K&K install question....and amp test report!

[Blue in VT]

 

Howdy all!!

Well I had a great weekend....got to spend a lot of wuality time with the guitars this weekend.  First DFR came over for some pickin of Friday...his OMV-50 is SWEET! and after he headed home I installed my K&K OWM into Mary Helen.  The intall went very well...there might be a little extra glue in there to scrape out but the instructions were clear and I went slowly and carefully.

One question here though....I'm having a hard time getting the end jack to stay tight!  I thought I had it screwed down well but it keeps loosening up?  Does this suggest that I didn't tighten the end block adjust ment enough?  or is it possible that I put the washers on the inside in the wrong order?  This is my only complaint about the instructions...they were great on how to install the transducers but the jack installation instruction our too basic.

Then on Saturday I went up top Burlington to try out some different amps...I went to 2 different stores....but they happened to carry the same friggin amps...DOH so I tried 3 differnt kinds and was only really impressed by one.  1)  The first I tried was the Fender Acoustasonic 30...Nice looking amo seemed to hall the features I would want...Mic input etc....but the tone seemed lifeless to me and didn't particularly sound like my guitar....Just wasn't very excited by this one  2) was a small Ibanez amp...I think it was called a Supra 20 (?) this one was small and had less features but was cheaper...and it sounded better than the fender...not great but a little closer to the tone I was looking for.  3) the one I really liked was the Roland AC60...WOW it sounded great...transparent and clear...and volume to spare!!  I only had it up about a 3rd of the way and it was booming!!! Very sweet and of course a little expensive...but worth the money...if I can find some...   I also tried the AC90 which was nice but a little boomy...I prefered the AC60's tone better!  I hope to get out and try a few other brands before I pull the trigger....specifaically Ultrassound and Gen Benz if I can find them.

I tried all of the above with and without the XLR...I have to say tha the PU sounds GREAT with out it...plenty of signal strength and AWESOME tone...The Pre amp certainly warmed things up a little and it was nice to be able to shape the sound a little before it got to the amp...it was a fun weekend...thanks for the Advice Dberch!

All in all I'm very excited about the pickup and the possibility of an amp in the future...espoiocally if its the Roland!!  To some exent it was like hearing my guitar for the first time the way others hear it... 

Cheers,

Blue

[snkysnake]

Blue, I bought the AC60 and so far it's the best I've tried. I looked at the Ultasound, and I used to own the Crate Gunnison ( which was way too heany for toting around) The Roland is perfect so far in all respects. It's also nice to put it in its Carry case and sling it over your shoulder, leaving both hands free for gits and opening doors and such. Good luck on the search !

[Michael T]

Blue, the Ultrasounds are great amps for acoustic tones, I sold mine to afford my fishman performer which had the PA quality and features I was looking for. I also have an Ibanez troubadour 35 that is a very nice acoustic amp that was fairly inexpensive. Try on as many as you can but take the time to find a Ultrasound to try, the 50 series is something you likely won't grow out of too quickly and is hard to find any fault with for overall use. The Fishman is great for my Taylor T-5 and my Larri DV-09 plus vocal clarity but they are a bit pricey.

[Blue in VT]

Thanks for the info guys....the Roland is VERY sweet but I would probably have to used to be able to talk the wife into it... I really want to try some ultrasounds due to the many positive reviews I have read....I just need to find someone who carries them..

Cheers,

Blue

[Michael T]

Blue, here's one. Looks to be about 70 miles from you.



City Store Address Email Phone Number
Hyde Park  Rigel Instruments Ltd.  943 Will Grimes Road  Sales@RigelMandolin.com 802-888-4161   

[Blue in VT]

Thanks man...I've never heard of that store...I'll have to give them a call

Blue

[Blue in VT]

DOH!!!!  Rumor has it that this store is no longer in operation... ...Lookis like I have to look around next time I'm down in the Saratoga, Albany NY area visiting the in laws...

Blue

[dberch]

Hey Blue, keep your eye on Ebay for a used AC-60.  I've seen a couple go for around $300.

[Blue in VT]

Thanks Dave....I will...it may be awhile before I am making this purchase but used may be the way to go for me....

Cheers,

Blue

[Michael T]

Sorry Blue, got the info from the ultrasound site. Ya might shoot them an e-mail, who knows they may ship one out for you to try beings as their info is dated and you are having difficulty in locating one to try. At the very least they will likely refer you to their new local rep.

[bluesman67]

I have a Roland AC-60, LOVE IT!!  Great little amp, clear true tone, lots of input/output options, and a small lightweight package.  Johnny2lips does most of his singing through it too.  The Ultrasounds are terrific too, maybe even better but I'm not sure.

[unsunder]

I had a problem with the jack coming loose too. I wrapped the threads with Teflon tape like you'd use on pipes to prevent leaks. It seemed to do the trick. It's held tight for about two months so far.

[Fstpicker]

As far as the endpin not staying tightened, my guess is that you have the nut on the inside screwed out too far, so the outside nut is at the end of the threads and can't tighten up fully. That has happened to me several times.

jeff

[Blue in VT]

Jeff,

I think you're right...while I was changing strings the other day I poped it out and readjusted the set screw and tightened it down.  This seem to have done the trick.

BTW I purchased that Ultrasound 30w amp that skinneydogbone was selling...should be here early next week.

Cheers,

Blue

[Blue in VT]

 

I just got notification from UPS that my Amp has been delievered.....unfortunaly...I'm at work!!!  friggin work...always cramping my style...   I may have to run home at lunch and check it out!

I'll post a full review in a day or two.

Blue

[bluesman67]