I'm building an electric CBG and would really like a hidden pickup, but I want to avoid piezos. I was wondering if a magnetic pickup can be used hidden behind the lid of the box? I have a lovely box and don't want to cut a big hole in the front for the pickup.
Alternatively, is there any way to reduce the footprint of the pickup on the front of the lid? For example, just having the 3 magnets poke through instead of the entire pickup face.
Here's a photo of the box I'm using, just because it's so nice!
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Great box, how did it turn out?
I'm not finished yet! Life got in the way a bit, plus the lack of a job. But it's a new year, new job and soon a new piece of aluminium to finish off the details :)
I've done a couple where i just cut a slot in the top and, with the cohiba just put a strip magnet on top of the poles, and the reso was just a strip of 1/8" steel on the poles
If you have a stepped neck, a mag pickup will fit nicely between the neck and the box lid. I did that kind of install on a three-stringer and it worked out well. Give it a go...
Check out this link to a prior discussion on in-box-pickups
So I could mount a 6-pole mag pup inside the box and just put a piece of steel on the box top to get the desired amplification instead of fiddling with the "right" angle to make the pup look good with three strings or whatever.
Sweet.
That is pure gold. Just what I was looking for. Thank you very much!
yes . you can mount the pup under the lid . it will still read the strings through the lid , even up to 1/4 inch thick wood . as long as its not too far from the strings to read . yet some folks still leave a small space or thin foam between the pup and the lid to avoid microphonic sounds . you can also drill 3 holes to assist the mag field getting through ,, even drop in short screws to extend the mag . etc etc etc . have at it . it will work . ;-)
Thanks Pick! I'll start off just mounting it behind the lid and if I think it needs more I'll try extending the rods through.