what type of preamp?

Subject: what type of preamp?
From:
Date: 05 Mar 98 - 06:40 AM

I´m playing in a band that plays Irish music mainly. I play acoustic guitar and mandolin ,and I need a preamp to plug into. The question is what type(brand) of preamp should I buy? any suggestions?

Subject: RE: what type of preamp?
From: Tim O'K
Date: 05 Mar 98 - 08:38 AM

Can't answer this. The preamp does not exist in a vacumn. You need to think of the whole system that makes the sound as a single system, not a series of independent parts. That would start with strings, then instrument, pickups/mics, cable, preamp, amp or mixer or powered mixer, PA, speakers.

Take every existing part of your strings-to-speakers system to the best music store you can get to and then experiement around with different items that can make your instruments sound good. I have an 88 ovation with built-in pre-amp that sounded kind of thin and tinny and I thought I needed another more robust pre-amp. When I took the kit 'n kiboodle to the store and started experiementing, it turned out I only needed a $90 transducer plus a little more digital delay in the powered mixer, but neither the transducer nor the extra DD sounded particularly good on their own. There are some pricey black boxes that will do everything for except strike the strings, but you may not need it. Trust your ears and Good Luck!

Subject: RE: what type of preamp?
From: Earl
Date: 05 Mar 98 - 12:32 PM

As Tim said, the preamp you use depends on the transducer and what you are plugging into. The transducer manufacurer may have some suggestions. In general, Fishman makes excellent preamps and other electronic devices for acoustic instruments.

Personally, I have never been happy with the sound of acoustic guitar plugged in. Whenever possible I play into a microphone. When this is not practical, I have an Audio-Technica lapel mike that clips to the sound hole of my guitar or mandolin and plugs directly into the PA.

Subject: RE: what type of preamp?
From:
Date: 05 Mar 98 - 01:10 PM

Thanks for the advices,but the reson for my question is that I want to be abel to have volume pedal in the cain. I ve got excellent PA system, Mackie mixer and good amp and spekers.Today I feed both the guitar and the mandolin into Boss ME5 multieffect and aint happy with the outcome :).

Subject: RE: what type of preamp?
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 04:18 PM

Baggs Para-coustic works with any transducer.

Subject: RE: what type of preamp?
From: GUEST,Leadfingers
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 04:42 PM

So what sort of pick-ups are you using on the guitar and mando / Same kit or different ? Could make alot of difference - Fishmann do a decent preamp for THEIR stuff but it might not work on an Ashworth so well