Drop In replacement for ES?

[MrHarryReems]

I'm looking for a drop in replacement for the ES system in my 814ce.  The balanced output doesn't work well with a wireless where I can't use a transforming adapter to get the gain where it's supposed to be.  I'm considering the Mi Si Align XT, but I can't find much information on the sound quality of that unit.  I want something that is a drop in replacement and uses the stock knob holes.  Taylor refuses to sell me an upgrade to the ES2 until next year.

[michaelw]

using an off-board pre-amp (K4, venue or similar) should  be able to get the
gain structure to where it's usable with your wireless transmitter -
the misi align XT is touted as being a retrofit ES replacement, but a plate to
mount the output jack, once the ES power supply is removed, would be needed
http://mi-si.com/products/

the bband A11 pre-amp could  be made to work with the ES holes
http://www.b-band.com/index.php?mact=Products,cntnt01,details,0&cntnt01hierarchyid=5&cntnt01productid=11&cntnt01returnid=151

[MrHarryReems]

using an off-board pre-amp (K4, venue or similar) should  be able to get the
gain structure to where it's usable with your wireless transmitter -
the misi align XT is touted as being a retrofit ES replacement, but a plate to
mount the output jack, once the ES power supply is removed, would be needed
http://mi-si.com/products/

the bband A11 pre-amp could  be made to work with the ES holes
http://www.b-band.com/index.php?mact=Products,cntnt01,details,0&cntnt01hierarchyid=5&cntnt01productid=11&cntnt01returnid=151

The MSI system doesn't say anything about the heel plate.  Does the bband have the same issue?  How do these sound?  Is there any way around the wonky half-gain balanced output other than a transforming adapter?  It's a serious PITA for gigging.

[michaelw]

The MI-SI system doesn't say anything about the heel plate.

the mi-si align XT may not mention anything about the tailblock output jack plate,
but when the ES power supply output jack assembly is removed, it leaves a sizable
oval hole, which needs to be covered in order to mount a standard 1/2" output strap jack -
here is an example of a tailblock output jack plate (see EndPort)
http://www.truplugusa.com/

Does the bband have the same issue?

the bband will also require a tailblock output jack plate

How do these sound?
the align XT utilizes a LR baggs UST (Element?) with their own pre-amp
while the bband can use either a UST (22R narrow or 29R wide) or a SBT (1470) -
my experience with bband USTs is that they are extremely sensitive to any variation
in saddle slot slot depth & to have a balanced response it may require a bit of tweaking

i prefer the Element UST over the fishman matrix, but to my ear, the LR baggs lyric
wins hands down or if a dual source pick up is desired, the anthem SL or anthem

Is there any way around the wonky half-gain balanced output other than a transforming adapter?

the magnetic ES balanced output (either 1/4" TRS or lo-Z XLR) is
significantly hotter than a standard unbalanced signal (1/4" TS cable),
so i'm unclear on what you're referring to, in terms of 'half-gain balanced output'

[MrHarryReems]

the magnetic ES balanced output (either 1/4" TRS or lo-Z XLR) is
significantly hotter than a standard unbalanced signal (1/4" TS cable),
so i'm unclear on what you're referring to, in terms of 'half-gain balanced output'

If you plug any standard guitar, like my Larrivee, or a Taylor with the new ES2 system with a standard 1/4" TS cable into an amp , board, or wireless, you are going to get a fairly standard gain signal.  Swap it for an ES1 equipped guitar with a TS cable, and the signal drops to about half gain.  A TRS cable with a transforming adapter to a standard 1/4" TS plug will bring the gain back up, but a bit hotter as you say.  The 1/2 gain signal is a serious problem when you're running in a band setting, so the TRS with a transforming adapter is required to run through a pedalboard or the like and have a signal comparable to the rest of the band.  The problem with a wireless is that it doesn't have a balanced TRS plug, so it's getting a half gain signal, rendering it unusable.

[Dutch]

using an off-board pre-amp (K4, venue or similar) should  be able to get the
gain structure to where it's usable with your wireless transmitter -
the misi align XT is touted as being a retrofit ES replacement, but a plate to
mount the output jack, once the ES power supply is removed, would be needed
http://mi-si.com/products/

Actually, it plugs right into the Taylor jack plate of my 814 CE. You won't need the battery any more.

I just installed it. Sounds way better than the ES1.3 that was in there. ES1.3 had a huge phase thing going on at the 5th-7th fret. Unbearable to me. The MISI is a bit piezo-y but not terribly so (It's an LR Baggs Element piezo which are pretty good) and I use a NUX Optima AIR preamp with a microphone matched IR. That sounds great to my ears.

Also I don't think the output is balanced.

Haven't tried it with my wirelesses yet.