K&K Sound Systems Twin Spot Internal

twin passive mics , No volume or tone, Not sure on the output

gretsch synchromatic archtop.
I put the jack on the lower part of the top so I drilled a hole for it because I didn't want to change the strap button.
The guitar didn't have a pickup originally
I play on stage with it so I needed a better way to mic it.

I started using this through the sound board but I don't like not having control of my tone so I am know running it through a cheap 1992 fender princeton 112. If you use this with out an EQ your not going to like the sound, Very tinny and no bass maybe its just my guitar. I play alot of cowboy chords with this guitar but normally play jazz and rockabilly. I am going to change this pickup out with an Artec floating pickup to get more bass.

I think this would work better in a sound hole acoustic, but for archtop I would go with a floating humbucker. I am going to try this in my gibson LG2 and if it sounds better I will post a review of it in that guitar. Oh and I almost forgot this thing will get alot of feedback if your not careful. just keep the volume on the amp low and turn up the board volume and you'll be fine.

Overall I wouldn't buy another one but I won't get rid of this on until I try it in all applications

Pickup features: Two passive piezo transducers attached to the gutiar's bridge plate
Impedence or other specs: Two 1/2" diameter transducers with 1/4" endpin jack; High ohmic

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee Parlor Guitar (Sitka Spruce Top, Mahagony Back & Sides)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Neo-D Soundhole Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: I don't know, but all artists should be using any K & K Sound pickup
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle (blues, folk, jazz)
Reason for pickup change: I recently instralled a K & K Pure Western pickup (three-transducer design) and fell in love with its simplicity, output, and the WONDERFUL sound. The Fishman Neo-D magnetic soundhole pickup sounded good but did not reflect the true sound of the parlor guitar.

Perceived output level: The output is greater than most passive piezo soundboard or bridgeplate transducers. I really don't need to use a preamp unless I want to easily control the volume.
Tone: The tone excellent. It is very balance and true to the sound of the guitar. My wife says it sounds "lovely".
Sonic evaluation: I first plugged directly into a small Fender electric guitar amp (1 10" speaker) with a "full" clean setting. It sounded wonderful. Then I used my K & K Power Pack preamp with the bass and treble set equally and gain level at about 2 and it sounded INCREDIBLE...extremely clear with greater, more natural brilliance. I can't wait to plug it into a good PA system; I can only imagine how wonderful it would sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly fingerstyle with some strumming. It really is a perfect match in my opinion.

Comments: I spoke with Dieter at K & K Sound who tried very much to convince me that the new Pure Western Mini pickups would be the best match for the Larrivee Parlor guitar. He might be correct, but I wanted to save some money (about $30 less) and experiment with their other pickups. When Dieter spoke of the Pure Western Mini pickups, he was really preaching to the choir since I am familiar with the standard Pure Western pickup installed in my Martin D-1.
I didn't follow the installation instructions exactly. Instead of using the thin double-sided tape provided, I used superglue to attach the pickup transducers to the bridgeplate...guided by my middle finger with double-sided poster tape and looking at a mirror through the bridge pin holes. This is a tricky procedure but I've had practice with the Pure Western pickup. I figured since the Pure Western pickups are installed in this manner, it would produce similar results for the Twin Spot internal. I did install the transducers between and just in front of the 1st and 2nd strings and the 5th and 6th strings as suggested; however, I turned the transducer heads so the wires would not run between the bridge pins as shown in diagram provided. In other words, they are positioned just like the Pure Western transducers (but only 2 instead of 3 transducers). I was initially concerned that this may cause some problem, but it seemed just fine and was actually easier to install this way. I then taped the wire to the inside of the back of the guitar to keep them from rubbing or moving around inside the guitar.
I was anticipating the Twin Spot pickup, with only two 1/2-inch transducers, would produce far less volume and would sound inferior to the 3-transducer Pure Western pickup, but this was not the case at all. The Twin Spot Internal sounds just as wonderful as the Pure Western - very warm, balanced, and true to the sound of the parlor guitar.
I am just so impressed with K & K pickups that I am willing to install them in any of my friends' acoustic guitars (after they purchase them, of course). They are so affordable and sound better than any pickup I've tried over the past 15 years. By the way, K & K Sound should win an award for their superb customer service. Dieter even replies to emails on Sunday morning when most people don't want to be bothered. Thank you, Dieter!