Played at 2 concerts during the last months (which is a lot for a hobbyist). Noticed again how hard it is to mic my the Yamaha CG-80A classical guitar I've been using for the past 20 years. And how it's almost impossible to get the sound I really want if there's not much time to do a soundcheck and I'm not the one mixing.
So I finally decided to install a pickup inside my priceless guitar. Surfed the net and was overwhelmed by the number of pickups to choose from. What seemed to be the best one would cost me 12000php (the Anthem) which cost more than a brand new Yamaha CX40 classical guitar with preamp.
Good thing my award-winning composer friend Toto Sorioso gave me his guitar tech's number a while back. And I am immensely happy that I brought my guitar to Sir Arie Hipolito of Guitar Hospital near Welcome Rotonda.
He installed an under-the-saddle pickup from his supplier, replaced my loose plastic saddle with a bone saddle, returned the action to the original one which was perfect for me, and applied beeswax on the pegs of my recently-replaced Yamaha machine head.
I also just strung my guitar with Savarez 520R's. And bought a Behringer V-tone ADI21 Acoustic preamp which was on sale.
So now, if I file my nails just right, I can create tones I never even knew were possible. Maybe the thicker Savarez strings (higher tension than my usual D'Addarios) linger just a split second longer on my fingers. Or maybe the strings are just more balanced and nuanced. Or maybe the bone saddle is more efficient at transferring the sound to my brigde and soundboard. (Or maybe I've learned a thing or twonah!) But my unplugged sound is better than ever.
And plugged--I wouldn't say sounds better--but sounds exactly the same! Which is what a good pickup and preamp combination should be able to dorecreate the sound of a miced classical guitar.
Played with this setup 4 days straight for my Papa. I'm sure he was clapping right along with me. As some Filipinos say: Thanks God!
So I finally decided to install a pickup inside my priceless guitar. Surfed the net and was overwhelmed by the number of pickups to choose from. What seemed to be the best one would cost me 12000php (the Anthem) which cost more than a brand new Yamaha CX40 classical guitar with preamp.
Good thing my award-winning composer friend Toto Sorioso gave me his guitar tech's number a while back. And I am immensely happy that I brought my guitar to Sir Arie Hipolito of Guitar Hospital near Welcome Rotonda.
He installed an under-the-saddle pickup from his supplier, replaced my loose plastic saddle with a bone saddle, returned the action to the original one which was perfect for me, and applied beeswax on the pegs of my recently-replaced Yamaha machine head.
I also just strung my guitar with Savarez 520R's. And bought a Behringer V-tone ADI21 Acoustic preamp which was on sale.
So now, if I file my nails just right, I can create tones I never even knew were possible. Maybe the thicker Savarez strings (higher tension than my usual D'Addarios) linger just a split second longer on my fingers. Or maybe the strings are just more balanced and nuanced. Or maybe the bone saddle is more efficient at transferring the sound to my brigde and soundboard. (Or maybe I've learned a thing or two
And plugged--I wouldn't say sounds better--but sounds exactly the same! Which is what a good pickup and preamp combination should be able to do
Played with this setup 4 days straight for my Papa. I'm sure he was clapping right along with me. As some Filipinos say: Thanks God!
