Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

[point_taker]

Hello guys. Long time since I last posted on the forum.

I've had a Duncan Mag Mic in my Epi EJ200 for probably 15 years now.

In the last 3 to 4 years, the condenser mic started to produce a little buzz when I blend it in with the magnet pickup.

It happens only on the low E and A strings and when I hit them harder or play with palm-mute or staccato techniques.

It definitely is not something mechanical because I've had this guitar setup professionally twice now after it started to buzz and the buzz only appears when the condenser mic is on. It seems like an electrical problem.

The thing is, the pickup is virtually useless without the microphone, especially for recording plugged in and it is really annoying.

I would like to know if anyone ever had a similar problem and what could I do to try and solve it because it really hinders my acoustic super powers.

I had it mounted on in different ways twice, the battery is always new when tested, the strings can be new or old and the guitar right now plays like a charm, but this is driving me crazy because I use this guitar a lot in my studio and I love it.

Thank you!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

I have not heard of this, and it is strange it only occurs on 2 strings...it seems a microphone, no matter where it is, would pick up the sound of all of the strings. I wonder if it is picking up the sound of a loose brace rattling in there?

 

[point_taker]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

I have not heard of this, and it is strange it only occurs on 2 strings...it seems a microphone, no matter where it is, would pick up the sound of all of the strings. I wonder if it is picking up the sound of a loose brace rattling in there?

I spend a few moments recording the problem so you guys can maybe help me out because this pickup is too expensive for me to throw it away! I'm kinda mad about it.

WeTransfer Download link
https://we.tl/FTOIUGRGZF

The audio comprises the following samples:

0 to 0-15: The Mag Mic with both magnet and microphone blended together at 100%.

0:15 to 0:30: The Mag Mic with only the magnet pickup with no microphone blended in.

0:30 to 0:45: The Ovation piezo.

Please, note that it's the same guitar played in exactly the same way plugged in with no treatment.

Could you guys help me out? It's crazy!

 

[Artie]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

My first thought was that this might be the mic element itself getting old, and maybe rubbing somewhere. But that (clip) sounds more like electronic clipping. The bottom two strings, of course, put out more energy than the others, so it would be more noticeable there.

The bad news is, the only real fix is to remove it and have it repaired. Whether that be by sending it back to SD or finding a really, really competent local tech, (who's probably proficient in surface-mount components), is going to be the trick. 15 years isn't a terrible service life for electronic components.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

I would say to send this to the customer service email on our home page. Explain the story and send the link just like you did here. They might have some solution.

 

[point_taker]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

My first thought was that this might be the mic element itself getting old, and maybe rubbing somewhere. But that (clip) sounds more like electronic clipping. The bottom two strings, of course, put out more energy than the others, so it would be more noticeable there.

The bad news is, the only real fix is to remove it and have it repaired. Whether that be by sending it back to SD or finding a really, really competent local tech, (who's probably proficient in surface-mount components), is going to be the trick. 15 years isn't a terrible service life for electronic components.

Well, it's a little upsetting really. It's a high-end pickup and it is way too difficult to get items like that in Brazil without paying a small fortune. It kinda makes me wanna go to LR Baggs. I bought a Duncan because I am a fan and I love them on my guitars. Since I installed this pup I never even removed it. It's just sitting on my acoustic for all this time.

I can't send it to the Duncan shop in the US because when they return it to me I will most certainly pay import taxes and also the international shipping cost is ridiculous.

Just a real shame, really.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

PM me your email, and I will try to forward this to Customer Service, and ask what options you might have. Maybe they have suggestions to try. When did you buy the Mag Mic?

 

[point_taker]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

PM me your email, and I will try to forward this to Customer Service, and ask what options you might have. Maybe they have suggestions to try. When did you buy the Mag Mic?

I found the thread where I ask for recommendation for an acoustic pickup: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?20563-Tip-for-state-of-the-art-acoustic-pick-up!!!

I bought it on December 2004.

Check your PM.

Thanks for the help!

 

[point_taker]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

I'm posting here again to say that after careful thought about what I'd do regarding acoustic pickups, I sadly decided to part ways with SD as far as acoustic pickups are concerned.

Even if ArtieToo considers that 15 years is not a terrible service life for a pickup like this (I bought it in December 2004 and it really started to fail in 2013, so that's more like 11 years), I do. 200+ dollars is no small amount for a pickup and I can't convince myself to buy another Mag Mic and run the risk of having it fail on me down the road.

I need dependable gear and more, I need gear that even if it fails, I can repair them and in Brazil that's gonna be tough.

I recorded and gigged with the Mag Mic countless times but I will give LR Baggs Lyric a try now.

I hope it delivers!

Thanks for all the help as usual. This forum rocks and has been rocking for many years!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Question about an annoying problem with the Duncan Mag Mic

Sorry it didn't work out for you!