Whats the best pick-up for a Martin Dred?

[mgray]

I just got my new HD-28V and am having trouble deciding on which pick-up is best for these heavy Martin Dreds??

My style that will be most played on the HD-28V is heavy strumming with some flat picking. A lot of palm slap and mutes. I don't need massive amounts of headroom yet since I'm mainly on my own. But I require the most acoustic sounding pick-up representing my guitar.

I've been considering the k&k pure western bridge plate transducer, as I hear great things about it. Also thought about the D-TAR Wave-Length UST(the 18volt seems more appropriate for this heavy dred).

I'm not sure how efficient a mini condenser would be, but even the K&K Triple source(UST, SBT, mini condenser) tickles my fancy.

So what do you all feel is the best type(and brand) of pick-up to use on a HD-28V??

Thanks

[surflounge]

contact these folks for special Martin pickups:
Advanced pickups and electronics for guitar and other stringed instruments | L.R. Baggs

[ark]

I have a couple of friends with Martins with the onboard Fishman Aura electronics that Fishman made in conjunction with Martin, and their guitars both sound fantastic.

[Infrablu]

I think you're on the right track, I've had really nice results with K&K sound. I get a nice balanced representation of my acoustic. I installed the K&K Pure Western under bridge pickup in my older Tacoma Jumbo with excellent results and the Pure Mini in my recently acquired Martin D-18 these pickups along with the L.R Baggs Para Acoustic DI have been flawless. Also straight into the board without a D.I. the sound was still very natural although less control over feedback without the notch filter from the Baggs. You can get some sophisticated systems with other K&K products so I'm giving you my take on a simpler setup. Great choice on your Martin!

[DJeanes]

D-TAR now also has the " Multi-Source " which is a wavelength with a small mic mounted in sound hole.
Been very happy with it . I was a little concerned about on-board mic and feedback , but it really hasn't been a problem at all ..

The mic can set to run on in conjunction with UST or with a stereo instrument cable can be processed separately .

Dave

[The Generator]

On a nice Martin, the first thing I would avoid is any intrusive system that requires cutting. That being said, I have an LRBaggs Dual Element installed on my guitar that sounds just great. I actually pair it up live with the LRBaggs Para DI for all my EQ'ing needs. Works great. Good luck!

[Infrablu]

Absolutely, no cutting if you purchase a Martin dred, that's a given. Which is why I passed on so many beautiful acoustics like the Gibson Songwriter and several Taylors.

The K&K Pure Western is simple, passive (no battery) and stellar with the right D.I. for volume in larger venues (L.R Baggs or K&K Sound D.I.) the cost is reasonable also if that's a consideration.

This a good article form the Taylor Acoustic forum mentioning all these pickups in this thread:

LR Baggs Element vs. K&K Pure Western - The Acoustic Guitar Forum

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by mgray

I just got my new HD-28V and am having trouble deciding on which pick-up is best for these heavy Martin Dreds??

My style that will be most played on the HD-28V is heavy strumming with some flat picking. A lot of palm slap and mutes. I don't need massive amounts of headroom yet since I'm mainly on my own. But I require the most acoustic sounding pick-up representing my guitar.

I've been considering the k&k pure western bridge plate transducer, as I hear great things about it. Also thought about the D-TAR Wave-Length UST(the 18volt seems more appropriate for this heavy dred).

I'm not sure how efficient a mini condenser would be, but even the K&K Triple source(UST, SBT, mini condenser) tickles my fancy.

So what do you all feel is the best type(and brand) of pick-up to use on a HD-28V??

Thanks

Hi,
How did you make out? I have a 98 HD-28 that I am still deciding how to amplify, I also have a D12-28. I have been waiting for something that is absolutely natural sounding. I usually use an SM-81 and I am forced into being a statue when I play. Thanks for all the suggestions all!
VP

[flatpickle]

The Fishman Aura system is the best sounding (most natural) pickup system I have heard. It requires an under-saddle transducer pickup, which is funny because USTs usually sound horrid to me, but the Aura system is designed to work with that. And it works very well.

I have the K&K mini western in my D-28. It's pretty decent, but not as good.

[rkopald]

Not tryin' to be a wet blanket, but I've had Fishman, Baggs, Sunrise, and K&K pickups in several acoustics, and they all didn't impress me that much.

I've come to realize I don't care for the amp'd acoustic sound at all, which is unfortunate because very often it is the easiest and most hassle free way to play gigs in "compromised" environments, which is usually 98% of all gigs I've done for acoustic; such as coffee shops, restaurants, etc.
My best advice would be to find one you like, play it through a sound reinforcement system you either trust or can control, and don't let the non-acoustic sound bother you, because I'm not sure non-musicians even really notice the difference all that much. All things being equal, they're really all kind of close to sounding the same. Except for some horrible early Piezo undersaddle crap I've heard. Blecch. I'm looking at you Craig Chaquico. God his sound is just awful. Don't sound like that.

[Benlittlejohn]

Originally Posted by rkopald

Not tryin' to be a wet blanket, but I've had Fishman, Baggs, Sunrise, and K&K pickups in several acoustics, and they all didn't impress me that much.

I've come to realize I don't care for the amp'd acoustic sound at all, which is unfortunate because very often it is the easiest and most hassle free way to play gigs in "compromised" environments, which is usually 98% of all gigs I've done for acoustic; such as coffee shops, restaurants, etc.
My best advice would be to find one you like, play it through a sound reinforcement system you either trust or can control, and don't let the non-acoustic sound bother you, because I'm not sure non-musicians even really notice the difference all that much. All things being equal, they're really all kind of close to sounding the same. Except for some horrible early Piezo undersaddle crap I've heard. Blecch. I'm looking at you Craig Chaquico. God his sound is just awful. Don't sound like that.

i feel this way too. but ive settled with the LR Baggs M1

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

Hi,
How did you make out? I have a 98 HD-28 that I am still deciding how to amplify, I also have a D12-28. I have been waiting for something that is absolutely natural sounding. I usually use an SM-81 and I am forced into being a statue when I play. Thanks for all the suggestions all!
VP

I still havent committed to anything other than my SM-81. If it aint broke, dont fix it!
VP

[william_cross]

Originally Posted by mgray

I just got my new HD-28V and am having trouble deciding on which pick-up is best for these heavy Martin Dreds??

My style that will be most played on the HD-28V is heavy strumming with some flat picking. A lot of palm slap and mutes. I don't need massive amounts of headroom yet since I'm mainly on my own. But I require the most acoustic sounding pick-up representing my guitar.

I've been considering the k&k pure western bridge plate transducer, as I hear great things about it. Also thought about the D-TAR Wave-Length UST(the 18volt seems more appropriate for this heavy dred).

I'm not sure how efficient a mini condenser would be, but even the K&K Triple source(UST, SBT, mini condenser) tickles my fancy.

So what do you all feel is the best type(and brand) of pick-up to use on a HD-28V??

Thanks

Ford

[Igotsoul4u]

Originally Posted by surflounge

contact these folks for special Martin pickups:
Advanced pickups and electronics for guitar and other stringed instruments | L.R. Baggs

also consider the paracoustic DI from LR Baggs. My friends Martin sounds wonderful through it. I always mix it in the with mic'ed up sound.