The old pick-up question... Advice needed!

[BenHermanski]

Hey folks,

I know this question has come up dozens of times - I have read them all in this and other forums. Nevertheless, I need a sort of customized advice. Reading all these different opinions confuses me, you know...

I consider playing open stages and coffeehouses as a singer/songwriter, soon. My Larri has no pick-up installed, so I am looking for a pick-up that will fit my needs:

- fit for on stage performance and for demo recordings on my laptop (no need to cut through a band or play on big open air stages, yet)

- single-source (since I cannot afford an L.R. Baggs iMix / Anthem or the K&K dual-source systems, yet)

- no barn-door

- I have a plug-and-play mentality...


I have considered the K&K Pure mini, but since I am a heavy strummer at times, I am worried about overdrive and/or lack in certain frequencies. Are there any of you that have experience regarding this issue?

I have considered other systems in my price range (100 - 150 €). Namely the Schertler Bluestick and the Mi-Si version of the L.R. Baggs Element (cf. http://mi-si.com/products/ -- I like their idea of using a system that does not require battery power). I am not really a fan of piezo-sound, but have a feeling that these two do not sound as piezo-ish as others.

So it comes down to the following doubts:
Will the Pure mini suit my style on stage? (How does it handle feedback?)
Will a piezo sound too quacky on demo recordings and on stage?

Please be aware that I live in Germany and may have different systems available than you guys over the big pond. European products are usually more affordable. 

Thanks in advance for your help!! 

[unclrob]

Keep it simple the LRBaggs active Ibeam.I have them in 3 of my 5 acoustic.easily mounted to the bridge plate,has a volumn control that is mounted in the soundhole.Clean responce both for live and recording,never had any distotion problems even when drivin hard.Only require's a 9 volt battery.Works nice in acoustic guitar amps and PA's.Did a test drive recording into a Tascam2488 direct to disc I think recorder and playback didn't sound bad thru the pa tonight as we packed up.

[BenHermanski]

Thanks for the fast reply!

I have found the iBeam active a bit too trebly and thin as a standalone solution. Especially when compared to the K&K. (Doug Young has done a great job comparing all these pickups on his homepage). Is this any different with the iBeam passive?

Any other opinions?

[Michael T]

Mic when you can, K&K for stage work (use a luthole for really loud situations if you have too, I never had too but have a couple nice ones I show off once in a while) or did when my health permitted. Some leave the luthole in but to me it sounds like socks are in there but they work fine with the K&K with XLR pre.



[attachment deleted by admin]

[unclrob]

The passive I beam needs a pre-amp and I don't believe that you can have a volumn control in the soundhole.As for being to trebly I haven't had that problem.We sound check and eq with no problems.

[BenHermanski]

@ unclrob:

Do you have (or know where to find) any soundfiles recorded with a Larrivee (spruce/mahogany) dread with the iBeam?   
I am pretty irresolute between the iBeam and the K&K Pure western (which is about half the price of the iBeam, at least here in Germany).