Acoustic pickup (London)

[fishman]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for a nice sounding acoustic pickup to fit to my guitar. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

The guitar is a Simon and Patrick SC model, quite bright sounding but very nice. I'd like something not too bright to complement it.

If anyone can recommend me any guitar techs in the London area that would be much appreciated also.

My budget goes up to about £350 UK

thanks

fish

[fishman]

Also, I've been looking into the little DPA mini mics as an alternative. Am I going to have feedback problems with these on stage and when rehearsing? I'm reluctant to fit electronics into my guitar unless I absolutely have to.

[squeegybug]

Here's the best one I've ever found:



http://www.tranceaudio.com/

Continuation of the classic FRAP. Stereo pickups, requires internal installation mounted to the bridgeplate.


If you require removable, then this one is not far behind the Trance:



www.sunrisepickups.com



Steve

[Audy O]

If you've tried them, could you give us a comparison with Baggs or Fishman pickups? Also, anyone try any of the Audio Technica, Sony or DPA mics for studio and live use? Any good ones? A Nashville engineer told me about an AT lavalier that a studio acoustic guitarist brought in which sounded great but couldn't remember the model #. Thanks!

Audy O

[fishman]

Thanks, I'll look into the trance and sunrise pickups. The sunrise one could be a good solution.

However, I'm quite sold on the DPA mini mic idea (IMK4061). This website has a suggestion for minimising feedback onstage:

http://www.soundnetwork.co.uk/gtr.htm

But really I'm curious to see if anyone has any practical experience using these on stage and in rehearsals.

[runamuck]

I own a Sunrise.

For recording I've lately used a stereo pair of mics (AT 4051)panned left and right and mix the Sunrise right up the middle. It helps provide a bit of definition but on its own I dont like it much - it sounds as much like an electric guitar as an acoustic. It requires some judicious EQ to get the wonk out of it.

[squeegybug]

Originally Posted by Audy O

If you've tried them, could you give us a comparison with Baggs or Fishman pickups? Also, anyone try any of the Audio Technica, Sony or DPA mics for studio and live use?

Sure, I've owned and installed several Fishman and LR Baggs pickups, among many others. The Trance Audio is just a better reproduction of the acoustic guitar -- full bass and sparkling treble, very little piezo rubberband zing. One reason is because it uses 3-dimensional elements, rather than the common flat, imbedded types. There are two transducers for a wider average of the response. The system uses an excellent remote-powered onboard class-A preamp, not a cheap 9v miniature. Having this preamp inside the guitar minimizes losses and loading of those tiny pickup signals. The instrument leads are custom Mogami/Switchcraft 5-pin mini-XLR. You can run 50 feet or more from the PA, if you want, since you're sending line-level from the guitar. The signal is stereo, which can be panned, EQed, and effected separately if desired, or just summed to mono at the buffer box. It's easy to get the proper placement on installation, since you can do one at a time while monitoring, plus the larger block-style transducers are easy to hold onto and move around until the best spot is found.

re the Sunrise -- also a premier pickup. But only really develops its full character with a Sunrise preamp. The S-TI tube pre is incredible, and well worth the money. Does a great job in the studio or live system for many applications. I actually run my Trance Audio through it as well:




Although if you can't spend the $1200 for it, at least get one of the solid state Sunrise preamps. And yes, it needs some midrange EQ cut, as all guitar pickups do.

Lots of mini mics can be excellent on guitar. Some can be installed internally and can work well as FOH send, but not for monitoring or using with an amp. Some can also be attached temporarily to the outside, and moved to other instruments as needed. But, not a substitute for a pickup for live sound.


Steve

[Audy O]

Steve:

Thanks for the wealth of info. about the Trance and Sunrise equipment. Looks like it will be different setups for "live" vs. "studio." I've been a working pro guitarist for several decades as well as a studio engineer but haven't had the chance to see or try the Trance and Sunrise stuff. Impressive recommendations.

If anyone has any recommendations of which lavalier/miniatures work well on acoustic guitars, please chime in.

Great discussion, thanks to all for your contributions and keep it coming!

Audy O

thumbsup

[fishman]

Once more thanks again for the responses. I'll definitely look further at both the Trance and Sunrise systems - does anyone know of a UK or European dealer for these products?

fish