Looking for ideas on adding a pickup of some kind to my mandolin. Problem is that I only have $50 invested in the mandolin so I'm looking for something as inexpensive as possible. I would really prefer a mag pup for better output and control. I've thought about maybe using a bass guitar pickup but I'm unsure how to install it with no access to the insides of the mando. Another option I pondered was using a "floating" mini humbucker like the type used on some jazz guitars but not sure if that could be modified to fit the smaller neck.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Views: 1605

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

If you are happy to fit a single coil sized pickup I'd go for a suntekstore minihumbucker - being a hotrail type means there is no problem with pole piece spacings.http://www.suntekstore.com/goods-15006824-humbucker_pickup_for_tele... and at $5.92 with free delivery it is a great deal.  Also if you do a suntekstore voucher code search you can often save a little bit more of the price,

 

I have a fretboard mounted jazz guitar type humbucker and think it would be difficult to try and bend the fixing bracket to a thinner neck.  They do make a version which fits to the pickguard - I haven't used this type so I am not sure how you fix them http://www.ebay.com/itm/Artec-Side-Mount-Pickup-Arch-Top-Jazz-Guita...

There is an old thread about them http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/pickups-7?commentId=2592...

How do these pickups sound? I noticed that they make a cheap chrome covered tele neck pickup - anyone try these?(sorry to go a little off topic)

I think they sound brilliant for the price (The minihumbucker - I haven't used one of the chrome tele neck pickups).  If you coil tap them I have found you get the best sounds using the Seymour Duncan Esquire wiring diagram http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php... if I have worked out the wiring I think this circuit on split coil option grounds 3 of the wires and leaves one going to the hot output and rather than a cut in sound it gives a nice growl.  I have tried a normal toggle on/on/on switch with this diagram http://www.warmanguitars.co.uk/wiring_diagram_downloads/3-way-humbu... which just cuts the circuit to one coil without grounding it fully and the change in tone is more subtle.

I am not real happy with my home made mandos.  But I am happy with how they sound plugged in with a simple and cheap piezo.

Here`s 2 of my custom mando bridges [ for flat top ] they both have rod piezo` in

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

Busking Songs...

Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods on Wednesday. 7 Replies

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

Latest Activity

BrianQ. left a comment for Jim Weaver
9 minutes ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Crazed Fandango
"I see you’ve been gone awhile, we picked up a glitch in that time, here’s what to do?"
11 minutes ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Bill Andy
16 minutes ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Sam Beavers
17 minutes ago
Rob (Uker) Porras commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Angel 2x Anti-Body #17

"Ooo… tre sexy"
28 minutes ago
Profile IconBill Andy, Bill Andy, Sam Beavers and 1 more joined Cigar Box Nation
1 hour ago
Cigar Box Nation commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Jose Cuervo | Shelly West cover on 4-string CBG

"Got your message about more glitches on this site. I've been talking to Ben about making the…"
1 hour ago
Doug Thorsvik posted a video

I Can Only Imagine: 2-String Chugger License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 199th Zoom Mtg 04/22/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG SOF Songbook...
3 hours ago
Bernie Edwards liked David Hopkins's photo
9 hours ago
Bernie Edwards liked David Hopkins's photo
9 hours ago
Crazed Fandango replied to Rich Butters's discussion UK - Best Place to Buy Cigar Box's
10 hours ago
Crazed Fandango liked Paul Atkinson's discussion Journal Article on the Cigar Box Guitar scene in the UK
10 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->