Will a Fishman M-200 fit my KM-505?

[johnnybregar]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if the upper portion of a Fishman M-200 pickup will screw into the base of the bridge on my Kentucky KM-505? Or will I need to replace the whole bridge?

I'm trying to reduce feedback or I'd stick with my Radius.... I've tried a Para DI and lots of adjustments, but I'm in a rock band and I can't seem to dodge the feeback with the Radius. So I need a bridge pickup and the Fishman seems like the best option out there.

Thanks.

[mandroid]

You are in a Rock Band and you cannot dodge feedback, the sound level is probably Physically,
ringing the top.

changing from one acoustic pickup type to another is not going to change that, you will still have a pickup
attached to the soundboard which is vibrating, like, from the monitors on stage in front of you.

hence the feedback loop. leave the acoustic at home for acoustic bands, and practice.

You need a solid body electric . Given your 505 budget , and presumably,
a desire to keep playing an 8 string ,

think about: a Epiphone mandobird VII, or others such as Fender FM61
of note : some new Mann electrics are FS on the classifieds posted by the builder.
in bridge Piezo electric with some sound-chamber is the Godin A8 ,
onboard preamp so no other one needed

there is a Whole different section devoted to 4.5&8 string electrics, below.
to see what others have said about the various merits of each.

[johnnybregar]

Thanks for the advice.

In my experience, the difference between an under saddle pickup and a transducer mounted to the top is huge as far as feedback goes. I was in a band with a mando player who had an under saddle pickup and never ever got feedback, even at the loudest volumes. In my new band, I can hardly even turn up in practice without feedback with the radius. I'm gonna try the under saddle pickup first, and if that doesn't work I'll think about getting another.

I don't the top ringing is the problem though - because the feedback starts just as soon as I get the volume up, even if no one else is playing. I think it's just plain ol' microphone feedback.

[John Flynn]

I had an M-200. I was never wild about the sound of it and if it's any less feedback prone, it can't be by much. I would agree with Mandroid, what you really need is a solid-body with mag pickups and use-able ones can be had fairly cheap, probably not much more than an M-200.

If you do go with the M-200, it probably should fit. It fit on my Alvarez A800. If you want to know for sure, I'd contact Fishman for specs.

[Folkmusician.com]

Can anyone tell me if the upper portion of a Fishman M-200 pickup will screw into the base of the bridge on my Kentucky KM-505? Or will I need to replace the whole bridge?


In my experience this is hit or miss, but I believe the Kentucky posts will be spaced just a little wider. Not so much that you can't force the Fishman saddle on, or widen the holes with a file. Forcing it on could put enough pressure on your bridge to alter the fit of the feet.

It has been a while since I have tested this. I would almost always fit the foot as well. The Fishman foot is of much better quality.

[EdSherry]

Stuffing the F-holes with high-density foam will reduce (though not necessarily eliminate) feedback issues.

[Mandoviol]

I wish Headway made The Band pickup for mandos...you can sort of jerry-rig a violin pickup onto an F-style mando (I've done it), but it's not optimal.

Should write them about that. They don't require pre-amps....

[johnnybregar]

Installed the M-200 last night. Fits on the pegs perfectly, no sizing needed. I did need to take some material off of the cut-outs on the pickup to get the action down. So far, in the practice room feedback is way down.

I play tonight in Seattle at the High Dive with North Twin, a local twangy rock band. I'll report back tomorrow. Last time I played there the Mando was unusable....

[johnnybregar]

Well, for anyone who's interested, the M-200 performed amazingly well last night. No feedback, even when I was right up on the monitors. A few people even mentioned that they liked the sound of my mandolin a lot, and one asked me what kind of pickup and preamp I was using!!!

It was a great night and I highly recommend this pickup to anyone who is having feedback issues. It sounds great through the Para DI and is really expressive and sweet to my ear.

Incidentally, Dave Matthews and his wife Ashley were at the show last night. Fun.