Fishman Prefix Or B/band Onboard Electronics???

[Admin]

Elbody

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I found that the B/Band have more of the clarity sound projection after trying both on/in a LARRIVEE LV-03E Series.I'm glad i got the B/Band which Larrivee are now putting on/in their Acoustic guitars.Guess Fishmans getting a run for their Quality and Price. The tone is more subtle and NATURAL Sounding than the FP. What do you folks think???  

[Admin]

zselby

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As you'll probably soon find out, I tend to be a little too critical when it comes to pickups. That being said, I think anything would sound better than the Fishmans. The one I had in my guitar was completely unnatural. The only thing that helped it out was running it through a LR Baggs PADI.

I finally gave up on it and installed a K&K Trinity system. It's 3 pickups on the bridge plate and an internal mic. Signals are blended externally. The sound is the best I've heard, but feedback can be a problem at higher volumes. Still, I would highly recommend it or the Pure Western system, which doesn't have a mic.
 

[Admin]

slackkeyer

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ZSelby,
What do those cost? sounds intriguing.
Seems like placement of the three pads in relation to each other would be critical?
Or did you just stick-em-on?

Ross  

[Admin]

zselby

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They sell them on their web site for $285, although they also sell some with cosmetic issues on eBay for a lot less.

There are VERY detailed instructions on mounting the pickups. I will say that it was a little daunting the first time. There are a few different ways of doing it. Mine are superglued directly to the bridgeplate. The other method involves sticking a thin piece of foil to the bridgeplate and putting the pickups on that. This way the entire thing can be peeled off.

They also have a Pure Western pickup which is the same transducers but without the mic and preamp. I think it sells for under $100.

Their website has a few soundclips, and they used to have a free cd with some clips on it. www.kksound.com  

[Admin]

Elbody

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The B-Band Onboard will be the MAINSTAY for the all Larrivée being produced this coming year 2003. It's just more THRUTHFUL sounding than the Fishman Matrix/Prefix. ( IMHO )..

Peace!!!  

[Admin]

MilleniumOM

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If you're the type who holds on to guitars it's better to get your instruments without pickups so you can install you own without having to deal with that nasty hole cut in the side. Pickup technology changes so fast that your guitar won'rt even be broken in before the factory installed pre-amp is obsolete. Outboard pre-amps have gotten better and smaller over the years and are always far superior to the inboard factory installations. Best of all, you can rest assured that your 20 year old Larrivee won't have its value diminished because of a pathetically obsolete (assuming that it still works) inboard "barndoor". I've had exceptionally good luck with soundboard transducers (SBT's) from MacIntyre and Pickup The World combined with outboard preamps from Rane (AP-13), Baggs (PADI) and Raven Labs.  

[Admin]

Elbody

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That's why i have with ONE and another without!!!!! I'm just saying that the Onboard installed these days are quite/am up to PAR with the others.It's a matter of preferrence what you like and dont like.I just prefer both.I use Dean Markley ZH-7 in my other Acoustic through a Fishman Pro EQ II. and it does it's justice, or just mic it a little off center by an Shure SM57 into a PADI and your set.I play a lot of Acoustic Live Gigs so i need to amplify my sound the best and pratical way i can without having to get a custom made hole when i know the factory installed does the job.When i go to the beach/camping? ...there and then i will bring the one w/o the Onboard, but then again i sometimes do because it still sounds amazing wether its been altered or not. Some guitars do sound bad when a piece of wood are cut off/out for them onboards.This is where Larrivée's excels the sound even more.I want the readiness to be there when needed. It all boils down to TASTE that's all..

Peace!!!  

[Admin]

MilleniumOM

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That's the whole point of using outboard pre-amps; you don't *have* to cut that hole in the side. Maybe the "barndoor" is OK on an -03 but Hell would freeze over before I'd allow one of those things on the Koa of my -09  

[Admin]

MilleniumOM

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Quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------These are choices you have to make.I bought the acoustic to be played and not to WEAR, Im not much into babieing acoustics.If it gets played the better it sounds,besides you only live once.Why not savour the whats out there.My next Larrivée would be the Presentation Series! and for sure i'll wear that down for what its worth, to it's full potential.That's were the test of time comes in.Enjoy it while you can.There's always a first time for another acoustic.
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Who's talking about "wearing" anything? FWIW, my guitars get used pretty hard and, as you suggested, are developing the finer nuances of their character as a result. I'm talking about cutting a hole in a working guitar to install a pre-amp of marginal quality that *will* be obsolete long before the guitar breaks in to its potential. When your guitar starts sounding really good in a few years do you think the onboard electronics will keep up if they even work at all? What does one replace in that hole when they figure out that "Hey, this is turning into a great guitar; too bad the electronics suck"? Beyond the aesthetic concern is the functional aspect which, especially on the lower end instruments, becomes even more dramatic when something like a D-02E which can turn into a stunning istrument over time. Unfortunately the onboard electronics that it comes with from the factory were even worse than than what was put on upper level guitars. I'm glad I didn't settle for second best on my D-02. The aftermarket P/U is far superior and I have a lot of choices for pre-amps, all of which are better than anything onboard. Seems to me the best way to get the most out of your fine guitar is to not skimp on factory electronics.  

[Admin]

Elbody

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Mill??? Hi?? Lets just cut this chase out now,for it's going to be a long JOURNEY...Believe It !!!!!


Peace!!!