'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.

Subject: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 01:26 PM

Earlier in the summer I got a couple of "Pick Up The World" transducer pickups. I had some problems getting the kind of sound I was expecting from them, and put 'em on the shelf for the time being, planning to try them again when I had a bit more time.

Seems that a highly unlikely thing happened when I was installing them. I put one in my 0-18 upside down (not totally difficult to do 'cause the instructions were a trifle vague.) The second one appeared to have a short in it (the wires are verrry thin) and everytime you moved the guitar, a loud noise would ensue. I figured that these problems were minor ('cause too many good musicians LOVE this pickup!) and I'd deal with them later, so I replaced them with my Fishman Rare Earth systems, and figured on checking them out again when I wasn't so rushed. Also they incurred a bit of damage when being removed from my 6 and 12 string...nothing irreperable, though.

Our Mudcat Buddy, Bluejay, knows these pick ups well, and when I told him about the problem, he used his influence and "Presto", got 2 more in the mail. Now THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE!!

Well I want to tell you something. Just last week I installed them in my Gibson Mandola, and Reid Cithern. This time they went in right. I took several hours to find the RIGHT spot. Used a high impedance pre-amp. (the company doesn't just "suggest" this, they practically "order" you to use one.

The results are TOP NOTCH. Really clean and clear. I've used them in performance only once but they work great and I'm sure they'll be in those instruments for a long time to come.

Hey Bluejay, if you see this can you do a "blue clickey" for "Pick Up The World"?

Rick

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: MK
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 01:29 PM

Clicky

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: John Hardly
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 11:09 PM

Rick,

Thanks

John

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: John Hardly
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 06:21 AM

Rick,

I obviously deleted the body of my post.

The thanks was for the info.

I also said that I've been looking for a viable way to pick-up my old LG2 (with the ceramic saddle) and this seems worth investigating.

Next I asked if you wouldn't mind talking a little about how you arrived at the perfect placement for the pick-up. I assume the dot thingy can be mounted on the inside of the soundboard? I know sound is a subjective thing but it might save us(me) lots of trial and error that you just went through.

Thanks again,

John

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 07:47 AM

During the Mudcat Adventure Bill and I got the chance to meet with our very own Poo-Twa who is the originator of this device. I watched as he attached it to various instruments - including Bill's melodian and banjo - and heard the results. The trueness of the sound was astounding. I was very impressed. Later, Bill and I met with the corporate heads and learned a lot more about how the pick-ups came to be and the company's marketing plans. These are just the nicest people who have a great product to offer. If I ever decide that I need amplification for my guitars or stand-up bass, I will not hesitate to purchase this product.

(How's that for an endorsement, Poo-Twa? You know where to send the check. *G*)

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 08:31 AM

This is a great pick-up! I first heard about it here at Mudcat. I followe up on a review or two that was posted here. I put one on the reconfigured Backpacker I am playing and have been very happy with the result. It was very easy to install (unfortunately with the Backpacker I had to install it externally because it is so difficult to work inside that little body). I get a great sound. I used model #27 which is specifically designed for small bodied guitar, mandolin, bouzouki-style instruments. I usually use a pre-amp, as well, but it is possible to go directly into the mixer (which has good input gain).

I think these guys are really onto something. It's a great product at a good price, and like Rick, I had good experience with customer service. I'd buy from these guys again.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: bill\sables
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 08:48 AM

I use one of these pickups on my Vega tenor banjo and I am getting a truer sound than I was getting with my Fishman Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 09:51 AM

Bill - Do you actually place the pickup strip on the banjo head?

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 10:08 AM

Various attachment points were tried during our visit, Jed. I believe the most effective was to put it on the cross brace but Bill may have made other discoveries. On a guitar, an optimal place would be beneath the bridge. But since this would be rather difficult to accomplish, behind the bridge seems to work well. Experimentation with location can produce different results with differently configured instruments. (I just read that last sentence and am in awe of its lack of meaning!) What I mean is that the shapes and sizes of instruments will produce results which might require that you experiment with placement for optimum results.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 10:22 AM

Well I can't imagine placing that strip on the banjo head, it seems like the wrong dynamic for the pick up. But the banjo's wood would not be a good place either so, I'm at a loss. I guess I should look at the model types for the pick-up-the-world transducers. I am happy with my fishman banjo pick-up, but it has a couple of shortcomings. I have semi-permanently mounted my pick-up-the-world pick-up on my Backpacker, so I won't be experimenting on my banjo any time soon.

I am also seriously considering a bouzouki (10 string) some time next year (budget willing, of course) - and would probably use on of the pick-up-the-world pick ups for it. If so, I'll try out the pick-up on my banjo first.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Poo-Twa
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 12:19 PM

Hello from Pick-up the World. I have been visiting this site for quite a while, but am not nearly as knowledgeable on folk tunes as we are on instruments and music technology. I apologize for not properly introducing myself as the developer of PUTW in my earlier post. I was trying to find a tactful way to introduce our product to this group without adding a strong commercial presence. When I posted, I had no knowledge of Internet, chat rooms, or newsgroup etiquette, and I sincerely apologize for not being more up-front about myself. When Bill and Allen stopped through Colorado back in May, our company was just starting out, and we had only a few models and somewhat limited hands-on experience with placements and applications. We have now been successfully installed in many thousands of instruments with great success, and are grateful for all the interest and support. We'll try to summarize the questions posted above, and give answers that might be helpful.

For the Banjo (all styles), the model #20 (5/8" X 5/8") is mounted on the underside of the head directly under the center bridge foot. If there are only two feet, mounting under the treble foot gives a nice balanced tone. The jack can be mounted on the neck brace (open-back), or on the tension lugs (resonator style). This same model is recommended for nylon string guitars, lightly braced steel strings, and drums of all sorts. The film pickups are nearly weightless and do not interfere with the natural vibrations of the instrument.

Next up is the model #27. This one is 3 1/4" X 1/4", and applies to most steel string and archtop guitars, the mandolin family, the violin family, Dobro s, and most 'world' instruments. It is mounted externally on the soundboard next to the bridge or on the bridge, and internally on the bridgeplate. On Dobros, it mounts on the biscuit or the spider.

The next size up is the model #30. It is 3 1/2" X 3/4" and is used for hammered dulcimers, autoharps, upright basses, pianos, and harps of all kinds. The mounting positions follow the general guidelines of being close to the bridge area, and favoring the bass end of things.

We really enjoy talking with people to discuss their applications and the best models and placements for their instruments. Our web site has fairly detailed installation instructions, but we're learning more every day about unique instruments and unusually built guitars. We invite anyone to contact us by e-mail or toll free at any time to discuss anything about instruments, our products, or our company. We also have a thirty-day total satisfaction guarantee that even pays shipping if the products fail to perform up to a person's expectations.

Since the pickups can be easily moved from one instrument to another, there can be a fairly interesting process of experimentation that is both educational and non-destructive. We are also carrying a complete line of accessories like pre-amps, output jacks, and high quality cables that insure successful performance. In most instances, the pickups can be installed by the end-user without the need for a technician. In all cases, there is no permanent modification to the instrument other then provisions for an output jack. Sincerely, David Enke Pick-up the World 131 E. Francisco Box 450 La Veta, CO 81055 800-375-2656 www.pick-uptheworld.com [e-mail]

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: MK
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 12:30 PM

Thanks and welcome to Mudcat, Poo-Twa (Dave.)
I've taken the liberty of adding a link to your website in the Instrument-Related category of Mudcat Links.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 02:25 PM

Well, Poo-Twa (odd name, but that's not unusual around here) - first of all, as Micahel says; welcome to Mudcat. And secondly, I am glad you're here. I've had occasion to brag on your product here on other threads and am pleased to do so. While I love the acoustic qualities of fine instruments, I am certain that on-stage mics are the enemy, hence my interest in quality pick-ups. I have reconfigured my Martin Backpacker for a surprisingly sweet sounding high strung guitar-like insturment (check out this article here). I bought your model 27 to use in it, and have been very pleased with the result. I must say I was dubious at the outset. It is not a great instrument, and much of the sound comes out of the butt end, and I just didn't think I could capture its fine tones through a pick-up, but it worked pretty well.

I normally use a pre-amp, but have enough gain on my mixer to do without, depending upon conditions. I also use a bit of EQ, as you might imagine, but I get a pretty good sound out of it. I will probably be buying a bouzouki in the ext few months, and won't think twice about using a pick-up-the-world pick-up.

once again, welcome to Mudcat.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 03:13 PM

You guys might have talked me into getting one of these for the octave mandolin I have on order. This sounds really tempting.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 04:15 PM

That's the idea Wesley...and we (most of us anyway) don't even own stock in the company!

Someone complained a while ago about we guitar nerds flogging our favourites. Seemed like shameless advertising to him. Well it may be shameless, but it's been goin' on ever since two musicians started talkin' to each other.

Rick

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: bill\sables
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 06:38 PM

Jed I have the pickup stuck on the inside of the head directly below the treble foot of the bridge

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Jed at Work
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 07:22 PM

wow - I am impressed. Well one of these days I'l hafta experiment with my Banjo and the Pick-up-the-world pick-up. I am happy with the fishman for now (I found it first). The pick-up-the-world unit is on my 'rewired' Backpacker.

Wesley - I wrote to Weber and asked the if they'd make a bouzouki. I like their Octave mano very much. Great sound, good neck, quality components, and sells for under 1000. Problem is, I really think I want 10 strings so I can extend some of the major key tunings - but maybe that's a dumb idea. I guess I have to keep looking. I really liked your Weber mando, though. That's what got me lookin at 'em.

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Marion
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 02:32 AM

A few PUTW questions:

1. If I were to get a PUTW pickup, would it work best with a PUTW preamp, or does it not matter? PUTW has two preamps, a "line driver" and a "power plug"; they cost the same, have similar descriptions, and look somewhat similar. What's the difference between them?

2. The website says to get model 15 or 20 for a violin, or model 27 for a steel string guitar. Suppose I want to start by just getting one pickup to switch back and forth between fiddle and guitar (and getting another pickup later when I'm performing more). Is this feasible, and if so, which model?

3. Poo-twa says that "In most instances, the pickups can be installed by the end-user without the need for a technician." Is this really true for those of us who aren't inclined to fiddle around with our instruments or mechanical objects in general?

Thanks, Marion (who adjusted her truss rod once, but really felt like she was living on the edge while doing it)

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: BlueJay
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 04:46 AM

Marion- I'll try to answer your questions:

1. The PUTW pre-amps are identical electronically, but differ in the inputs. The Power Plug has a 1/4 inch male plug which plugs directly into the endpin jack of a guitar with an internally mounted pickup. The power plug is mainly used for guitars. It is very handy having an on/off/volume switch right at the guitar.

The Line driver has a 1/4 inch female input, and so requires a cable between the instrument and the pre-amp. This is the preferred setup for players of multiple instruments other than guitars. (A Power Plug might be unwieldy hanging off the edge of a fiddle).

All PUTW pre-amps are optimized for the clean, natural sound of the pickups, and have a ton of gain, (28 decibels), in a small, convenient package. But PUTW pre-amps are in no way required for the pickup to work. A pre-amp of some sort is needed for PUTW and most other pickup systems. If you do not have a pre-amp, PUTW's are a good choice. But any good quality pre-amp will do the job. I particularly like the Baggs Para-Acoustic DI. You can get into ART and Pendulums which also work very well, but cost a bit more. Generally, though, any high quality pre-amp will take care of PUTW pickups, and PUTW pre-amps will boost any good quality pickup. If you have a good pre-amp, save your money.

2. I'll have to talk to David on this one, and get back to you. Evolution has determined that #27 pickups work best on steel string guitars, but they may sound great on fiddles as well. Mostly these days, the model #15 goes on fiddles. David installed one on Vassar Clements fiddle a few weeks ago, and he is delighted.

While you can move the pickups from instrument to instrument, it does take a few minutes, so is probably not practical for on-stage perfomance. It is ideal to have one pickup per instrument.

3. Yup, with a couple of qualifications. If your guitar has ever had an endpin jack for another pickup it's easy, because the hole in the tailblock is already drilled. If not, you will probably want to take the guitar to a good luthier or technician to have that done. Once the hole is drilled, it's pretty easy, because PUTW pickups are pre-soldered to a very high quality endpin jack, which tightens from the outside, so no soldering is usually necessary unless you want to go dual source. The physical placement of the film is also simple. You just peel the paper off of the double-stick tape and press it on, (after wiping the dust off with a slightly damp cloth). Finding the sound best for your instrument is a bit trickier, depending on your make of guitar. PUTW's customer service is simply the best there is, and will walk you through it.

The ideal for the fiddle is a #15 with a Carpenter Jack. The Carpenter Jack, (thanks Fred Carpenter), is an ingenious padded output jack which clamps nicely onto the rim of violins, violas and mandolins. Definitely the best way to go for these instruments. The film places externally on these instruments, and again, you just peel the paper off the tape and stick it on. The pickup can be placed on the top of the instrument, or sometimes on the back of the bridge, or compressed between the bridge and the body. The best sound on Vassar's fiddle was on the top, longitudinally centered beneath the tailpiece. I should say that vintage instruments with 200 year old finishes probably don't want the tape on them. But Vassar, whose violin is no doubt vintage, didn't care. He said the fiddle had been refinished so many times, a little tape wouldn't hurt.

Marion, I hope I have answered your questions. Feel free to call me at 1-800-375 2656 for more info. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: Marion
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 12:55 AM

Thanks BlueJay, that was very helpful. I would be interested to hear which model would be recommended for me. For what it's worth, if there was no good compromise I would take the pickup that was good for the guitar and so-so for the fiddle rather than the other way around.

Marion

Subject: RE: 'Pick Up The World' Acoustic pickups.
From: mooman
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 04:14 AM

Anyone have experience of the new "Power Pin" pickup featured on the PUTW website. I am seriously considering one of these for my Lakewood which is exclusively used for fingerpicking in open tunings.

mooman