Author Topic: Mr Tim Mills. (Read 4889 times)

StefanPrice · « **on:** July 08, 2005, 03:07:50 PM »

Hi Tim, Could you advise me on which acoustic guitar pickups are best for a live situation with the most realistic acoustic sound.
I know there are pickups which fit across the soundhole and the new Rio Grande type that fit around the hole, also the piezo type that go under the bridge.
Could you tell me which type is best (piezo I bet) and also which make, I know EMG do some also.
Thanks!

Tim, Yesterday I sent you a CD of the latest Mark Knopfler cover's that I have recorded, I have used the Mule, and Apaches on two songs.
Let me know what you think!

regards, Stef.

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2005, 04:04:37 PM »

Good question. I have a Dean Markley single coil in an acoustic. Not too happy with the sound.

dpmasunder · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2005, 03:03:48 AM »

Stef, imho B-Band are currently offering the most realistic sounding pickups for amplifying acoustics.
The best options are their preamps which combine the signal from the UST (under saddle transducer) and AST (acoustic soundboard transducer). Check 'em out.
Soundhole magnetic pickups are for the most part very unrealistic.

Tim · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2005, 08:45:10 AM »

Ditto.............apologies Stef for the delay in replying......been away.
Thanks for the CD-excellent as ever, you've really nailled that stuff down and the tone is great :D
I'm not a big acoustic player and when I do,I nearly always use a mic so I'm not much use on this one.As a company it's not something we do or have plans to as it's a very specific field.

HJM · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:00:38 AM »

Low end Piezos can sound very fake, unless there's some serious EQ. LR Baggs make some great pups, the M1 soundhole is pretty good, but the i-beam is excellent. The Rareearth from fishman is good too. For the best tone get a system with a pickup and an internal mic, with a blend control, best of both worlds!

dpmasunder · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:36:52 AM »

internal mics feedback at really low volumes making them very difficult to use in the real world. The B-Band AST sounds remarkably similar to a mic but can be used at much higher levels without problems. It still feeds back more easily than an undersaddle pickup, but nowhere near as bad as a mic.
I haven't tried the I-Beam yet, I've heard good things about it but that means nothing in the guitar business, unfortunately.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:37:54 AM »

B-Band is my number 1 choice
We fit them ALL the time- they are easy to install and they sound the best IMHO

I like the dual imput system using a mix of undersaddle transducer and soundboard transducer - wityh an A4.2 XOM preamp (or higher spec preamp if you have the money)

Tim · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2005, 01:09:08 PM »

Quote from: dpmasunder

internal mics feedback at really low volumes making them very difficult to use in the real world. The B-Band AST sounds remarkably similar to a mic but can be used at much higher levels without problems. It still feeds back more easily than an undersaddle pickup, but nowhere near as bad as a mic.
I haven't tried the I-Beam yet, I've heard good things about it but that means nothing in the guitar business, unfortunately.

Sorry, I didn't mean internal mics..........I record using a mic, actually a pair!

dpmasunder · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2005, 02:06:55 AM »

Tim, I was actually refering to HJM's post there.
For recording nothing beats proper external mics and a good room :band4:

HJM · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2005, 07:19:14 AM »

I play a fair bit of solo acoustic live - so a mic is great! cr@p for a band though

StefanPrice · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:57:35 PM »

Thanks for the replies everyone!
I have been sent a catalogue and C.D. from B-band and I am very impressed, if money was no object I would go for the AST and UST with the bender and the full E.Q., but I will have to go for the AST and mono A1 pre-amp, as the bundle.
I can easily change the Volume and E.Q. on the mixer.
Thanks, Stef.