Amplified Classical Guitar

Subject: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 04:01 PM

Anyone out there got thoughts/advice on this subject?

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 04:06 PM

If you play like John Williams, go ahead. If, like me, you're prolific in the bum-note department ... maybe not.

Where will you be playing?

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 04:41 PM

I'd be playing smallish venues. But, reading around the subject, there seems so many options! Microphone, condenser mic, onboard - under bridge - pickups. And then, there are external acoustic guitar pre-amps! And which makes are the best?

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 05:04 PM

Tunesmith, there are lots of threads already re. amps etc. you might want to look at. Your best best is to match your guitar to whatever you find suits it (and you) best:

My mother told me when I was young
She said, 'Some men try to con you son;
You gotta separate the truth from the lie
You gotta taste and try, before you buy.'

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 05:23 PM

Lad I know plays classical , and has a Crafter , Cut-away , Classical
neck and built in electrics - Works very well as far as I can hear .

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: mooman
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 05:24 PM

Hi Tunesmith,

I get by with a Shadow saddle replacement tranducer and a decent acoustic amp (Trace Elliott TA 50 + sometimes also a Laney LA65C hooked up if necessary) which gives a reasonable sound without feedback when properly EQed. But if you want really high quality sound you'll need to think in terms of a high quality PA (plenty of threads on these) plus a good microphone like an AKG C451 B (pricey). Also plenty of threads on microphones (which are very much a personal preference thing... as I can't afford the AKGs I use Shure SM 57s for miking instruments which are reasonably good).

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 05:41 PM

Tunesmith, I don't know what kind of venues you'll be playing in, but. . . .

I've been playing classic guitars since 1955, and I've never used one with any kind of electronics built in. I've played in every kind of venue from living rooms, to coffeehouses, to television studios, to meeting halls, to some pretty sizable theaters and auditoriums, to outdoor concerts with audiences of up to 15,000. I've never used anything but what was provided there at the venue, usually the house mikes and PA system. I always got along just fine.

I also saved a helluva lot of money on equipment, compared to some of my electrified brethren.

But—whatever lights up your eyes.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 05:59 PM

For whatever it's worth, I have a Takamine Hirade with built-in electronics and it sounds and plays absolutely wonderful; however, I also have a Breedlove-C25/K, so the "Tak" doesn't get a great deal of attention. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 09:56 PM

I've been using Shatten Design "Dualie" soundboard transducers on 4 steelstrings and one mandolin, and tried one on my last nylon and liked it even though I never gigged with it. It's a snap to install too. This pickup is happier with a DI box and I tend to use a volume pedal and a Boss EQ. In a perfect world I prefer a shotgun condenser mic (it aims better than the large diaphram mic to avoid hearing me grunt and wheeze), but the pickup works in a pinch or as a sort of low threshold signal combined with a mic.

Experiment with placement, it can make a big difference.

Peace, and good luck, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 09:00 AM

Thanks for all the advice. Cheers

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 08:00 PM

I've got one on the crofter cutaways. I think its good, but I'm not a classical guitarist. why not try one. if you are getting one of the AER acoustic amps - I'd go for the battery one. it costs more but I saw one at Saltburn and I wished I'd paid the extra.

Subject: RE: Amplified Classical Guitar
From: Nick
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 09:07 PM

If you try Gedpipes or El Ted both of whom are members I'm sure they could put you in touch with Steve Warne (?) from N Yorks who plays a nylon strung acoustic through a (? Marshall) acoustic amp with results