Installing a pickup on a HD-28

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Webizul	Installing a pickup on a HD-28	Lead	[-]
(06/21/09 1:53 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Would installing a pickup on a HD-28 change the tone. I would have the work professionally done, but I'm not sure how it would affect the current sound of the guitar. Also, will it add to or take away from its value in the long run? I don't need the pick-up at this time (I still have my old Takamine), but would like to have a nicer guitar with the option to plug in. It seems a lot cheaper than buying another new guitar, but I know that cheaper now is not always the best option over time.
Dadsbones		#1	[-]
(06/21/09 10:58 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I've installed (or had installed) on a few guitars A UST under saddle transducer -- sits in bridge under saddle A SBT sound board transducer -- attached to the underside of bridgeplate at two locations And a Mag magnetic soundhole pick-up. Installation in soundhole There are those who frown upon cutting a hole in the side of the guitar to add electronics. I don't. I like the convenience on my HD-28. Others believe enlarging the endpin takes away from the value. My belief is the amount of value it would take away on a post 1969 Martin is negligible to nothing. On a vintage guitar I would consider a vintage jack that uses the exisiting footprint. And I wouldn't ever put a hole in the side of a pre- 69 guitar. I think if you're talking vintage, then any additions or deviation from spec hurts value. But on a modern era Martin, my experience is the addition of a pick-up does not affect value or tone. In fact, in more than one guitar I've sold it actually added value. max
imwjl		#2	[-]
(06/21/09 11:05 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	FWIW: My OM-28V came with a Seymour Duncan sound hole mag + mic sort of pickup and Tapastring Vintage Jack. The pickup is easily removed. I can't hear or feel a difference as far as tone from where the player sits. It may be same for other products but this Seymour Duncan offering allows permanent and temporary installation and two battery types so you don't have to have the 9V adhered to the inside of guitar. It sounds good too. You can't change the color of the tones like the type with side mouted or more sohpisticated sound hole pre-amp but I've tried it with different amps and PA and it sounded more acoustic guitar-like than many I've tried. Down side: It's not the prettiest thing in the world but I'm used to it.
kydave		#3	[-]
(06/21/09 4:48 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Under Saddle Pickups (ala Martin/Fishman UST), as you probably know, go between the saddle and the bottom of the saddle slot. There is no way that cannot affect the sound somewhat. Many, if not most of us, who use them and have added them on guitars that were a known quantity soundwise find the difference imperceptibly or negligible. Bridge plate pickups (ala K&K, IBeam, PUTW) fasten as stated to the bridgeplate. I have had no one yet say to me that they could perceive a sound change acoustically to the guitar due to such installation. Soundhole pickups are, well, soundhole pickups. They make your guitar look like an electric guitar & I personally ignore them (but some folks like them). I've used Fishman, Baggs Ibeam, Baggs LB6, K&K and have a bandmate with McIntyre UST. They all can be made to sound good in varying degrees. None of them will replace a microphone, but that is not their purpose. I've got no problem whatsoever, and very few buyers would either, on a contemporary Martin with going ahead and putting in the 1/4" jack plug where the endpin is. My personal current recommendation is the K&K Pure Western Mini, with it on 2 guitars now and getting ready to go on my old D-28 which just had the 25 year old LB6 removed. P.S. Don't be cutting holes in the side of your HD-28. Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
Webizul		#4	[-]
(06/22/09 4:13 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I definitely am not putting a hole in the side. Was just checking out the K&K western mini. Seems it would be unobtrusive enough and its priced a lot lower than the acoustic/electrics I been looking at. Now, do you have just the mini on there and if so, how does it sound? Anyone else have any suggestions?
dwtrux		#5	[-]
(06/28/09 12:11 PM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Pure K&K minis are excellent passive choices. Easy to install. I have several installed with Vintage Jack so I did not even have to enlarge the end pin. Great sound in most settings and no change in the acoustic sound that I can tell. Have also been looking at the Schatten under bridge transducer because of ease of installation. However, its not as hot passively as the K&K and will need pre-amp to work. Trux D35(1983);E28(1981 solid body Martin);Backpacker(1992);00028EC(2004);000X1(2003);OMC15E(2003);00015S(2006); 0018VS UMGF Sunburst#67( 2006);WashburnD236(1975)Hondo12String(1980); 000XHippie (2008-mrs.trux); LX 175th (2008); 00042VS Custom Vintage Sunburst (2009)
kydave		#6	[-]
(06/28/09 12:28 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Now, do you have just the mini on there and if so, how does it sound? I have the Pure Western Mini in a Recording King RD-26, a Guild D-50 Bluegrass Special and, now, my old D-28. I have had one in a Blueridge Brazilian BR-260 in the past, so I have some experience with them. That experience has been and continues to be favorable enough to swap out my performing favorite for the past couple of decades, the LR Baggs LB6, in my D-28 for the PWM. All passive using external preamp or not as needed. Usually, I just run through a passive volume pedal straight to the board and do a little minor EQ there (rolling off the bass a bit is common). To get more precise, you can use a preamp and there are several detailed threads here about that subject. 'Nuff said. Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
kydave		#7	[-]
(06/29/09 5:59 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	P.S. My band mate likes mine enough that he's going to have me put one in his '53 D-28. Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
rt1965		#8	[-]
(06/29/09 8:42 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I too have the mini. It sounds great, but I have to admit that the K & K XLR Pre-amp does make a difference. It's not necessary, but if you can get one of those as well, you wont be sorry. Check our this website to see one being installed. Click here. Rich "She had the face of an angel smiling with sin, the body of Venus with arms."
flatpickinjimmy		#9	[-]
(07/04/09 9:54 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I just had a K&K mini fitted to my 2008 D-28 and it has exceeded my expectations. Even run through the clean channel on my Fender Princeton 112+ it sounds wonderful - I'd really like to hear it through a Fender Acoustasonic or similar. You don't need a pre-amp with the pickup, though I do agree (as above) that you need to be careful with the bass settings on your amp and/or get a Feedback Buster for the soundhole. These things feed back really easily. One strum with too much bass and you'll want one. I also can't tell any difference in the acoustic sound. If you're really concerned about non-intrusive pickups the vintage jack is an option, though they're twice as much cash and you'll need to carry around your own 1/8ths jack lead.
Guitaropsimath		#10	[-]
(07/06/09 11:53 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I use K&K minis in my smaller guitars (L-00 and 00-17) with a 7-band graphic eq as a preamp, then into the PA. I use Fishman and Baggs USTs on my HD and OM guitars because of the feedback issues. I play outside a lot at pretty high volumes, so that's what works for me. The K&Ks have a little better sound reproduction characteristics than the USTs, but they're not bad either, and I've not heard the quack on mine that I read about in the forum. Seems we're all looking for The Sound. Doug

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