Best pickup for a fiddle?

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 04:44 AM

If feedback is a problem then invest in an electric violin. Check out the 'Bridge' website.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,stradmad
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:49 AM

our band got a microvox from Eaglemusicshop

its very good

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: s&r
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:33 AM

Fishman is great as pickup. It does modify the acoustic sound though - a bit like fitting a mute, but the effect isn't as strong. Fishman do a preamp that works well, but the combined package ain't cheap - was about £200.00 if I remember right.

Stu

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Tequila Sunrise
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:27 AM

I use the Headway 'The Band'.

I did loads of research before buying. It has 3 microphones that rest against the body of the violin, and is attached with velcro. No wind noise when playing outside, no bow hiss, and I NEVER get any feedback. It's literally just plug and play. And the beauty is that I can usi it on both my fiddles - 2 for the price of 1

Cost me £120 from Hobgoblin in Leeds but worth every penny. Was watching Seth Lakeman on TV about a week ago, and noticed that he's using the Band too.

Check it out here

Headway Electronics 'The Band'

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Pinnacle Dave
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 05:00 PM

I tried Fishman, Barcus Berry, AKG, and another....I forget - it was so long ago. I have settled on the Autolycus. The sound is full bodies, it has no effect on acoustic sound, uses no glue or screws.
I does need a pre-amp, like all Piezos.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: mooman
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 07:11 PM

I have Fishman equipped instruments and they are fine pickups but believe the LR Baggs is the best sounding fiddle pickup I have heard.

Best regards

mooman

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: Oaklet
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 06:27 PM

That'll be be the Barton on Humber side of the Bridge then, not the Hessle side, Skip.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 05:24 PM

Bill Sables brought an amazing little critter back from the States. It looks like one on those white plastic things with a wire through the middle that sad people use to seal polythene bags prior to forgetting them in the freezer. It sticks to whatever, and has a tiny wire to the jack plug. He plonked it all over me fiddle, when I was round EtV's gaff one night, and it sounded best close to the bridge (when I was playing the right side of it!).

PM Bill for the name, and a more accurate description.

Skipjack

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: Marion
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 04:57 PM

RichM made this comment:

"Be sure to listen to any device before you buy, if possible. As well as a pickup, I would recommend a good tone control box, because you will likely need to modify the raw output of whatever you install on your fiddle.I like the Baggs DI/ tone control. It allows maximum shaping of tone. It may be more than you need, but I like it because I can send a low impedance signal (that is, 3-pin mic style output) to a sound board at performances-as well as a hi impedance output to an amp I use on stage as my personal instrument monitor. And I'd suggest something used, try Song Bird Music. "

Thanks. I'm thinking now that it might be best to get a microphone; any thoughts on microphones that are good for both fiddle and voice?

Marion

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: selby
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 01:54 PM

Fogie Could be a Bridge sound good and look good. Keith

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 11:00 AM

Finally remembered to post that the pre-amp is a Nobels!

Good luck.

Cheers Sarah

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 09:19 AM

Thanks for that info, sarah. I'd better head for Cleckie.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 09:07 AM

Um - not sure I'm qualified as I've only ever had the one. Nasty little pale blue effort (for a guitar) priced about £40 from the Music Room in Cleckheaton - can't remember the make and I'm at work at present. Fishman do do their own (around £100) but I never had any problems with the guitar version - good strong signal for which I was complimented by several sound engineers at festivals (so it must be OK).

Cheers Sarah

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 12:16 PM

GUEST Sarah. Could you recommend the appropriate kind of pre-amp. Dont understand these things but thinking of buying someone a present.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: fogie
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:56 AM

My mate Andy never was content until he invested in a purpose made electric- I cant remember which, one of those shiny slim colourful ones, It sounds great to me -no more feedback, lots of tone control.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:22 AM

Thanks for your answers. Anyone else?

MILZ, I'd also like to know why you don't like the Fishman in small rooms.

Has anyone tried Pick Up the World on a fiddle?

Marion

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 21 Jun 02 - 08:27 AM

Definitely a Fishman - have used it for both big and small venues. Would recommend a pre-amp to use with it though otherwise the top end is a bit harsh.

Cheers Sarah

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,eoin
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 02:31 PM

In all my experience I find the best pick-up for a fiddle is " Your a Fine looking fiddle, do you fancy going out sometime for a drink?" Works every time!

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 02:31 PM

MILZ what do you have against the Fishman for small venues? I'm not a fiddler but my partner is on the lookout for a new pickup at the moment and will be very interested in this thread.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Oakley
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 02:27 PM

I've tried loads; mostly the stick-on type and tried to put them everywhere in a vain attempt to get a sound that I liked - on the bridge, next to a f hole, on Mick McGarry's head etc. But I was never happy. In the end I invested in a Fishman V 200. The extra £30 for the gizmo that clamps the lead socket onto the violin was well worth it. I also bought a Fishman Pro EQII pre amp, to give that extra bit of control. All in all over £240, but I have had no regrets. Hope that helps.

Subject: RE: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: MILZ
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 02:05 PM

i have a fishman! its great for big gigs with lots of band members but for small halls/rooms i wouldnt recommend it!

Subject: Best pickup for a fiddle?
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 11:33 AM

Hello all. What's the best kind of pickup to put on a fiddle?

(Yes, yes, I know there are a lot of threads on amplification, but they're talking about guitars almost all the time and I wanted to attract the attention of the fiddleheads).

Thanks, Marion