K&K Twin Fusion or Schatten M05 Pro

[Bidley]

Hi all, new to the forum and my first post so be gentle! Hope this thread is in the right place.

Now, I know these pickups are a little different in how they work, but I'm in a position where I can buy either of these for my new Kentucky KM-505. Which would you guys recommend?

I like the volume knob on the Schatten, but aside from that what will the tonal differences be between these? Is the bridge a better place to... 'transduce' from, or under the top under either f-hole where the K&K affixes?

[Folkmusician.com]

I haven't installed a Schatten, but as a general rule, you get better tone with the pickup mounted to the top and you get less feedback and handling noise if it is on/in the bridge.

[Bidley]

Ah typical... I just ordered the K&K, as it was a touch cheaper and gets equally good write-ups.

Thanks for your response though. In what way would you say the tone was better with the pickup on the bridge? Is it an EQ thing or is there more clarity etc?

[Skipenguin101]

I installed a K&K in my Kentucky several months ago. Could not be happier!! I have it running straight into the board (no pre amp) and it still sounds great. I get great tone and volume. Not had a problem with any feed back to date. You should feel good about your choice.

[almeriastrings]

I would go with a soundboard transducer. Generally a "woodier", somewhat less "quacky" and less harsh sound than bridge transducers. Only heard one Schatten, on one mandolin, but it did not really impress at all. My preferred soundboard transducers are the AKG C411 and the Schertler DYN - but correctly installed K&K's can sound fine too.

[mandroid]

Aren't they both using Piezo electric pieces as the signal source ..

As the Almeria resident above, notes , those 2 mentioned, are contact microphones.

Piezos with a preamp to hand shake with the right Impedance ,
combines to make a decent sound. So get the K&K preamp too ..

The contact Microphone types have a signal characteristic allowing a Microphone preamp ,
which is in Most PA Mixers and most Mic/Instrument 2 channel Acoustic amps.