Getting my larrivee a pick-up and an amplifier (in toronto)

[kolja]

Hey there,

I´m new here and begin with asking for advice:
I bought a Larrivee D03R in September and I´m totally in love with her. Now I want to get her a pick-up system and a small amplifier.
For the pick-up I don´t want to hurt my guitar so I was thinking of the K&K Pure Western Mini. Would you recommend it and is there any drilling necessary? Also, do you know a trustworthy store in Toronto where I could get the pick-up and where they install it for a decent price?

And for the Amp: I want a small one that is not expansive, let´s say max. 150$). I know that I can´t expect a high-end amp but that´s OK for me. I actually saw somebody playing an acoustic guitar on a vox pathfinder amp. it didn´t sound that bad and this way I could also use it for electric guitars. What do you think?

[Michael T]

K&K PWM with a K&K pure XLR preamp. Many to choose from out there, this is simple and clean and maximizes your control over the guitar and to some extent the amp too. For an inexpensive amp I have a Ibanez Troubadour 35 that has XLR in and out for patching into PA's etc and will run a mic respectfully too. These get great reviews if you google them and they are really inexpensive.

http://www.bpmmusic.com/public/php/item.php?menu_id=3535.41015:Ibanez%20TA35%20Troubadour%20Acoustic%20Guitar%20Amplifier:graphic_elements/logo_vertical_acoustic%20guitar%20amplifier.png


http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Troubadour%2035%20Watt%20Acoustic%20Guitar%20Amplifier_-1_10052_10002_-49954782_cmCategorySA182764

[rising1000]

add my name to the mix
also looking at putting a k+K mini in my larr om 09
what to choose i see at
http://www.shorelinemusic.com/amplification/kk.shtml   they have them all

Pure Western                            Unique soundboard pickup; mini version recommended  $86.10
Pure Western w/volume control   Pure Western plus soundhole-mounted volume wheel $120.40
Ultra Pure Western   K&K Pure pickup with internally-mounted preamp. Mini version recommended. $147.00
 
what to choose ? is the ultra pure western that much better
does any one know of a store this is competitive price in Toronto Canada

[carruth]

I like the K&K too.As regards the amp I like my little AER but you do pay for the quality.

[Michael T]

Shoreline is a great place to do business with, had several occasions to experience them, all very good. I still prefer the XLR Preamp, phase shift easy to reach and EQ clean and simple, other than external hard to find fault with. Many like the dual or tri source but honesty with the EQ and phase on the XLR the PWM has done all I've ever asked. I like things simple and if it has a knob I am going to turn it. Clean, natural and easy for me thank you. If I can I will mic my guitar, although that is hard to do unless you are seated so the mini with the XLR was and is the next best thing. I have had a internal mic and found I almost had it turned completely off most of the time, internal settings are hard to keep from feeding back. So much so even with the mini I keep a lutehole cover handy, but again, yet to have to use it for even small close clubs and loud outdoor stages. You can spend a lot of time getting set  up or plug and play, personal choice. For me, quick and easy but great sound for both my DV-09 and L05-12 string. 



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[kolja]

Hm is is necessary to get a preamp for the K&K? I had heard you don´t need it!? And would the preamp built into the guitar or is it an external one?

Does anyone have experiences with the vox pathfinder? I can get the pathfinder 15 for 100 bucks so I need to know if it makes sense for my larrivee soon..

Thanks!

[obe-wan]

Does anyone have experiences with the vox pathfinder? I can get the pathfinder 15 for 100 bucks so I need to know if it makes sense for my larrivee soon..

Thanks!

Id give the Vox a miss. As has been mentioned, the Ibanez Troubadour, or a Kustom Sienna would be what Id go for at around that budget.


Cheers, Scott.

[kolja]

what about the preamp? essential or not? and is it external or built-in?

[Michael T]

K&K's are very low impedance pick ups, most amps are not. You can plug them straight into an amp and have no issue, or you may find you need to roll off the mids or bass a lot, it depends on the amp. Preamps are considered a normal part of the signal chain and are not generally built into inexpensive amps. Some mid-priced amps have a pre-amp option for condenser mics to draw power from and they will likely have EQ avail too. To answer your question, it depends on how clean you want your guitar to sound, but I would plan on one and preferably one with EQ and phase switch capacity.

[LaminateBoy]

If you're looking for a good store in Toronto, try The 12th Fret on Danforth.

[dgrose]

what about the preamp? essential or not?

Although there are many external guitar preamps available, a good alternative is a small mixer. I bought a Yamaha MG10/2 for about $30 (on sale - discontinued) and it works well for acoustic guitar pickups, and microphones before they go into a recording device or a PA. A lot of people buy small 4-channel mixers from Yamaha, Behringer, Alesis etc. and then dump them on Kijiji, Craigslist and Ebay at very low prices (less than $50) because they think they need more. A mixer often gives you more functionality and features than a straight preamp - plus it's handy when you want to record multiple signals into the line-level input of the soundcard on your PC.

dg

[Zohn]

For an inexpensive amp I have a Ibanez Troubadour 35 that has XLR in and out for patching into PA's etc and will run a mic respectfully too. These get great reviews if you google them and they are really inexpensive.

- I have the previous model TA35, but it delivers - use it "patched" into a PA with great results.

[clankershaft]

I play a l-03 and use a k&k pure mini with a lr baggs para di.  I'm not 100% with the sound yet.  After tweaking for 10 min. I can use this set-up in most situations.  The K&K pure mini does not sound as good without the pre amp.  I went with the k&k because I thought I wanted a transparent pickup.  Maybe it's my ears but I can"t get a consistant tone every night.   

[cc407]

As to the question of needing a preamp with K & K western or mini: It isn't  essential, and they have a higher output than most. You can plug direct into most anything and get a strong enough signal. I used mine that way for quite a while, then bought the Pure preamp when I wanted a little bit better control. It is worth trying a KJ & K pickup without the preamp. You very well may like it as is. Later, if you feel the need, you can get a preamp. BTW I still go direct with no preamp in some situations.

[Lon Milo DuQuette]

I have to agree. I've got the K&K western mini with volume control on my OM-03 and it works like a dream. As for an amp, I have a Hartke AC 75 and can tune in my perfect sound with the equalizer (the Hartke is also my PA systems for small club gigs). However, if you are playing roulette by plugging directly in to other people's/venue's sound systems I recommend you put a preamp between you and the system. I have an LR Bagg Para Accoustic D.I.