Installing a pickup in a Martin D-15

[invisiblenemies]

I know a few of you own the D15...has anyone gotten a pickup installed in theirs? I will be using the guitar mainly for mic'ed studio applications but will also be playing live at times where a direct line will be more practical.

I've been checking out the Fishman Matrix Natural II but would like to get more feedback on this matter before I go out and have it installed. I'm also hesitant to have someone messing around with my brand new guitar. Is this an easy installation or am I right to worry?

Thanks..

 

[Hard2Hear]

hey-

I had that pickup installed in my Martin DM about 9 years ago. It has worked great for me and has always sounded really good plugged in live. On most cases better than other acoustics that cost more and have pricier electronics.

If you're playing live with it I say it;s DEFINATELY worth it. I'd just suggest having someone who does alot of them to install it, cause though it seems simple, it's a little tricky to mount the battery in an appropriate way inside the guitar.

H2H

 

[invisiblenemies]

Thanks for the response. I suppose now I'll go out and try to find myself a deal on one.

The search continues...

 

[mrface2112]

i have a D15 and have been considering this myself. i LOVE the way it records, but having a pickup installed SURE would make gigging easier!

it's an easy install, but you'll have to get the endhole reamed so the jack will fit. if you do this work yourself, you'll void your lifetime warranty (assuming you bought it new). for that reason alone i'd recommend getting it installed by an authorized martin repair facility.

FWIW, i've been looking at the LR Baggs IBeam.....i hear they're a bit better sounding than the Fishmans.....


cheers,
wade

 

[invisiblenemies]

What's the typical asking price for this sort of installation? I bought it new yesterday & don't want to be fucking it up too bad just yet.

 

[mrface2112]

i'd say between $50-100 for the installation, with the pickup extra. so prolly a couple hundred?

prolly enough to make you wish you'd saved a couple extra pennies and gotten the DC-15E (cutaway with electronics). :b


still, my D15 records better than my buddy's HD-28V, and that guitar's a tone monster. there's just something about the smooth, balanced tone of an all-mahogany guitar.


cheers,
wade

 

[Hard2Hear]

My shop did it for $150 installed. Now, Light will go telling you that HIS shop charges $300 to do this. But I got it installed by a guy who builds beautiful acoustics by hand and has been doing repair for at least 20 years. It was perfect and a great job.

That was a few years ago, but it really shouldn't be that much more.

H2H

 

[invisiblenemies]

Right on...thanks again for the info.

face, I've never been much of a fan of cutaways or preconfigured acoustic electrics. Something just isn't right about them.

 

[GABritton]

Check out the McinTyre Acoustic Feather or PUTW pickups. They're made of PVDF piezo film and have a completely unique sound. Sounds like a cross of a condenser in the body and some of the brightness of an under saddle piezo. This film does not need to be compressed under the bridge. It can be secured to the inside of the body w/ double sided tape. There are a lot of bluegrass artists that use these. I don't play bluegrass but I love the tone these things give. try mcintyre.com. They're no more expensive than any other pickup and you can talk to the guy who builds them for any assistance.