Schatten Pickup Question

ybjazz · #1 08-14-2011, 09:25 PM

I just acquired a very nice, custom archtop. It doesn't have a pickup and for all practical purposes, I'd need one to use this guitar. With that said, I was thinking about going with throwing a mini-humbucker on and having a volume and tone pot installed. But I came across the Schatten AT-04 pickup and I'm curious to whether or not anybody has used one of these and what they think. The simplicity of the installation and not having to drill any holes appeals to me, but obviously the sound is the most important thing. I would appreciate any feedback before I purchase it. Thank you!

FrankLearns · #2 08-19-2011, 03:53 AM

I have the Schatten pickup instlled on my Epi Joe Pass (yes, i know ... probably a waste for such a cheap guitar, but i just happen to live it). It was a try. I actually really like the tone. It nicely complements the PAFs (not stock either). It gives a more accoustic tone with more bite than the PAFs and is surprisingly fat and high output for a passive piezo. With a little more bass on the amp i think it sounds great with the Henricksen. Alternatively an accoustic ampkifier like an AER give a very bright and clear tone - but i haven't come around to really like it that much.

Installation was, however, not easy. I had it done by a luthier who was cursing a bit and ended up not using their output jack but drilled another hole next to the regular output jack. That was fine with me and makes it convenient to drive two amps at the same time.

ybjazz · #3 08-19-2011, 08:08 AM

Did you wire volume and tone controls to it to make adjustments? If so, were you able to pull back some of the brightness from the tone? I'm installing the thumbwheel/pinwheel style controls on it, and placing them hidden inside the F-hole. As a player, I've really gone very "naked" with my guitar equipment on all my solo gigs, even with my L-5- I've been doing gigs with nothing plugged in, and putting a microphone in front of the guitar. I'm hoping this pickup is able to capture that same sound and make this a little easier.

Thanks again for your response.

FrankLearns · #4 08-20-2011, 03:29 AM

No, i did not put any volume or tone controls. That is done at the amp or with a volume pedal. When you increase bass and turn off the treble a bit i think that the Schatten pickup gives a fairly nice sound - much nicer than the piezos on my Godin guitars IMHO. I kind of doubt, however, that it can sound as well or as authentic as a good miced archtop.