Fishman to Martin

[Ryder]

I have two Martin guitars, one big 12 string and a smaller 6 string, and I thinking of buying a fishman pick-up but I don't know much about them. What is your experience? Which model is best for Martin guitars? Is there any other good brand that doesn't cost more than about 150 dollars?

 

Cheers

[guitarist21]

What kind of pickup are you looking for? A soundhole pickup or an under-the-saddle pickup, for instance?

 

Ellen

[Ryder]

I don't know the difference between the two.

[guitarist21]

Check out this website: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Guitar/Pickups/pickups.html

 

Lots of information about the three main kinds of pickups. My favorite soundhole pickup is a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker and my favorite UST is a K&K Pure Western Mini.

 

Ellen

[Ryder]

Thanks Ellen!

[zb0430]

Well, without sounding rude, I might kindly correct you there, Ellen. Actually the K&K Pure Western Mini is a SBT, or sound-board-transducer, as it has three sensors that are mounted on the soundboard inside the guitar, and can give you a WONDERFUL sound. They are very well recieved around the board here.

 

However, where will you be using the guitar? Will it be solo stuff, or in a regular venue such as a church/club/open mic? What kind of volumes?

 

I ask because the SBT type of pickup can be prone to feedback at medium/high volume levels. In that kind of setting a magnetic pickup such as the rare-earth humbucker, or a true under-saddle-transducer such as a Fishman Matrix I or II could be a good choice to avoid feedback issues. Generally, you probably wouldn't have any problems with the SBT's, unless you get pretty darn loud, or are playing a very large venue with a powerful PA, or with a full band, etc... Generally, a nice soundhole-plug, a cheap rubber circle can eliminate alot of your feedback problems.

 

NOTE THIS, HOWEVER!

 

If you're adding a pickup to a 12 string, you'll need a pickup made for a 12 string, if I'm not mistaken. Some pickups, such as an SBT probably won't matter, but a humbucker style pickup will need to be made for 12 strings. So, keep that in mind and double check/ask questions about whether any particular pickup you're looking at for the 12 will suit it or not.

 

My votes:

 

Loud settings: Fishman Matrix UST or Rare Earth Humbucker

 

Medium Settings: K&K Pure Western with a rubber soundhole plug

 

Low Volume/Solo: K&K Pure Western all by it's lonesome, for a GREAT tone

 

You might want to invest in a nice DI/Box as well.

 

Maybe someone can verify, but I've heard that a K&K pickup doesn't work well with any DI's but the K&K Sounds Preamp-DI. Is that true? Does the K&K operate at a different resistance rating, or something? Clarification from a more knowledgable source would be helpful there....

 

There ya go, hope that helped you out, my friend, and good luck!

[guitarist21]

My votes: Loud settings: Fishman Matrix UST or Rare Earth Humbucker Medium Settings: K&K Pure Western with a rubber soundhole plug Low Volume/Solo: K&K Pure Western all by it's lonesome, for a GREAT tone You might want to invest in a nice DI/Box as well. Maybe someone can verify, but I've heard that a K&K pickup doesn't work well with any DI's but the K&K Sounds Preamp-DI. Is that true? Does the K&K operate at a different resistance rating, or something? Clarification from a more knowledgable source would be helpful there.... There ya go, hope that helped you out, my friend, and good luck!

 

Z's Loud to Quiet continuum is exactly how I would have drawn it. I have, also heard that there are some issues with the K&K and certain DIs. However, I've not experienced anything unusual with any of the DIs I've used, and I have used a wide array of them, seeing as how I don't have one of my own.

 

Ellen

[T.B.]

My votes: Loud settings: Fishman Matrix UST or Rare Earth Humbucker Medium Settings: K&K Pure Western with a rubber soundhole plug Low Volume/Solo: K&K Pure Western all by it's lonesome, for a GREAT tone You might want to invest in a nice DI/Box as well. Maybe someone can verify, but I've heard that a K&K pickup doesn't work well with any DI's but the K&K Sounds Preamp-DI. Is that true? Does the K&K operate at a different resistance rating, or something? Clarification from a more knowledgeable source would be helpful there....

 

Here's some info that may help. http://www.maurysmusic.com/k_k_pure_xlr_preamp

 

My guitar tech insists K&K pickups work better with their own brand Preamps. He concurs with Maury's Music explanation. It's why I haven't ventured out and experimented with other Preamps/ DI boxes with my K&K setups. That being said like Ellen, others say they've used other Preamps/ DI Boxes brands with K&K pickups, and they haven't been able to discern any noticeable differences. Go figure. Sometime this week I plan to give BBE Acoustimax Preamp a test run. I've read some nice reviews so, I'm curious. On AG forums a gentleman has sound samples of his Mini K&K and Mama Bear Preamp setup.

 

 

Trina

[Kozmo]

I recently put a pure western mini in my Breedlove guitar. I didn't buy the K&K pre at first. I already have a paraDI. After about a week I bought the K&K (with the phase reverse,XLR) and the pickup sounds MUCH BETTER with the K&K. I would heartily recomend the K&K pre. The phase button also made a big difference in the tendancy to feed back. This is the best acoustic pickup I have ever heard. It sounds just like the guitar, but louder.