Mandolin pick-up question

[Slim Zooms]

Hi all

I’m looking at installing a pick up in my Oakwood flat back mandolin.

Could you guys recommend a good, reliable pick up for me?

Thanks in anticipation.

Slim

[Dave Hicks]

I bought a Big Muddy with a K&K twin internal pickup installed.

I've played at several open mics and it's worked fine. The previous owner had used it in a similar way. (No onboard volume or tone control, though.)

D.H.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Slim Zooms

Hi all

I’m looking at installing a pick up in my Oakwood flat back mandolin. . . .

Have a K&K or JJB pickup installed internally. If you don't want the tailpiece or endpinhole widened, also get a Tapastring 1/8" socket installed.

Do NOT get a pickup with external sticky transducers. The adhesive can permanently damage the finish on the mandolin's top.

[Dave Hicks]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

Have a K&K or JJB pickup installed internally. If you don't want the tailpiece or endpinhole widened, also get a Tapastring 1/8" socket installed.

Do NOT get a pickup with external sticky transducers. The adhesive can permanently damage the finish on the mandolin's top.

I've got one of those stick-on things - used it once.

D.H.

[Slim Zooms]

Thank you everyone!

Best wishes

Slim

[Robin, Wales]

Slim,

Depending on the gig, an SM57 or similar will amplify a mandolin well on stage even in a band situation.

[mauricemcm]

Originally Posted by Slim Zooms

Hi all

I’m looking at installing a pick up in my Oakwood flat back mandolin.

Could you guys recommend a good, reliable pick up for me?

Thanks in anticipation.

Slim

I enjoyed looking the Oakwood website over but did not see any reference to pickups. I recommend you contact Oakwood for a recommendation. Installing an internal pickup in a mandolin is not easy. I do not encourage DIY pickup install to folks without experience working on instruments, the mandolin in particular as they are too small to get your hand inside. I use the K&K twin spot and the Mcintyre Acoustic Feather. Both are very tricky to get just right working through a small sound hole or F-holes. Take a look at the L.R. Bags radius M. I have also flattened the base of a Fishman M-200 for use on a flat(ish) mandolin. As mentioned above, by Robin, Wales , a microphone is a very good option. With a Microphone you capture much more of the character of the instrument.

http://www.oakwoodinstruments.co.uk/four/index.htm

https://acousticon.com/17-mcintyre-pickups

https://www.stewmac.com/electronics/...UaAtaqEALw_wcB

https://www.sweetwater.com/c985--Aco...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

This video is good. Acoustic pickups are discussed in the first few minutes.
https://youtu.be/Ualm3rCZRz0?si=TmlOR3YiCvamD_Tf

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Robin, Wales

Slim,

Depending on the gig, an SM57 or similar will amplify a mandolin well on stage even in a band situation.

Up to a point. I'm sure it works sometimes, but I haven't had good experiences. Even with a supercardioid mic, there's too much interference from the rest of the band.

A pickup isn't as hi-fi as a mic, but for me it's been much more practical.

[Slim Zooms]

Originally Posted by mauricemcm

I enjoyed looking the Oakwood website over but did not see any reference to pickups. I recommend you contact Oakwood for a recommendation. Installing an internal pickup in a mandolin is not easy. I do not encourage DIY pickup install to folks without experience working on instruments, the mandolin in particular as they are too small to get your hand inside. I use the K&K twin spot and the Mcintyre Acoustic Feather. Both are very tricky to get just right working through a small sound hole or F-holes. Take a look at the L.R. Bags radius M. I have also flattened the base of a Fishman M-200 for use on a flat(ish) mandolin. As mentioned above, by Robin, Wales , a microphone is a very good option. With a Microphone you capture much more of the character of the instrument.

http://www.oakwoodinstruments.co.uk/four/index.htm

https://acousticon.com/17-mcintyre-pickups

https://www.stewmac.com/electronics/...UaAtaqEALw_wcB

https://www.sweetwater.com/c985--Aco...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

This video is good. Acoustic pickups are discussed in the first few minutes.
https://youtu.be/Ualm3rCZRz0?si=TmlOR3YiCvamD_Tf

Thank you very much for all that information.

I was rather surprised seeing the Oakwood website, as when I last looked in about 2015 they said they were no longer making instruments. This info looks more up to date.

I have only used the mando on a couple of gigs and have mic’d it up thus far but am curious about a more permanent solution.

Best wishes

Slim

[Slim Zooms]

Originally Posted by Robin, Wales

Slim,

Depending on the gig, an SM57 or similar will amplify a mandolin well on stage even in a band situation.

Thank you Robin. I’ve tried the mic option but was hoping to review the options for something more permanent.

I’ve only gigged the mando a couple of times. It seems like a pick-up may be the most practical solution.

Cheers

Slim

[mauricemcm]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

A pickup isn't as hi-fi as a mic, but for me it's been much more practical.

And you can plug in to your pedalboard.

[Mandobart]

I've installed JJB twin head piezo SBT's in many fiddles and mandolins. They don't affect the acoustic tone at all, and have worked well with a variety of preamp and systems. Some of mine have been installed for over 15 years. No problems with any of them (so far).

I installed a K&K Twin in my first mandolin. It worked fine all the time I had it. I sold it a few years ago.

JJB and K&K appear equivalent in terms of quality, materials and construction. I can't hear any difference between them.

[TobyB]

I used to live around the corner from Oakwood ... I have a couple of their solid bodied instruments. I believe they retired/closed down with the loss of their premises.

For pickups... Phil Davidson built my acoustic mando's ... and he puts K&K's in them, because he thinks they make his handiwork sound best ... that's more than good enough for me!

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I've installed JJB twin head piezo SBT's in many fiddles and mandolins. They don't affect the acoustic tone at all, and have worked well with a variety of preamp and systems. Some of mine have been installed for over 15 years. No problems with any of them (so far).

I installed a K&K Twin in my first mandolin. It worked fine all the time I had it. I sold it a few years ago.

JJB and K&K appear equivalent in terms of quality, materials and construction. I can't hear any difference between them.

Glad you said that. Some people prefer K&Ks, but I don't hear a difference, either.

My current (and probably last) mando has a JJB and sounds just fine plugged in.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I've installed JJB twin head piezo SBT's in many fiddles and mandolins. They don't affect the acoustic tone at all, and have worked well with a variety of preamp and systems. Some of mine have been installed for over 15 years. No problems with any of them (so far).

I installed a K&K Twin in my first mandolin. It worked fine all the time I had it. I sold it a few years ago.

JJB and K&K appear equivalent in terms of quality, materials and construction. I can't hear any difference between them.

Glad you said that. Some people prefer K&Ks, but I don't hear a difference, either.

My current (and probably last) mando has a JJB and sounds just fine plugged in.