McIntyre feather pickup

[b.pat]

Has anyone installed the McIntyre feather pickup in their "F" style?
If so, what is involved?
It sounds like one of those jobs like setting a sound post in a violin. "Shure it's easy, just grab those two little strings and give it a yank" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
B.Pat

[Michael Lewis]

Doesn't it come with any suggested locations, instructions, or whatever? This is a piezo element, and will make the strongest signal if the bridge is sitting on it. Otherwise start by sticking it at various places around the top, when you find the best sound put some new stickum on it and place it at the same place but on the INSIDE. You will have a wire to rout to a jack of some sort, either at the end pin or a Carpenter jack. If it is at the end pin you will have to enlarge the hole for the jack to fit. Do neat work, don't make a sloppy hole. You will need a pre-amp to get the best sound and volume. You sure you want to do this?

[Bradley]

[QUOTE]You will need a pre-amp to get the best sound and volume. You sure you want to do this?

I will speak from experience here that the installation is pretty easy if you have decent craftsman skills, and if you take your time. "My" experience was how disappointed I was after drilling/Reaming that large hole into the mandoiln for the pick up jack to find out how thin the sound was even with a preamp. It was kinda like "I wish I had never done that".

You have to buy what you feel you need, If you want to get a true mandolin sound please consider a decent quality condenser mike( AT Pro 37, AKG 1000, etc).

Just my .02 worth

[bjc]

I had one installed and the sound was not very acoutic like and was indeed very thin. In fact I went a different route entirely. I mounted a resonator pick-up under the lower end of the bridge and it sounds OK...still looking for that perfect way to amplify the acoustic sound without being stuck in front of a mic...That's my experience...

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
I installed a feather in my vintage A style and am very happy with the sound. I believe for the money it's the best pickup out there. It does not have the brittleness of an under the bridge type. Of course a mic is always better!
Regarding installation, it was not fun and took me a whole day. I don't think I'd want to attempt putting one in thru F holes. I believe the maker of the pickups installs them and you might want to see what he charges. You need alot of patience and there's so little room to work.
There are good, detailed instructions that come with the pickup. Hope that helps.
Rob

[Bradley]

IF you are going to do it,Let me tell you a couple secrets.
I work in the Industrial electronics field and not that I am a genius,but have a few pointers from experience.

#1. Get a piece of #12 Romex(house) wiring and strip it down until you get the individual wire which has a rubber coating on it.This will protect your f holes as you are working.For added protection wrap the ends with regular electrical tape just to be safe.This will give a rigid yet flexible tool for the mounting of the Feather.

#2. After mounting the feather,Put the inside washer and nut on the pickup wire before pulling it through the endpin hole for soldering.Again the wire mentioned above will work for pulling and maneuvering the wire.Once the wires are soldered push the endpin back thru the hole all the way.Use the same romex wire to start the nut and washer onto the endpin.You can hold your mando upright and let it fall down the wire onto the Jack. It has a very fine thread,but once you get the nut mounted squarely on top it threads easy with the use of the wire.After getting it close you can use the Outside nut to tighten it completely

I hope this helps a little bit!!

Good Luck!!

[b.pat]

Thanks for all the great advice. The hint about the romex is particulary usefull. I have installed several endpin jacks in guitars,but sticking my whole arm thru the soundhole just didn't seem applicable here.
After reviewing the replys, I'm bigining to rethink the whole thing. It's not the installation, rather the mixed {at best} results, that has me reconsidering.
This is exactly what this wonderful site is all about.
B.Pat
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