Baritone BT-03R and K&K Pure Mini – report

[Keith C]

I recently installed a K&K Pure Mini pickup in my BT-03R baritone.  I'm posting this in case anyone is thinking about the same thing, or if in the future anyone is searching for info about this combination!

Why did I decide on the K&K Pure Mini?  Well, I already have one in my OM-09, and in a Yairi from the mid-80s.  I like how they sound, and I figured plugging into existing outboard gear would be straightforward.

And, I decided to install the K&K Pure Mini myself.  The main reason being the removable endpin on the BT-03R.  If I'd had to drill out the hole, I probably would have taken the guitar to a pro. 

So, reading the instructions, watching a couple of YouTube videos, and working slowly --- the installation of the pickup was really pretty easy. 

How does it sound?  It sounds really good.  I was a little concerned that the baritone might end up a little boomy – but it's not at all.  The pickup sounds even across all of the strings.  Overall I'm very happy with the results.  I've tried a couple of scenarios –
-   BT-03R guitar through a Boss TU-3 tuner, an Ernie Ball volume pedal, and into the instrument input of a Fishman Loudbox mini.
-   BT-03R guitar into a K&K preamp, and into the ¼ in. line input on the back of a Fishman Loudbox mini.

I also run my guitars into a Bose L1, I haven't tested that yet.

For the future, I'm thinking about getting a Mesa Rosette preamp to use with all three of my K&K equipped guitars.  I like the effects loop feature for my volume pedal and possibly a reverb or delay, and the tuner out, and the full featured tone shaping.  Plus, the 1 megohm input impedance to match the K&K pickup.  The Fire Eye Red-Eye also looks like a good candidate with an effects loop, but a little simpler on tone shaping.    Any thoughts on these two or other preamps?

[StringPicker6]

Well done on the K&K, I just got one installed also. It's funny, the pickups are so popular, but not many people pair it with the K&K preamp. I wonder if their preamp isn't as good as others?

[Keith C]

You know, I really like my K&K preamp.  It sounds excellent.  I think it's just a little short on features.  I'd particularly like an effects loop for my volume pedal.  And also, on the K&K preamp, the controls are on the "side" rather than on the "top".  I think this make it a little inconvenient for putting on a pedal board.

[Queequeg]

Good job, Keith.
BT03R is a great instrument.
I love baritones and always travel with it when I play out.
Since you brought up reverb, I recommend the MXR M300 reverb pedal. (Mid-priced, as these things go. $199)
Spring, plate, room. Actually 6 modes.
Tangentially, I saw Tommy Malone, solo concert last week. He played a baritone exclusively all night. No other guitar.

[Keith C]

Queequeg, thanks for the comment - I'll keep the M300 in mind.   Any insights on preamps?

[Queequeg]

Queequeg, thanks for the comment - I'll keep the M300 in mind.   Any insights on preamps?

I used to have a few of my guitars outfitted with K&Ks. They need a preamp imho, particularly if you go through the house board/sound system. I used a K&K preamp and it was pretty good. Also had an LR Baggs Para DI. Nothing wrong with that one, either. I think I was just experimenting with different possibilities back then (quite a while ago.) Ultimately, I settled on a Fishman Platinum Pro EQ.
Now I'm playing with active onboard electronics so I'm no longer using a preamp. But the Fishman was the bomb. I kept that one and the other two are gone now.