Mandos with pickups and picking technique changes...

**Timmando** · Aug-06-2012, 8:22am

I recently installed a K&K twin pickup in my Monroe and I am finding that the sensitivity of the strings has caused me to change my pick and really lighten up on my picking...is this a good thing or a bad thing? Has anyone else found that a pickup alters their picking in a bad way? I am thinking that what will happen is I will get used to this pickup amplification and the pick (dunlop 207) and then not have the technique or volume for being heard in an open jam where I can't plug in...

**mandroid** · Aug-06-2012, 11:40am

that one Doesn't have to pick so hard is a problem?

I am thinking that what will happen is I will get used to this pickup amplification and the pick (dunlop 207) and then not have the technique or volume for being heard in an open jam where I can't plug in...

pre worrying?

Banjo mandolin gets Loud done Acoustically ..

**OldSausage** · Aug-06-2012, 12:16pm

The Mandolin Exclusion Principle states that you cannot have all three of loud, clean and fast at one time unless you are a huge mando monster, so you have to choose one of those you can do without. To me, loud seems like the best candidate, especially if you have a good mic or a pickup.

If you've lightened up on your picking, the chances are you are playing a lot better IMHO. Don't worry too much about jams. Jams are where technique goes to die.

**Timmando** · Aug-06-2012, 12:36pm

OldSausage quote "Jams are where technique goes to die. "

Now that is funny!

My choice is clean and fast...I won't worry about volume...thanks for the advice. Good video recordings also Dave...I will be learning from them...thanks for that too!

**foldedpath** · Aug-06-2012, 3:35pm

Originally Posted by Timmando

I recently installed a K&K twin pickup in my Monroe and I am finding that the sensitivity of the strings has caused me to change my pick and really lighten up on my picking...is this a good thing or a bad thing?

It depends. If hearing the amplified tone is allowing you to lighten up your playing, and if you've actually been over-playing your mandolin -- maybe at loud acoustic jams -- then it might be a good thing.

However, there is a danger on the other side with amplification, especially if you're not used to playing amplified. Suddenly, you hear things you didn't hear before... not all of them good. There can be a tendency to scale back, and not use the full dynamic range of your mandolin. This can happen when you record yourself for the first time too, and hear the playback. Playing too timidly when amplified can be just as bad as hammering too hard in a loud acoustic jam. Especially if you have a responsive instrument that needs to be driven to a certain level for good tone.

I think the key is to identify that sweet zone in dynamic range, and then always try to play within that zone, whether it's an amplified situation or an acoustic jam. Play at full acoustic volume during sound check for the PA when levels are being set, so it doesn't sound too loud during the actual performance, and you feel like backing off. In a loud acoustic jam, don't cross the other side of the sweet zone and overplay, where both the tone and your technique will probably suffer.

P.S. I love that line about "jams are where technique goes to die." Boy, is that ever true. All the cool Irish twiddly bits I practice at home, magically disappear in the din of a big trad session, where I'm just barely hanging with the tempos.

**Timmando** · Aug-07-2012, 7:04am

Ok...I will try to find that dynamic range...that sounds like a good plan. In a loud acoustic jam I can't be heard unless everyone cuts back, which does not happen with this jam. I may need to get a battery amp.

**Chris Reber** · Aug-07-2012, 8:00am

Originally Posted by foldedpath

Suddenly, you hear things you didn't hear before... not all of them good.

I've definitely been experiencing this. I also recently had a K&K installed in my mandolin, and now all of a sudden I hear every bit of grit and scratchiness that was previously inaudible. I've especially noticed this when I play at my church, where we use in-ear headphone monitors.

It helps me to make sure to limit your mandolin monitoring level. For me at least, the temptation is to crank it way up so that you hear yourself super easily, but then I tend to do the scaling back that foldedpath mentioned, just because the sound is so in your face. If it's dialed down at a lower level, it's easier for me to play more naturally.

Cheers

**Timmando** · Aug-07-2012, 10:43am

Originally Posted by Chris Reber

I've definitely been experiencing this. I also recently had a K&K installed in my mandolin, and now all of a sudden I hear every bit of grit and scratchiness that was previously inaudible. I've especially noticed this when I play at my church, where we use in-ear headphone monitors.

It helps me to make sure to limit your mandolin monitoring level. For me at least, the temptation is to crank it way up so that you hear yourself super easily, but then I tend to do the scaling back that foldedpath mentioned, just because the sound is so in your face. If it's dialed down at a lower level, it's easier for me to play more naturally.

Cheers

Agree completely on this. My fingers brush the top and that was getting picked up, so I had to lift my fingers into my palm. The sound of the pick hitting the string, before the note sounded, was getting picked up...kind of a click, note, click, note, click, note overall sound. I may need to get a preamp where I can adjust the EQ some. I have turned down the treble on the board to minimize that click but it is still there.