Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

Someone mentioned to me this acoustic pickup as something really good.

http://highlanderpickups.com/catalog/ip1.htm

I was wondering if any of you guys had ever tried installing it. Installation sure looks like a pain!


Let me now!

Thanks!

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

Alain, I've installed several, they're not so bad to install.
You'll need some sort of device for a wee router to ride upon.
They do sound great, much better than the average piezo pup.
I know you can do it.

Steve

P.S.--Oh yeah, you'll need a 9/16" tap for the butt end--I believe (it's been a while)-- for the preamp screws into the end block.
Interesting system.

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks for the info Steve.

I figured I would need to build some sort of router guide but getting the groove to the correct depth is what worries me. I'm not used to routing a 1.3 mm deep groove with a 1.6 mm ball end bit down a saddle slot!

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

I use LMI's jig for routing saddle slots in bridges.
Once the jig is in place, you can pass the router bit through the bridge slot--not running, ya know--and listen to the sound that the bit makes as it drags through the slot. As needed, vary the pressure on the cam clamps that hold the jig in place, and you'll have your Dremel running parallel to the bottom of the saddle slot.
Carefully lower the bit and take incremental passes till that new slot is done.
Then you'll think. "What was I worried about?!"

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

You might consider the Baggs Element system. Lot's of variations, from single to dual sources with or without side mounted preamps. No bridge mods needed for install, plus a standard size endpin jack. And, though of course this is quite subjective, I think they sound really good, though I've never a/b'd them with a highlander. Jes' my .02…

i've got a highlander in an old yamaha. i had it installed before i started building and messing with my own guitars. it does sound great - but i know is a few extra, finicky steps beyond the average pickup installation.

something i've put into 4 guitars that i've built is the dtar wavelength. the 't' in dtar is turner, who's played a big part in both the highlander and wavelength stuff. predictably, the wavelength sounds incredible - and has eliminated all the tricky parts of the installation.

either way, it'll sound great. you just need to decide how tricky you want the install to be.

phil

Thanks for the info everyone. Much appreciated.

Steve, I guess the LMI saddle routing jig is the solution to the problem, only I can't find it on the LMI web site. I guess they must be out of stock for now...

Meddlingfool, I've heard good things about the L.R. Baggs Element, only I have one issue with it; it's a soft transducer. I'm kind of reluctent to inserting something soft between the saddle and the bridge. I worry it will impair the tone of the unplugged guitar. And actually, my worries are the same for the Highlander, which is sift as well...

Phil, I've also heard a lot of good things about the DTar system, thanks.

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

I was very skeptical at first as well, but I personally can't hear the difference, and I've heard a very very great number of before and afters. It's like a tortoise style pickguard. It should dampen the sound, but I sure can't tell the difference.