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Hi Guys, I need some advice. I started playing mandolin a few years back because we needed it for a Cat Stevens Tribute show. Since then it has come in very handy as I used it a few times for sessions as well. My problem is that it does not have a built-in pick-up, which means that I always have to use mics when using it live (and it is not preferable with all the stage sound) and some studio producers want to have a direct line in combination with a mic feed when recording the mandolin.
The mandolin has a floating bridge which means that fitting an undersaddle transducer is not practical. I investigated the option of using one of the "stick-on" pick-ups but it seems that only cheap ones in the sub-R500 category are available (with a resulting sub R500 sound). I also tried mandolins with built-in pickups as standard but unfortunately all of them had single coils and I couldn't stand the hum. My question is therefore as follows:
1. Does anyone know of a nice pickup system for mandolins that is not of the "under saddle" type?
2. If not, does anyone know of a new decent quality mandolin with a built-in pickup (sub R5000 category)

Thanks

    I'm guessing it's a proper archtop mando? I'm not sure what you'll find in stock locally (might be a special order, but you never know...), but the Fishman M100 and M200 pickups used to be obtainable. They are complete saddles with embedded transducers. The M200 is nice because the jack attaches to the side of the body using a bracket similar to those used for a violin's chinrest.

    Similar saddle transducers are the Schatten (can't remember the model #) and the Schaller (which is horrible though). I think McIntyre and Highlander both make mando pickups, but don't know them at all.

    The best system is the Schertler DTN-M, which is a stick-on mic, but unlike the Schaller Oysters or Hot Spots is a proper dynamic mic, not a piezo contact transducer. Not as feedback resistant as a saddle piezo, but much better than a conventional microphone. The downside is it's relatively expensive.

    Note that you'll need a DI for best performance with any of these pickups (if you don't already have one in your toolbox). All the usual suspects from L.R. Baggs, Highlander apply...
      Werner Carstens wrote: The mandolin has a floating bridge which means that fitting an undersaddle transducer is not practical. I investigated the option of using one of the "stick-on" pick-ups but it seems that only cheap ones in the sub-R500 category are available (with a resulting sub R500 sound). I also tried mandolins with built-in pickups as standard but unfortunately all of them had single coils and I couldn't stand the hum. My question is therefore as follows:
      1. Does anyone know of a nice pickup system for mandolins that is not of the "under saddle" type?
      2. If not, does anyone know of a new decent quality mandolin with a built-in pickup (sub R5000 category)
      There are mandolins and mandolins. They can be flat or arch top, they can have a center sound hole or f-holes.

      The options open to you will vary according to the construction of your instrument. EG I have seen some players using a Sunrise pickup (maybe a cut-down Sunrise pickup), but that's not going to work for f-hole instruments.

      You can now get floating saddles for violins that have a transducer built into them. There might be something like that available for or adaptable to a mandolin.
        Hi guys, thank for your replies. It is an archtop and the bridge are held in place by the downward pressure of the strings. It is not a very good one and because it is not my main instrument it does not make sense buying a very expensive one. I will investigate your mentioned options further.
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