I ought to post a pic, but I wont , at least just yet.
if you're dying, go to Schertler.com and find the mando pick up, P48m.
I know from time to time theres an interest, and I know too, not many folks have reviewed Schertlers.
price $325 US incl shipping, ordered directly from Schertler Swtz. on line. Arrived postage and duty paid, in two days!!!!
description- a condenser microphone , about the size of a nickel/quarter, and about as thick as three nickels, very light weight, and, importantly , for me, it attaches by means of an inert, reaction proof putty. comes in a small soft sided zippered book like container, with pockets to store the mic away from the cord and heavy xlr mic plug. room to store the reusable putty too. putty comes in a small clear round lidded container. I think the key to longevity with the putty are clean hands and instrument surface.
attachment; pinch a piece of the green putty, (similar to artists soft gum eraser) abou t the size of a garbanzo bean, roll into a thin snake, and encircle the back outside edge of the mic. press lightly but firmly until the mic touches the top of the instrument. this creates a very firm attachment, and dampens and isolates the mic itself. SO how strong a fix? imagine gooey bubble gum. It pulls off with about that force.
the mic has a super thin mic cord with an three pin mic xlr end. cord is about 6 ft. because the cord is thin and light, its not cumbersome.
sound; I bought the mic voiced for mandolin, but it appears to have identical specs as the guitar version. this is a P48 type mic. That means IT NEEDS 48v phantom power to operate. No, a DI preamp for baggs, or other peizo types DOESNT work. not a jot. No phantom power, no sound. it is identical in concept as expecting stereo speakers to work without electricity.
the sound.....it sounds just like my mandolin! not boxy not tinny not shrill. it is like a mic. the sound is natural, and transparent.
I placed it on the lower bass bout, outside edge, and ran the cord under the tailpiece for a bit of added protection against an inadvertent pull.
and, I also put it on my martin dred, and with a little eq, was not surprisingly, great sound, but, subject to feedback. Again very natural sound. entirely different than a piezo, even with a DI.
I haven't gigged with it yet. I imagine the cord will be more cumbersome than simply standing in front of a mic. Certainly less convenient than a baggs or K and K, with a body mount jack. why? cos ive got a 6ft length of cord and hefty xlr end hanging off my mando when the pick up is mounted. Not so bad if you have a dedicated mando. not so bad if you have occasional need for a mic.
and, imho, not too much more in price, if one considers the total cost of a peizo type and DI.
I opted for this because, when I have been in front of mics, I find I move and sometimes my mando gets out of the sweet spot, or entirely too soft. I wanted to go into the board direct.
And............importantly, I have a few mandos, none of which I wanted to drill or glue, or mess with a carpenter jack (as ive heard these can not always stay put). The mic can be attached, left on, removed, etc etc and wont harm varnish or nitro. So, the fact that there was the ability to use it on multiple instruments , or not at all, was the real factor.
Another factor, was to be able to use lighter gauge strings without the loss of projection. ill let you know. currently JT 74s. may go back to TI lights, as I love the playability and flat wind.
I'm not sure if this is better. its about the same as a decent pencil mic, and, is less easy to use in certain venues, settings, due to the absolute need for phantom power. But, as of late , on stage, im finding going direct into the board seems to be the best resulting sound. I recently played a multi amercana band showcase and another mando player had one, and I thought his sound was good, and, a Schertler was what he used.
IMHO, it sounds better than a baggs or k and k, but, only marginally when the former are DI'd and eq'd. I have a piezo on my Rigel and the DI, and have a Weber with K and K at my disposal, and I can say , even through an instrument amp, theres a big difference in sound. simply, a very loud acoustic mando sound, uncolored.
It is a mic and therefor, sensitive to any inadvertent contact with the mando, ie sleeve buttons, a loose pick guard rattling, etc.
I want to add, that phantom power supplies are available, big price range, few offerings. I used my old Peavy PV 6 mini mixer, which has a phantom power option button, and it works great, allowing me to also use guitar amps instead of a real PA. and the PV 6 is inexpensive, especially used.
I have gigs coming soon, and, ill follow up with an "in action" report, LOL.
nowhere to hide now.............every bloody note is out front, every clam......
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