THE BEST PICKUP

[brad6tn]

Okay so we've talked about this one over and over before but what pickup do you think is the best for Larrivees?
I did research and solicited opinions and settled on the K&K Trinity but I'm dissatisfied with it.
Can't seem to get it EQ'd where it sounds excellent. I'm ready to rip it out and replace it with something else.
Got any suggestions?
Thanks.

Brad

[ronmac]

Brad,

Getting good acoustic like tone when plugged in is often a difficult and frustrating journey. I have installed dozens of different pickup systems over the past several years and I can honestly say that I haven't been wowed by a single one. It's often a matter of settling for something that is "good enough".

What is it that you don't like about the system you have now?

[dberch]

Hi Brad.  I'd also like to hear specifically what you don't like about the K&K.  I saw a previous post of yours where you mentioned feedback.  Is that still the problem?  Have you tried it without the mic?  Have you tried a feedback buster like the one from Baggs?

We'd like to help, but we'll need more info....

David

[Randy_R]

I like the sound from an iMix that I have, best of the limited number of packages I have tried.

[brad6tn]

The frustrating part is the overall sound. Hmmm, let's see..... A Taylor sounds weak unplugged.. but when you plug it in, it gets a decent sound. When I use the K&K... it sounds like it's missing something.... but when my Larrivee is unplugged, it sounds sweet.
I would like to capture that sound better. I'm leaning toward the IMix system myself.
I did however just purchase an LV-05 with the B-Band A2 and I'm going to see how that compares in sound.
The K&K does give feedback in the right or wrong situations I guess. I can't turn the mic up very high but when I can, it does add dimension to the sound.
I have an old Yamaha AG stomp box I'm going to play with and see if that adds any color.
Thanks for the info...

Brad

[dberch]

What is your signal chain, Brad?  What pedals/effects are you using, and what amp are you playing through?

There are several great, natural sounding, and affordable pickups and K&K is right up at the top of the list IMO.  Here's a direct recording of the K&K Pure Western mini (no mic) on my Larrivee OM-05MT.  This sounds extremely close to the natrual sound of my guitar.  I can't help but think there's a problem with yours.

http://home.mchsi.com/~dberch/MP3s/The_Fisherman.mp3

If yours doesn't sound like your guitar, then there's a problem with a) the installataion, b) the pickup itsefl, or c) the signal chain.  I'd be happy to talk with you on the phone, too.  PM me if your intersted.

David

[eor]

maybe you might want to try something extra, instead of something else.  not sure how you feel about this, ideologically speaking, but eor has a dtar mama bear that has done some nice things for eor's piezo hollow bodied electric.  haven't gave it a test run with a "real" acoustic, though.

something to consider :)

love,
eor

[sdelsolray]

Okay so we've talked about this one over and over before but what pickup do you think is the best for Larrivees?
I did research and solicited opinions and settled on the K&K Trinity but I'm dissatisfied with it.
Can't seem to get it EQ'd where it sounds excellent. I'm ready to rip it out and replace it with something else.
Got any suggestions?
Thanks.

Brad

The pickup is only part of the equation.  What is the remainder of your signal chain?

[moo cow]

check out "pick up the world" pickups. i also have a trinity system in one of my larry's but just put a PUTW dynamic duo in my L and it's amazing.  it consists of a SBT and UST that you can blend or run mono.  the mono setting, which i use, has never once feedback and i play live twice a week.  you can run them stereo and use a blender also which i hear is also a great sound.  very natural, woody, great range!  plus, the owner, david enke will usually answer all you questions personally.
AND, anyone can install them!

[Fergy07]

I feel your pain, I am facing the same decision with mine. I am of the opinion that the Imix I have in a different guitar is much nicer sounding and is much less prone to feedback, which seems to be a major problem with the internal mics.

Andy

[ducktrapper]

I keep seeing this thread and begin to say, "Why Polski Ogorki, for sure!" Then I read it a little bit more carefully and ... oh what the heck!  ^_^

[dberch]

The Best Pickup

I really like my '93 Toyota Xtra cab.  It sounds very natrual and always carries the load.  :WNK>

[ducktrapper]

Oh yeah. Like ....

Q. What's the best pickup on a banjo.

A. A Ford F150!    ^_^

[WorksInTheory]

How do you know to isolate the problem to the pickup versus the amp, the EQ settings, the strings, the way I play etc?

I have one guitar that has the mic and the under saddle and you are suppose to blend it but I don't seem to get anything good out of it and end up just using the undersaddle because it seems like too much feedback and echoey muffled presence with the mic and alot of other noises getting picked up.

[moo cow]

ahhh, young grasshopper! now you are entering your intermidiate training phase. you must breath in, then out, very slowly as to not let your temper take over your inner calm.  you must try "amp on, amp off, amp on, amp off" to find the sound that mimics your guitar's natural sound. making small changes in the process. THEN, and if you miss this point you will not advance to level 3, come to grips that NOTHING will ever sound like "amp off".
but good amps, good p.a.'s, and good d.i. boxes will help you along your long, long, long journey.
good luck!