mattme
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Post by mattme on May 25, 2007 7:34:07 GMT -5
hARRO EVERYBODY.
Sorry about that - caps lock was on.
I know if any of you read my other post you might be thinking this is a bad idea, but I'm looking at fitting a pickup on my acoustic to use at gigs (ie turned up high in loud surroundings). I was most interested in the Shadow SH EC22 pickup which basically combines a under-saddle pickup and a sound-hole microphone into a preamp. This appeals to me as it's got the ability to 'blend' the tone of both pickups to try and balance the sound to what I want. Basically I don't want to have to sell any parts of my anatomy to be able to afford it, and I want it to sound right unlike most sound-hole stlye pickups I've heard before where you may as well be playing an electric.
So I guess I'm after any advice on what else is available or if anybody's heard anything good or bad about the EC22?
After my last pickup nightmare (which I've still not sorted) I would like something to be straight forward for a change...
Cheers!
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Post by dd842 on May 25, 2007 8:30:54 GMT -5
..... So I guess I'm after any advice on what else is available or if anybody's heard anything good or bad about the EC22? Hi mattme, I have never even heard of the EC22 ... and any references to it on the web seem to be in other languages  I have no personal knowledge of or experience with any Shadow pickups - however, they have received generally good reviews at www.harmony-central.com/User_Reviews/ . Also, check out this guy's site - www.dougyoungguitar.com/pickuptest.htm - he seems to have gone to quite a bit of effort to evaluate various other acoustic pickups, so it may help. That's all the poop I've got ...  Good luck.  Dan |
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mattme
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Post by mattme on May 29, 2007 4:24:57 GMT -5
Ayup Dan. I think the SHEC22 is also known as the 'Megasonic' 22. But anyway, the Shadow page is here: www.shadow-electronics.com/viewpro.html?id=61&search=1 if you're at all bothered. It seems quite good to me, but then without hearing it how can I comment? That Doug Young bloke seems to know his stuff. I'll have a listen when I'm not at work. At least that way I can get a fair idea of how each of the pickups sound and perform. I think with acoustic guitars a lot of it muct be down to the guitar you're using and the sound you expect from your pup. Tough choices afoot... |
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Post by sumgai on May 29, 2007 4:48:08 GMT -5
For €180 (msrp), they'd better get good reviews!  Wonder what the street price is on these things....... sumgai |
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mattme
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Post by mattme on May 29, 2007 4:51:28 GMT -5
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mattme
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Post by mattme on May 29, 2007 6:54:18 GMT -5
For €180 (msrp), they'd better get good reviews! Wonder what the street price is on these things....... sumgai I think generally they go for £100, which for what you get seems fair. Some under-saddle peizo pups go for more than that so combined with the condensor mic it seems fair to me. I'm hardly experienced in the Acoustic guitar pup market though. I've only ever owned one before and that was literally the cheapest thing I could find. It worked for the one time I needed it but I'd prefer something I little more natural sounding in future. To be honest I'm probably only going to use it a few times a year but at least when I do it will have the affect I want. Ie a loud acoustic guitar! |
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Post by dd842 on May 29, 2007 11:10:55 GMT -5
I think generally they go for £100, which for what you get seems fair. Some under-saddle peizo pups go for more than that so combined with the condensor mic it seems fair to me. The Shadow lineup certainly sounds (i.e. "reads") good. The problem with some soundhole pickups is that, as you say, they can sound rather like an electric guitar. The problem with condenser microphones is they can sound muddy. The Shadow seems to provide undersaddle and condenser - combined - which should offer a fair possibility of achieving some balance. Me neither - here is my brief history: I resurrected my guitar playing a year and half ago. Initially, if I wanted to record something, I just used a Logitech digital USB desktop microphone, which I ripped the boom off of, and taped the actual microphone element to the body of the guitar (... the sound was not bad!). Unfortunately, I could not plug the USB connection into an amp. About two months ago, I bought a Schaller Western acoustic soundhole pickup, second hand... I figured "For $15, what have I got to lose?". Compared to what I had before (nothing) I liked it (obviously). I describe it as "very good value ... for the money" (again, $15). But I can't describe it as "very good" ... I'm glad to have it, but it kinda sounds a little electric. I rarely use it and, more often than not, I just pick up the electric and play it clean if I want amplified guitar. There are some excellent under-saddle pickups available that sound much better (you've already heard some on Doug Young's site) ... and if the Shadow can give you that great sound that you hear when an excellent acoustic guitarist plays live ... Wow! that would be well worth the €, IMPO. Good luck with your choice - I am sure that you will be happy, whichever route you choose to take. Dan |
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