Members Telecruiser Posted July 13, 2017 Members Share Posted July 13, 2017 I am thinking about getting me a Martin 000-28 for playing live. As I am a guitar player first, vocalist second the reproduction of the instrument is foremost. I have a Pendulum SPS-1 preamp into a JBL PRX 612 PA but a good pickup system is where it should start. I presently use a Martin 000-16 with a K&K pickup with built in preamp (model?). It works OK but I was wondering what else is out there that would bring out the best in the Martin? My musical styles are Jerry Redd/Atkins thumbpick, Doc Watson flatpick along with blues, R&R, bebop, instrumentals etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted July 13, 2017 Members Share Posted July 13, 2017 I haven't experienced any pickups that are likely to make an immediate difference over and above the K&K, but I also have an internal mic that I can blend in to provide more acoustic sound if the stage levels aren't too high.A bit of compression and if feasible run your guitar with a touch of stereo reverb to the PA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted July 13, 2017 Members Share Posted July 13, 2017 K&K pickups usually get good reviews. Grant is right about pickups with mikes. The L.R. Baggs Anthem is one such, as is the Fishman Rare Earth Blend but neither is cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted July 13, 2017 Members Share Posted July 13, 2017 I install a fair number of pickups for my local music store. The two I get asked for most often are the Fishman Matrix Infinity (a basic undersaddle transducer with on board preamp and tone/volume) and the K&K Pure Mini (a sound board transducer usually install with no on board electronics). When you buy a Martin with a factory pickup it is usually a Fishman so some Martin owners ask for those because "its what the factory uses". As you probably know, piezo UST's have a reputation for "quack" and they can be a little bit problematic getting all the strings balanced - you need a flat bottom on the saddle slot and a flat bottom on the saddle. There is also the minor problem with a UST in that you are "shimming" the saddle - you'll need to take approximately 0.050 off the bottom, which usually isn't a problem. The rest of the installation of a Fishman involves drilling a small hole thru the bridge and bridge plate, reaming the end pin jack hole out to 15/32 (or 1/2), and sticking the battery bag holder and little electronics package to the inside of the guitar (they supply double sticky tape - it some times comes loose). There are other models of Fishman, including one with a little internal mic on a gooseneck which you can blend with the UST (the one I installed did have more of a tendency to feed back). The K&K consists of three little piezo transducers that are glued to the bridge plate with gel CA. A little jig is supplied, its not hard but I certainly recommend doing several dry runs. There are no electronics but you will need to ream the endpin jack as with the Fishman. I sincerely recommend taking that to someone with the correct reamer - it can be done with a uni-bit but you risk damaging your 000. The K&K will require an external preamp or DI. One of the Martin mechanics that I highly admire is Bryan Kimsey. He has done neck resets and some other work on both my vintage Martins, here is what he recommends and say about pickups http://www.bryankimsey.com/kkpups/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted July 15, 2017 Members Share Posted July 15, 2017 I'd do the Matrix Infinity A buddy of mine has a couple of Martins with Seymour Duncan DTar Wavelentgh pups. They sound great. 18 volts of headroom After you install a pick up, go get a Fishman Spectra DI, it will be a game changer. You will thank me later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 15, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 15, 2017 I'd do the Matrix Infinity After you install a pick up, go get a Fishman Spectra DI, it will be a game changer. You will thank me later. Thanks for the info! I already have a Pendulum SPS-1 preamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted July 15, 2017 Members Share Posted July 15, 2017 Thanks for the info! I already have a Pendulum SPS-1 preamp Do you use the Pendulum live? That's a pretty fancy pre for acoustics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 15, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 15, 2017 Do you use the Pendulum live? That's a pretty fancy pre for acoustics. Yes, I will be using it live. It was specifically designed for acoustic instruments. Yeah, they ain't cheap but I didn't pay the retail price for it, I bought it off ebay for a $1000. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Pendulum-SPS-1-Acoustic-Preamp-w-Pick-up-Mic-Preamp-Module-and-120v-230v-s/252954230723?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/pendulum-audio-sps-1-stereo-preamp-pickup-mic-module-acoustic-dual-source-bass/201964055805?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted July 15, 2017 Members Share Posted July 15, 2017 Yes, I will be using it live. It was specifically designed for acoustic instruments. Yeah, they ain't cheap but I didn't pay the retail price for it, I bought it off ebay for a $1000. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Pendulum-SPS-1-Acoustic-Preamp-w-Pick-up-Mic-Preamp-Module-and-120v-230v-s/252954230723?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/pendulum-audio-sps-1-stereo-preamp-pickup-mic-module-acoustic-dual-source-bass/201964055805?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 You're right about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 15, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 15, 2017 You're right about that. It's what all the big kids use so I figured, "what the hell". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sascha Franck Posted July 16, 2017 Members Share Posted July 16, 2017 I built EMG '85 pickups in my accoustic. Best mod i ever made. You should try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 16, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 16, 2017 I built EMG '85 pickups in my accoustic. Best mod i ever made. You should try it. I don't think that would give me the sound I'm looking for which is more of a wooden sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members specs Posted July 16, 2017 Members Share Posted July 16, 2017 I have never used one, but the iRig acoustic digital pickup looks really interesting. Here is a YouTube video which demos several different acoustics using this pickup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 16, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 16, 2017 I have never used one, but the iRig acoustic digital pickup looks really interesting. Here is a YouTube video which demos several different acoustics using this pickup Thanks! It looked so interesting that I ordered one to try. It was only a $100 for everything. I'll combine it with my K&K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sdelsolray Posted July 16, 2017 Members Share Posted July 16, 2017 Thanks! It looked so interesting that I ordered one to try. It was only a $100 for everything. I'll combine it with my K&K. I've used a SBT pickup and either an internal or external condenser mic for solo fingerstyle acoustic guitar, run through a Pendulum SPS-1 with a TC Electronics M3000 in the effects loop, next to a Bryston 3B SST power amp and last to a pair of Daedalus W803 passive 3-way speakers on sticks. Other than changing a couple of components over the years, I've used this system for nearly 20 years. I see no reason to change this signal chain. It's that good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 16, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 16, 2017 Nice rig! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sdelsolray Posted July 18, 2017 Members Share Posted July 18, 2017 Yes it is. Although it was initially expensive, it still has significant value and I've probably saved a bunch of $$ not having to buy and sell over and over in search of a great live rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 18, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2017 Yes it is. Although it was initially expensive' date=' it still has significant value and I've probably saved a bunch of $$ not having to buy and sell over and over in search of a great live rig.[/quote'] Got any recordings of your playing? I'd love to hear. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sdelsolray Posted July 18, 2017 Members Share Posted July 18, 2017 Here's one I posted on this forum: http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/...3#post31587993 Here's another one: https://app.box.com/s/lde5yjp84zty4wtv2vzfkm32d5t47hoq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted July 18, 2017 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2017 Here's one I posted on this forum: http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/...3#post31587993 Here's another one: https://app.box.com/s/lde5yjp84zty4wtv2vzfkm32d5t47hoq VERY NICE!!! I really like that, you are very talented! Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sdelsolray Posted July 19, 2017 Members Share Posted July 19, 2017 Thanks for listening! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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