Upgrade or buy new?

Jetfire · April 2021

So after a long time in lockdown, my first acoustic duo practice is this week, meaning I've spent time with my acoustic today. (Faith naked Venus with that Shadow preamp) Unplugged, it's lovely. It's got a nice, satin finish, feels ok in the hand etc. But I know plugged in it'll sound not so good. So do I upgrade the preamp/new pick up system (or as suggested elsewhere, ditch the onboard preamp and get one of them zoom pedals.) Or sell the lot and get a different one?

TheBigDipper · April 2021

I'm in the camp of "as few electrics as possible in an acoustic guitar, and do it all offboard". So I have passive K&K Pure Minis in the two acoustics I've got fitted with pickups, and a choice of preamps/effects that don't change when/if the guitar does.

maltingsaudio · April 2021

https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/ If you like the guitar and it sounds good acoustically then just upgrade electrics. My preference is Headway

Jetfire · April 2021

maltingsaudio said:

https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/ If you like the guitar and it sounds good acoustically then just upgrade electrics. My preference is Headway

What do you have by them?

maltingsaudio · April 2021

Jetfire said:

maltingsaudio said:

https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/ If you like the guitar and it sounds good acoustically then just upgrade electrics. My preference is Headway

What do you have by them?

The snake in my Fylde Alchemist, Yamaha Fg and Mrs M’s Moon Octave Mandolin , and have fitted one to a mates Gibson J45

Jetfire · April 2021

Just had a listen to some of the youtube stuff they have, and looked a their SAM1-1 stuff...

All sound really good.

Do you have any direct recordings @maltingsaudio of any of your acoustics?

p90fool · April 2021

I have exactly the same guitar, and threw the preamp in the bin.

This is it using the stock undersaddle piezo wired directly to the output jack, through a Zoom AC-3 pedal straight into my computer with no processing at all.

A more than serviceable sound for my purposes, and no more onboard batteries or faff.

Jetfire · April 2021

@p90fool that's the jobby I was looking for. You send me this before, sounds awesome

p90fool · April 2021

Thanks @Jetfire ; It actually had 9-42 electric strings on it for that recording too, because of my crappy hands, but I'm sure it would have more depth and authenticity with acoustic strings.

It works for me though, and almost as importantly, it responds to touch like an acoustic guitar, something I've never been successful with using magnetic pickups.

maltingsaudio · April 2021

@Jetfire ; cobbled some bits for you https://www.dropbox.com/s/0fu5h1zwye3lugh/Demo.wav?dl=0

Jetfire · April 2021

@maltingsaudio ; cheers dude! Sounds pretty good!

Jetfire · April 2021

So, after looking at a number of options, in still none the wiser. I think the preamp is my problem and That Pedal Show did a brillant 2 parter on acoustic and pedals. I think Ill do the preamp ditch first and see what is about pedal wise. However, I am on leave Monday and I fancy a trip to try some acoustics out

Gulliver · April 2021

Jetfire said:

So, after looking at a number of options, in still none the wiser. I think the preamp is my problem and That Pedal Show did a brillant 2 parter on acoustic and pedals. I think Ill do the preamp ditch first and see what is about pedal wise. However, I am on leave Monday and I fancy a trip to try some acoustics out

My Faith Venus sounds a whole lot better with a pedal preamp - in my case I use the Boss AD-2 which is pretty good. Not perfect, but gets rid of most of the piezo quack and adds some depth and reverb to it.

Alternatively the other pickup system I've heard that sounds great is the LR Baggs anthem, which blends the undersaddle piezo with an internal microphone and every demo I've heard sounds excellent.

Jetfire · April 2021

Must be said, my options are reasonably open but needs to be simple and transportable. I do have a Helix, however I don't fancy taking that to the *INSERT PUB NAME HERE*, esp wth the limited floor space we have had at previous gigs. I think every video I've heard with a piezo in it does the quacky noise so Im currently looking at all the videos I can got the LR Baggs/Headway/Dimarzio etc internal mic system of sorts rather than the acoustic magnetic or piezo systems but Ill keep looking around and see what I can find!

Snags · April 2021

I don't know if it's universally true, but I've got a Fishman blended system in my Furch, and in loud situations if you use the mic it will feedback like a thing that feeds back alot.

It sounds great in a more controlled environment though, particularly through an acoustic amp.

Jetfire · April 2021

So, as an update, I've got all in an ordered a LR Baggs Anthem system. May be abit overkill but if I do want to sell the guitar, I can do.

TimmyO · April 2021

Jetfire said:

So, as an update, I've got all in an ordered a LR Baggs Anthem system. May be abit overkill but if I do want to sell the guitar, I can do.

Those are meant to be ace - should be an improvement.

I think if I were in the same boat I'd probably think about a basic pickup and then use an HX Stomp or similar to host an IR/EQ/Comp/Verb

stickyfiddle · April 2021

You can't go wrong with Baggs. I have an Anthem in my HD28; I haven't gigged it but whenever I've plugged it in for quick demos or whatever it sounds great. I had the M1A in my old Taylor too, and that was brilliant.

TheMadMick · April 2021

maltingsaudio said:

https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/ If you like the guitar and it sounds good acoustically then just upgrade electrics. My preference is Headway

Listened to the following Youtube videos and though the sound was very like the Fishman humbucker I bought from this site some time ago (but the intended guitar never materialised - but there you go!).

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