PIckup Choice for Minstrel Octave Mandolin

[mandosnapper]

I have a Minstrel octave mandolin (http://www.mandolas.net/) tuned GDAD that I use for some melody but mostly accompaniment. I want to get a better pickup installed (right now I have a cheap stick-on piezo transducer that sounds horrible, even after EQing through my LR Baggs Paracoustic preamp). Any recommendations or experiences that might help me to make a wise choice would be greatly appreciated.

I know the Schertler is recemmended by almost everyone, but it is just too much money (http://www.elderly.com/brand/PUA_schertler.html). My budget is around $150 and I don't want an external jack. I would prefer something that installs internally with the jack in the strap button.

There are so many options out there it is a bit overwhelming but I'm leaning towards one of the non-piezo pickups such as:

http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/pickups.htm

http://www.mcintyrepickups.com/pickups.html

http://www.b-band.com/guitar-systems/ast.php

Any advice or experiences with any of these on an OM/ bouzouki? Any recommendations?

[Jim M.]

A friend has the McIntyre installed in his Weber Sage, and it sounds pretty good. PUTW sounds pretty good in my experience on fiddles, but I haven't heard it on an OM. Another option is the FISHMAN NEO-D. It's a soundhole humbucker, and is the budget version of the Fishman Rare Earth. You can get it at Elderly for about $55. Sounds good to me on my Crump.

[Tom A]

I'm partial to K&K soundboard pickups. They sound good, price is reasonable, they have good output, and don't seem terribly fussy about placement.

For my 'zouk, I bought their Twin Spot external dual pickup, which attaches with thin double-sided tape.

Twin Spot on K&K eBay store (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7347225001)

If your sound hole permits access and you don't mind drilling for an endpin jack, they have "internal" pickups as well.

I run it through a Baggs PADI as well and what comes out sounds a lot like a 'zouk to me!

[steve V. johnson]

I like the PUTWs.

stv

[judith]

I have a McIntyre pick-up installed in my mandolin. The context in which I play with a sound system is usually a contradance. The quality of the sound system and the skill of the sound person is very, very variable,depending on the venue. There have been times when I have absolutely hated the sound of the built-in pickup (too electric sounding) and other times when it has been fine. I believe that the most acoustically authentic sound is delivered through a mic - not a pick-up. I have a clip-on Audio-Technica that I like far better than the built-in McIntryre. It isn't especially easy to find a convenient place to clip it onto the mando, though. You must have a pick-guard. When all is said and done, I'd rather play in front of a good, old-fashioned microphone of decent quality, or use the clip-on. Every piece of equipment I have investigated promises to deliver acoustically pure, amazingly wonderful sound. It ain't necessarily so. Hope I haven't totally confused you. Judith

[judith]

By the way - I am now able to post as myself (Judith), as opposed to "Grace." Judith

[mandosnapper]

Thanks for the insight. Not confusing at all Judith - or Grace - or whatever your name is. Actually, I agree that a decent mic is preferable in most cases. If I can get a pickup that sounds as good as a mic I will be pleasantly surprised, but I don't expect to. I just want to add some versatility and not be limited to a mic as my only option. I don't think a clip-on mic is workable (no pickguard) so without a pickup I am tied to a mic stand. I have ordered a McIntyre MF-200 "acoustic feather".

[steve V. johnson]

Congrats on the McIntyre choice, I hope it serves you well.

I try to use a mic all the time, but I have the PUTW and either a RavenLabs PMB-II or a Presonus Acousti-Q preamp/eq for it.
When I can work with a sound guy, I ask him to leave it flat unless there is a problem, then let me know between tunes (sets) so I can try to fix it first. I -much- prefer the mic. With our little trio it's pretty easy for me to stay on mic. I'm no Pete Townsend... LOL!!!

But of course, others' MMV... <GG>

stv

[cpmusic]

I have a Fishman SBT-E in my Flatiron OM, and I'm very happy with it. I was a little unsure when the dealer suggested it, since it's designed for classical guitar, but he said that he had used it in other mando family instruments with good results, and that's what happened with my OM. It sounds crisp, clear, and very natural when plugged straight into a PA or good acoustic amp (no preamp). The only thing to note is that it had to be glued in place; Fishman provides double-stick tape, but that made it sound muffled and dull.