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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
 Posted - 10/22/2011 : 2:10:27 PM
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I notice that in this thread the Baggs "Anthem" pickup was in prototype at the time of the post. Has anyone tried a production model since then? Or does anyone have other pickup experiences they'd like to add?
This thread has been very helpful since I have an inexpensive Fender acoustic that I like but the pickup just died so I'm looking for alternatives.
Mahalo.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2011 : 3:15:13 PM
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Fran:
Thanks for responding. Sound very nice. What type of guitar is it in? Any reason to pick the SL versus the Anthem? Did you install it yourself?
For anyone else: Has anyone tried the Expressions system in the Taylor guitars? What do you think?
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
Edited by - TerryLiberty on 10/24/2011 04:50:01 AM |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2011 : 07:06:06 AM
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I put the Anthem SL in the Composite Acoustics OX that is my main stage guitar. I chose the SL because it's cheaper by $100 and I found one for sale on Ebay so mine was a bit cheaper yet.
I installed it myself, I've installed a number of different pickup systems over the years including K&K, PUTW, Fishman, and Baggs.
The Taylor Expression System has evolved considerably over the years, so if you're not talking about a new production guitar with the latest system you need to be aware of the history when discussing the ES system.
But in all versions (or all the "grownup" versions, anyway) Taylor chose to create a more complex connection between the guitar and the next stage - a low impedance balanced connection - that solves a problem (long cable runs that terminate in a low impedance balanced input) that already has an excellent solution (the DI box) while adding complication to the use of conventional guitar level effects which expect an unbalanced high impedance interface.
And, by the way, chunky monkey's experience with the K&K is not definitive. He was not thrilled with his K&K installation. I am totally happy with mine. If you visit the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/ or the Acoustic Guitar Forum http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php and search I think you'll find dozens if not hundreds of testimonials to the excellence of the K&K.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2011 : 08:52:10 AM
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Fran:
Super! Thanks, especially for the tip on the Taylor's design (low-Z output - interesting) and the two forums. So much good info out ther if you know where to look.
I'll research the K&K system as well.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2011 : 10:30:42 AM
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Just to give a chime in for the K&K. I installed a K&K Ultra Pure Western Mini into my newest travel guitar (a Composite Acoustics Cargo) and it sounds very good. Better sounding than the Baggs I-Beam in my Taylor Dan Crary and better sounding than the Fancy pickup (Baggs with the undersaddle and mic) in my Grimes Hapa. The included preamp has "set and forget" EQ controls and is very clean. No discernible quack and no feedback problems with the PA (yet). The CA cargo is a pretty loud instrument on it's own, so this makes a substantial difference in the feedback equation. I have received several compliments on the plugged-in sound of this system, from both audiences and sound-persons.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 10/24/2011 10:32:36 AM |
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hwnmusiclives
`Olu`olu
USA
580 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 04:43:41 AM
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I don't see a mention of the acclaimed Ehrlund acoustic pick-up here.
I have the same question that salmonella had but about a 1923 Martin Tiple. Please look for a new thread...
~ Bill |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 1:34:05 PM
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Lawrence and Fran:
Thanks very much for your input. I'm going to order an Anthem unit today. I'll post the results as things happen.
Regards.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2011 : 07:06:29 AM
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Latest report:
The Anthem arrived and I spent about six hours installing it in my Fender flattop. It was kind of fiddly work and a bit slow going even though I'd worked on guitars before. It also took tools that most folks wouldn't have. I tend to agree with Baggs about having an experienced hand do the work although you don't need to be full-blown luthier to do it. I followed directions to the letter and everything went together pretty well.
Upon restringing the guitar and powering-up the pickup I find it has an intermittent connection to the piezo element underneath the saddle. The connection problem seems to be right at the the tiny plug that fits into the preamp. Pull the wire one way and it sounds great - let go of the wire and you get a 60hz hum and drastically reduced output. Hmmm. Now here's the rub - I'm not a professional and don't do guitar repair for a living. This means that strictly I'm probably out of luck based on Baggs's statement that they will only provide technical help for professionals. Yet I have what is obviously a defective product. What to do? Any thoughts?
By the way, when it's working, the pickup works beautifully and sounds very nice.
Regards.
Terry
Olympia, WA
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Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2011 : 07:55:03 AM
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Before you panic Terry, try to determine if the loose connection is in the plug (end of the cable), or the socket (on the preamp). This may be hard to determine.
If it were me I would plug and unplug the tiny plug a bunch of times to try to scrape off any corrosion or other stuff that might be interfering with the connection (this works on 1/4 inch guitar plugs too). You can also use fine sandpaper or steel wool on the little plug to remove possible varnish, flux, or other residue that might be there.
If there is an intermttent in the plug and it is an over-molded unit you can use an exacto-knife to cut away the overmold, then fix with a soldering iron and put shrink wrap or electrical tape over it. (This is easier that removing the unit and sending it back to Baggs).
If, however, the socket is loose, this is on the preamp and the preamp can be easily removed and sent back.
Sorry you are having the trouble, It took me a great deal of time once to put a Baggs I-Beam into an ukulele, so I know some of this pain. 
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 11/08/2011 07:57:05 AM |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 4:43:01 PM
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Lawrence:
No panic yet. I'll try some of your suggestions. I'm seeing that there's a real issue in returning the unit to Baggs, even if they agree to accept it from a "hobbyist" like me. You gotta get it back out of the guitar and everything is glued down!
I've found that if you pull on the wire in a certain direction, the connection is pretty solid. One stop-gap might be to put a wire-clip in where you need to pull the wire and just tie it down there. Kinda crude, I suppose.
So who has a hand and arm small enough to fit inside an ukulele? That must have been quite a chore!
Regards.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 5:01:38 PM
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Final Report on the Baggs Anthem Pickup:
The problem with the unit was that the fine wire going into the "tip" portion of the undersaddle pickup plug was never soldered, causing an intermittent connection. Fixing it was an awkward job done under a magnifying glass on tiny components but I managed to get it soldered and the unit works perfectly, now. The sound quality is excellent, there is very little noise, the controls work flawlessly, the amplifier gain is pretty hot and the battery seems to last a long time. It was a lot of messing around for a $300 component that should have been better tested but I'm glad I bought it.
Now, back to the important stuff: Practice!
Regards.
Terry
Olympia, WA |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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Topic |
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pickup choice (not ford vs chevy)
