Pick ups and Pre amp info for Beginners?

[Blue in VT]

 

Howdy all,

Thanks to Juni I will soon be putting a K&K mini into my guitar so I'm slowly easing my way into the world of amplified acoustics.  Up to this poinr I've been only Acoustic.  So I'm abit confused about Pre amps...amps...and the features and things I should be looking for.  Can anyone point me towards a resource for folks like me who are just getting into this realm?  I'm not looking for super sophisticated stuff....I just want to play open mics and be able to record instrumentals...and maybe someday so vocals as well.

Thanks

Blue

[bluepowder]

Blue,

It's a big, confusing world out there so be prepared to go down a few wrong roads before you find the right path but you have a nice guitar and the K&K's are great.  Right now I have 3 Larrivee's with K&K mini's in each which I then run through an LRBaggs GigPro preamp (a preamp boosts your K&K's signal so that it can be amplified easier - that's a very basic explanation, btw...) this set-up has gotten me through most open mic situations without much of a problem.  There's quite a few preamps out there that will get you by but right off the top of my head I would go to ShorelineMusic.com and see what they have available.  Once you get a general idea send them an email and ask about your specific guitar and need - they will help you out as best as they can, they have competitive prices, and they have a good return policy. 

Ok, hope that helps some!  I'm no expert but it sounds like you're in the same boat I was in about 2 years ago......

Kurt

[Blue in VT]

Thanks Kurt!



Blue

[dberch]

Hi blue!  I will second Kurt's comments. 

I'd like to add though, that you could just try plugging straight in to the PA at the open mic.  You might be surprised.  Most PA's have 3-band EQ (bass, mids , and treble).  some only have two bands - bass and treble.  If it sounds nasal at all, ask him to "back off" on the mids (turn them down a bit). If they don't have a mid control, ask them to turn the bass and treble up a bit, which should have the same affect.

Many, many people use K&K pickups without preamps and are perfectly happy.  I'd see if that works for you before spending the extra money on equipment you may not need.

David

[bluepowder]

Yep, with the K&K's you can get by without a preamp in most cases.  Personally though, I prefer to have a decent preamp to get a stronger signal, to have eq capabilities, a notch filter, and the ability to switch phases.  I think you might go awhile with just the K&K's and then start to look for a decent pre-amp if you think it will help your sound.

K

[bluesman67]

Definitely hold off before spending money on a pre-amp because you might not end up needing it.  Are you planning to buy an amp too?  The Ultrasounds and Genz Benz sound terrific.  I have a Roland AC-60 which sounds great to me and it has tons of inputs and outputs, giving you options for recording, mixing, foot switch, etc.  I have been hooking up my ipod between sets to play music.

[Blue in VT]

I will be lloking for an amp eventually...I've been reading alot of reviews and trying to narrow my search oin the 300 range...and there seems to be quite a few options.  I will hold off on the pre amp unless a great deal falls in my lap.  Thanks for the advice all!!

Blue

[dbirchett]

  on the K&K. I was running it into a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. amp without a preamp and it sounded pretty danged good. Definitely no problem with volume. I just got the K&K XLR preamp and run it from that into the Acoustasonic and the difference is definitely noticeable to me. Maybe someone else could get the same results with an equalizer and adapting the cable to the impedance of the K&K. This was easy and it worked. But like I said, it sounded really good without the preamp but sounds more like the acoustic guitar with it.

YMMV. Let us know how it goes for you.