K&K Western Trinity & Avalon A335.

[Ross A]

I was wondering if anybody else has got a K&K Western Trinity pickup installed in their guitar (mic, transducer, and pre-amp combo)? And if so how much hassle have you had getting the right sound out of it?

I have had one installed in my new Avalon A335, and it has taken me a week of messing with the tone controls in the preamp, and adjusting the blend of mic and pickup to get a good sound. I'd say in total it's taken about 5 hours of solid adjustments (play, listen back, adjust tone controls, and repeat).

I must say though that now it is right, it sounds excellent when recorded.

And as for the guitar - WOW - I'll try and post some pictures, I should have some spare time now I've got the pickup sorted!! It has the most beautiful tone, and it plays like a dream. I removed the shims from under the saddle and it could not be more perfect in terms of action. The cedar soundboard is really quite dark, and with the walnut body it looks something else.

I honestly believe it is the best guitar in the world (I would though!!).

[Ross A]

Hi Ross

I haven't quite got the set up you have in your A335, but I did put K+K in my Avalon Eclipse (the other greatest guitar in the world!) Not many of us have used K+K this side of the pond.

I'm suprised they aren't more popular, it seems like everyone has heard of them but nobody uses them, and no shops sell them.

The setup is this: The mic and transducers feed out via a stereo cable from the guitar to the K&K pre-amp. You blend how much mic and how much pickup you want to use with the controls on the outside if the preamp. Inside the preamp there are bass, treble, highs, and gain controls for the mic. There are also bass and treble controls for the pickup. You have to use a small screwdriver to adjust these.

I then have a cable going into a mixer that plugs into a external soundcard/preamp on my computer (I'm not using an amp).

Like I said, I think I've finally got a good sound, but what a rigmorole getting there!!!

I bet we aren't the only two people who think we have the best guitars in the world (although mine and yours really are )

[crofty]

Hi Ross

looking forward to seeing the pictures of your new A355 and so glad you like it,was worried that you might want your A32 back.
Been playing the A32 most of today,put some heavier gauge strings on and it suits me better,like the fishman sound too.Its probably the 3rd best guitar in the world.

so get some pictures on the forum,keen to see all that Walnut.

Regards

Crofty

[Ross A]

The AER Compact certainly gets a great sound out of my various guitars.

Out of interest John, have you used any other amps other than the AER (my budget has been diminished by the new guitar)?

[Ross A]

Hi there Crofty, I thought you'd need to put heavier strings on, those Extra Light Newtones are lighter than feathers!!

I think that A32 is definitely up there with the best of them. I wish this new pickup was half as straight forward as this K&K thing. I recorded some music and listened to it in the car and the level was too low - so I messed about with the settings again and now it's too hollow sounding, grrrrrrr Any tips anyone??

I'm no David Bailey, but here are a few pics of my guitar (the joint best guitar in the world)