Pickup for Classical Guitar?

[therichardsgang]

Hoping some of you can help?

 

My uncle has a classical guitar that he has had some years. He is now starting to play alongside my aunt who has a Welsh Harp which drowns him out somewhat - especially when they are playing in the local church hall.

 

The guitar is valuable enough that he doesn't want to physically alter it in anyway (vis - drilling it), and using a mic is not feasable. He has heard about one that sits under the strings at the bridge but can't remember the make/model - any ideas?, or can anyone offer suggestions as to the best pickups he could use?

 

He also needs an amp of some description - again, are there any suggestions?

[Stackabones]

Check out this one from Schatten Design. I think you have to replace the strap jack (or add one), but it's very non-invasive. Sounds killer. Most natural sounding pup I've used. I put in the passive--since I use a Baggs DI. An active one's available.

 

I have one for my Selmac, and I'm planning on putting one in my classical.

 

The amp question is a good one. What is your budget?

[therichardsgang]

Thanks, I'll let the old guy know, though I'm not sure he'd be happy about even non-invasive work on his guit.

As far as budget is concerned, I think it's driven more by stinginess than ability to pay - he has recently bought a brand new hand made harp for my aunt (I think about

[Happy_Rick]

Shadow makes a classical pickup that mounts in seconds under the original saddle with no drilling or altering of the guitar. It's only 1.8 mm thick.

It's called "The Shadow Quick Mount Classical Guitar Under Saddle Pickup". Here is a link for a US company that sells it, but I know that its also sold in the UK.

http://www.nextag.com/Quick-Mount-Classical-Guitar-531497705/prices-html

I have not tried it yet, but I just bought still another classical guitar on ebay - this one though has the shadow quick mount pickup installed. So if you wait a week, I can report back to you regarding its features, pros and cons.

Btw, whereabouts in SW UK do you live: north or south of the Cotswolds? I grew up in SW London: Wimbledon, Morden, Putney, etc. My family moved to the states in 1968, shortly after PM Harold Wilson did a major devaluation of the pound, which put a big dent into our travel plans. During those ancient times, the pound was around $3.00! The average working man's weekly salary was 8 pound 10!

At one point I lived near Richmond upon Thames, but I now live in Richmond, Virginia, US of A. Two very different worlds. I really miss plaice and chips. but unfortunately the only place where plaice lives is in the North Sea.
Cheers,
Richard

[therichardsgang]

Thanks Happy Rick!

I will let the old guy know! I would be extremely interesteed to hear how it goes.

I live south of the Cotswolds - Grew up in the Severn Vale about 3 miles from Thornbury in rural Glos., now living in Weston-super-Mare - if you know where that is. Have friends who come from Richmond (a very beautiful [and expensive!] part of the world) - though they're missionaries in the middle east at the moment.
Thanks again for the advice.

Julian

[johbren]

I put a K&K in my classical and it sounds great.