I have a Minstrel octave mandolin (http://www.mandolas.net/) tuned GDAD that I use for some melody but mostly accompaniment. I want to get a better pickup installed (right now I have a cheap stick-on piezo transducer that sounds horrible, even after EQing through my LR Baggs Paracoustic preamp). Any recommendations or experiences that might help me to make a wise choice would be greatly appreciated.
I know the Schertler is recemmended by almost everyone, but it is just too much money (http://www.elderly.com/brand/PUA_schertler.html). My budget is around $150 and I don't want an external jack. I would prefer something that installs internally with the jack in the strap button.
There are so many options out there it is a bit overwhelming but I'm leaning towards one of the non-piezo pickups such as:
McIntyre works fine on mandolin for me, it's meant to go well with the Baggs Para. Very natural sound.
Installed internally, with strap-button jack-socket, however is a bit fiddly to install(depending how big your soundhole is) so could be well getting a luthier to do it.
Main problem is backing up the nut that secures the jack-socket, you need a set of long-nose pliers and a lot of patience.
I have to agree about Schertler - the best amplified mandolin sound I ever heard was from a bloke in a pub band. I asked him and sure enough he used a Schertler, so I determined to buy one - untile I saw the price.
headway systems are quite responsive as they have a built in booster but no eq its like a long worm that sits between bridge and body usually the bridge is routed out a bit to accomadate the cylideral shape of it
I use a Schertler on both my Mandolin and Fiddle, but came close to getting the Pick Up The World for my fiddle. If the mandolin version of the Pick up the World is as good as the fiddle one, I think it would be a good value.
And, I wouldn't really recommend the McIntyre. It gave my mandolin a very electric sound. I was using the external stick on version on my teens A4 and I did a little damage getting the black gunk off the top. I actually never got it all off.
Thanks for the info folks. I have ordered a McIntyre MF-200 "feather" type of transducer (internal mount). I decided that I'm not keen on messing with the bridge (the PUTW model is installed between the bridge and the soundboard). Apparently, the McIntyres are used by Weber on their OMs. We shall see how it fares on my Minstrel OM. I'll post my impressions in a couple weeks if anyone is interested.
Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
I have a Minstrel octave mandolin (http://www.mandolas.net/) tuned GDAD that I use for some melody but mostly accompaniment. I want to get a better pickup installed (right now I have a cheap stick-on piezo transducer that sounds horrible, even after EQing through my LR Baggs Paracoustic preamp). Any recommendations or experiences that might help me to make a wise choice would be greatly appreciated.
I know the Schertler is recemmended by almost everyone, but it is just too much money (http://www.elderly.com/brand/PUA_schertler.html). My budget is around $150 and I don't want an external jack. I would prefer something that installs internally with the jack in the strap button.
There are so many options out there it is a bit overwhelming but I'm leaning towards one of the non-piezo pickups such as:
http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/pickups.htm
http://www.mcintyrepickups.com/pickups.html
http://www.b-band.com/guitar-systems/ast.php
Any advice or experiences with any of these on an OM/ bouzouki? Any recommendations?
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by snapper
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
Check this out http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/pu2.html#mandolin
I`ve got one for my tenorguitar and it sounds good. The mandolin twin should fit your mandola and it`s external.
regards
bgs57
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by bgs57
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
B-Band RULEZ!!!
This pick up acts as condenser microfone and gives really nice sound.
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by padre
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
McIntyre works fine on mandolin for me, it's meant to go well with the Baggs Para. Very natural sound.
Installed internally, with strap-button jack-socket, however is a bit fiddly to install(depending how big your soundhole is) so could be well getting a luthier to do it.
Main problem is backing up the nut that secures the jack-socket, you need a set of long-nose pliers and a lot of patience.
I have to agree about Schertler - the best amplified mandolin sound I ever heard was from a bloke in a pub band. I asked him and sure enough he used a Schertler, so I determined to buy one - untile I saw the price.
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Bren
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
headway systems are quite responsive as they have a built in booster but no eq its like a long worm that sits between bridge and body usually the bridge is routed out a bit to accomadate the cylideral shape of it
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Ripthecalico
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
I like the Pick-Up the World pickups.
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by stv culchie
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
I use a Schertler on both my Mandolin and Fiddle, but came close to getting the Pick Up The World for my fiddle. If the mandolin version of the Pick up the World is as good as the fiddle one, I think it would be a good value.
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by iampeterfonda
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
And, I wouldn't really recommend the McIntyre. It gave my mandolin a very electric sound. I was using the external stick on version on my teens A4 and I did a little damage getting the black gunk off the top. I actually never got it all off.
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by iampeterfonda
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
Just to clarify - the McIntyre model I use is the "Acoustic Feather" installed internally.
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by Bren
Re: Pickup Recommendation - Octave Mandolin
Thanks for the info folks. I have ordered a McIntyre MF-200 "feather" type of transducer (internal mount). I decided that I'm not keen on messing with the bridge (the PUTW model is installed between the bridge and the soundboard). Apparently, the McIntyres are used by Weber on their OMs. We shall see how it fares on my Minstrel OM. I'll post my impressions in a couple weeks if anyone is interested.
# Posted on November 3rd 2005 by snapper