Which pup for acoustic modeling?

[Artie]

Both my Yamaha effects unit, and my J-Station have acoustic modeling modes. I realize that an electric will never really come close, but which pup, do you think, might give these settings the best fighting chance?

Assume a basic Strat or Tele style guitar, single or 'bucker, neck, middle or bridge. (Or any combination.)

Thanks; Artie

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Bump.

Hmmm . . . I'm wondering if the "sterility" of an active would help the modeler to do its job? :question:

 

[rspst14]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Artie, check out the LR Baggs piezo pickup systems. They build them into an aftermarket bridge, which will fit a standard six hole or two point Strat trem, standard Tele bridge, or Tuneomatic bridge. I have the two point Baggs X-Bridge with the onboard preamp on my Strat project, and I'm really happy with it. When played through an acoustic amp or a PA system, it's a very convincing acoustic tone. You can also blend the piezo pickup with the magnetic pickups for some interesting tones. The bridge itself is a very high quality replacement, and unlike the Graphtech system, the piezo wires are totally hidden, so the look is completely stock.

Ryan

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Hmmm . . . I'm wondering if the "sterility" of an active would help the modeler to do its job? :question:

I had the best luck getting a quasi-acoustic tone from my old Digitech RP-100 using EMG 81s, with both the neck & bridge going.

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Thanks Peter. I'll check that out.
And thanks JB for that info. This might be a good excuse to check an "active".

Artie, check out the LR Baggs piezo pickup systems. They build them into an aftermarket bridge, which will fit a standard six hole or two point Strat trem, standard Tele bridge, or Tuneomatic bridge.

Ryan

Yeah, I saw those. Very interesting. D-Tar makes a somewhat similar pup too, the SoundSpot. I was initially hoping to use a more or less "standard" pup, so I could switch back and forth between acoustic and normal modes by footswitch. However, if I really want to get anywhere near an acoustic tone, I'm probably going to have to use a piezo transducer of some sort.

I've wanted to try both. Maybe I could do an active, with a piezo bridge. :laugh2:

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Wanna know what the best acoustic simulator I've found for performing is? One of those stands that'll hold an acoustic guitar at playing level, positioned out of the way onstage. That, or clean electric.

Does either of your processors have an effect that makes a single coil sound like a 'bucker or bucker sound like a single? I used this on the RP100, and it helped a lot with making the acoustic simulation more realistic.

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Sorta . . . I have both single and 'bucker guitars to choose from, and I have the SD pup booster that does a pretty good job of giving the single's, a 'bucker character. I hadn't thought of running through the pedal while doing acoustic sims. That might be interesting.

This idea was partly spurred on by having been able to play some very nice acoustics yesterday. Some of which, I won't be able to afford for quite some time.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Will the pickup booster cut 'buckers down to singles? That's what I was having the RP100 do.

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Yeah, it will. See for yourself. If you didn't know in advance, would you assume either of these two to be an acoustic guitar?

configuration 01
configuration 02

 

[rspst14]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

The Baggs system lets you switch back and forth between the piezo and magnetic pickups with a mini switch mounted in the pickguard. There's also a small push button switch on the circuit board which comes through the pickguard to allow you to switch between mono and stereo mode. It does require some drilling into the pickguard, and you do need to give up one tone control in order to use the onboard preamp system. You can also use a separate preamp, Baggs makes floor units that will do that. I just find it easier to have everything built into the guitar. If you want to try one out, see if you can find a local dealer that stocks PRS Hollowbody models with the optional Baggs piezo system.

Ryan

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

Downloading the samples... I'll give you some feedback after dinner

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

I just got to check out the clips. Both would've fooled me into thinking they were piezo equipped acoustics. I preferred the more full tone of the first one.

BTW, were you sitting close to the computer monitor when you recorded them?

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

There are some samples done with the AC-2 Acoustic Simulator at Boss' website. Assuming that your devices do a similar modeling, you could check out the Boss samples to know what difference pups and positions make.

In relation to the Boss AC-2 (which I use) I've found good single coils are the best ... buckers have too thick of a signal for the simulator to alter significantly and you end up sounding like an acoustic with rags stuffed inside it

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pup for acoustic modeling?

I just got to check out the clips. Both would've fooled me into thinking they were piezo equipped acoustics. I preferred the more full tone of the first one.

BTW, were you sitting close to the computer monitor when you recorded them?

Cool . . . the first one was my Johnson Strat, neck & middle. The second was the Squier Bullet, middle only. The Johnson has much better sound than the Squier. Apparently, its pups are designed by EMG.

That "buzz" is something new that just popped up this weekend. I haven't had a chance to chase it down yet.

I'm going to try a couple more tests with the 'buckers this week.