Re: KM-162, Epiphone MM-50e, Godin A8
Personally, given those choices, I would go with option 1. Option 2 would be a non starter for me, because I would want a good acoustic sound and I would want to be able to play into a mike if the situation did not allow me to plug in for some reason. The Godin, as you point out, is lacking in acoustic tone. I would eliminate option 3 personally, because I have played the Epiphone and it lacks good acoustic tone as well. This comes from the fact that it has laminate back and sides, and not particularly high quality laminate either. It has F style looks, but so what? Tone trumps aesthetics every time. Plus, it’s way overpric d for what it is. Your Kentucky is superior to that Epiphone in every concievable way. Again, like the Godin, I suppose it would be ok if you plugged it in all the time. So it were me choosing, I would keep that sweet Kentucky mandolin, and have a decent pickup installed to just make it louder. The Fishman would do a good job of preserving the acoustic tone for sure. I’m not as familiar with the radius but LR Baggs has been in the business a long time and I’m sure it’s fine.
You do seem to be all over the map as far as what you’re trying to achieve with your instrument. As I said above, I’m all about the pure, unadulterated acoustic tone of my instrument. But you also want to “experiment” with pedals? You see, that’s why I’ve never understood electric guitarists. When I play an electric instrument, once I’ve found a good tone, I want to keep it. Why would I want to then alter it by running it through a pedal? You’re not really hearing the instrument anymore, you’re hearing the pedal! But, although it’s not for me, I do understand some like that. The pedal business is booming, there must be thousands of different ones out there, how can anybody keep them all straight? But if you are serious about wanting to do that, your best choice would actually be a solidbody. You could keep the Kentucky and have the good quality pickup installed, for when you want to sound like a mandolin. Or forget the pickup and just play intoa good quality condenser mike. Down the road you could keep your eyes open for a used Mandocaster or Mandobird for your electric sound. No worries about feedback with those either.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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