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PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:25 pm 
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Koa
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Location: United States
State: Texas
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As a "vintage style" builder, I find myself treading into new territory.

I have a commission from a professional "blues-rock" guitarist, I'll build a 000-sized 12 fret guitar (my "grand concert").

He wants a pick-up with onboard volume and EQ controls. I don't know what would be a good choice, and I can't find too many that have both controls on-board, but "discreet".

I could use some wisdom, guys.

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:44 pm 
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I'd honestly try to sell him on the pre-amp with volume and EQ as a separate item.

I should be getting my first K&K setup this week to install in a friends guitar and he was thrilled with the off board pre-amp.

the nice thing with this is that as he collects more guitars, he doesn't need to buy another pre-amp for them. He can just get the pick up to put in the guitar.

Most PU companies now offer a discrete soundhole volume wheel, but once you start getting into EQ's and wanting easy access to adjust them, discrete sort of goes out the window in my books. Also, you're now starting to have to considered drilling or cutting holes in that nice new, custom guitar you've just purchased.

Something that can just clip onto the guitar strap is the way to go. Check out the line of pre-amps from K&K

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:24 am 
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Koa
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Thanks for the input Rod.
He played my demo guitar at one of his live sets, it has a K&K, thru his PA, and that is what he is asking for. He travels and plays a lot of dates, so I assume he knows what he wants.
Maybe he would consider the preamp mounted at the mic stand.

I saw the Baggs with the dual source and twin wheels, and the other one with the controls/board in the arc around the hole.

I looked at the D-tar also, but I don't think you can control the EQ right there.

I have a couple of months to decide, I "gather" till then.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:31 am 
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Check out the Bband onboard pre-amps and built in pots they have some nice looking units. They are also a great pick up system that I've used with good success in the past (not onboard mind you).

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:02 pm 
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Koa
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Thanks again, Rod.
I was not aware of the B-band line, though the name vaguely registered in my "vintage only" brain.
These may be what my customer wants to see.

I really hate to make a guitar with a sound port and then plug it with some electronical diddley. :roll:

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:31 pm 
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You could have you client consider an L.R. bags iMix system it is a preamp system with both a I-beam type piazo and an under-saddle transducer that is very non invasive installation and quite good at reproducing acoustic sound. I am installing one right now in a commission for a client. the only invasive thing is the 1/2" hole for jack plug in the tail block. it has a mix ratio adjustment wheel and a volume wheel you locate at the sound hole. The preamp and battery pouch attaches to the back via Velcro. Really simple installation. Dynamic setting are via pots on the preamp but are intended to be set and left alone and you adjust the mix at the finger wheels

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Pickups:_Guitar,_Acoustic/L_R_Baggs_iMix_System.html


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