i just bought a collings d2h and i need to have a pickup put in it, i am looking at getting a LR Baggs ribbon transducer, or a LR Baggs !beam, or a fishman natural 1.. let me know what you think..

thanks God Bless,

topher

in Him,

Hi topher,

I replied to your query over on the 13th Fret. In short, after much experimentation, I settled on a dual-pickup setup: an I-Beam with a Sunrise.

I would argue the issue of whether any Collings "needs" a pickup. If you're playing in a place with so much ambient noise that miking the guitar isn't a practical solution, get a Tak or some damn thing with excellent electronics built in, for the gigs, and keep your Collings unsullied to play at home or in places where people will shut up. My highly partial personal opinion, obviously.

That having been said, the D2H I bought off of Jack Lawrence has a McIntyre in it - one of the old style - that has a very good acoustic sound. And those don't require messing with the bridge and saddle. And I understand the new ones are even better.

Peter.

A mic is ideal when it works, but I find that it only works well in certain kinds of performance situations. If you're on a stage with PA speakers off to the side and monitors coming from the front, a mic is great. But in smaller situations (say, a cafe) where you've got your amp behind you, mics usually feedback like crazy before you can get nearly enough volume. Just my experience.

Blevins makes a good point about how some pickups (especially magnetic soundhole pickups) can affect the guitar's unplugged sound. I have my pickups wired so that I can easily remove almost all the electronics from the guitar (except the IBeam) if I want the guitar to sound great acoustically.

I'd never install an undersaddle pickup.

I have used and like all three that you mentioned, but you left out my current, hands down, fave which is the K&K Trinity Western. This is a 3 transducer, Crown mic set up that comes with off board blender pack for $285.00.
It's the best system I have ever heard. Check it out.

Stu Ds2H Carter/Fat Sound Guitars

I almost forgot, one caveat is you have to use the 1/2" version of the transducers due to the smaller Collings bridge plates. Most installs we have done with the exception of Collings, have called for the 3/4" version.

Stu Ds2H Carter/Fat Sound Guitars

Does the Trinity Western have a website?

http://www.kksound.com

I am interested in the K&K trinity western as well. Are they easy to be self installed?? Anyone with any experiences??

[This message was edited by Ed on July 25, 2002 at 06:22 PM.]