Pick ups

[mando-g]

I need to get a pick up for my collings. I would rather not have one installed on the inside. I don't know much about them. I see that schertler is by far the most expensive, and therefore, probably the best. What are some options beside that? The schertler is probably a little too much for my budget. What are some other options?

[tterral]

Check out K & K Sound Systems. They have a mandolin pick-up that folks seem to like and it is reasonable priced. I use the K & K Trinity system on my two guitars and I feel it is a great pick-up system and I looked at a bunch of them and really dislike the sound of most guitar pick-ups. I personally use the Silver Bullet microphone on my Collings MT (less than $100), attached by way of my Tone Gard. Only used it once at a gig (it is new), but it seemed to work very well. There is a thread I think I started awhile ago that Gail Hester posted her thoughts on the Silver Bullet and showed some pics as to how it is attached (that is where I got the idea, thanks Gail). I believe the thread is asking about K & K pickups, try doing a search for it, some good info there.

I know the Scherler is highly regarded by some, but the few I have heard (Bryan Sutton at Winfield last fall) I was not all that impressed with, especially for the money, but again my experience is limited.

Good luck.

[mandroid]

Bottom of the page is a search menu, to see just how many times pickups have been a topic.
just above the other 'new topic' button, at the bottom of the page.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Michael Wolf]

mando-g,

here is the thread where Gail Hester shows the Silver Bullet solution: http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=8;t=40606

It's very interesting and I'd be not surprised if it sounds better than the Schertler at a much lower price. I own a Schertler and I don't like the sound very much. I use a mic now (DPA) and it's very much better.

But everything depends on what you want to do and how much volume is needed.

Cheers
Michael

[John Sawatzky]

I recently purchased an acoustic mic. Audio-technica, model number AT831B. I comes with a "slide in) soundhole bracket for guitar, and a clip to hold the mic. I clip the mic on my strap at the scroll, with the mic pointing to where the neck is joined to the body on my mandolin. This produces great natural sound. The dealer I bought it had this unit in stock for some time and I bought it for 50% off. Made in Japan and good quality.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms....ex.html (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/4eefe86da4a8288f/index.html)

John

[Perry]

The Schertler is a lot of money however I would have saved
loads of money had I bought it first. I spent much money on the other pick-ups and the related installs that they require.

The Schertler doesn't get much easier. Get a pre-amp with parametric EQ if possible though at lower volumes the Schertler sounds fine right into the board.

Check the classifieds right here on the Cafe as Schertlers pop up once in a while.

Perry