[panndder]

Hey

I have a Taylor 414 and love it...But I would like to get some sort of mic (or even maybe a pickup) for it.

What would you recommend in the $150 range (or more if needed) for some sort of mic and/or pickup system?

I alredy have a PA system so that's no biggie

Thanks Alot

[rasav]

Cheapest route would be a barcus-berri outsider pizeo pick-up (60 to 90)
Dean Markley pro mag single coil sound hole pickup (40-50)
Or a seymore duncan (Can't remember the dang name) ( 30-50)

If you want an installed internal pickup, an installed fishman w/ pre amp is about 250-300

[panndder]

I would want an installed pickup....Do they really run for that much? I could spend whatever it takes....but I thought $150 would be a good amount....


Anyone else?

[dadfad]

If you want an "installed" type, you'd at least need to drill and replace your end-pin with an end-pin jac. I'm going to assume you don't want to have it installed by a pro (that's where a great deal of the cost is). The pre-amp mounted into the side is where the expense (or necessary luthier skills) mostly comes from. Adding an end-pin jack isn't that difficult (pull the old pin, drill a small hole entirely through the end-block and replace it with the jack-pin). LR Baggs makes a few that mount to the underside of the top that are of a pretty good quality running from less than $150 (I-Beam series, a little more with a small jack-pre-amp included) to around $300 (dual-source, mono-stereo, internal controls, etc) that require only the end-pin change (the dual-source requires slight under-saddle modification too). There are some pretty decent snap-ins too. The Seymour Duncan SA-1 Acoustic Tube is pretty good and has a volume control (around $70). GHS makes an internally mounted mic system with an end-pin jack for around $100. There are a number of options. Of course the best and truest sound will always come from a regular external microphone (or microphones... one pointed at the sound-hole, the second pointed about an inch above the saddle). Anyway, there are a number of options short of paying a lot to have your guitar carved up.

[trickyfingers]

I've heard some really good things about Fishman's acoustic rigs. From what I remember, they are a bit more expensive, though....

[panndder]

Thanks for the Help Dadfad.

I think my Taylor has a big enough endpin already. (to plug a 1/4 jack into) Highlander (I think) has a pickup deal that a mic can be plugged into (so the pickup and mic work at the same time) which looks pretty cool (Together they are expensive but just the pickup for now isn't too bad.

Otherwise I've heard good things about the iBeam. Anybody have feelings for or against this?

I've also seen a microphone that comes from inside the guitar and is on the end of a little snake thing that can be bent, and gives you mobility yet the sound of a mic. Anybody seen these, know what they're called?



Thanks Alot

[joeybcdt]

Here's a real good source: Shoreline
I like the Fishman Rare Earth. But am considering the Sunrise.

Also check out: Hear comparisons

Joey

[dadfad]

That GHS I mentioned is a snake-mic (they come internally mounted or clip-on the soundhole). Your end-pin on that Taylor is probably big enough, but remember the hole needs to go completely through the end-block and your hole is probably tapered too and would need to made straight-through. But not a major project at all. As Joey mentioned, Fishman's Rare Earth and Blender are excellent systems too, but are a little more difficult to mount, although they probably have simpler ones as well. Check out Elderly Instruments for a little more info (a link on my profile-webpage).

[panndder]

Okay, Thanks

The snake-mic really interests me, espcially if it can work along with a pickup (still get the great sound of a mic yet be able to turn up the pickup in a 'rock type' setup.

[joeybcdt]

According to a luthier I spoke with last week, all Taylors come pre-drilled for end-pin jacks even if they don't have any electronics. I know the end-pin on my 810 is really large.

Joey

[panndder]

That's what I thought....which is cool

[tepauldacaw]

i've heard great things about the schertler <sp> blues stick. but im not sure how much those run.