Product: B-Band A4
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted
06/08/2003
at
10:30pm
by
SLS
Features
:
Pickup features: Active with AST and UST
Impedence or other specs:
Instrument
:
Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 414
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: No pickup change
Sound
:
No Opinion
Perceived output level: Not as hot as a Fishman Matrix I, but has "Hot" ability with a good amp
Tone: With Tusq saddle it is very balanced. Preamp makes it adjustable.
Sonic evaluation: I am using a Taylor 414 and a SWR California Blonde, with stereo cable and the 2 channels that I EQ differently.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a good match for solo instrumentals (fingerpicking).
Overall Rating
:
10
Comments: I would get one only for this guitar because it is the best thing I found for a solo steel string in small gigs. I would not put this on my Martin because my Fishman Matrix 1 has a clearer tone at high volumes during large gigs. I have played for over 25 years. I have 2 Martins, and a Fender Strat. I love the abiity to quickly make adjustments to the balance, blend, and volume while playing live. Also, the variety of tone that can be drawn from an already great sounding Taylor 414. I wish it had the ability to crank louder, but my experiences with many types of acoustic pickups have shown that different pickups work differently on guitars, and there are many types of guitars for many types of venues. It is about personal preference of sound. I have tried a lot of systems in a lot of guitars. I purchased the A4 because it was new and hard to find. I wish it could handle higher volumes without feedback. However I am satisfied with this system (A4 preamp, AST and UST), as I now have access to quickly change the tone and volume while playing live. One last point: I am using a high quality guitar and a great sounding amp. Matching the amp with the guitar and finding the right pickup is the ultimate challange. The venue that you play will also demand a particular sound. The blendind of the AST and UST via the A4 helps.
