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I have a Yamaha FG340 guitar and I installed a Fishman pup under the bridge. It sounds really good but know i need to equalize the sound because it entirely too hot. I just run the guitar through my P.A. because thats what i have. Is there something like an effect pedal i can get? Any suggestions? I just want to be able to adjust the sound. Thanx.

Laterzz,
Miles

If I'm not mistaken most Fishman systems have volume adjustments. Are you saying you didn't get one of those?

Short of that, you can get a volume pedal. That will allow you to adjust the volume as well.

Also, are you sure that you're not capable of adjusting the input gain on the PA? That is also a pretty standard thing on a PA.

Jody

An outboard pre-amp that Fishman makes would work well. In the meantime, doesn't your PA have a dB cut switch?




Jody, Miles may have a signal that's too hot for the gain control to do anything. I have that problem with my Fishman Rare Earth Single Coil on my powered mixer. If I don't have the 20dB cut engaged I really can't control the input with the channel level/gain control.

Or do you want to adjust the sound in some other way than just volume?

Like maybe, equalization? I think they make stomp box sized ones (equalizer) specifically for acoustics. JMO I think Boss makes a nice one. Probably around 89 bucks. That'll give you the same kind of control that acoustic guitars with factory installed pick-ups and transducers have.

I stand firmly behind Boss pedals. On one my acoustics has a piezo type pick up in it. I think they sound a little tiney. That one I run thru a

BOSS GE-7

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSS-GE-7-Equal...669QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it allows me to fine tune the sound prior to going to the board.

A couple of my friends that run open mic's sware by the

BOSS AD3 Acoustic Processor

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSS-AD3-Acoust...419QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They say it make's EVERY guitar sound better. I've played my piezo thru it and I'd have to agree.

I've bought all but one of my pedals used, even a couple on ebay, and haven't had a problem with a single one. But then again, I've only bought Boss pedals and even though they've been used, they can still run pretty high. I've heard horror storys about other brands being bought used though.

I'm guessing that you are plugging the guitar directly into the PA - I'm wondering if theres a DI box with a dB cut that could help control the input level.
Once you have that under control, then you can decide if you need additional EQ adjustments.

Speaking of Boss pedals (thread drift warning) I just put my old analog Boss DM-3 delay pedal up for sale on craigslist...for $200. And I'm getting bites, too. Amazing what items gain or lose value over time.

By far the best pickup I've heard is the LR Baggs active iBeam, which does have a volume control, it has a small volume pot. with an adhesive backing the you stick onto the inside of the soundhole wherever you want.

I put one in a relatively inexpensive guitar which sounds OK on it's own, and the iBeam makes a WORLD of difference plugged in. I use it live, recording and during performance & technique workshops.

The only complaint I have is that since it's a contact microphone system rather than an under bridge system, there's a bit of rumbling that comes through in the signal if you hit the guitar top at all. It cost me $175 CAD which is about twice the cost of an average system, but it's WAY worth it!

Marc, I've been thinking about picking up one of the iBeams. How difficult is the installation process? I've heard that it can be challenging to get the pickup in the correct location. Any info you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Very easy in fact; it comes with a little rig to help you centre it on the bridge. Basically, take your string pegs out insert the two pins (in the 1 & 6 string holes) and attach the plastic plate that holds and guides the pickup into position.

You peel off the protective strip to reveal the adhesive strip, reach in the soundhole and place the pickup on the plastic plate and adhere it to the bridge plate inside the guitar. It goes on the plate just slightly behind the peg holes and can be adjusted once you think you have it right, to accentuate the bass or treble response. You have to be mindful of the bolts somteimes used to help hold the bridge on though, look and make sure they're not going to be in the way first.

I also installed one on my Ovation with a string thru bridge, and just eyed it up through the access hole in the back. Once the adhesive sets for a couple of hours you're going to be hard pressed to move it again, though it's not impossible if you wnat to swap it out into another guitar. It comes with a couple of extra adhesive strips incase you mess up. If you spend some time with the manual which is very detailed with lots of pictures, and check out the placing rig, you'll get it. It's one of those 'thinking in three dimensions' exercises!

If you check out my link to cdbaby, and listen to "Night Vision", that's the sound of the iBeam only, no mics no nothin'.

BTW, congratulations on the Performing Songwriter cudos!

Thanks for the info, Marc.

Regarding the Performing Songwriter kudos, I just hope I can live up to the hype.