Hi all. I just bought a used Santa Cruz OM/PW that has a Pickup-the-world #54 (stereo) installed. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this brand or this pickup. Any input would be helpful. I'm expecting to receive it around Friday.

Ernie

Hi, Ernie,
I have a custom built guitar with a Pickup the World #27 installed. It requires an external preamp to amplify properly. It sounds great when amplified. I do wish it was set up to work without the preamp. It will actually work that way. You just have to crank up the volume on your amp to be heard. I think you'll be pleased with one in your new guitar.
Bill

I went ahead and ordered the Pickup the World stereo preamp so I can hear the sound under the best conditions.

I hope you're right about the good sound.

Ernie

Hey, Ernie. Since you have the stereo setup, you'll sound twice as good as anyone else!

I've used a PUTW #54 for a few years in a Tippin OMT (EIR/German spruce). It is wired mono, and I use it with either an internal mic (Joe Mills) or an external SD condenser mic. The #54 is one of the better SBTs, it takes eq very well and can sound very good indeed.

A few things are neccessary to reach its optimum performance:

1) Make sure the two film elements are attached properly. This requires a good surface for the self adhesive tape face of the pickup elements. The self adhesive tape can be removed and replaced with new self adhesive tape. Dunno if the elements can be glued in place, they probably can. David Enke should know.

2) You also should use some 3M red tape to tpae the end of the element down (by the wire).

3) You must have the first gain stage near the elements, hopefully no later than the endpin of the guitar, and certainly no later than your belt. Film piezo pickups like the #54 have a very low output and having the first gain stage nearby is a must.

4) The cable between the elements and the first gain stage is very microphonic. Make sure it isn't attached to the back, top or sides of the instrument.

5) Use a good eq. A three (or more) band parametric is recommended.

I use a K&K mini in another guitar (Webber Roundbody, EIR/cedar), along with either an internal mic or external mic. Using the same signal chain, I prefer the #54 over the K&K, sonically. Not by much, but the #54 is slightly smoother, more accurate and overall a bit more pleasing in sound.

Running the #54 in stereo (instead of mono) can be fun. I tried that with mine. The only issue is the soundstage it creates. If you play through a true stereo system, and pan 100% left and right, your music can shift from left to right (or right to left) depending on which strings you are playing. It doesn't make you dizzy or anything, but it is very noticable. Panning 20% or so sounds great.

Thanks for this helpful info. I'm expecting the guitar today, so it's exciting

However, the pickups are already installed in the guitar, so I'm hopeful it was done correctly. I suppose I will find out soon enough.

Got the guitar and, after tweaking the pre-amp for a bit, have gotten the sweetest tone! It's installed in a Santa Cruz OM/PW. It's got to be the most natural sounding pickup I've ever heard. Very clean - just sounds like the guitar!