Need to amplify my mando temporarily...on the cheap.

**fernmando** · Jul-18-2012, 8:28pm

Don't want to drill into my VFern, but need temporary amplification...can't invest much. Any ideas?

**mandroid** · Jul-18-2012, 8:41pm

Stand in front of a Microphone is always recommended ..
It may be with the house gear already.. can't beat Free for the use.

Wires?
Dean Markley (or similar) lollypop on a string piezo to temporarily attach to the outside of the soundboard..
try it W/O Preamp , if not good enough get a piezo Pre like Baggs or Fishman.
then you have a Line level output..

**allenhopkins** · Jul-19-2012, 1:15am

Mic on a stand is the classic solution.

Cheapest alternatives for attaching to the instrument that I've seen, if cost is the main criterion, are either a piezo pickup like the Dean Markley DM-3000, or a "tie-clip" electret mic such as Radio Shack sells. Both around $30.

I've just dangled one of the Radio Shack mics into the soundhole of an instrument, and produced an "amplified sound" that was acceptable in a rough-and-ready fashion. Worked in a pinch.

**Tim2723** · Jul-19-2012, 9:23am

By temporary do you mean you want to be able to remove it or that you'll only use it once or twice? How cheap is cheap? A mic will give you the best tone available. It makes little sense to invest in a fine instrument and spend years perfecting your art and then play through some cheap garbage amplification because it's only once in a while. It's like saying it's OK if I sound bad if it's only when people are listening.

**fernmando** · Jul-19-2012, 9:25am

All good posts, and thanks! And..touche' Tim...I'll just have to make sure that the drummer plays no louder than I can get a condenser up to. Mic'ed tone is the best tone. Thanks again.

**Tim2723** · Jul-19-2012, 9:45am

I hope I didn't come across as a wise guy, but my point is just that good amplification will make a poor instrument sound its best, while poor amplification will make a fine instrument sound its worst. It's simply remarkable the number of folks who will write in to ask how to amplify their multi-thousand dollar, hand-crafted mandolin for thirty bucks.

**mandroid** · Jul-19-2012, 10:30am

Maybe you can get some 'brushes' for the drummer, to soften percussion a bit.

**onassis** · Jul-19-2012, 10:39am

With drums, I wouldn't bother with a condenser. Good ol' SM58 does a fine, feedback resistant job.

**EarlG** · Jul-24-2012, 11:17am

Will playing an acoustic mandolin with drums and maybe electric guitars in the band really work at all?

**1-2-many** · Jul-24-2012, 11:41am

Originally Posted by EarlG

Will playing an acoustic mandolin with drums and maybe electric guitars in the band really work at all?

The classic disclaimer, "your results may vary"... What's the worst that could happen? To be seen & not heard?

**Tim2723** · Jul-24-2012, 11:48am

Depends on the volume. Mics can quickly become problematic, so you switch to a soundboard pickup, then a piezo bridge, then a dedicated AE design, and eventually a solid-body. Once those start feeding back, well...

And as for being seen and not heard, once the feedback starts to howl it will be the loudest thing on stage.

**Mandobart** · Jul-24-2012, 11:51am

Originally Posted by EarlG

Will playing an acoustic mandolin with drums and maybe electric guitars in the band really work at all?

Yes, it does work. I've played quite a few gigs like this. Just like any performance, you need to know sound setup, or use someone who does. If you can set up the mando so its not in the direct line of fire from one of the mains or a cranked-up monitor, and you can rein in the guitarist's ego (i.e., amp setting) it can work great. But, there have been times where I played with drums, electric guitar, bass guitar, sax and near deaf singer/acoustic box player who "needed" the monitor blasting him full on. Also, the stage just wasn't big enough for all of us, and I ended up being crammed over by one of the PA mains. Hard to be heard and keep the feedback down.

**mandobassman** · Jul-25-2012, 10:57pm

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

a "tie-clip" electret mic such as Radio Shack sells. Both around $30.

I've just dangled one of the Radio Shack mics into the soundhole of an instrument, and produced an "amplified sound" that was acceptable in a rough-and-ready fashion. Worked in a pinch.

I actually used this mic for years. You might have a hard time with monitors, but it only costs $32 at Radio Shack and sounds pretty darn good. I currently use on for my stand up bass and run it into a Gallien-Kruger bass amp with amazing results. For mandolin, I just clipped it onto the F-hole.

**Bryan Gunsher BG Pups** · Jul-30-2012, 9:51am

Hi fernmando,
Did you ever find a pickup?
If not I'd like to give you one.
I own the company BG Pups Pickups and I have 2 new removable mando pickups coming out and I would be happy to send you one for free.. If you'd like one let me know. Here's a clip I did with one of them this weekend. http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11795706
Here's another clip http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11793983
If any one else is interested please let me know..If this post is considered spam also let me know as I'm not here to spam you guys. I'm a mando player and have been reading these forums for years...Thanks!!!

**Charlieshafer** · Jul-30-2012, 5:26pm

Originally Posted by Tim2723

I hope I didn't come across as a wise guy, but my point is just that good amplification will make a poor instrument sound its best, while poor amplification will make a fine instrument sound its worst. It's simply remarkable the number of folks who will write in to ask how to amplify their multi-thousand dollar, hand-crafted mandolin for thirty bucks.

Amen. I can't believe the number of "serious" musicians who won't pay the ticket for the best equipment possible, then just as bad, not take the time to really nail it down with practice until it's bulletproof.

Drummer, you say? Then maybe solid body is the way to go, or at least arrange the band so no mics need to face the drummer. If all instruments are acoustic then why not change the drummers kit so it's not the traditional drumset. There was a band kicking around here for a while and the "drummer" was using empty boxes, hubcaps, all sorts of junk, but the key was that he could play very rhythmically without overpowering anyone. Plus, it was a hoot to watch him.

**Earthwood** · Aug-01-2012, 9:13am

Originally Posted by Bryan Gunsher BG Pups

Hi fernmando,
Did you ever find a pickup?
If not I'd like to give you one.
I own the company BG Pups Pickups and I have 2 new removable mando pickups coming out and I would be happy to send you one for free.. If you'd like one let me know. Here's a clip I did with one of them this weekend. http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11795706
Here's another clip http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11793983
If any one else is interested please let me know..If this post is considered spam also let me know as I'm not here to spam you guys. I'm a mando player and have been reading these forums for years...Thanks!!!

I would love to have one of your pickups for free If your offering

I have also been trying to find a cheap amplification solution for the occasional time I need to be amplified, or if I need to record something. Me and a buddy like to record things occasionally, but have resorted to just using our iPhones to record. They work pretty well as our poorman's solution, but I would love to try another option.

**Bryan Gunsher BG Pups** · Aug-01-2012, 2:28pm

I sent you a PM.

Originally Posted by Earthwood

I would love to have one of your pickups for free If your offering

I have also been trying to find a cheap amplification solution for the occasional time I need to be amplified, or if I need to record something. Me and a buddy like to record things occasionally, but have resorted to just using our iPhones to record. They work pretty well as our poorman's solution, but I would love to try another option.

**fernmando** · Aug-01-2012, 5:41pm

Yes, I'd love to try your pickup. Sorry for the delay in responding...I teach mando for a living, and am in a couple busy bands.

**Bryan Gunsher BG Pups** · Aug-01-2012, 6:02pm

Originally Posted by fernmando

Yes, I'd love to try your pickup. Sorry for the delay in responding...I teach mando for a living, and am in a couple busy bands.

Send me a PM with your address and I'll get one out to you.

**fernmando** · Aug-13-2012, 8:40pm

Just received the Gunsher pickup over the weekend. OK on guitar, fabulous on my mandolin. So far I am playing through a Fender Vibro Champ XD (5 watt tube amp with DSP) set on the "16" setting which is acoustic simulation. I am presently playing through my Bose L1 compact stick. Fat tone, even has a respectable "chop". I'd estimate the sound as being around 75% acoustic in tone. I think an EQ pedal will be the next step. Sounds ok without a preamp-probably even better with one. Will be using this one live!

**Tim2723** · Aug-14-2012, 5:50am

Sounds great, congrats! One thing: Have you tried using the Bose Compact in its collapsed position (without the extension towers)? You may find your estimate goes up a bit from 75% if you do that. When used only as an instrument amp you get better results with the speakers all on one level and raising the whole thing up for better projection.

**fernmando** · Aug-14-2012, 6:14am

Exactly what I'm doing, Tim...the Bose in one small chunk. Brilliant minds think alike

**Tim2723** · Aug-14-2012, 6:22am

Hmmm..If that's the case then I'm not very impressed with the 75% evaluaton on the Gunsher pickup. I would want a much higher number before I invest in something new.

**Bryan Gunsher BG Pups** · Aug-14-2012, 8:35am

Originally Posted by Tim2723

Hmmm..If that's the case then I'm not very impressed with the 75% evaluaton on the Gunsher pickup. I would want a much higher number before I invest in something new.

Why dont you try one before you knock my pickup. I've been making pickups for close to 10 years. I do know how to get great tones.
If you want to try one pm me. Otherwise I'd appreciate it if you didn't make assumptions of my work..Thanks!!!
Just so you guys know. My pickup company is BG Pups. Thats what my pickups are called.
fernmando thanks for the review.