Guitar sound check

[Peter C]

This piece should really be fingerpicked on a flat top but that's complicated in a live situation, where I'm looping and stuff. I posted a similar thing some time ago, asking for opinions on the combination of the piezo with the humbucker, but have tweaked some settings, hoping to get a less shrill sound from the piezo. Feedback very welcome on this fragment.

[Peter C]

So I did another take on my old Suzuki dreadnought with a DIY installation of a Strat pickup I had lying around. The plain strings are rather overbearing, which could probably be partly overcome by using a set of electric strings (the pickup is already heavily tilted away from the top strings). It recorded a bit louder than the first clip. Anyway, any thoughts before I decide which setup to go with for live through an amp?

[Cunamara]

Well, it depends on the outcome you're looking for. The second clip sounds more like a flat top acoustic guitar, because it is. However, I actually prefer the sound of the arch top guitar in the first clip. But that's a matter of taste. There is a little bit of a "clank" to the tone with the Ibanez, which might be addressed with a good parametric EQ pedal.


FWIW, Pat Metheny uses a small microphone clipped into the F hole by the controls. Something like that might be an option to consider.

What is this thing in the lower f-hole of Pat Metheny's Gibson ES-175?

[Gitterbug]

The flattop sounds more intimate, less balanced, and unforgiving. Not knowing about the venue, acoustics, eventual PA etc, the archtop not only sounds good but likely is a safer choice.

[Peter C]

The piezo (stick-on type à la Barcus Berry of yore) is going into a DI box with only treble and bass EQ. I've actually been looking at EQ pedals recently. A little mic in the F-hole might be a better option than the piezo in the long run...

Yes, the archtop is more controllable.

Thanks to you both for the helpful feedback.