't want to install endpin jack bacause I amplify my guitar only few time per year...

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Well then I'd think that something like a Fishman Neo D magnetic soundhole pickup would be preferable to a lav. Where do you clip a lav on a guitar? Onto the top? Under the strings? It'll likely work itself loose and fall into the guitar. Either way you're going to have a wire hanging out of the soundhole, but you'll have much less of a problem with feedback and it will probably sound a whole lot better too.

[DeepEnd]

^ This +1. A Fishman NeoD or other soundhole pickup would be my recommendation as well. Prices will start at around $35 for a Dean Markley Pro Mag Plus and go up to $300 or so.

[rugge78]

I already have a fishman neo D  but I don't like bacause it sounds too much electric!!! I need ths sound of pick, the sound of the wood... ok If you say that it is the only way...

[Sangemon]

You could try a dynamic mic like an Shure SM-57 on a stand, but that will be very noisy.

A cardioid condenser on a stand is your best bet if you're going for a natural sound, but feedback will be an issue.

Or...

What about a K&K or JJB soundboard transducer installed with one of these?

No drilling required. You'll still need to deal with feedback, but a soundhole cover works well with those pickups.

I think any of these options would be better than a lavaier (perhaps with the exception of the SM-57, I'm not sure why I even suggested it).

[jamesp]

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Scodiddly wrote:
You can do a lav, but you're probably going to have a tough time dealing with feedback if it's just going to your amp. A stand-mounted directional mic is probably your best bet in that situation.

How much of a sound system does the church have? Can you just beg a proper input to the mixer and ditch your amp?

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This is the simplest option. Have the church set up another mic and leave your amp at home. Second choice might be spending $20 on a phantom power supply and using your own mic.

[Pine Apple Slim]

<<<<You could try a dynamic mic like an Shure SM-57 on a stand, but that will be very noisy.>>>>>
Not in my experience. Use an SM57, thats what they are designed for.

I've tried clip on lavilers in the soundhole. Not too good. That would be noisy. Picks up every bump of your strumming hand on the top of the guitar, plus it will be boomy and feedback way too easily.
I would just put a 57 on a stand and ditch the amp.
Especially for a church gig. But if you must have the amp for monitoring, plug into the mic channel or the amp and send a line out to the board. Just be careful with the amp placement, dont point the mic at it. Works best with the amp placed just like it was a monitor, facing back at you.

[DeepEnd]

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rugge78 wrote:

I already have a fishman neo D  but I don't like bacause it sounds too much electric!!! . . .

You may simply need a better pickup but be prepared to pay for it. A Fishman Rare Earth, the next step up from the NeoD, runs $120 on Amazon.com, a bit cheaper on eBay. Go here to compare the sound of various pickups: http://www.dougyoungguitar.com/pickuptests/

[GW348]

Lawrence A-245C soundhole pickup.

[coogar]

Well i bought a Fishman Neo-D passive p/up for my acoustic guitar

but feel now i dont like the sound of any acoustic guitar electrified

and feel i wasted money on purchasing such as well as a small amp

a complete waste and now just sits in my room

i was contemplating getting out there and busking but hearing the sound

it just isnt for me as i much prefer the wooden sound of an acoustic guitar

anyday , maybe miking the acoustic would be best

Meantime all the best in which way you go poster .

[DeepEnd]

^ Hadn't thought of it before but the amp is also a factor. An electric guitar amp will make a guitar sound like--well--an electric guitar. For an acoustic, even if you have a very good pickup, you need an amp that will reproduce the sound faithfully. An acoustic guitar amp is the normal recommendation but a bass or keyboard amp will work as well.

[Graeca]

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coogar wrote:

Well i bought a Fishman Neo-D passive p/up for my acoustic guitar

but feel now i dont like the sound of any acoustic guitar electrified

and feel i wasted money on purchasing such as well as a small amp

a complete waste and now just sits in my room

i was contemplating getting out there and busking but hearing the sound

it just isnt for me as i much prefer the wooden sound of an acoustic guitar

anyday , maybe miking the acoustic would be best

Meantime all the best in which way you go poster .

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Get a good UST and a single JJB SBT, placing the SBT right behind and between the Low E and A string pegs, on the underside of the briidgeplate...wire them together to create a single output into an acoustic amp.

VERY natural sounding, like a good mic, minus the feedback issues, if done correctly. Even better through a Baggs Para-acoustic DI.

[rugge78]

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coogar wrote:

Well i bought a Fishman Neo-D passive p/up for my acoustic guitar

but feel now i dont like the sound of any acoustic guitar electrified

and feel i wasted money on purchasing such as well as a small amp

a complete waste and now just sits in my room

i was contemplating getting out there and busking but hearing the sound

it just isnt for me as i much prefer the wooden sound of an acoustic guitar

anyday , maybe miking the acoustic would be best

Meantime all the best in which way you go poster .

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I had the same feeling!