Mondo Pickups ?

rburzynski · 03-01-2009, 06:07 PM

I'm wanting to purchase a pickup for my mandolin, Knowing there are several out there. Any suggestions? I do not want anything that requires modifications.

I welcome everyone's thoughts.

Thanks !
Randy

rburzynski@ca.rr.com

herbsandspices · 03-01-2009, 06:38 PM

Hi Randy,

I recommend the Schertler Dyn-S interior pickup - have one inside my mandolin and uke, and love it! It's pricey, but the sound is mmm-mmm tasty.

There is a wealth of information here at the Cafe if you do a search on pickups... popular models off the top of my head are:
-McIntyre Feather Pickup
-LR Baggs Radius
-Schertler Dyn-series
-K&K Mandolin Twiin
-Pick-Up The World Mandolin pickup

If you want people to recommend what you should get, it would help letting us know what kind of music you play, in what size/type of venues, and with how many other instruments.

Good luck!

john

mdlorenz · 03-01-2009, 06:44 PM

There's a couple of tests out there take a look at MisterT's post here:

I've done a recording testing a bunch of different sources I'll post in a day or 2. Radius, Schertler, AKG C1000S

rburzynski · 03-01-2009, 07:00 PM

Thanks you guys !
Played Blugrass all my life and now sitting in with the Church band. Full acoustic set up. They all have built in Fishman's. I just need something that cuts through when I'm not on the mike.
Bob Schnieder F5 No. 18

Tim2723 · 03-01-2009, 07:01 PM

Hi Randy and welcome!

You'll find tons of info here on all the popular mandolin pickups. What kind of mandoin are you playing and what do you want to achieve with the pickup? Is it for recording? Live performance? What kind of music will you be playing and what will the pickup be plugged into?

rburzynski · 03-01-2009, 09:07 PM

Tim ....... I've played Bluegrass all my life and now sitting in with the Church band. Full acoustic set up. They all have built in Fishman's. I just need something that cuts through when I'm not on the mike. I play a Bob Schnieder F5 No. 18.

Thanks !
Randy

mandroid · 03-01-2009, 09:51 PM

one of the deepest FA from the well of FAQ's

No Mods and sounds good = Schertler Dyn M. no preamp other than the PA's mic preamp needed.

Tim2723 · 03-02-2009, 06:38 AM

Hi again Randy,

How do you like that! We we're posting at the same time and you already answered my question just as I hit the button! LOL!

Under the circumstances, I too think you'd be very happy with the Schertler Dyn M. It's not that much more expensive than a top rate piezo and pre-amp (plus installation and extra cables), but it sounds better than any piezo out there and you can easily move it to any other instrument. And a top mandolin needs the best pickup, IMO.

mdlorenz · 03-02-2009, 05:16 PM

Here's mps's of a little noodling around.

http://www.mdlorenz.com/client/misc/

1. Baggs Radius - internal mount under treble side of bridge through PADI (heavily eq'd)
2. Schertler - Straight no eq
3. AKG C1000S - ART MP tube preamp

& I would have to agree with the general consensus her that the shertler is the way to go.

I was lost when first trying to find a pickup, decided on the radius because of cost, & realizing that I prob should've just ponied up & spent the money for the schertler. Now I've got both & can say that the sound from the schertler, although not perfect, is the most natural, & with some eq'ing will sound great.

rburzynski · 03-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Thanks you guys ...... I'll probably move forward with the Scherlter.

Take care !
Randy

herbsandspices · 03-02-2009, 10:42 PM

Randy,
Something to think about re: the Schertler... the interior Dyn pickups are (or were) around $100 less than the one you can mount on the exterior of instruments. I know you said you didn't want it to require any modifications, but this way, you don't see any pickup, and you save some money too. (if you can install it yourself especially, but I had mine installed for ~$50).
Either way, good luck!
john

mandroid · 03-02-2009, 11:57 PM

Of course the DIY installation one must face the enlarging the hole in the endblock.
... if you can do that dispassionately ...

herbsandspices · 03-03-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandroid

Of course the DIY installation one must face the enlarging the hole in the endblock.
... if you can do that dispassionately ...

Just hold your breath, close your eyes, and drill away.

poopsidoo · 03-06-2009, 01:09 PM

I have been asked to play in my church, and the worship leader wants me to buy an LR Baggs. I think it is $199.
I am willing to spend a small amount more, but not $450 more. Thats almost half the value of my mando.
That said, I want mando players opinion of my best option.
I play church praise, some light to moderate chopping and light tremolo.

mandroid · 03-06-2009, 01:19 PM

As others have offered, probably need a preamp too, its also your tone control , so Baggs PADI , a popular one with many, is another sum. fishman makes some preamps too,
so that gets you up to roughly the same $400+ price for the set, ..

maybe you can pass around another offering bowl through the pews.

poopsidoo · 03-06-2009, 01:56 PM

Good idea droid!
Would this make amy diff on the preamp--would be plugged directly into the soundboard.

mandroid · 03-06-2009, 02:57 PM

Impedance mismatch is part of the issue for pickup direct to the soundboard , but

Baggs PADI is designed around the very high impedance of piezo pickups , which they also make ,
10 mega ohms , as opposed to a line level input which is 600 ohms , or like a guitar amp, input 50K ohms .

but.. the output from the preamp is designed to send a better match , in fact the DI part is designed to go in a stage 'snake' made for multiple microphones which are cabled together to
feed the soundboard a distance away..

"does my But look big in this"

woodwizard · 03-06-2009, 03:17 PM

I really like my Schertler DynM. Been using it for a couple years now. They are pricy but work wonderful and when your done useing it ... you can easily remove and you're back to normal. Closest thing I've found that resembles an actual mic set-up soundwise.

mdlorenz · 03-06-2009, 03:20 PM

poop, so you don't have a pickup?? & they are askign you to buy a LR Baggs Radius pickup? Yeah you'd def need some sort of preamp to 1. get a decent tone & 2. act as a DI.

Did you hear my sound samples of the baggs... If you dont' have a pickup or preamp, then IMHO it's worth buying the schertler, as the cost will be pretty similar & you'll get a MUCH better tone... (the schertler rocks)

03-01-2009, 06:07 PM	#1
rburzynski Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	Mondo Pickups ? I'm wanting to purchase a pickup for my mandolin, Knowing there are several out there. Any suggestions? I do not want anything that requires modifications. I welcome everyone's thoughts. Thanks ! Randy rburzynski@ca.rr.com

03-01-2009, 06:38 PM	#2
herbsandspices Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 168	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Hi Randy, I recommend the Schertler Dyn-S interior pickup - have one inside my mandolin and uke, and love it! It's pricey, but the sound is mmm-mmm tasty. There is a wealth of information here at the Cafe if you do a search on pickups... popular models off the top of my head are: -McIntyre Feather Pickup -LR Baggs Radius -Schertler Dyn-series -K&K Mandolin Twiin -Pick-Up The World Mandolin pickup If you want people to recommend what you should get, it would help letting us know what kind of music you play, in what size/type of venues, and with how many other instruments. Good luck! john

03-01-2009, 06:44 PM	#3
mdlorenz slept 14 hours last night Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 393	Re: Mondo Pickups ? There's a couple of tests out there take a look at MisterT's post here: I've done a recording testing a bunch of different sources I'll post in a day or 2. Radius, Schertler, AKG C1000S __________________ My Band

03-01-2009, 07:00 PM	#4
rburzynski Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Thanks you guys ! Played Blugrass all my life and now sitting in with the Church band. Full acoustic set up. They all have built in Fishman's. I just need something that cuts through when I'm not on the mike. Bob Schnieder F5 No. 18

03-01-2009, 07:01 PM	#5
Tim2723 Destroyer of Mandolins Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,067	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Hi Randy and welcome! You'll find tons of info here on all the popular mandolin pickups. What kind of mandoin are you playing and what do you want to achieve with the pickup? Is it for recording? Live performance? What kind of music will you be playing and what will the pickup be plugged into? __________________ 1. We are our own worst critics. 2. They're all drunk and don't care. 3. Sometimes you're just wallpaper. 4. Step off the stage and you're only a memory. 5. Music isn't a hard life. Coal mining is a hard life. 6. Mainstream music is not the only music. 7. If you want to be taken seriously, get serious. 8. If you think your strings are old, they are. 9. Tune it or die. 10. Mandolin bridges move. Unless you play an Ovation.

03-01-2009, 09:07 PM	#6
rburzynski Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Tim ....... I've played Bluegrass all my life and now sitting in with the Church band. Full acoustic set up. They all have built in Fishman's. I just need something that cuts through when I'm not on the mike. I play a Bob Schnieder F5 No. 18. Thanks ! Randy

03-01-2009, 09:51 PM	#7
mandroid coprolite Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy Posts: 7,052	Re: Mondo Pickups ? one of the deepest FA from the well of FAQ's No Mods and sounds good = Schertler Dyn M. no preamp other than the PA's mic preamp needed. __________________ mandolin wanker writing about music is like dancing, about architecture

03-02-2009, 06:38 AM	#8
Tim2723 Destroyer of Mandolins Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,067	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Hi again Randy, How do you like that! We we're posting at the same time and you already answered my question just as I hit the button! LOL! Under the circumstances, I too think you'd be very happy with the Schertler Dyn M. It's not that much more expensive than a top rate piezo and pre-amp (plus installation and extra cables), but it sounds better than any piezo out there and you can easily move it to any other instrument. And a top mandolin needs the best pickup, IMO. __________________ 1. We are our own worst critics. 2. They're all drunk and don't care. 3. Sometimes you're just wallpaper. 4. Step off the stage and you're only a memory. 5. Music isn't a hard life. Coal mining is a hard life. 6. Mainstream music is not the only music. 7. If you want to be taken seriously, get serious. 8. If you think your strings are old, they are. 9. Tune it or die. 10. Mandolin bridges move. Unless you play an Ovation.

03-02-2009, 05:16 PM	#9
mdlorenz slept 14 hours last night Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 393	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Here's mps's of a little noodling around. http://www.mdlorenz.com/client/misc/ 1. Baggs Radius - internal mount under treble side of bridge through PADI (heavily eq'd) 2. Schertler - Straight no eq 3. AKG C1000S - ART MP tube preamp & I would have to agree with the general consensus her that the shertler is the way to go. I was lost when first trying to find a pickup, decided on the radius because of cost, & realizing that I prob should've just ponied up & spent the money for the schertler. Now I've got both & can say that the sound from the schertler, although not perfect, is the most natural, & with some eq'ing will sound great. __________________ My Band

03-02-2009, 10:00 PM	#10
rburzynski Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Thanks you guys ...... I'll probably move forward with the Scherlter. Take care ! Randy

03-02-2009, 10:42 PM	#11
herbsandspices Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 168	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Randy, Something to think about re: the Schertler... the interior Dyn pickups are (or were) around $100 less than the one you can mount on the exterior of instruments. I know you said you didn't want it to require any modifications, but this way, you don't see any pickup, and you save some money too. (if you can install it yourself especially, but I had mine installed for ~$50). Either way, good luck! john

03-02-2009, 11:57 PM	#12
mandroid coprolite Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy Posts: 7,052	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Of course the DIY installation one must face the enlarging the hole in the endblock. ... if you can do that dispassionately ... __________________ mandolin wanker writing about music is like dancing, about architecture

03-06-2009, 01:09 PM	#14
poopsidoo Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: spartanburg, sc Posts: 18	Re: Mondo Pickups ? I have been asked to play in my church, and the worship leader wants me to buy an LR Baggs. I think it is $199. I am willing to spend a small amount more, but not $450 more. Thats almost half the value of my mando. That said, I want mando players opinion of my best option. I play church praise, some light to moderate chopping and light tremolo.

03-06-2009, 01:19 PM	#15
mandroid coprolite Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy Posts: 7,052	Re: Mondo Pickups ? As others have offered, probably need a preamp too, its also your tone control , so Baggs PADI , a popular one with many, is another sum. fishman makes some preamps too, so that gets you up to roughly the same $400+ price for the set, .. maybe you can pass around another offering bowl through the pews. __________________ mandolin wanker writing about music is like dancing, about architecture

03-06-2009, 01:56 PM	#16
poopsidoo Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: spartanburg, sc Posts: 18	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Good idea droid! Would this make amy diff on the preamp--would be plugged directly into the soundboard. __________________ 1985 Kentucky KM-850

03-06-2009, 02:57 PM	#17
mandroid coprolite Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy Posts: 7,052	Re: Mondo Pickups ? Impedance mismatch is part of the issue for pickup direct to the soundboard , but Baggs PADI is designed around the very high impedance of piezo pickups , which they also make , 10 mega ohms , as opposed to a line level input which is 600 ohms , or like a guitar amp, input 50K ohms . but.. the output from the preamp is designed to send a better match , in fact the DI part is designed to go in a stage 'snake' made for multiple microphones which are cabled together to feed the soundboard a distance away.. "does my But look big in this" __________________ mandolin wanker writing about music is like dancing, about architecture Last edited by mandroid; 03-06-2009 at 05:11 PM.

03-06-2009, 03:17 PM	#18
woodwizard Mike Parks Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Knoxville Arkansas Posts: 1,950	Re: Mondo Pickups ? I really like my Schertler DynM. Been using it for a couple years now. They are pricy but work wonderful and when your done useing it ... you can easily remove and you're back to normal. Closest thing I've found that resembles an actual mic set-up soundwise. __________________ I Pick, Therefore I Grin! 1919 Gibson A4 '06 Gibson F5 Goldrush '47 Gibson L7

03-06-2009, 03:20 PM	#19
mdlorenz slept 14 hours last night Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 393	Re: Mondo Pickups ? poop, so you don't have a pickup?? & they are askign you to buy a LR Baggs Radius pickup? Yeah you'd def need some sort of preamp to 1. get a decent tone & 2. act as a DI. Did you hear my sound samples of the baggs... If you dont' have a pickup or preamp, then IMHO it's worth buying the schertler, as the cost will be pretty similar & you'll get a MUCH better tone... (the schertler rocks) __________________ My Band