K&K Hot Spot or Big Shot?

[Chughes423]

After posting on this forum for a pickup for my Eastman 315, It seems that K&K is the best option for me. Im curious if anyone has an opinion between the Hot Spot and the Big Shot. Both are in my range of cost and what I need. Ill be using it at church every few months with a Preamp pedal. Anyways, besides how big the transducer pickup is I don't really see a difference. Any thoughts?

[Folkmusician.com]

First a question..

Will you be installing this externally or internallly?

[almeriastrings]

The Big Shot can easily overload (clip) inputs if used on instruments like banjo or mandolin. It is designed as a high sensitivity (high output) transducer for use on instruments that require a very sensitive transducer. Mandolin does not. The Hot spot is a better match.

[Chughes423]

Externally.

[pops1]

Why not the mandolin twin?

[Bad Monkey]

http://kksound.com/products/mandolintwin.php#simple2

This is the K&K twin fusion, probably the best bet for you in the K&K lineup. Maybe more than you are looking to spend on a pickup for the 305. The hot spot would work, but won't give quite the same sound as the twin fusion. That said JJB pickups have a good reputation here in the cafe http://www.jjb-electronics.com/The_Marcato.html and might be a good option. I've never used one but others here have extensive time with them on multiple applications and speak highly of them. I will probably give JJB a test drive next time I'm installing a pickup myself.

[Groundcoat]

Internal. Mandolin Twin. Awesome pickup. Easy to install.

[Chughes423]

Mostly a budget. External was an option cause I didn't want to drill a hole in my mandolin. I have seen the twin in a lot of places. May need to rethink it.

[pops1]

Mostly a budget. External was an option cause I didn't want to drill a hole in my mandolin. I have seen the twin in a lot of places. May need to rethink it.

I costs more, but a tapastring jack will work without drilling the mandolin for an internal mount.

[Bad Monkey]

the JJB with a carpenter jack (no drilling) is in the 60 buck range

[Chughes423]

Never thought about a tapastring jack but never knew the name of them. I read some reviews and a lot of people agree that the quality is solid. JJB and K&K seem to be the top dogs.

[pops1]

I have one in my mandolin and in a guitar or two and have worked well for the last few years.

[gspiess]

I have the Twin Fusion with the Pure pre-amp mounted on a 305 - same application, playing in a large church. It does a great job, and the pre-amp does make a difference in overall sound quality and noise cancellation. I have the external mount, but I wouldn't hesitate to get the internal - it looks like a manageable job.

[John Beesley]

If you want to install one externally, the LR Baggs is a better option IMHO. I have both and use the LR external on my Eastman A, and the K&K internal on my F. Once nice thing about the LR Baggs is that you can move it around on the top of the Mando to find the right spot and the putty doesn't hurt the surface. Careful with the external mounts. They can damage your mando surface if you are not careful.

[Kevin Winn]

I have a JJB internal in my MD315 and love it. Very reasonable price and the installation was no big deal (just widened the hole for the strap button).

[Chughes423]

Since I started the thread I guess I better update. On my 315 I put a Hot Spot on it internally on the treble side through the F hole and it sounds great! I also stuck on the input jack right horizontal right below the tailpiece. Just so ya know!