Replace 'barndoor' electronics or add electronics?

[Grayson73]

I have a Kona KG1CEN which I love unplugged, but hate plugged in. The onboard electronics are horrible.

 

Should I replace them with another barndoor or leave the barndoor in and add another pickup, foregoing the barndoor completely, but leaving it in so that there isn't a gaping hole

[Grayson73]

Anyone?

[guitarist21]

What are the stock electronics? Sometimes it's hard to replace barndoors because many preamps are different sizes.

 

Ellen

[Grayson73]

Stock electronics are Prener LC.

 

Good pictures here:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GUITAR-EQ-PRE-AMP-PICKUP-WITH-TUNER-PRENER-LC_W0QQitemZ190040756958QQihZ009QQcategoryZ47067QQcmdZViewItem

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Acoustic-Guitar-Preamp-EQ-Piezo-Pickup-w-Balance-Output_W0QQitemZ140113613882QQihZ004QQcategoryZ22670QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[DeepEnd]

You might be able to replace just the undersaddle transducer part and get better sound without replacing the electronics. Here's an example: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-Thinline-332-Acoustic-Guitar-Pickup?sku=300251. Bear in mind that I do not know if this specific pickup will fit your Kona. Have it looked at by a qualified shop and get a recommendation. If replacing the transducer is not an option, I wouldn't try to replace the "barn door." It's unlikely you'll find anything else that fits.

[AugTPD]

Have you used any other pickups that you really liked??? If there is a specific one (Baggs Element, Fishman Matrix, whatever....) that you like you might be able to make something work. Measure the size of the hole that your's makes and compare it to the size of the Prefix Plus or Element Onboard system preamps to see if they are big enough.

 

DeepEnd's idea is very good as well. Your preamp probably accepts the pickup via a 2.5mm plug. So in theory, most pickups can be wired to that plug size and work. I was using an L.R. Baggs M1 soundhole pickup plugged straight into the preamp on my Alvarez MF80C for awhile and it worked just fine.

[Grayson73]

I haven't tried any other pickups.

 

So if I get a soundhole pickup and plug it into the 2.5mm plug (if it has one), it will bypass the existing electronics? How would I disable the existing pickup?

 

Would it be possible to install the K&K Western Mini and bypass the Prener LC?

[rjoxyz]

 

I haven't tried any other pickups. So if I get a soundhole pickup and plug it into the 2.5mm plug (if it has one), it will bypass the existing electronics? How would I disable the existing pickup? Would it be possible to install the K&K Western Mini and bypass the Prener LC?

 

 

 

I am electronically challenged, but I wonder if it would be possible to wire the K&K into the preamp, in place of the existing UST? I have thought of doing just that to one of my A/E's.

[DeepEnd]

 

. . . So if I get a soundhole pickup and plug it into the 2.5mm plug (if it has one), it will bypass the existing electronics? How would I disable the existing pickup? Would it be possible to install the K&K Western Mini and bypass the Prener LC?

 

As long as you route the signal from your new pickup directly to the endpin jack instead of to the Prener preamp, you'll be fine. Soundhole pickups (especially "active" ones) and K&K bridgeplate products (like the Pure Western or Mini) are typically "hot" enough in terms of output that they don't need a dedicated preamp (not to be confused with the preamp stage of your guitar amp). As for disabling your existing pickup, just unplug it. If you're sure you won't need it, you can remove the saddle from your guitar and take the undersaddle transducer out completely. Of course, this will lower your action and you'll have to either replace the saddle or put a shim under it. OTOH, you can sell your old undersaddle transducer on eBay or just hang onto it. You can also plug a soundhole pickup or Pure Western Mini into the existing preamp. This will likely require replacing the plug at the end of the cord from the pickup but that should be about all the modifications you'll need to do.

[Grayson73]

 

You can also plug a soundhole pickup or Pure Western Mini into the existing preamp. This will likely require replacing the plug at the end of the cord from the pickup but that should be about all the modifications you'll need to do.

 

 

Will this option allow me to use the tone controls and onboard tuner?

 

Will the Prener LC pre-amp degrade the sound quality?

[moctzal]

Maybe try out one of those new Fishman Aura pedals?

I've been meaning to myself.

[DeepEnd]

 

Will this option allow me to use the tone controls and onboard tuner? Will the Prener LC pre-amp degrade the sound quality?

 

 

Yes.

 

I have no idea. If the preamp is responsible for the present inferior sound, then it will probably degrade the sound quality from whatever pickup you plug into it. If not, it won't. It's also possible a Pure Western or other fairly "hot" pickup might have enough output to overdrive the preamp but I'd consider that unlikely.