Acoustic Guitar: Deciding on Whether to Install a Pick-Up System Mic vs. Pick-Up System

Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 11:19:15 -0400
Subject: Question on Microphones vs. Pickups

HI,

I have a Martin HD-28, purchased new last April. It is the most beautiful,
responsive, and best-sounding guitar I have ever played. I play folk,
bluegrass and Americana music, and occasionally delve into the
classic/progressive rock roots of my misspent youth.
Anyway, I am playing out a bit and my question involves the best way to mic my
Martin. The guy I'm playing with, who also owns the PA we use, has
consistently advised against getting any kind of a pickup installed.

I agree with him...if you're in a completely acoustic setting, it's best to have everything amplified by mic...this also harmonizes the instrumentation more so than one instrument using a transducer and the others not...

Instead, he recommends using the AKG C100s condenser microphone. He has one, and a
couple of the people we play with have also bought one ($199). As far as
pickups, he is opposed to mounting anything in a good guitar, thinks the
microphone sounds best, etc. I've been using a cheapo microphone at present
(under $50), and he is recommending that I buy the $200 AKG. He thinks it will
make a big difference in my sound.

Yes, it will make a large difference...

Lately we have added a banjo player to our ensemble and this has changed some
of our sound issues, at least for me. When we play with a banjo, I feel lose
the nuance of my picking. I end up 'pounding' my lovely Martin, which I hate.

Really, this is the banjo player's fault...he needs to tune in to the overall volume of the band's instrumentation. Many banjoists are not as aware of the dynamics of an acoustic setting. When I play banjo, I back off completely unless I'm playing a fill or a lead...and even then, I only play loud enough to ride on the top...

As we play with a banjo a fair amount, I'm inclined to buy the best pickup that
will project my sound better, especially on my flatpicking solos. In terms of
pickups, I have heard people rave about the L.R. Baggs pickup, which is also
desirable because it does not involve drilling a little hold in the saddle of
my git-box. I have also heard good things about the fishman, etc.

Unless the rest of your band members will be using transducers, I would still steer away from this option. Now, another consideration is that you will be altering your Martin D-28 to accommodate the jack...this requires some routing on the end pin hole. I would never alter a Martin...and, another thing is that it's not going to capture the essence of the Martin's natural innate sound qualities...a transducer only captures the vibration of the wood or the strings...

What defines a transducer:
"A mechanism that transforms one type of energy into another type of energy, which may be similar or different." The electro-acoustic transducer transforms sound into electricity. It is not transforming the wooden qualities of your Martin into sound...therefore, you might as well be playing a cheap import with a built-in pick-up system. Your only advantage would be the playability of your Martin.

Our other guitarist, the bass, and the banjo player all have the AKG C100s to
mic their instruments.

Anyway, this was never a problem till we started jamming with a banjo.

Again, your banjo player only needs to tune into the dynamics of your band's efforts. I wish I could assist in the direction on your behalf...you'll have to communicate this to your banjo player in as diplomatic a fashion as possible.

Prior to that, we got a very warm, subtle sound from our microphones, and the plain
guitars. I do like playing with the banjo, but I don't feel I'm able to play
with the folksy nuance I used to love. So I'm either going to go out and buy
and AKG C100s, or get the LR Baggs installed. However, I'm really anxious to
hear as many opinions about this as possible. I forked over a lot of cash for
my guitar, and I play quite a bit for extra family income. So this is
actually a very serious, important decision for me. I'd value your input.
Thanks!!!!

I hope something here helps...go with the AKG...save your guitar from the intrusive modification...and, discuss this with your banjo player...

Mickey

David Leinweber
Associate Professor of History