K Amp;k Pure Preamp Manual

[Zee Palmer]

I used to have the definity which is a more basic version of the xt and it was quite nice. Great feedback resistance and not too quacky/piezo-like but was a little bit thin sounding on the trebles. The xt builds on that pickup so there is every chance the xt will be better. I don't think the K&K demos do them any favours.

I'm thinking of getting one of these but I don't like the way the jack socket attaches on the bottom of the guitar. I used to attach the definity jack on top of the tailpiece which I preferred. This might be harder to do on the xt.

I used to use one. Back then it didn't have XT in the model name, I assume that just means external. It's decent, nothing really wrong with it. Will sound better with a preamp but can be used without. Two reasons I replaced it: we played this coffee shop weekly and during the sound check when the place was mostly empty we'd dial the band sound but when it feels up I'd have a feedback (didn't have a preamp at the time). Eventually I'd find a setting to play without feedback but that plus just being curious what other stuff sounds like and I sold it.

If you find one used and cheap I'd try. I wouldn't buy one new, I think for the price there's better options. For one JJB Electronics makes a similar product, as respected as K&K at one third of the price.

Are you sure Buco, that your pickup was the same as the pure Macc XT? This mic has two soundboard transducers. One has a cork pad and is held by pressure under the bridge, the other is taped on top of the top.

Physically it looks the same. Two pads, external mount. Actually it was probably me that gave them the idea to use cork and pressure mount it under the bridge. I also disliked the size and placement of 1/4" jack so I replaced it with the 1/8" which I then glued to the top of the tailpiece and I made a cable with 1/8" plug on one end and 1/4" on the other. Here's a timeline of that project:

At the beginning of that thread I was using a tube amp from my rock days, so yes not really intended for acoustic instrument. But by the time I wrote one of the last posts in the '13 I was using ZT Lunchbox Acoustic. It wasn't a night and day difference although ZT had soften the K&K sound. Hughes and Kettner are known for building tube amps with crystal clear shimmering clear tone (all the way to the trash metal type distortion) and it worked well at the time. I don't remember if I was using a preamp at any point with K&K though and that really helps the most. Actually there's a recording (done through the ZT Acoustic) I put up with the thread when I was selling it here, both the sound and the playing are a little blah but you can get away with it:

Thanks man. Ha yeah I definitely turned the thing into a prototype. Actually it occurred to me that the one I had was and still is being sold as "pure floating bridge". Mainly marketed for these types of guitars, they even use a picture of GJ guitar with this pickup on their website. I wonder what's the difference between the elements in the pure Macc, they don't give any information regarding technical details. The sound on my recording is in the same ballpark as the demo for the XT on their website to my ears. So @Henrik if that's something you can be ok with go for it and as @Twang said it can sound better with a preamp. I still think at $175 new there are better options.

This has been discussed many times, but I can truly say it's far and away the best, most natural sounding pickup I've ever used and have K&K in all my guitars except my new J-35. And it won't be long until the J-35's Baggs will be replaced with either a K&K or JJB. The K&K is minimally invasive with nothing sitting under the saddle. Simple and clean. As a passive system (no onboard batteries), the K&K has plenty of gain for general use, but for large venues, concerts, etc, I use mine with the K&K preamps and a DI.

However your guitar sounds, the K&K will amplify that natural acoustic sound without the electronic sound of USTs, sound hole pickups, etc. They're very affordable and not difficult to install. The most difficult thing about installing a K&K is drilling the out the endpin hole for the jack.

Have you listened to any of the other systems? Sometimes an extra $100 can get you something special. What I like about the Blend is it's versatility. You can just use the mic and get the same result as the K&K and move it around the same way for different results or you can switch to the under saddle or you can blend them. Comes in handy for different output if you're strummin' or pickin'. The Trance is a little more pricey and it blows the other systems away as far as reproducing pure acoustic sound. I have the pricier one in the JB. The other one I have I bought off the UMGF forum at a nice price. It's the Trance Audio Amulet MVT . I'm think about putting it in my J185.

I'm liking the Ellipse Aura that comes on some of the Gibson's like my J200 Custom. These systems are modeled/programmed for the specific guitar it is being installed on at the factory. They're very versatile. I would never add on one of these because of the programming. I checked into one of these on a custom I had built but the cost was thru the roof because the builder said he would have to send the guitar to the Fishman factory to get it programmed to do it right.

I have a K&K Pure Mini in my TV Southerner Jumbo, and I play it through a Fishman Loudbox. I like it a lot, and it does not sound 'quacky' at all. Sounds better than the Fishman Matrix Infinity under saddle I used to have. And, it sounds better than the Fishman Neo (sound-hole magnetic unit). I like the fact that it is passive, and does not have any added electronics/battery in the guitar. Signal is plenty strong for the Loudbox preamps to handle. I don't gig so there is no feedback issues at all. I went with the vintage style end-jack that takes 1/8" plugs. Weird size, but it works for me and keeps a nice "un-modded" look to the TV.

I've played many large venues with my Irish band and have never had feedback issues with my K&K system guitars or bouzouki. However, if you're located very close to the monitors and depending on how they're positioned, stage setup, etc, you can have feedback issues with nearly any system...and from the mic, especially if it's a simple cardioid type mic with a wide pattern. If it's the guitar, you can try a feedback buster placed in the sound hole, which will usually eliminate feedback. However, one of the MANY things I dislike about the Element system is the volume control in the sound hole which can present problems placing a feedback buster. Most players simply cut out a notch in the rubber to accommodate the vol control knob.

Hey Wiley. I believe I answered this in my first post: "The K&K is minimally invasive with nothing sitting under the saddle. Simple and clean. As a passive system (no onboard batteries), the K&K has plenty of gain for general use, but for large venues, concerts, etc, I use mine with the K&K preamps and DIs."

Bottom line, yes, it can go directly into the amp and if you're running through a Loudbox or something similar for small venues, you won't need the external preamp. The pickup has a surprising amount of gain as a stand-alone. However, I've found the preamp provides a cleaner, obviously stronger, more focused and balanced tone in any situation, and necessary when playing through larger systems and FOH systems in large venues...concerts, large festivals, etc. I like the preamps for fine-tuning the EQ as well.

It can go straight into an amp, no preamp is required. I think the K&K preamp helps where you use a DI and need to bring the signal up closer to line level. Most guitar amps can deal with the raw pick-up signal. The Loudbox amps surely can.

However, one of the MANY things I dislike about the Element system is the volume control in the sound hole which can present problems placing a feedback buster. Most players simply cut out a notch in the rubber to accommodate the vol control knob.

I have the prephase preamp + k&k mini with volume wheel in my Guild JF-30 and I have been happy with since day one. The battery mounted inside on the neck block does add a little weight to the guitar but the guitar was already heavy to begin with.

I have K&K minis on several guitars and have been very pleased with them in every case. Typically play straight into a standard DI with no problems. I use an Orchid Electronics (British)preamp when needed, but that has been very rare.

I have 3 trance Audio Amulets to my ears the sound is that much better then a under saddle pu no more quack. I just. Traded my Fishstick SA220 for a Bose model II and coupled with the amulet it has that mic'ed sound with zero of the placement/ feedback issues of a microphone , amulets cost more but they are worth it if you want the best sound.jmho based on how my ears hear my guitars when I play them......your mileage may vary.

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