RaistMagus
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Posts: 388
Copenhagen
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Posted on Jan 29 2014 10:27 AM
Hi guys, I have a few questions about using an acoustic in a recording and in gigs.
I own a Yamaha acoustic, no plugs or pickups. How can I mod it so that I'll be able to use it in gigs? What's the best way to get an amplified, natural sound of it? I don't like the plugged sound of electro acoustic and electro classic guitars, is there a way around it? Is it going to feed back in loud gigs?
I'd like to record for an album with it, what is the best way to record it?
I'm going for a tone similar to that of the Shadows rythm acoustic guitar.
Any advice will be appreciated!
— https://zakandthekrakens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dirtyfuse.com
Last edited: Jan 29, 2014 10:28:04
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jan 29 2014 10:45 AM
If you don't like the sound of electro acoustics, you will have to use a mic for live work. Two possible problems with that: feedback and keeping still. One way around the latter problem is something like this. Never used one myself.
For recording, small diaphragm condensers are good. Large diaphragm condensers can also work well. I like to record with two, one around about the 12th fret, pointing towards the body, the other pointing up towards the bridge.Another popular mic position is looking over the player's shoulder.
For a rhythm part sitting in a busy mix, you may find that one mic is adequate. Experiment with positioning to achieve the best sound. If the room sounds good, move the mic(s) back from the guitar somewhat. If not, close mic.
— Los Fantasticos
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RaistMagus
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Posts: 388
Copenhagen
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Posted on Jan 29 2014 12:18 PM
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casey
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 521
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Posted on Jan 29 2014 06:01 PM
This is the most natural sounding pick-up for acoustics that I am aware of,
the K and K pure mini:
http://www.kksound.com/products/puremini.php
paired with their preamp it sounds pretty good through a decent pa
http://www.kksound.com/products/purepreamp.php
It is also completely invisible, and your cord can plug in through the strap button.
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Jan 30 2014 12:33 AM
+1 Django's whole post.
Regarding feedback from live acoustic guitars , there are a number of sound-hole covers available which can help reduce the feedback.
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jan 30 2014 01:26 AM
vintagesurfdude wrote:
+1 Django's whole post.
Regarding feedback from live acoustic guitars , there are a number of sound-hole covers available which can help reduce the feedback.
Although they're really designed for electro acoustics. Not sure they would be useful with in a mic-ing situation.
— Los Fantasticos
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Jan 30 2014 06:48 AM
My guitar tech recommended Artec pickups for converting an acoustic guitar. The guitars he played with these pickups sounded pretty natural. You'll need to remove the bridge insert, drill a small hole for the wire and lay the pickup under the insert. Remove 2mm from the bottom of the insert to keep the same action. Connect the end of the pickup to a guitar socket that incorporates a strap stud and you're good to go.
Miking an acoustic on stage is a real pain, and you can end up with a sound inferior to an electro acoustic. Also you get massive level differences as you move about, even slightly. Recording is a different issue, but live I'd recommend converting your guitar to an electro.
Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Artec-PP-617-Under-Saddle-Piezo-Pickup-for-Classic-Acoustic-Guitar-/161207551387?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2588b8059b#ht_308wt_1359
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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Canopy
Joined: Apr 28, 2014
Posts: 40
South West Coast
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Posted on May 12 2014 06:11 AM
djangodeadman wrote:
vintagesurfdude wrote:
+1 Django's whole post.
Regarding feedback from live acoustic guitars , there are a number of sound-hole covers available which can help reduce the feedback.
Although they're really designed for electro acoustics. Not sure they would be useful with in a mic-ing situation.
I have a Planet Waves one for my under saddle peizo equipped electro-acoustic, and I believe you're right.
It does mean I can Mic my amp to record from. I much prefer recording micing an amp though with the guitar having the sound hole filled. I can't stand the sound of my acoustic run straight into the DI. (the electrics aren't too good either)
Live, I guess a clip or hole mount on mic is the best option as using a stand mounted mic means you have to keep the guitar still or the quality will vary as you move.
I've always heard the fishman soundhole pickups are the best, but no experience to back that up.
If I were in the OP's shoes I'd look into something like this.
(Fishman Neo-Buster Acoustic Guitar Pickup with Feedback Buster)
image
Last edited: May 12, 2014 06:15:28
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ElBirkerio
Joined: Dec 17, 2012
Posts: 519
Vienna
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Posted on May 12 2014 06:16 AM
hi!
not really an alterantive unless you have one - but a nice and interesting compromise might be a jazzbox, that is a jazzguitar with a single neck mounted pickup. as they have quite thick tops and f-holes, the feedback problem is slightly cured (but at one point, it does start to howl, nevertheless ...)
yours
wolfi
— http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org
https://www.facebook.com/BaluUndSurfgrammeln
http://greencookierecords.bandcamp.com/album/coming-out-soon-los-chicharrones-del-surf-10
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ncgalt1984
Joined: Nov 27, 2013
Posts: 235
Greenville, NC
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Posted on May 12 2014 08:09 AM
As someone who started out and continues to gig as a Bluegrass guitarist, I've spent a lot of time and money trying to get the most natural sounding tone out of an acoustic guitar on stage. As far as I am concerned, my HD-28VE was worth every penny. I usually line straight into the PA. It comes with the Fishman Ellipse System which has an internal cardioid condenser mini-mic and a piezo that you can blend very easily to dial in the tone and avoid feedback. I've had old-timers come up to me after shows asking me about my guitar. It may be overkill for what you're trying to do, but if something happened to my Martin I'd go out and buy another in a heartbeat. It's not really that much different from spending $1100 on a Strat and $2000 on a Twin. Either way it's about $3000 and once you've made the investment, you have the tone you've been looking for and will never look back.
— Kevin
The Out of Limits
www.facebook.com/theoutoflimitsband
https://theoutoflimits.bandcamp.com/
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4053
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on May 12 2014 08:46 AM
I've installed and tried quite a few acoustic pickups, K&K, Fishman, Baggs...
Most can sound pretty good in the right guitar with the right pre-amp (does not have to be something hi-tech and expensive) but I have also had really good results with the Baggs M1 and M1A soundhole pickup. I did a tour with one of these in a smaller 00 sized guitar, played through a Baggs Para-DI Pre-Amp with very little EQ and it sounded really good. Easy install as well.
If you want more of a Shadows acoustic sound for recording I'd pick a Ribbon mic over a Condenser. There are many affordable Ribbon mics available today and with proper mic'ing technique, placement and distance so as not to get too much boom you can get lovely, warm and rich acoustic sounds with very little or no EQ.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jun 04 2014 08:07 AM
I have need to eventually install a pickup in my parlor guitar without modifying it. The small sound hole eliminates a lot of options. I turned up this, and it looks like it really meets my requirements.
Apparently sounds great. I can move the pickups around until I find the sound I like best. The wires are out of the way. Even I can "install" it myself. There's even a version to permanently mount internally that comes wired to an end-pin guitar cable jack, so nothing at all shows.
It's not in my budget for immediate purchase, but I'm definitely going to get one. When I do, I will definitely compare it to the pickup that came in my Sonoran.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Jun 04, 2014 09:13:34
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WoodyJ
Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1544
Bethlehem, GA
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Posted on Jun 04 2014 08:51 AM
This was my solution to turn an acoustic guitar and bass into good-sounding acoustic-electrics with no visible modification....
My Gibson CSM acoustic guitar and Alvarez acoustic bass guitar did not come with onboard electronics. My solution to electrify both with no evidence of doing so was to install Fishman AG-series undersaddle ceramic pickups in each of them. These are passive pickups so an external preamp is needed. I bought a used Tech 21 Acoustic DI which works stunningly well with either the guitar or the bass. LR Baggs makes an excellent acoustic preamp as well.
Here's the Fishman AG info: http://www.fishman.com/products/view/ag-series-1
Nice used outboard preamps can be found on ebay or Craigslist.
— Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)
The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)
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