Tonedexter - the answer to my Acoustic Jazz prayers?

[pcjazz]

Maybe I may ask a local luthier to put a traditional piezo saddle into an archtop bridge.

I have had some success (at moderate volume levels) with one or a pair of PickUpTheWorld transducers sandwiched between the top and the bridge feet. Installation is easy and easily reversible. Preamp probably needed but try without first.

[NSJ]

Can’t beat the ToneDexter with the UltraTonic pickup. Both designed by James May (Mr. May also worked on the design and engineering for John Buscarino’s new Chameleon Amplification System, which is, hands down, the best amp and head I’ve heard. I sold all my old amps and got the new Buscarino amp and head. It’s incredible.

A few months ago, I drove up to Gold Country (Grass Valley in California) and had Mr. May install the UltraTonic pickup for my 8 string Brahms classical guitar. It works GREAT with the ToneDexter.

“It sounds similar to the most popular sound board transducer, the K&K Pure Mini—a quite good sounding pickup. However, the Ultra Tonic does not suffer from the same low end tubbiness. It sounds clearer and crisper, with great articulation and perfect string-to-string balance. Compared to typical under saddle transducers, the warmth and natural attack characteristics of this pickup are very compelling.”

James May Engineering | The Ultra Tonic Pickup - Premium Sound

[Christian Miller]

Can’t beat the ToneDexter with the UltraTonic pickup. Both designed by James May (Mr. May also worked on the design and engineering for John Buscarino’s new Chameleon Amplification System, which is, hands down, the best amp and head I’ve heard. I sold all my old amps and got the new Buscarino amp and head. It’s incredible.

A few months ago, I drove up to Gold Country (Grass Valley in California) and had Mr. May install the UltraTonic pickup for my 8 string Brahms classical guitar. It works GREAT with the ToneDexter.

“It sounds similar to the most popular sound board transducer, the K&K Pure Mini—a quite good sounding pickup. However, the Ultra Tonic does not suffer from the same low end tubbiness. It sounds clearer and crisper, with great articulation and perfect string-to-string balance. Compared to typical under saddle transducers, the warmth and natural attack characteristics of this pickup are very compelling.”

James May Engineering | The Ultra Tonic Pickup - Premium Sound

interesting! If this is something I can get installed without having to ship my axe to the US this might be worth doing, especially if it works well with the TD

[NSJ]

interesting! If this is something I can get installed without having to ship my axe to the US this might be worth doing, especially if it works well with the TD

Any competent tech should do it. He installed it and the sensors in interiors of the guitar, and carved out a small output jack (blasphemous for classical guitars, lol, but who cares?) I only went to him because (1) he lives nearby; (2) it was a Brahms guitar, which no one has, except for Paul Galbraith. . You can email him, he’s pretty responsive.

[Klatu]

Try the Clingon pickup. Fareed Haque just put it on his flamenco. Ridiculously easy to attach. Sounds ok. Cheap. You can use two on a guitar, easily, to emphasize different tonal qualities. I just bought two. Will put it on my Brahms guitar.

Do you know if this would work with archtops? I ask because the website states that the Cling On works with all instruments featuring a flat soundboard.

edit: I went to the Cling On website and found that the pickup can easily be installed in a violin, so there shouldn't be any problem installing one in an archtop.

I think I'll be trying one of these for my Epiphone acoustics.