Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

What do you think is the best undersaddle pickup for a classical guitar?

I've read good things about the L.R.Baggs Element.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I would go with the Fishman Matrix Infinity AG series if an undersaddle is what you are limited to
Web Link:

http://www.fishman.com/products/acousti ... ickups.asp

If you want really good sound on the classical and don't mind some hardware inside the box and punching a big hole in the side I would go with Fishman Prefix Premium Blend with undersaddle, and internal goose neck mic, and on board pre-amp.

If you want good sound and don't want to alter an expensive guitar, a mic on a stand is the way to go.

My 2 cents

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John Nowicki

If you're willing to go with sound board transducers K&K pure classical works pretty well.
Jim

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

The guitar will be plugged only when playing live. I've had feedback trouble with soundboard transducers in the past so I'm not too hot for it right now (although it wasn't a K&K). That's why I'm really aiming for an undersaddle transducer.

I've tried the Fishmnan Matrix Infinity but I find them way too 'quacky'. I've read that D-Tar made some good innovations toward eliminating the 'quack', but I don't know how effecient it is for a classical. Plus it needs special batteries harder to find than teh standard 9v ones.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Hi Alain,

Do you see the pattern here? 3 guys, 3 different answers. I'm where you are now, except I want an onboard 2 input system. Research and try one.

Dave

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God, Family, Carreer

I would go K&K .. either the pure, or pure with the undersaddle .. you still dont need internal batteries, use the outboard pre. As for Dtar needng special batteries .. I have had two of their 18 volt style preamps .. one used 2-9V, the other had a circuit that only used 2 AAs ...

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Oops! Guess I'm mistaking about the batteries on the D-Tar. I'm not sure where I got the idea, but I think I concluded they were special batteries after reading the specs mentionning 18v with a picture showing the two AA batteries. I guess I thought they were those special lithium-Ion batteries designed for cameras.

That said, have you tried K&K system in a live environment? As mentioned, this is my main worry; will it generate feedback?

Thanks.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Anyone know anything about these?

http://www.schertlerusa.com/dyn.htm

I have heard good things

More than half the K&K installs I do, are on classical guitars. Players love that their instruments sound natural, and have no preamp/battery.

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nmfrgb ... &q&f=false

Somewhere in this is an old interview with Sharon Isbin, which describes her system.

Thanks for the answers guys.

But I'm still not too hot for soundboard transducers. My customer will play live where there'll be drums, bass, keyboards, percussion and all this stuff. This is too much of a feeback environment for a guitar soundboard transducer. The guitar becomes a microphone, catching everything that comes out of a monitor in front of it. A guitar alone or with just a voice and a few strings, maybe, but not in a 'rock group' kind a show.

As anybody tried the B-Band undersaddle transducers?

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)