michael kelly mandolins

[Danny]

I noticed that Michael Kelly now offers Fishman pickups on some of their mandolins. Has anyone tried one? I was thinking about getting the Fender electric, I think it's the 62se, and was wondering which direction I might possibly go as far as amplified mandolin? Getting a Gibson or other high end model, and then putting a pickup on one seems so involved. Let me know some of your responses.
Danny Lovatto

[John Flynn]

If they are talking about the Fishman M-100/200 series, I can't recommend them. I used one for too many years and tried everything to make it sound good to no avail. They are the perfect example of what many people don't like about pizeo pickups: They are "thumpy," quacky" and uneven across the strings. Preamps help them some, but not enough. I'd invest in a microphone instead.

[John Rosett]

the pickup in the new mk mando is a bridge like the other fishman pickup, but the mk has the whole active(battery powered)system built in. it has volume, bass, and treble controls and the little battery box. this is the kind of thing guitarists have had for quite a while, but it's the first mando i've seen with the preamp built in. conventional wisdom is that the shorter the cord between the pickup and the preamp, the more boost (and clean tone) you get.
i play in an electric band, and would love to hear from anyone who has used the mk with pickup. i've tried to get info on the message board here, but i guess nobody here is using one. anybody?
john

[Stillpicking]

I don't have the built in factory MK pickup on my MK, but I got a "Shadow" pickup from Elderly. It is a small stick on, uses a little gray putty so you can remove it when you are jamming acoustic. Comes with a small preamp that hangs off the wire. I have to say that it is real natural sounding at least to my ear. Only down side is that the putty needs to be cleaned off with a little wax , no big deal.

[krishna]

Danny,,I would have posted sooner if I had seen this thread.I played in a touring rock band for 5 years.I only used the Fishman bridge,and got OK results. They don't sound great,but are very functional!I used a short cable to the preamp,(piezos should NEVER be used without one.The signal coming off any piezo so TINY,and was never designed to be used without one)and feedback was never a problem even when the volume onstage got to over 85db. At that volume,you might not be able to hear yourself,so you might turn the mando up even more. (Also,I had a Roland 120 watt solid state amp).I stopped useing mics for live application pretty soon after starting, because they can be very dangerous to your mandolins health.I learned quickly to make sure ,if I had to use a mic, to have a foam mic screen covering the mic.The main problem (other than not coming close to being satisfied with the volume out of the floor monitors)was that as soon as you move off axis to the mic,your volume dissapears from the 'front of house'.Also The mics kept taking small swings (they're alive y'know.and envious!)at my BABY,and after a few small scratches on my treble F hole ,I had enough.It was'nt an MK though I seriously doubt it would, at that volume, make any difference.

[Tim Saxton]

I can't comment on how the MK acoustic/electric mandolin sounds plugged in. However I can comment on it's sound unplugged.

At Merlefest Tracy had several of them at his booth. I played 3 of them and the all sound very close to the same. They had little volume, little character, and little depth. The mandos weighed a ton also. I would assume that if plugged in and correctly tuned it could sound good. But as for it acoustically, forget it.

Tim Saxton

[Talon]

I have a M-100 on an F, and a M-200 w/carpenter jack on an A. I use a preamp. I WOULD recommend them. I like a mic for recording, but for playing out, the Fishmans work great for me, and I get good sound from them. It is a very frugal setup in comparison to the cost of many mic, or dual systems. I got both fitted and installed for $250. The preamp I got, with short cord was $80 out the door. For one mando it would have cost me $205 for pickup bridge fitted and Gigpro preamp. Good luck in what you decide!

[Danny]

Thanks for all the replys about the Michael kelly/Fishman set-up. I've been playing mandolin for about 4 years, and I've been pretty happy with my Fender FM 63. However I know that my ears, hands, and musicianship have finally come to the conclusion to upgrade. I play guitars, serious harmonica (jazz & other genres), keys, and on top of that I'm a songwriter. After 40 years of playing I want quality and fine craftsmanship. Still like many of my fellow members, I am a family man, so I can't just drop 3k down on a Gibson, just like that! I also want to play in a band situation, and I'm used to plugging in to stay up to par with the other player's. That's why the MK seemed convient.The fact that it may be really limited acoustically really makes a point, as far a going in that direction. So the MAS syndrome continues for me. The F9, F5G, Labedas, Webber's, and even Some of the older Kentuckey's all seem like logical moves, but I live in a very remote part of California, and I don't often get to sample many of these quality models. Decisions Decisions!!
One day I'll let you folks know what I ended up with! Thanks again. Danny

[Damnation Gulch]

So what did ya get? My research on MK so far hasnt been a good one...

[sbarnes]

i have the same fender acoustic/electric you have and have thouroghly enjoyed it.....
am planning an upgrade soon and was thinking about the mk legacy deluxe w/pickups as well....
until i can afford (or deserve) the gibson fern or master the mk will probably be my next step up....
i like to record plugged direct to board instead of w/a mike and for playing what few songs i play w/my band (i'm really the keyboard player) i need some volume.....apparently the key is to play several and one of them will select you instead of vice-versa
let us know how it works out - i'm probably a few months behind but would like to know how it works out.....