randythoades

I think I may be inclined to agree but wanted to try and keep obviously acoustic from a visual aspect if I can. From what I have seen on You Tube too, I think that suggestions about trying through guitar amp/pedal will be my first port of call and possibly trying archtop if I don't get quite the result I am after. Thanks for the help guys

Thanks BRX, I may try that this weekend anyway, as BotB suggested too, going through my Zoom and into my guitar amp to take away the acoustic-ness of the guitar and do a few room recordings of different setups so I can hear from customer point of view.

I have thought of that too, but don't think I quite have the clearance for one (although Kent Armstong seem to sell a slimline pickup which should fit, but only in the US). Or I could just buy an archtop:- pays homage to the Gods of GAS and solves my issue. I did see last night too that the Ibanez Talman acoustic only uses magnetic pickup so I may go and try one out and see if I like the sound.

That is a great sound, much closer to the sound I am looking for. A pig ugly chunk of metal hanging from the guitar though.

Thanks BotB, I do generally run my electric through Zoom G5 and into either AC15 style amp (for country) or straight into PA so could try that, hadn't actually considered this. The Neo D was on my radar but I had discounted it because no adjustable pole pieces. I will have another look.

Hi chaps, a bit of advice about acoustic guitar pickups. Strange as this may sound but I want to make my acoustic sound more 'electric'. I have an 'acoustic' side project with me as a single guitar with vocalist and drums. I want to be able to play both chords, rockabilly basslines and country lead highlights but am struggling with my acoustic sound. It sounds fine for rhythm but a bit lacklustre for lead, particularly on the boogie basslines (sounds like an acoustic and I actually prefer the richer sound of a clean electric guitar than I do true acoustic). But I want to keep the visual of the acoustic (unless I buy a big bodied jazzer with single neck pickup). We all go through PA and my guitar currently has a fishman under saddle piezo. So I would like to add a magnetic pickup and either run just that or possibly a mix of mag and piezo as I do with my upright bass. I use DR Zebra strings which are suitable for both piezo and magnetic pickups. I would prefer something with adjustable poles to correct an string imbalance and would probably prefer something that I can install temporarily to begin with and permanently if I like it. Has anyone any experience with an mag pickup? Any recommendations? I could just install a strat pickup at the neck like a regular guitar but wondered if there were any experience of things like sound hole pickups or similar?

I don't know if it would be the same for the BM, but I had the PRS SE One, the Les Paul Junior a-like. I also found it a bit generic but changed the pot and wiring instead of the pickup and it made a huge difference to my ears. More transparent tone and much better control. Maybe try that first, if you were changing pickups you ought to upgrade the wiring too.

I play a mix of rockabilly and country both on guitar and upright bass. BigRedX is right, it is a very conservative scene. I play a Telecaster but even this raises eyebrows on occasion. Bear in mind that if you are doing 50s rockabilly, a good portion of that was played on solid body guitars (cliff Gallup for instance played a Gretsch Duo Jet slid body) but the image of the Gretsch hollowbody was really cemented in the public mind by the likes of Brian Setzer. I think that the amp has more to do with the sound than the guitar but if you have the chops then no one will really mind. And the spirit of Rockabilly is about being a rebel so play what you like...

Have to be honest, I am a rockabilly guy but I have never seen the point in slapping when you have the benefit of playing with a drummer, would prefer not to clash and add some melodic content. But this just shows you how good a slap bass can be as a percussive instrument too. Great playing from both. Does make me wonder how good I would be had I learned to play at that age rather than 'waste' those years on computer games and dungeons and dragons (yes indeed - I was THAT cool... err NOT) ... Grr. Might have to wok through some YouTube vids on slapping...

I also have the Fishman BP100 and quite like the finger noise it picks up(sounds more authentic somehow) and particularly for recording where I will take a feed from the Fishman, mic and magnetic pickup and blend my mix until I get the right balance. Rehearsals and live though I use magnetic pickup (either Kent Armstrong or Krivo,depending on which bass I use) and in the mix you can't tell it is a mag pickup, just clean and quiet bass at much higher volume than I can get the same basses with piezo pickup. One thing I have found with the fishman too that it is very sensitive to where you place the contacts (certainly on my bass anyway). Moving them a couple of millimetres up or down or closer to the centre makes quite a difference. So have a play around. Also the amp makes a difference too. I couldn't get the sound I liked at all through my electric bass rig (Ashdown ABM or Hartke HA3500) but sounds nice and smooth through Paul Jones D200.

Nice looking Epiphone AE260. Over Margate way so too far for me to go, but have a real fancy for one of these. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1970s-Epiphone-AE-260-Semi-Hollow-Bass-Made-in-Japan-/152048946653?hash=item2366d2cddd:g:58IAAOSwJQdXCjGU"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1970s-Epiphone-AE-260-Semi-Hollow-Bass-Made-in-Japan-/152048946653?hash=item2366d2cddd:g:58IAAOSwJQdXCjGU[/url]

My strats all have 3 way switch, I don't like or use the nasally in between sounds. I tend to use middle pickup exclusively for rhythm sounds and I have it set lower than the other two, then depending on the song I will click to either neck or bridge for a solo sound which will give a small volume boost too. I suppose I use bridge pickup for about 60% of the solo stuff (as I play rockabilly and country styles mainly). I have the tone knob set for bridge instead of middle so I can roll a touch of the brightness out of the bridge pickup.

Looking for experienced guitarist (hopefully with some lead vocals too) to join experienced Upright bass (and vocal) and drummer (in our early 40's) to do some authentic 50s sounding rock and roll and jump blues. Looking to play some festivals,clubs an small parties. Woking area of Surrey. Covers initially but maybe including originals long term. Elvis, Buddy, Cochran, Perkins, Jerry Lee, Gene etc

Thanks guys. I don't think I can use regular P90s as it is a hollow guitar and nothing to screw onto unless I can make a frame underneath. I like the idea of TV Jones, but have just had a look at Creamery and Kent Armstrong. Seems I can spec something for less than I can get a set of SD Antiquities so that may be the best option. I will drop them an email and tell them what I want to do and see if they have suggestions but still use the mini humbucker format for convenience.

I'm watching it... Don't really need it and it looks too heavy for me, but always been keen to try one. I'm only 3 miles from Guildford and can't pass up a bargain...!

I have no problem with the selling of autographed or 'star' related memorabilia, I think it is just about the timing. It seems to have been listed originally on 18th or 19th January which is either the day or day after the man passed away. Come on, have a heart.

I am sure that it of great comfort to the family...

Distasteful attempt to cash in on the unhappy demise of Glenn Frey. A £50 Aria beginners guitar up for £5000 because of signed by The Eagles... disgraceful I think. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glenn-Frey-Aria-signed-guitar-/141881259206?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glenn-Frey-Aria-signed-guitar-/141881259206?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276[/url]

Had the guitar version of this back in the day after seeing Gary Moore playing one (or at least holding one in a photo) and it was stunning. Really regret letting it go, but a pointy Aria Urchin was calling me, nowhere near as good (and I love Aria).

Why not just use a multi effects type thing with an amp sim on it like the Zoom G3 or Vox Tonelab. Just go straight into the PA. Easier to lug around too.

Sorry to be late on this, sure you have sorted by now, but: I use Tonerider Hot Classics in my homebuild Tele, great 50s vibe with a bit extra grunt, great for some classic rock. About £35 for a set.

I use the Digitech Bad Monkey which is a TS-a-like pedal but it has High and Low EQ on the pedal as I like quite a lean sound in general but like a hump in the low and mids for solos (I keep the gain quite low though).

Thanks, I will do some research then into the sound I am looking for.

Thanks BigRedX, I have to say that I do like P90s and there is certainly more choice, but not sure how they would actually fit. I did have a measure up last night and a soapbar P90 seems to be within about 2mm the same size as my mini-humbucker if you include the surround. I might buy a cheap Wilkinson one or similar and spend an evening with a screwdriver and a ruler and see if I can get one to fit. I reason that the aperture in the top is smaller than the surround though so it may have to be a dogear and screw to the top if there is enough string clearance.