I'm looking for a simple way to amplify my mandolin, so I thought I'd post this question here.
I'm not looking to go performing or anything, so I don't need really great sound quality. It's just that most of my friends that I play with are of the guitar persuasion, and tend to drown out my poor little mando when enough of them gather together. I have a decent practice amp from my electric guitar days, so i was thinking of some sort of pickup that I could plug into it.
I also have a fiddle and an occassionally played 5 string banjo, so I had it in my mind to find some sort of mic or pickup that would clip onto the bridge, so I could transfer it between the three instruments as I liked (my music budget is somewhat limited).
Does anyone know of a mic or a pickup that would fit the bill?
A friend and I recently experimented putting a fishman violin pickup UNDER the bass foot of the bridge. It works well, doesnt affect the action much and doesnt require the violin bridge to be altered. Care should be taken not to scratch the violin top. This could be applied to a banjo and maybe a mandolin although it would take some time to lossen the strings etc.
When we play larger venues (or record) we just use a mic. Dynamic mic's are pretty good for guitar or mando as they have a narrow "field" and prevent amplifying everyone else around you as well. Best if it is 'aimed' at the fretboard just below the sound hole. It tends to get in the way for fiddlers, but works ok for 'pluckers' and 'strummers'
Under the bass foot, Joe? Do you mean actually sandwiching the pickup between the foot and the belly of the fiddle? Doesn't that make the bridge lop-sided?
A microphone such as a Shure sm58 ( about $100) is a good compromise here. I really dont think there is a pickup out there that will suit the three instruments you play. There are some discussions in the archives here relating to fiddle pick-ups, and from memory, I don't think there is a "perfect" pick-up which is acceptable to all players. A banjo pickup is a different animal again, so I'd go for the mike if I were you.
I use a macintyre pickup installed just south of the bridge inside the mandolin, with the cord plug-in at the tail pin. It is reasonably priced (about $85.00) and gives good cutting power when playing with other instruments. The sound is a little "electric," so when I gig, I like to use a mic in additon to the pickup and mix the two signals.
Yet another amplification question
Yet another amplification question
I'm looking for a simple way to amplify my mandolin, so I thought I'd post this question here.
I'm not looking to go performing or anything, so I don't need really great sound quality. It's just that most of my friends that I play with are of the guitar persuasion, and tend to drown out my poor little mando when enough of them gather together. I have a decent practice amp from my electric guitar days, so i was thinking of some sort of pickup that I could plug into it.
I also have a fiddle and an occassionally played 5 string banjo, so I had it in my mind to find some sort of mic or pickup that would clip onto the bridge, so I could transfer it between the three instruments as I liked (my music budget is somewhat limited).
Does anyone know of a mic or a pickup that would fit the bill?
Thanks!
RG
# Posted on March 10th 2003 by RG
Re: Yet another amplification question
A friend and I recently experimented putting a fishman violin pickup UNDER the bass foot of the bridge. It works well, doesnt affect the action much and doesnt require the violin bridge to be altered. Care should be taken not to scratch the violin top. This could be applied to a banjo and maybe a mandolin although it would take some time to lossen the strings etc.
Joe
Joe
# Posted on March 10th 2003 by Carrmuse
Re: Yet another amplification question
When we play larger venues (or record) we just use a mic. Dynamic mic's are pretty good for guitar or mando as they have a narrow "field" and prevent amplifying everyone else around you as well. Best if it is 'aimed' at the fretboard just below the sound hole. It tends to get in the way for fiddlers, but works ok for 'pluckers' and 'strummers'
Gerry
# Posted on March 10th 2003 by GerryTh
Re: Yet another amplification question
Under the bass foot, Joe? Do you mean actually sandwiching the pickup between the foot and the belly of the fiddle? Doesn't that make the bridge lop-sided?
RG
# Posted on March 10th 2003 by RG
Re: Yet another amplification question
A microphone such as a Shure sm58 ( about $100) is a good compromise here. I really dont think there is a pickup out there that will suit the three instruments you play. There are some discussions in the archives here relating to fiddle pick-ups, and from memory, I don't think there is a "perfect" pick-up which is acceptable to all players. A banjo pickup is a different animal again, so I'd go for the mike if I were you.
# Posted on March 11th 2003 by Backer
Re: Yet another amplification question
RG- It depends on your instrument and its specific setup. On the fiddle we tried, it didnt affect the action very much at all.
Joe
# Posted on March 11th 2003 by Carrmuse
Re: Yet another amplification question
Thanks guys.
I guess I'll have to do some experimentation (hopefully not too expensive; perhaps I can get a government grant).
RG
# Posted on March 11th 2003 by RG
Re: Yet another amplification question
I use a macintyre pickup installed just south of the bridge inside the mandolin, with the cord plug-in at the tail pin. It is reasonably priced (about $85.00) and gives good cutting power when playing with other instruments. The sound is a little "electric," so when I gig, I like to use a mic in additon to the pickup and mix the two signals.
# Posted on March 12th 2003 by pdx138