Pickup recommendation for a D-50

[bluepen]

Hi all-

I have a Tacoma D-50 that I would like to add a pickup to for playing out. I have extremely limited experience with pickups and am looking for advice.

Is adding a D-Tar the way to go?
Perhaps a K&K mini western?

I'm guessing (perhaps incorrectly) that rosewood is trickier than mahogany (e.g. D-40) when amplifying...

Perhaps this has been discussed, and if you can point me to an old thread, please do.

Thanks!

 

[BurstD55]

I have recently installed a K&K mini in my D55, and I am satisfied with it. I haven't had any other pickup in this guitar to compare it to but the pickup sounds very much like the guitar. I plug it directly into a regular DI box to my churches PA system , The passive system has plenty of signal strength, I purchased the pickup with the K&K XLR preamp but I found that the signal strength was way too hot for the PA system so I returned the preamp.

I have heard good things about the DTAR system as well just remember that if you want the load n lock feature standard on new Guilds you have to drill your end pin hole to 7/8" and not 1/2" like all other endpin jacks.

I would love to compare these two systems...

I purchased my equipment at shoreline music and am satisfied with their service. Although it is best to support your LGS.

 

[valleyguy]

I have a Tacoma D50 with the DTAR lock and load. It sounds VERY good, so I'd highly recommend it.

In choosing a pickup you have three choices: (1) an under saddle (like the DTAR), (2) a sound board transducer (like the K&K) and (3) a soundhole pickup.

The soundboard transducer has the most natural sound and "sounds like your guitar, only amplified" K&K gets the most love, but there are other brands also This pickup is best if you are just recording yourself or playing without other instruments. SBTs usually do not require a battery in the guitar. It is, however, very susceptible to feedback on stage if you play with electric guitars or bass or in a loud environment.

The under saddle is probably the most common pickup in acoustics. it's what you hear in most pop songs. Cheap ones can sound "quaky" if you play aggressively. DTAR solves this with an 18 v amp. USTs require a battery in the guitar. Much less susceptible to feedback on stage, but it CAN be a problem.

Soundhole pickups, like the M1 act like electric guitar pickups with some soundboard vibrations picked up. These sound the most "electric" of the pickups, but are the least susceptible to feedback.

To get truly the best there are combination pickups that add a mic to an UST, so you can dial in the amount of mix for each sound to taylor the sound you want or the situation, such as reducing feedback by eliminating the mic.

Dog Young has posted a fine comparison of pickups to mics in this web site:

http://www.dougyoungguitar.com/pickuptests/

There are others also online, but this is a good starting point.

 

[count savage]

Bluepen I have the factory installed D-Tar Wavelength Lock n' Load in my D50 and it's very natural sounding and impressive. It's also extremely easy to change the battery! I think the system is less 'quacky' than any acoustic pick up system I've heard thanks to its higher headroom. My advice would be to take it to Will at Spruce Tree Music. He recently refused to put in a D-Tar in my friend's new Larrivee D50, saying that they really needed to be put in at the factory. However, he put in a no-cut Fishman that's very similar to the D-Tar, with the tone and volume controls inside the sound hole and it's terrific. It also has some additional EQ. I have a Fishman Prefix Blender built into my Larrivee LV-05E and I'm very impressed with that, too, so I'd say Fishman makes good stuff. So the Fishman from Will is the answer. I can find out the model for you if you want. Will would know, though.

 

[evenkeel]

I've installed a half dozen or so K&K's over the years. I'm a big fan. I've used LR Baggs, Fishman and others. Nothing wrong with any of them but I do like the K&K a bit better. The K&K is very easy to install. Has a very natural "woody" tone. Some find it a bit midrangy, but that has not been my experience. I do use the K&k preamp. Although the signal strength is plenty hot w/o I find I can easily dial in the sound I like. I also find the sound w/ the pre-amp has a bit more presence, seems fuller not just louder. Plus, I can kill the volume if I need to tune or switch to an alternate tuning.

 

[6L6]

My '06 D-55, '06 F-412, '77 D-50, and '74 D-40 are all equipped with the Highlander iP-2 pickup. I'm very happy with the results.

6

 

[playsvintageguilds]

I have the K&K mini western p'up in 3 of my Guilds.
I am very pleased with the results.
At approx. $130 installed ea. that seemed affordable as well.

~ Raj ????

 

[bluepen]

Thanks folks for your thoughts...I'll talk with a few shops and see what they think. It may well end up being one of those "journeys" where I try several over the years...but then again, maybe I'll get lucky.

I'm leaning toward k&K.

 

[taabru45]

My old F112 had an I beam pick up in it, sounds great...thats all I know...the fishman system in my new D50 sounds great, as well, it has the under saddle, and microphone, system....Steffan

 

[plaidseason]

I'm totally in love with my Fishman Rare Earth magnetic, humbucking pickup. It's even, and surprisingly natural sounding, and doesn't suffer from any kind of distortion. The Baggs M1 is another great soundhole pickup.

 

[204084]

MiniFlex 2Mic, Model 1 Review:
http://www.acousticguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=24832

http://www.miniflexmic.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=16

 

[Scratch]

Pure Western Standards in all three 12ers; they're great... As far as 6ers go, the Fishman Prefix in the D-40 and DTar in the CV-1 are OK, but If I were to put one in my D50, I'd go with the Pure Western Mini. This opinion worth 2 cents in street value... :wink:

 

[cjd-player]

What kind of playing out?
Solo or in a band?

I've done both.

For solo I'd definitely recommend the K&K Mini Western, with the Baggs I-beam a close second.

In a band, where feedback might be an issue, you can use either of the above with a sound hole cover, but an undersaddle is less prone to feedback if your volume will need to be loud.

I had a D-Tar in my CO-1C. Couldn't stand the sound compared to a K&K Mini. Took it out and replaced it with a K&K.

The one major drawback to the DTar is that the tone adjustment controls are on the preamp, inside the guitar. Two small screw adjustments. But you have to take the strings off and remove the preamp and end pin from the bottom of the guitar to adjust them.
The most absolutely stupid thing I have ever seen in guitar electronics. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[West R Lee]

What kind of playing out?
Solo or in a band?

I've done both.

For solo I'd definitely recommend the K&K Mini Western, with the Baggs I-beam a close second.

In a band, where feedback might be an issue, you can use either of the above with a sound hole cover, but an undersaddle is less prone to feedback if your volume will need to be loud.

I had a D-Tar in my CO-1C. Couldn't stand the sound compared to a K&K Mini. Took it out and replaced it with a K&K.

The one major drawback to the DTar is that the tone adjustment controls are on the preamp, inside the guitar. Two small screw adjustments. But you have to take the strings off and remove the preamp and end pin from the bottom of the guitar to adjust them.
The most absolutely stupid thing I have ever seen in guitar electronics. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

:lol: How do you really feel about the DTAR Carl? Don't hold back! :lol:

West

 

[taabru45]

Hey Carl....remember that guy that cut a trap door in the top of that old Martin....well......nevermind... :roll: Steffan

 

[2Tone]

Has anyone used, or thought about using the K&K Meridian External Microphone? I was on the K&K sight and it caught my eye, kind of makes sense. If you have a nice guitar, and love the tone, why not use a microphone? (Did I just rap?!)

 

[valleyguy]

The one major drawback to the DTar is that the tone adjustment controls are on the preamp, inside the guitar. Two small screw adjustments. But you have to take the strings off and remove the preamp and end pin from the bottom of the guitar to adjust them.
The most absolutely stupid thing I have ever seen in guitar electronics. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

The DTAR shipped from the factory has a volume AND tone control situated just inside the soundhole for easy access. I believe this control is available to purchase separately to add to the pickup if you don't have one. HOwever, I must say that even with this control I removed my preamp to reduce the bass from the unit. Most UST pickups do not even have this control, so it is IMHO an advantage.

 

[cjd-player]

[quote="cjd-player":2e75rf2d] ...

The most absolutely stupid thing I have ever seen in guitar electronics. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

:lol: How do you really feel about the DTAR Carl? Don't hold back! :lol:

West[/quote:2e75rf2d]
Yea, it did upset me slightly.
Fortunately, I didn't get really angry. :wink:

I brought this up briefly at the New Hartford tour Q&A session. Dave Gonzallis from Fender did admit that it was bad, and that they were working with DTar on that. I'm just dumbfounded that anyone would actually put that in the design in the first place, and that a guitar manufacture would actually buy it and put it in guitars.
But then again, we are talking Fender here. :roll:

Must have been a banjo player's design. :mrgreen:

 

[dayuhan]

I've always been concerned that an undersaddle pickup might affect the unplugged sound of the guitar. Not like I know anything about it, but it just seems like the saddle/bridge/top interface is a key point in transmitting the vibration of the strings to the top of the guitar, and that sticking something in there could do the process some harm.

Pure paranoia, or is there something to it? In any event when I finally get around to it I'll probably go K&K...