I LOVE Duncan's Mag-Mic. Using it in my Taylor just yields an amazing acoustic tone, I wouldn't gig with anything else really.
My only problem is that I don't want to install it permanently in my guitar. It takes me maybe 5 minutes to install so it's far from hard but when installed non-permanently, the output jack protudes out of the soundhole, which can get in the way (I used to tape the jack to the down-side of the guitar to keep tension on it to keep it out of the way as much as possible).
Seeing how I've been gigging a lot this past year, I wanted a better, more elegant solution than that. I wanted the best of both worlds: not having the pick-up clamp-down my soundboard when I'm not gigging, and still being able to have the input jack out through the end-pin.
After some research I read somewhere (I think it was here actually) someone mentioning these, Dean ultra-plugs, which are used by hobbyists for radio-guided cars or something.
I emailed Duncan's customer service to no avail. I wanted to know what would be the best approach, if they had any input and so forth. It's been 3 months and I'm still waiting so...
Got me a couple of plugs from ebay and had at it.
Works like a charm. I honestly can't tell any difference tone-wise. Of course I didn't get a chance to A/B quickly between the two configurations but so far I get the same sweet clean acoustic tone I was obtaining before. No distortion, no noise, nothing out of the usual.
I'd show you pics but there's nothing to show really. Just a wire with two pairs (The mag-mic has 2 hot leads and 2 grounds since it has both magnetic and microphone pick-ups) of red plugs close to the pick-up itself.
While not in use, I disconnect the pick-up and remove it for storage. The remaining wire (going from the end-pin to the pick-up) I velcro to the inside of the guitar (a velcro patch is already on the neck block in order to fasten the battery holder) so almost nothing is visible and nothing vibrates either.
I'd honestly say that guys looking for a nice solution for quick changes between pick-ups in the same axe should consider this.
My only problem is that I don't want to install it permanently in my guitar. It takes me maybe 5 minutes to install so it's far from hard but when installed non-permanently, the output jack protudes out of the soundhole, which can get in the way (I used to tape the jack to the down-side of the guitar to keep tension on it to keep it out of the way as much as possible).
Seeing how I've been gigging a lot this past year, I wanted a better, more elegant solution than that. I wanted the best of both worlds: not having the pick-up clamp-down my soundboard when I'm not gigging, and still being able to have the input jack out through the end-pin.
After some research I read somewhere (I think it was here actually) someone mentioning these, Dean ultra-plugs, which are used by hobbyists for radio-guided cars or something.
I emailed Duncan's customer service to no avail. I wanted to know what would be the best approach, if they had any input and so forth. It's been 3 months and I'm still waiting so...
Got me a couple of plugs from ebay and had at it.
Works like a charm. I honestly can't tell any difference tone-wise. Of course I didn't get a chance to A/B quickly between the two configurations but so far I get the same sweet clean acoustic tone I was obtaining before. No distortion, no noise, nothing out of the usual.
I'd show you pics but there's nothing to show really. Just a wire with two pairs (The mag-mic has 2 hot leads and 2 grounds since it has both magnetic and microphone pick-ups) of red plugs close to the pick-up itself.
While not in use, I disconnect the pick-up and remove it for storage. The remaining wire (going from the end-pin to the pick-up) I velcro to the inside of the guitar (a velcro patch is already on the neck block in order to fasten the battery holder) so almost nothing is visible and nothing vibrates either.
I'd honestly say that guys looking for a nice solution for quick changes between pick-ups in the same axe should consider this.
