Is it possible?

Spanish_Fly

Hi guys is it possible for me to put pick ups on a classical and would it be worth it?
it's a cheap guitar (Ritmuller) that i had sanded down and sprayed
the guitar looks so good and sounds good with quality stings that i dont use my other classical Yamaha
what expenses am i looking at

JoeyBones

There are a few types that you could install. All depends on your budget and how much you are willing to modify the guitar.

Checkout http://www.fishman.com/products/acoustic-guitar-pickups.asp

All the acoustics I've owned so far have had pickups and the fishman pickups definitely are worth the price. I haven't heard that many Spanish guitars with pickups, so I guess you'll have to go try a few out to see which pickup/wood combinations sound good.

Spanish_Fly

thanks for the advice
? ;D

Mr-M

Spanish_Fly wrote Hi guys is it possible for me to put pick ups on a classical and would it be worth it?

It might not be worth it.
Joey's suggestion of a Fishman under saddle pickup and preamp is a good one. You can't go wrong with a Classic 4 system. BUT, it could be more economical to buy a guitar with it already installed. The pickup system with installation (which is the hard part - holes need to be cut for the preamp pod) will probably set you back between R1500 - R2000 (was R1200 last time I did it around 3 years ago so I'm taking price hikes on the parts into account) from a decent guitar tech.

I'd suggest you get some quotes from the stores in CT.

Soundhole mounted magnetic pickups won't work too well on a nylon string, so I think you will have to mod your guitar for an active preamp-based system.

JoeyBones

You should wait for Alan to get back from his business trip. He's probably the best one to ask about these kinda mods.

No insult intended to any of the other posters ?

JoeyBones

Mr M wrote Soundhole mounted magnetic pickups won't work too well on a nylon string, so I think you will have to mod your guitar for an active preamp-based system.

One of our Rhythm guitarists uses an Ibanez steel string with a soundhole mounted pickup and it sounds pretty good. He also has a Takamine Nylon string. Not sure what electronics it uses but it sounds pretty good.

Spanish_Fly

see i can easily walk into bothners and pick up a classical with pick ups
but i have worked on this guitar it trully is a beauty
will post some pics soon
so i want to install pic ups myself 8)

Mr-M

There is a pickup from Schaller called an Oyster pickup that will also work for less $. http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_oyster_723.htm
They stick to the top of the guitar and sound pretty decent IMO. There are two models: one that mounts on the outside (the one in this link) with a cable wired onto it and one the mounts inside with a female jack wired on for installation. Don't think these will set you back more than R400 - R500. I have seen them locally so they are available.
Try one and see what you think.

Spanish_Fly

that sounds to good to be true
at that price, where did u see them
i need to get this today

Mr-M

I saw them in JHB. You in CT?
In CT I would try Bothners or Marshall. I'm pretty sure Marshall would have because they're such a big shop. www.marshallmusic.co.za

But I do stress, try it out and make sure you like the tone. I do, but it's still ultimately up to your ears. I'd say go for the internal mount one if you can find it.

Spanish_Fly

cool thanks ;D

Spanish_Fly

called marshall in cpt now and they have it ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Mr-M

Awesome!

Let me know what you think of it.

Spanish_Fly

will do bro

AlanRatcliffe

Thanks for your trust Joey, but others may post when I'm not around ;D , just 'cos I know a lot, doesn't mean no-one else does. My wife just went to catch up on some sleep, so I've commandeered her laptop/3G modem.

For someone like Fly, who is doing spanish music, an undersaddle only is not the best way to go - it picks up very little of the percussion coming from the body that a Spanish player will use. On the other hand, mics or contact pickups like the oyster get that, but can be prone to boxy sound and feedback as they basically use the soundboard as part of a mic. The best systems IMO are those that allow you to blend an undersaddle piezo with a mic, then you can adjust the tone for the gig - louder stage, more piezo, quieter gig, more mic. Generally they give a much better sound anyway.

If you get an Oyster, make sure you spend lots of time moving it around to find the best position - it's usually going to be near the bridge on the treble side, but spend some time 'fore you stick it down. Also, be aware that if you keep an Oyster in place for a few months or more, you can end up with a light coloured patch when you remove it.

Spanish_Fly

Hi Allan thanks for the PRO ADVICE ? u the man