RANEYM305 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I am having trouble deciding on what kind of pickup I should get for my 1970 J-50. I am leary about installig a pickup that will require drilling or any other altering of the body of my guitar; not because I am concerned about decreasing the value of my guitar, but I do not want to compromise the tone of it while it is unplugged. ...BUT, I do plan on gigging alot with this guitar, and one of thoseremovable sound-hole pickups with a 10 ft. cable seems unreasonable for the size of shows I play. Anybody have any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Check out the K & K mini Western pickup. No battery necessary and a pretty easy install for a luthier. Yes you will need to run the plug into the rear strap area but it will have no affect on the tone. They do have a "Vintage" colored endpin for the plug too I believe, but I just have a regular one on mine. I have one in my Gibson AJ and love it. It has enough power to run on it's own, but if your gigging with it, add something like a LR Baggs PARA DI which gives you an active line then to run into a PA system or your acoustic amp. All installed for under $150 (at my local guys shop) and clear, acoustic tone with no "quack" is a deal in my opinion. I am not the only believer... it is probably the most recommended pickup at the Acoustic Guitar Forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANEYM305 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Thank you. I've also heard lots of good things about the LR BRAGGS M1 pickup. Do you know if any other manufacturer produces a pickup with a "vintage jack"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANEYM305 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 LR BAGGS* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have actually heard of people using the K & K together with the Baggs M1 for a "Dual source" sound. I can only imagine that it would be even better than either alone but have never tried it personally. I would assume you could wire the M1 up to the K & K into the same endpin but I am just guessing at that. The M1 will look like a bar across the soundhole which I am somewhat opposed to. That's another reason I love the K & K... you would not know I had a pickup in until I plugged in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubee Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I don't often post in "what pickup for acoustic guitar" threads but I'll offer this: I have a "Pickup the World" in a '52 J-45 (a beater) and it is the best sounding acoustic pup I've tried (others inc. old Martin Thinlines & similar piezo-under-the-saddle types). It mounts not under the saddle but to the soundboard and can be moved during testing to get the acoustic tone you want. I prefer that to a saddle mount because it leaves your bridge alone, though you still need an endpin jack. I run it into a LR Baggs Paracoustic DI box (highly recommended anyway) and get a great acoustic tone. It is, to me, the only pup I've tried that really sounds like a flattop when boosted into a PA or acoustic amp. I've let others play it on stage while I sat out a few songs and was amazed how good it sounded. I also record with it to good effect. My son also uses one and we may be the only two people in the world that do. That said, I haven't tried the K&K and others because I'm happy with this one. Just FYI. And whatever ya do, the LR Baggs box is a nice add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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