K&K Definity

[honkytone]

Thanks, I appreciate the input. Good suggestion. Before I remove it from the bass side I'll record it straight into the interface and compare that with placing it on the treble side.

[honkytone]

OK, re-installed the Definity last night, as nosoyninja did, under the treble side of the bridge and facing forward, largely hidden by the pickguard. I like it even better than the recommended installation. Transmits the treble strings a little better in relation to the bass. Very pleased with this pickup. Recorded it next to the Pure pickup, and the native sound of the Definity is much louder and more natural. Done deal. Thanks for the input.

[nosoyninja]

OK, re-installed the Definity last night, as nosoyninja did, under the treble side of the bridge and facing forward, largely hidden by the pickguard. I like it even better than the recommended installation. Transmits the treble strings a little better in relation to the bass. Very pleased with this pickup. Recorded it next to the Pure pickup, and the native sound of the Definity is much louder and more natural. Done deal. Thanks for the input.

I guess it just proves you have to use your ears and your judgement to find what sounds and works best for you. If you feel like it, share some clips with us so we can hear how it turned out!

K

[Spook410]

Re-visiting this thread since I've been playing with a K&K Definity installation.

Nosoy.. did you try installations without using the built in tape while you were trying to get a good location? I'm guessing that's why I'm getting such awful sounds from this thing so far. Tried treble side, bass side and while a bit different, they both sound like a bad UST. Possible that you have tape it down for it to get the contact it needs to work properly. That will be my next step. However, so far, this thing is not good. If taping down isn't a huge improvement going to ditch it for a K&K archtop model. Have that on another guitar and it works very well.

[IanBart]

Same results as Honkytone here, treble/forward half under Bridge. Only using into phase switch then into PA, not one howl in nearly 9 months played every week. Was thinking of adding a Benedetto and mixing it up but honestly no need for just guitar and vocal. Great purchase!

[nosoyninja]

pics first:

[nosoyninja]

The pics were uploaded out of order! the first one should be the last. These are the two guitars I have Definities on. Pic 2 and 3 is a gypsy guitar, a paris swing GG39. Pic 1, 4 and 5 is a Thorell FV, same as the pic I posted above a few months ago. Just better angles so we can have better visual references.

In both cases I used the double sided tape provided with the pickup. The one that was already stuck to it. When doing my tests, I noticed that if the thick part is not in full contact with the guitar top, it sounds thin and it rattles. But sounds great when properly adhered to the top.

Am I understanding your question correctly Spook? Let me know if I can clear anything else up...

K

[Spook410]

Yep.. as usual you are on it K and thanks for the extra pictures. I think before I can judge the sound and location I have to use the 2 sided tape and get a flush fit to the top. Without the tape, it isn't working. That and per IanB's observation, I may need to hit the phase switch for this thing.

Thanks for the help guys.

[GodinFan]

I just installed a Definity in my Loar this morning. I'm liking it so far. I run into the preamp, then a volume pedal. I can play acoustic rhythm, then step on the loud pedal for single note lines.

[6_Stringer]

i had ordered a fishman archtop pickup for my new "the loar" lh-300 since my "cordoba" gk studio had fishman presys. it was to be my intention to go with either a fishman platinum eq pro and/or fishman loudbox artist to bring out their magic. and in my research to understand how i was going to make all of this work together correctly (useable?) kept hearing about the k&k system pickups. when i went to their site they had a sound bite of the definity system on, of all things, a "the loar" lh-300. i immediately cancelled the order for the fishman archtop pickup (though i may keep it around and do and attempt to do a/b test of the two) and am waiting on the definity system. what's throwing me for loops is understanding either impedance matching/voltage matching pre amps with a 1 Meg Ohm input impedance for the definity pickup, which is a hybrid compression/soundboard transducer. most pres have a 10K Ohm input impedace. am i reading the specs on the fishman right, 5 Meg Ohm imput impedance? i am aware that this would have to do with optimal acoustic amplification than electric. i'm not seeing many other pre-amps that fit the bill of a 1 Meg Ohm input impedance. is anyone willing to help a newbie? thanks in advance for all replies.

[kamlapati]

I am an EE, so you can trust me!

You can use a preamp if the input impedance is greater than the output impedance of the pickup. 5 Meg-ohm input impedance on the preamp is ideal for a 1 meg-ohm output pickup.

[nosoyninja]

i had ordered a fishman archtop pickup for my new "the loar" lh-300 since my "cordoba" gk studio had fishman presys. it was to be my intention to go with either a fishman platinum eq pro and/or fishman loudbox artist to bring out their magic. and in my research to understand how i was going to make all of this work together correctly (useable?) kept hearing about the k&k system pickups. when i went to their site they had a sound bite of the definity system on, of all things, a "the loar" lh-300. i immediately cancelled the order for the fishman archtop pickup (though i may keep it around and do and attempt to do a/b test of the two) and am waiting on the definity system. what's throwing me for loops is understanding either impedance matching/voltage matching pre amps with a 1 Meg Ohm input impedance for the definity pickup, which is a hybrid compression/soundboard transducer. most pres have a 10K Ohm input impedace. am i reading the specs on the fishman right, 5 Meg Ohm imput impedance? i am aware that this would have to do with optimal acoustic amplification than electric. i'm not seeing many other pre-amps that fit the bill of a 1 Meg Ohm input impedance. is anyone willing to help a newbie? thanks in advance for all replies.

The definity system comes with a preamp. That's why it's a "system". By itself, the pickup is only available from djangobooks, AFAIK. i use mine direct (just pickup) to a fishman loudbox (1meg input), or through a sansamp paradriver di (4.7meg input) or an LRBaggs paracoustic (1meg input). The pickup reacts best with the sansamp, which stands to reason, but works perfectly well with the other two.

I put up a clip somewhere on here of my definity direct to the fishman, recorded through a DI direct to an audio interface. If you find it, you can hear for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

K

[Spook410]

I am an EE, so you can trust me!

Played that card my whole career.. never seem to work quite so simply.

[Spook410]

The definity system comes with a preamp. That's why it's a "system". By itself, the pickup is only available from djangobooks, AFAIK. i use mine direct (just pickup) to a fishman loudbox (1meg input), or through a sansamp paradriver di (4.7meg input) or an LRBaggs paracoustic (1meg input). The pickup reacts best with the sansamp, which stands to reason, but works perfectly well with the other two.

I put up a clip somewhere on here of my definity direct to the fishman, recorded through a DI direct to an audio interface. If you find it, you can hear for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

K

Yea.. I bought the pup standalone for djangobooks. Run mine into a DTAR Solstice (10Mohm input) and works just fine. I do find I need to use EQ to get a good sound. Run without EQ it seems to have too much midrange. Of course, the may be placement or a million other things.

Overall it is a good solution for very little money and no hassle. Worth the entry fee just to experiment.

[Max405]

Overall it is a good solution for very little money and no hassle. Worth the entry fee just to experiment.

Spook, You could not have said it better.

Joe D

[blille]

I'm considering installing this on a Godin 5th avenue.

I'm not going to buy an acoustic amp since I Play mostly electric, so this will go through my 5e3.

Is this a good idea? Do I need the preamp? It would go through my pedalboard where I can compress and EQ.

[Andy_J]

Hi there. Sorry to revive an old topic, but I'm curious how you all are mounting the jack w/o a permanent install through the end pin. I don't plan on mounting it to the underside of the pickguard, so I'm seeking alternatives.

[Spook410]

Hi there. Sorry to revive an old topic, but I'm curious how you all are mounting the jack w/o a permanent install through the end pin. I don't plan on mounting it to the underside of the pickguard, so I'm seeking alternatives.

Don't see any way to do a temp install going through the end pin. You could have your end pin set up with a lead and jack inside the guitar body but just soldering to the end pin is probably easier unless you're going to be constantly swapping sources..

[Doctor Jeff]

OK this is a little tangential, but for a Harmony I have I mounted an RC1000 reissue, connected to Schatten thumbwheels, then run to a Tapastring 1/8” vintage jack. This fits in the existing end pin with friction and requires no drilling. Looks absolutely OEM.

I use a 1/4 to 1/8” adapter for the amp cord. It works well, and is not nearly as flimsy as I thought it would be.

Here’s the Tapastring:

Custom Jacks — K&K Sound

[Andy_J]

Don't see any way to do a temp install going through the end pin. You could have your end pin set up with a lead and jack inside the guitar body but just soldering to the end pin is probably easier unless you're going to be constantly swapping sources..

I don't plan on moving it around or removing it. The issue is I don't want to drill out my 85 year old guitar to install the jack at the end pin. Depending where I install the pickup, that will determine how and where I mount the jack. If it goes on the treble side of the bridge, I will mount the jack under the pickguard. If I put it on the bass side of the bridge, the option I may try (and I want to see if anyone else has tried or attempted it) is to mount the jack with the clip intact under the strap button - see pix

[Andy_J]

As I continue to try to figure this out, I'm now thinking mounting the jack underneath the pickguard is the path of least resistance. Now I just have to determine where put the transducer. :-)

[Andy_J]

As I continue to try to figure this out, I'm now thinking mounting the jack underneath the pickguard is the path of least resistance. Now I just have to determine where put the transducer. :-)

But also, the jack wouldn't fit under my pickguard, so I came up with another non-permanent installation option.