K&K + Roland = PreAmp?

[dane]

Hi all,

I’m giving considerable consideration on putting a pick up in the D-46. I already know I’m going with a K&K, and most likely the Western Mini. My amp is a Roland AC-60 that I picked up a few weeks ago…I love it! So with this combination, would you suggest running a pre-amp or not.

Thanks.
Dane

 

[playsvintageguilds]

All my vintage Guild acoustic guitars have K&K mini p'ups installed.

For public sessions I go from the guitar to a DOD FX 40B 7 band graphic equalizer pedal...
to a CF7 Ibanez Chorus pedal....to TC Electronic Nova Repeater Delay pedal with Tap Tempo,into the house PA system.
Really a fun set up and a great sound that works very well for me.

At home I just plug straight into my Kustom Profile One PA System which has some decent effects like chorus,echo,slap,etc.No pre-amp,unless my pedals are considered pre-amps?

From my perspective ( tight with what little money is budgeted for music ) the sum total of all these came to ( not counting guitars ) $745

I hope my input is helpful.

 

[krysh]

Hi all,

I’m giving considerable consideration on putting a pick up in the D-46. I already know I’m going with a K&K, and most likely the Western Mini. My amp is a Roland AC-60 that I picked up a few weeks ago…I love it! So with this combination, would you suggest running a pre-amp or not.

Thanks.
Dane

Hi dane,
with this setup you should try it without a preamp first. the k&k already has a very high output and the roland has every eq and fx you might need.

 

[AlohaJoe]

with this setup you should try it without a preamp first. the k&k already has a very high output and the roland has every eq and fx you might need.

I'm with Krysh... try it first and add a piece at a time IF you need it. Nothing wrong with Dane's set-up but your situation may be different. Less is more.

 

[markus]

I'm not an expert in those things but I use a Fishman Platinum Preamp with either my K&K Minis (JF30 and DV4) or a cheap piezo PU (DV52); I think the K&K works well plugged into the Amp/PA directly too.

Playing at church mainly I keep the fx section simple: Sometimes experimenting with a boss CE5 chorus and some really cheap danelectro boxes.

All that gear is much better than my playing …

Markus

PS: Today I got 2 AKG C411 mics to be sticked to the bridge/top (and to be removed without any residue!) for my JF30-12 for a very (!!!) good price. Only thing is that they need phantom power (from the mixer or an extra phantom power unit). Looking forward to trying them!

 

[alpep]

I am have sold a bunch of k & K pickups to many guitar owners. the wester mini seems to be the system that most choose.
the guys I have sold them to have installed them in Collings and Merrells and some other guitars. It seems to be the system de jure these days and rightfully so.

A local guy ordered a western mini and put it in his gibson j 50. I have to admit I never really liked the acoustic sound of that guitar but the amplified sound is just amazing.

The K & K stuff has my recommendation if you need any other info contact me.

 

[cjd-player]

+1 on the K&K without a preamp strainght into an amp.

If you end up going straight into a house mixing board (no amp), then the LR Baggs Paracoustic DI works great with the K&K to give you lots of EQ control before the sound man gets you.

 

[dane]

Thanks everyone. My original concern was the output of the pickups…if it would be enough. Good to know it should be. With this information, I’m going to go ahead and have the Western Mini installed. Thanks again.

Dane

 

[West R Lee]

Hey Dane, I don't have the preamp on my DV72, but a Fishman undersaddle pickup........I plug mine right into my Roland AC60. My only regret is that I didn't get the AC90.....but I'm not even sure Roland had it out when I got the 60. The AC60 is a cool little amp, and as I've played with mine, it sure can doctor up my sound.....love it.

West

 

[plaidseason]

You don't need the preamp if you're going into the amp. But with that said, if you're plannning on using a different setup live, then I'd look into a Baggs, Fishman, Ultrasound, etc. preamp/EQ. I love the Fishman Pro-EQ platinum a lot, with the exception that it doesn't have an effects loop.

I do use an amp at home (a Crate Ca125D) but I feed my true live setup (Boss TU2 Tuner/Behringer ADI21(aka "fake Sansamp")/Yamaha Magicstomp/Aphex Acoustic Xciter) in hopes of best simulating my live sound. In doing this I actually go into the XLR/mic channel instead of the guitar channel on the amp.

So I guess in short, I'm telling you that you don't need a preamp and yet I'm running through three pedals that have preamps.

-Chris

 

[cjd-player]

Hey Dane, I don't have the preamp on my DV72, but a Fishman undersaddle pickup........

You have one of those BATTERY-powered guitars, don't you? :wink:

 

[West R Lee]

[quote="West R Lee":2j78sy9e] Hey Dane, I don't have the preamp on my DV72, but a Fishman undersaddle pickup........

You have one of those BATTERY-powered guitars, don't you? :wink:

[/quote:2j78sy9e]

That was the Prestige Classic Carl.

West

 

[cjd-player]

That was the Prestige Classic Carl.
West

Yes, it was classic. :lol: :lol:

 

[walrus]

I put a K & K pure mini in my D-64 - it sounds mint! No pre-amp as of yet, I have not needed one. I agree with the advice to try it first and go from there.

Good luck!

walrus

 

[chicagowineguy]

I've got the K & K in my D25...I plug the guitar right into the house PA and trust the sound guy...so far so good...I've heard the recordings and I'm very happy...a natural reproduction of my acoustic sound.

 

[Quackerjack]

I have K&Ks on a GAD30R and a Martin HD28, and both sound great going straight into a Roland AC90 with nothing else. I can't be happier, and have no desire for preamp/EQ.

 

[crank]

Yet another vote for K&K straight into the PA. That's how I use mine and it sounds great with plenty of output.

 

[chazmo]

I have the PWM in two guitars and I like it. I've used it a few times to perform on stage and it has worked well. One guitar has the active pre-amp in it with a battery, and I also have the external pre-amp. I prefer the non-active one for the guitar (weight). I haven't had to use the external box yet, but just be aware that K&K does build one with 3-band equalization, DI and line out, and a phase switch. Here's a pic. FYI, it's a bit too chunky for a belt clip (and doesn't come with one).