Author Topic: Pickup Recomendations  (Read 2967 times)

Maximus

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Pickup Recomendations
« on: September 10, 2014, 03:31:35 PM »
Hi folks!  I have a Taylor 110 that I am looking to modify so I can "plug it in" if needed.

Looking for recommendations for a pickup system.

So far, I am considering the following.

  • K&K Pure Mini
  • LR Baggs Lyric
  • LR Baggs Anthem

I would love to hear peoples thoughts and expediencies with these, as well as others that I might not have considered.

Thanks!

Maximus
2018 Taylor 814ce Deluxe V-Class
2014 Taylor Custom GC
 - Adirondack Premium Spruce/Premium Select Cocobolo
2014 Taylor 150e
2013 Taylor GS Mini 'Hog

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2014 Taylor Holden Village GS Mini - DOB

guitarsrsoawesome

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2014, 06:02:49 PM »
The beauty of the k&k is that it sounds extremely full bass wise.  If you're gonna play gigs alone, that one could be for you.  If you also get their preamp that cleans it up a lot and also allows for a nice sparkly high end, while still maintaining that low "bassiness."

The lyric is in one word, "amazing." I mean, it sounds like the guitar.  You could practice unplugged all day and then go straight to the gig and change nothing in your approach/attack and you just get the guitar's own response.  Having said that, to control feedback, it does have a sort of mid-centered tone and will definitely lack the low end of the k&k, so if you're a solo artist, it may not be the one for you.  You could get their venue d.i., but there's only so much that can do.  If you're playing with a band and can control feedback, you would love this pickup.

From what I know of the the anthem is that it has both an undersaddle piezo as well as a mic.  The undersaddle brings the low end E, A and D strings, while the mic is focused on the higher G, B and E strings, so in a way you get the best of both worlds, though I'm pretty sure it doesn't bring the low end of the k&k, and I think that's why solo artists are more partial to the k&k.

The other thing to remember is that the k&k is passive (no batteries), and the preamp you can run phantom, so no batteries there, so some people prefer the k&k for that as well.  The two lr baggs pickups require batteries for their onboard preamps.

Hope this helps.  Lots of other forum members will know more than me, but maybe this is a good start.
« Last Edit: September 11, 2014, 07:37:14 AM by guitarsrsoawesome »
November 2013 Taylor 514ce ES2
November 2011 Taylor GS Mini Mahogany

Bernie

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2014, 08:07:01 PM »
This should help...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5AoId-9fW0
Have you checked up the pickups that Taylor guitars provide for guitars like yours ?  ???

Strumming Fool

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2014, 09:52:29 AM »
I had a Lyric system installed on my 1995 Taylor GA-KS. In performance through a DI box and PA, the sound was very natural with no feedback issues. You can also alter the tone to best represent your guitar's particular tone. I'm very happy with it.
My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

Bernie

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2014, 07:07:11 PM »
How does it compare to ES 1 you must have on your 514 (or was it ES2 yet) ?
Bernie
« Last Edit: September 11, 2014, 07:20:04 PM by Bernie »

JimW

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2014, 07:29:30 PM »
I have the K&K pure western mini in my R Taylor and plugged in it sounds like my guitar unplugged. I also have the Pure XLR pre amp but dont use it. I play thru the sound system at church. I installed it myself with the directions that came with it.
2007 R Taylor Indian Rosewood, Swiss Alpine Spruce
2014 Taylor 456ce SLTD 12 string Ovangkol , sitka spruce
2012 Ibanez AS103 custom semi hollowbody

Guitars, you only get out of it what you put into it :)

Strumming Fool

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2014, 07:52:41 PM »
How does it compare to ES 1 you must have on your 514 (or was it ES2 yet) ?
Bernie

Tonally, they're similar, except that the Lyric is a tad softer and warmer - the signal is definitely stronger on the ES2.
My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

lmacmil

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2014, 08:05:07 PM »
Pickup choice depends a lot on the environment you'll be playing in, in particular the volume you'll be playing at. The best choice for a quiet coffee house may not be the best choice in a band setting.
Taylor GA3
Taylor 150e
Taylor 224ce-K

Maximus

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2014, 02:04:37 AM »
For my purposes it would most likely be small coffee houses with no bands.
2018 Taylor 814ce Deluxe V-Class
2014 Taylor Custom GC
 - Adirondack Premium Spruce/Premium Select Cocobolo
2014 Taylor 150e
2013 Taylor GS Mini 'Hog

-----------------
2014 Taylor Holden Village GS Mini - DOB

Strumming Fool

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2014, 08:21:33 AM »
For my purposes it would most likely be small coffee houses with no bands.

Perfect venue for the Lyric....
My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

Guzzijeff

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2014, 03:41:47 PM »
If your leanings lead you toward the K&K,... you might want to check out JJB Electronics Prestige 330.  Same concept... might even be the same components... less money.  Worth a look.  I have one and like it a lot.

Maximus

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Re: Pickup Recomendations
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2014, 05:57:59 PM »
Thanks, Guzzijeff.  I have never heard of that one. I'll check it out, however, I am leaning towards the Lyric.
2018 Taylor 814ce Deluxe V-Class
2014 Taylor Custom GC
 - Adirondack Premium Spruce/Premium Select Cocobolo
2014 Taylor 150e
2013 Taylor GS Mini 'Hog

-----------------
2014 Taylor Holden Village GS Mini - DOB