Takamine GN71 - Pickup

Phil_C

Hi guys - I need some help please

I have a Takamine GN71 and have had it for 10 years. It has broken in very nicely and sounds lovely acoustically. 

BUT the piezo built in pickup is HORRIBLE.

For years I've had the new acoustic itch and never ever followed up on it because I know I don't need another.

I would love to record with this, I know I could point my SM57 at it but I'd rather have it plugged in personally.

What aftermarket pickups would you recommend?

Cheers,

Phil.

ICBM

I wouldn’t get a new pickup - I would get a Fishman Aura modelling preamp. They work best with a plain passive piezo pickup but should be OK with a preamped one if you keep the EQ flat. You’ll get better recorded results with this than any pickup and analogue preamp, and second only to a mic.

Phil_C

ICBM said:

I wouldn’t get a new pickup - I would get a Fishman Aura modelling preamp. They work best with a plain passive piezo pickup but should be OK with a preamped one if you keep the EQ flat. You’ll get better recorded results with this than any pickup and analogue preamp, and second only to a mic.

Thanks mate. I'll have a look at getting a hold of one! 

maltingsaudio

My piezo pickup system of choice is Headway https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/

ICBM

maltingsaudio said:

My piezo pickup system of choice is Headway https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/

Do they do a split-saddle model? That's a major bugbear with replacing a Takamine pickup otherwise.

maltingsaudio

ICBM said:

maltingsaudio said:

My piezo pickup system of choice is Headway https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/

Do they do a split-saddle model? That's a major bugbear with replacing a Takamine pickup otherwise.

Yes https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/?s=Split+saddle

Have them on my Fylde Yamaha FG also Mrs M’s Moon octave mandola sound fantastic also very high output

ICBM

maltingsaudio said:

Yes https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/?s=Split+saddle

Have them on my Fylde Yamaha FG also Mrs M’s Moon octave mandola sound fantastic also very high output

Excellent - very useful to know, options are quite limited otherwise.

Phil_C

Cheers guys.

Yeah the twin saddle is a major PITA.

Funkfingers

ICBM said:

… second only to a mic.

Which is why I use the L.R. Baggs Lyric.