Help! What pickup for my L25?

[MARK2204]

I bought an L25 with the 4/2 split Bridge, it doesn't have a pickup in it. I would like a Passive Pickup and get an external Preamp, so I don't have to Butcher the Guitar by trying to fit a Internal Preamp, can any One give me advice on what to choose? The Preamp seems to be the easy bit as there are loads out there on the 'net, there hardly seems to be any Split Bridge Pickups out there.

[oberon]

If you really want to go the undersaddle route I'd recommend a Headway Snake or FEQ, both of which can be had in twin element versions - have a look at their website, then give them a ring - I've always found them to be really helpful. The sound from these pickups is excellent when well installed and settled in. I would recommend professional installation unless your are really sure you can cope yourself.
There is an endpin preamp on them which gives a really strong signal and a great sound often without the need for outboard eq. I usually use a bit more mid-cut either with an eq pedal, or at the pa mixer or combo amp. The effect on acoustic sound is a possible question mark - the elements are very thick, and have a softish coating. When I had one in my Lowden O25 I didn't detect any loss of acoustic tone when it was put in, but on removing it some months later after becoming suspicious of maybe a slightly weakened treble response from E and B strings I was rewarded with just a hint of extra sparkle and zing. Still excellent pickups though, and if mainly plugged in is your thing then they are a good fuss free way to go - I have an FEQ in my Fylde Oberon which gets weekly use plugged in for worship band and ceilidh band situations.

You could try soundboard transducers -
Baggs I-beam - fits to bridge plate with adhesive pads - easy to fit. Can be had as passive version which absolutely must have an external preamp. Active version is much better and easier to use - you don't need extra holes in your guitar as the preamp is (internally) part of the output jack. No controls obviously (though you can get a small volume control thumbwheel to stick just iside the soundhole), but an external preamp in addition works wonders. I've used I-beams active and passive in Lowden guitars - didn't like the passive version. The active version was reasonably OK for most styles and situations. Certainly a nicer sound than F*shm*n USTs. More feedback prone though.
Best things by far that I've tried are K&K minis. Really simple, 3 passive transducers Superglued to bridgeplate and wired straight to output jack. Easy to fit, very little weight added to guitar (no battery) and a superb sound. Although passive, the output is plenty big enough to go straight to amp or mixer. I usually use a K&K Pure XLR preamp though - it transforms the sound from very good to excellent. A truly "acoustic" sound representative of the unplugged guitar can easily be had. I have these pickups in my Lowden O25 and S10. The different sounds and characters of these two guitars are well represented when plugged in. Again, check out the K&K website - their stuff is remarkably cheap for the sound quality, and can easily be ordered from UK via the website - usually arrives within a week.
Hope this is helpful.
Bye now
Keith

[thetree4U]

He's right. The K&Ks sound really good, even without an ext. preamp. The Pure Western Mini is lauded everywhere. Look at the review on Harmony Central's Acoustic Guitar section.

Also, good guy to interact with on this is Doug Alan Wilcox (www.dougalanwilcox.com). He will email with you and give you some great input on K&K setups.

The Pickup The World soundboard transducers (PUTW #54) are also very, very good.

[MARK2204]

Nice One Guys, I have decided to go for the K&K western standard. Thanks for your help.

[gyardia]

Nice One Guys, I have decided to go for the K&K western standard. Thanks for your help.

Hello,
I'm sold on the K&K Pure Western but I was hoping that someone could help me with a few questions:
I notice that the Mini was recommended in this thread for the most part. Will the Standard model fit? I like the idea of using the Standard - superglue directly to the guitar scares me... If both fit, is there a reason that the Mini is more popular?

Second, I want to do minimal alteration to my guitar (a beautiful L310) and wondered if I should go with the standard end pin jack or the Vintage jack. Do you have do do much drilling to the end pin hole with the standard and would that void the warranty? Do you give up any functionality with the Vintage jack?

Appreciate the help!

[JB]

Drilling to the end-pin is very minimal, infact you should only have to remove the narrower part of the taper to fit the jack although some slim jacks fit fine.

I think the K&K comes with a self adhesive foil pad that you stick to the guitar and then stick the pick-ups to the foil for easier removal later.

I'd look forward to hearing how the installation goes.

have fun !

[thetree4U]

I had a local setup guy install a Pure Western Mini in my Walden D710. It was his first K&K, and it took him less than 30 minutes. When we played it, it was fantastic. Natural. Great string separation. Great tone... truly sounds like the guitar ONLY LOUDER. Lived up to it's billing in every way. I think it's better than the expensive Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend that I have in my L32C.

The Pure Western Mini comes with it's own adhesive (superglue). It does no damage at all to the guitar. From everything I have heard, the mini sounds better, installs more precisely, and installs more easily than the Standard model. The pictoral instructions included (and on the web) made it a snap.

I am considering buying another Avalon. If/when I do, I will install a Pure Western MINI. No contest.