Hey everyone! I am here to start yet ANOTHER thread about Taylor GS Mini pickup options (ha sorry!). I have read through some previous threads on topic but am looking for some specific advice.
Backstory:
About a year ago I decided to jump onto the GS Mini bandwagon. At the time, my main workhorse was a Martin DX1RAE which I loved the sound of, but being a small framed chick, I found it large, bulky and less than comfortable to play. I began relying mostly on my Little Martin when playing open mic nights and such due to the much more comfortable size, and the built in tuner is a nice little lazy feature too as far as being able to sling my guitar over my shoulder and show up at a bar ready to plug and play. Obviously the LX1E is less than ideal as a main guitar. Enter the Taylor GS Mini, the perfect happy medium.
The mahogany was my preference mostly due to aesthetics, but also tone, but I was seeking to purchase a second hand one, so I opted for practical over pickiness and wound up getting a spruce top GS mini with an installed Fishman Infinity Matrix at a total bargain. I love it, but still longed after the mahogany.
Earlier this week, I scored a great deal on a mahogany GS Mini in great condition but with no electronics. My goal is to have something installed into it, and then sell the spruce making it a break even deal.
Here are my options:
1) Have the Fishman removed from the spruce, and installed into the mahogany. I love the way this pickup sounds (it's what I'm used to tone-wise from my history of playing Martins with Fishmans) but I find the battery pack and volume/tone controls to be a pain to access inside the guitar. If I were starting from scratch, it likely would not have been my choice due to that alone, plus the price. In an active pickup, I really do prefer to have a tuner and EQ on the side of the body. But if I go this route, I only have to pay for labour (around $60) and can then just sell the spruce without electronics in it.
2) Buy an ES-go. I haven't had a chance to play one of these yet but the reviews I've read have not been promising. That being said, you can't beat the price and ease of installation. I have concerns about the lack of volume and tone control and I've read about feedback/buzzing issues due to poor grounding.
3) Go with a K&K Pure Mini. This seems to be a popular choice for GS Mini owners. The price is right. Is the output high enough not to need a preamp? I'm not sure if this will sound bright enough for my tastes and again, I have concerns about feedback and a lack of control settings.
4) Something from LR Baggs. LR Baggs has been recommended to me from numerous techs at my local shop. I have faith in the quality of them, but no first hand experience with them. They are also at the very top of (or maybe out of) my budget. Are these active or passive? What model would you recommend? Where are the controls and batteries located on these?
5) .....?
Basically I'm looking for a either an active pickup with easily accessible controls and batteries (I'd love to have a preamp installed in the side but want to avoid major surgery and major costs), OR a passive pickup with a decent output that could be plugged directly into a mixer. Price should be max $200 CDN installed.
What would you do if you were in my position?
Thank you for your help!
Backstory:
About a year ago I decided to jump onto the GS Mini bandwagon. At the time, my main workhorse was a Martin DX1RAE which I loved the sound of, but being a small framed chick, I found it large, bulky and less than comfortable to play. I began relying mostly on my Little Martin when playing open mic nights and such due to the much more comfortable size, and the built in tuner is a nice little lazy feature too as far as being able to sling my guitar over my shoulder and show up at a bar ready to plug and play. Obviously the LX1E is less than ideal as a main guitar. Enter the Taylor GS Mini, the perfect happy medium.
The mahogany was my preference mostly due to aesthetics, but also tone, but I was seeking to purchase a second hand one, so I opted for practical over pickiness and wound up getting a spruce top GS mini with an installed Fishman Infinity Matrix at a total bargain. I love it, but still longed after the mahogany.
Earlier this week, I scored a great deal on a mahogany GS Mini in great condition but with no electronics. My goal is to have something installed into it, and then sell the spruce making it a break even deal.
Here are my options:
1) Have the Fishman removed from the spruce, and installed into the mahogany. I love the way this pickup sounds (it's what I'm used to tone-wise from my history of playing Martins with Fishmans) but I find the battery pack and volume/tone controls to be a pain to access inside the guitar. If I were starting from scratch, it likely would not have been my choice due to that alone, plus the price. In an active pickup, I really do prefer to have a tuner and EQ on the side of the body. But if I go this route, I only have to pay for labour (around $60) and can then just sell the spruce without electronics in it.
2) Buy an ES-go. I haven't had a chance to play one of these yet but the reviews I've read have not been promising. That being said, you can't beat the price and ease of installation. I have concerns about the lack of volume and tone control and I've read about feedback/buzzing issues due to poor grounding.
3) Go with a K&K Pure Mini. This seems to be a popular choice for GS Mini owners. The price is right. Is the output high enough not to need a preamp? I'm not sure if this will sound bright enough for my tastes and again, I have concerns about feedback and a lack of control settings.
4) Something from LR Baggs. LR Baggs has been recommended to me from numerous techs at my local shop. I have faith in the quality of them, but no first hand experience with them. They are also at the very top of (or maybe out of) my budget. Are these active or passive? What model would you recommend? Where are the controls and batteries located on these?
5) .....?
Basically I'm looking for a either an active pickup with easily accessible controls and batteries (I'd love to have a preamp installed in the side but want to avoid major surgery and major costs), OR a passive pickup with a decent output that could be plugged directly into a mixer. Price should be max $200 CDN installed.
What would you do if you were in my position?
Thank you for your help!
