Main Forums => Recording, Pickups, Live Sound, etc. => Topic started by: gazman56 on June 21, 2006, 08:02:43 PM

Title: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: gazman56 on June 21, 2006, 08:02:43 PM
I'd consider myself an aggressive rhthymn player, I was wondering if that would effect my choice of pick up for my D-03 or LV-03. I've been looking into the iBeam active and passive, Fishman Matrix, and Martin Gold Plus natural. All suggestions welcome  :TON>
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: MJG on June 21, 2006, 08:11:52 PM
My K&K Pure Western handles anything I throw at it...and I can be very heavy handed and percussive.  So far the best pick up I've experienced. 
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: dberch on June 22, 2006, 08:56:45 AM
+1 for K&K Pure Western Mini.  It's hard to believe a $90 pickup can be so good, but it really is.  Read the reviews on harmony central. K&K sounds like your guitar, so if your guitar sounds good with heavy stumming, so will the K&K. 
I have them on three guitars now, soon to be four.

Here's a clip of one of mine. It's not heavy strumming, but it sound just like my guitar:
http://home.mchsi.com/~dberch/MP3s/The_Fisherman.mp3
K&K Pure western, direct in, on a Larrivee OM-05MT

iBeam is very good too, but far more prone to feedback than K&K.

If you play in VERY loud settings, you might consider a sound-hole mag like the Sunrise or the Baggs M1.  They don't sound much like your guitar, but are nearly impervious to feedback.

Good luck!
David
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: Randy_R on June 22, 2006, 12:54:33 PM
Quote from: dberch on June 22, 2006, 08:56:45 AM
If you play in VERY loud settings, you might consider a sound-hole mag like the Sunrise or the Baggs M1.  They don't sound much like your guitar, but are nearly impervious to feedback.


Am thinking about to trying a K&K mini plus an M1 in a yet to be named guitar into a Baggs dual preamp. I'm hoping that allows me to dial between the best of both worlds as needed.
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: sdelsolray on June 22, 2006, 01:52:06 PM
Quote from: Randy_R on June 22, 2006, 12:54:33 PM
Am thinking about to trying a K&K mini plus an M1 in a yet to be named guitar into a Baggs dual preamp. I'm hoping that allows me to dial between the best of both worlds as needed.

You might want to consider a new D-TAR Solistice or K&K Quantum, or a used Rane AP-13 (it would need a resistor mod) or used Raven Labs PMB instead of a BAggs.  Better build and more robust eq.  A SBT/mag combination can be great.  Don't scrimp on the pre/eq.
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: Randy_R on June 23, 2006, 07:44:29 AM
Quote from: sdelsolray on June 22, 2006, 01:52:06 PM
You might want to consider a new D-TAR Solistice or K&K Quantum, or a used Rane AP-13 (it would need a resistor mod) or used Raven Labs PMB instead of a BAggs.  Better build and more robust eq.  A SBT/mag combination can be great.  Don't scrimp on the pre/eq.

Thanks for the advice... I'll take a look at them.
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: gazman56 on June 25, 2006, 06:57:47 AM
Thanks for all the responses and help. I think I'll be going with the K&K Pure Western Mini for my D-03SP.  :mellow:
Title: Re: Pick-up for aggressive playing?
Post by: dberch on June 25, 2006, 11:15:26 AM
I think you'll like the K&K.  I did a small venue with mine yesterday -plugged straight into my AER Compact 60.  Had a jazz player in the audience ask my where the mic was!  He couldn't believe it was a pickup. 

We'd all love to hear how it works out for you.  Check back with a review....

David