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Thread: install of K&K internal PU

  1. #1

    Default install of K&K internal PU

    Hi, I just bought a cheap mando a used Loar 310F and want to install the K&K twin internal PU system in it & would like to try to install myself. I've never worked on an instrument but have been working with wood for over 30 years and how bad can I screw up a $200 mando. If you have any tips or what not to do advice I'd appreciate it. It seems trying to work through the F holes is going to a challenge the picture I saw of PU installed was on a mando that the back was removed I'm assuming you can put these in with mando intact.
    Thanks
    Lou

  2. #2
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    It's not a problem to install with the mandolin intact. They will go just inside the ff holes so you can hold them in with a finger. I like to glue a piece of tape to the pickup, glue a piece of tape to the tape, glue the whole thing to the mandolin. the two pieces of tape create a buffer and warm the sound better than just gluing the pickup to the mandolin. I told K&K about this method a couple years ago and I guess someone here said it is in their instructions now. I have installed and taken out pickups dozens of times trying to get the best install and this is it.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  4. #3

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Thanks Pops1, I guess I'll wait until I get the instructions before I ask anymore questions about install ! Putting the cart before the horse for sure. I haven't even got the mando yet & I never even held a Loar 310 I'm not expecting much but I'm hoping I like neck and the way it plays. I'm going to be using it with a band and we play for 3-4hrs so I need something that fits. Sound wise I'm thinking with the PU and playing through a Fishman LB the tone and volume of the mando will not be that important. Right now I'm playing a Godin A8 but want to try an arch top as that's what play most of the time.
    Lou

  5. #4
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Looks like they did incorporate pops1 suggestion. Here are the installation instructions.

    http://kksound.com/pdf/mandolintwin-internal.pdf
    Gail Hester

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    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    There are several videos on youtube. Just search "K&K mandolin install".

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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Quote Originally Posted by Gail Hester View Post
    Looks like they did incorporate pops1 suggestion. Here are the installation instructions.

    http://kksound.com/pdf/mandolintwin-internal.pdf
    I prefer to glue the tape in for a more permanent installation, but I feel the double thickness of tape is a warmer sound. Spent a lot of time putting these in and taking them out and trying different installations to get to there.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  8. #7

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    I prefer to glue the tape in for a more permanent installation, but I feel the double thickness of tape is a warmer sound. Spent a lot of time putting these in and taking them out and trying different installations to get to there.
    What type of tape & glue do you use Pops ?
    Thanks
    Lou

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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Superglue gel. The last few I used Gorilla super glue gel. It comes in a lager bottle and it was all I could get at the time. It seems to last longer and work well, I will buy it again, tho it is more expensive.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  10. #9
    Registered User Kevin K's Avatar
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    So two layers of tape and then glue that to the underside of the top for the best sound?

  11. #10
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    That's what I did, seems to be a warmer sound. The tape I used was what K&K sent with the pickup.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  12. #11
    Registered User Kevin K's Avatar
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Thanks!

  13. #12

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    I've done several of these, usually taping to the metal part of the pickup and then gluing to the instrument with a couple layers of tape. It works well, haven't had one fall off yet. I'll try the glue-to-tape-to-tape-to-glue method on my next install.

    It's always a hassle installing these things. Take your time and it's not hard, just kind of frustrating. Practice a few times with no tape or glue and then try to get it in one go.

  14. #13

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Easy if you take your time. I prefer glued in. I use an allen (hex) key to provide the necessary angle and piece of blu tak to hold the pickup on the hex key. You tube and a couple of dry runs and you're good.

  15. #14

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Thanks for the help everyone. I got the Loar then spent about 6-7 hrs setting it up it was bad, I had to level a few frets, file the nut & fit the bridge I learned a lot as Ive never done any of that before. It played a lot better and got a noticeable increase in volume after the work but I just didnt like it at all & didnt even try & install the PU I sold the Loar 3 days after I bought it. I bought a 2002 Gibson F9 too replace the Loar what a great sounding mando that F9 is/was but the neck was separating from body so the seller took it back. There I was a brand new K&K & no mando to put it in ! I really really liked the F9, looked at new ones but 4k was out of the question so now I have sent Ratliff a deposit for a Country Boy build Im going to send him the K&K and get it installed as I dont want to attempt it on a brand new mando.
    Lou

  16. #15
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    I have been thinking about a pick up myself and someone shared thes videos with me... I thought it was pretty informative on how it's done with the Mando still in one piece of you are curious or want to try in the future:

    Part one


    Part two
    Last edited by soliver; Aug-25-2017 at 7:47am.
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  17. #16

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    I would not recommend using a reamer or dremel for the endpin jack. It should be a cylindrical hole for a typical Switchcraft style endpin jack. Just work up your way through 2 or 3 steps of drills just to be safe. Shouldn't take more than 1 minute. Or you could use a step drill to avoid tearout on the outside, and then drill through once the final diameter is reached at the tailpiece end.

  18. #17
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    I agree with Marty, I use my old Millers Falls and turn the chuck by hand. It is slow and secure, one bit at a time.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  19. #18
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    I just appreciated his ingenuity in "threading the needle" so to speak ... IOW, how he worked in the confines of the f-holes, not having to remove the top or back. Other people may do it that way, I've just never seen it done and appreciated seeing that aspect... I agree with what your saying about making the hole for the jack... I honestly didn't pay much attention to that part
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  20. #19

    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    Quote Originally Posted by soliver View Post
    I just appreciated his ingenuity in "threading the needle" so to speak ... IOW, how he worked in the confines of the f-holes, not having to remove the top or back. Other people may do it that way, I've just never seen it done and appreciated seeing that aspect... I agree with what your saying about making the hole for the jack... I honestly didn't pay much attention to that part
    Gotcha. Yeah, it's not that hard, just kind of annoying. You can use a piece of 1/2" (actually I think I use 3/8") vinyl tubing and jam it onto the endpin jack, then through the f-hole, and then through the tailblock to get a nice easy way to install jacks like this.

  21. #20
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    Default Re: install of K&K internal PU

    I have one of those flexible things to pick things up, with fingers that come out when you press the other end. It's a couple feet long and will go into the endpin hole and securely plugs into a 1/4" jack. Pulls it into place nice, use it for guitars too.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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