Getting a pickup and EQ installed - GuitarZone.com FORUM

Getting a pickup and EQ installed Price, Pickup? Rate Topic:

#1 capo2nd

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Posted 25 November 2003 - 03:00 PM

So, I'm contemplating to get a pickup with equalizer installed into my dreadnought. What PUs and EQs would you guys recommend? How much would that cost, how much would you spend?
I already sure I want PU and EQ because I have no acoustic amp and will need to equalize my guitar when I pick it into a PA.

Answers, tips and hints appreciated!

Thanks a lot.
Shane

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#2 joeybcdt

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Posted 25 November 2003 - 04:14 PM

If your guitar is worth any money at all I wouldn't consider an onboard EQ. Maybe this would be the ticket: Pre amp direct box It has some EQ to it also. I hear these are pretty good. You're going to have to have a direct box anyway.

Joey

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#3 dadfad

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Posted 25 November 2003 - 04:39 PM

Joey said what I was going to say. Don't retro-fit a nice pure acoustic. Either buy one with already-existing on-boards or use an out-board equalizer. A little more trouble, but not that much. An under-saddle with an end-pin jack isn't a major operation (and can be removed and restored to normal if desired) or a blended internal system, then through an out-board box. There are a number of decent ones, Fishman's Pro-EQ or Blender<(not cheap) is good. RL Baggs makes a good one (I've heard). Like Joey, I don't think much of carving up a nice acoustic guitar.

Un-plugged is not the same as
never-was-plugged-in-to-begin-with.

John Jackson -My Teacher and My Old Friend

When the roll is called up yonder he'll be there

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#4 lowden

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Posted 28 November 2003 - 04:23 PM

I'ld avoid getting an on-board eq as this'll involve cutting big holes in your guitar, a good pre-amp would be better and also available for gigs with all your other guitars. LR Baggs make a good one http://www.lrbaggs.com and also do great pickups, but are pricey. I have the 'Ribbon Transducer System' in my Lowden O25 and this system has a preset preamp, about the size of an Irish matchbox(Maguire and Patterson matches) in side your guitar attached with some velcro. No need for out-board pre-amp, just plug and play, it sounds brilliant. Natural acoustic tones. It cost £380 irish about 3 years ago, 500 euro or so.

You could try a boss pre-amp, about 250 euro and it gives you chorus and reverb on the preamp. Heres what it looks like.

But you will find cheaper pre-amps and pickups. Just ask in your local shop, they'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

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#5 lowden

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Posted 05 December 2003 - 05:39 PM

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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#6 Guest_GavinK_*

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Posted 05 December 2003 - 08:11 PM

I got a good Martin reamp pick up installed in one of my guitars. No eq but it worked pretty well.

You will still need to run it through a compressor before going into the PA and an external preamp like what Lowden recommended would only make your guitar sound even better.

Good luck.

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#7 capo2nd

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Posted 06 December 2003 - 11:42 AM

I'm selling my Ovation copy and saving money meself to pick me a nice Takamine or Taylor with everything onboard already out of the lot at a good music store, methinks.