As I am optimistic that my OM2Hss cut , for which I have been waiting 4 months now, might be joining me soon, I have some decisions to make regarding a pickup. I had been thinking to stick another Fishman Matrix in & play through my Aura (OM) pedal, but I have been hearing that I would be wasting that “Collings” tone with an undersaddle piezo, and that I should consider a “rare earth” soundhole p/u, with or without the “blender” mike, in order to best capture that acoustic tone...
I would appreciate hearing from the collective experience of the members here as to pickup preferences, and how those are impacted by playing style, playing environment,etc.
Thanks,
Dave

K & K Western Mini. I don't use their pre-amp but I've heard good reports. Good reproduction without a battery. Very transparent sound.

http://www.kksound.com/purewestern.html

K&K all the way. Their Pure Western Mini does an amazing job of reproducing the sound of your guitar. I have them in four guitars and they all sound differnt. Just like themselves. Don't let that low price fool you. K&K is a wonderful product.

Another vote for K&K Mini Western. I have their XLR pre-amp. Sweet tone. No quack, just faithful re-production. It has a phase switch if you are wigged out about potential feedback.

I also had it installed with the superglue method by a professional luthier.

So far, unanimous for K&K pure western mini. All three gig guitars have 'em, and I've tried all the usual subjects, including piezo (never again) and soundhole/magnetic (good for rock in very large venues when no one can tell what the original guitar tone was anyway). I'm very tempted to sell my baggs para di and buy the K&K preamp as well, even though the baggs has performed well. I have a suspicion the preamp made specifically for their system may be da bomb. When the CJ varnish arrives, after it settles in for a couple months and hardens up some, I'm thinking about going the whole Trinity route, with mini mic and the entire nine yahds. thanks tom

+1 for K&K.

Another vote for K & K Pure Western Mini.

I like the K&K a lot. Best pickup I've ever used. I still mostly gig with just a mic, but I sometimes need to add the K&K and it does great.

Is the K&K difficult to install?

Svenn

quote:

K&K pure western mini

The K&K Pure Western is what I use too...although I use the deluxe set which includes a little microphone on a gooseneck. It's called the Trinity Western. It's easy to install if you have a careful and meticulous nature and have experience working inside fine guitars. Took me about two hours total for the install. Adjusting the trim pots inside the preamp is still a work in progress though! Sounded great at the gig last night, but I'm still tweaking the internal tone adjustments of the pre amp. Lew

I haven't ever played a K&K...heard a lot of good things about them though

Since '77 I have played a LOT of pickups from Barcus Berry (anyone remember "Hot Dots"?) to FRAP to Sunrise, B-Band, etc. . I still own & use Highlander, Baggs I-Beam, FRAP (in my Gurian) and DTAR.

I think you ought to check out what DTAR is doing. Rick Turner has done more work on acoustic guitar amplification than just about anyone and his partnership with Seymour Duncan is a good thing. The Solstice preamp is amazing...no matter what pick up/system you use.

Highlander pickups are also excellent, particularly their dual source system (with internal mic).

I am a big fan of dual source systems. To date, all pickups/systems are inherently inadequate at reproducing acoustic guitar sounds. Dual source allows you to get close in an amplified context.

Also, I heard Jeff Tweedy play with a Baggs M1 and his 00 guitar sounded INCREDIBLE. I never thought a magnetic pickup could sound that good. I m definitely going to check that out.

O.K....let the K&K love fest continue Didn't mean to interrupt....

quote:

To date, all pickups/systems are inherently inadequate at reproducing acoustic guitar sounds.

Hey, Duolian, I really think you should try K&K. You just might want to revise that statement. I agree that D-tar is doing great work. With their Wavelingth pickup and Mama Bear processor you can get some pretty realistic tone - but at a cost of 400$US+. K&K will run you $90 and if you're really picky add the XLR preamp at $150. You will get truly acoustic sound. I've actually had folks ask me where my microphone is.

David