K & K Sound Systems Trinity Western

I am sure everyone reading this knows the basic specs by now, 3 underbridge trasducers, a mic and an outboard preamp. Stereo output from guitar to preamp, but if a mono lead is used then just the transducers are heard.

I installed this on my Lowden F10. I bought the guitar new from Lowden with no pick up. I installed the K & K system myself in an hour or so.

The sound is amazing, exactley what I wanted. My Lowden is the most beautiful sounding guitar you could hear, this pick up system allows my audience to also appreciate that. I have lost count of the number of compliments on my sound and playing, regardless of the gear I play through. I sometimes use my own amp a Marshall AD100S acoustic amp, this can take a stereo signal and put the transducers on one channel and the mic on another, i.e. it does the same job as the preamp but with more control. Sometimes I use that set up on it's own and sometimes in larger halls I take a stereo line out to the PA desk. Other times I plug my guitar directly into the desk. I used to use the preamp clipped to my back pocket but now mostly use a mono lead straight to the desk, this means the mic is not active. You have to have very good ears to hear the subtle difference with/without the mic in a gig situation and the mic can cause some feedback if turned up too much. The transducers are so good and many times better than any other pickup system I have used or heard. For ease of use I mostly now just use the transducers straight in to the desk, it is very very good. The balance between the stings is good and is neither too bassy or too toppy, all frequences seem well delivered. The mic adds a touch of "live" to the mix a bit like having a presence control, when I use it I have about 3 or 4 parts tranducers to 1 part mic but that is just personal and may vary with the type of guitar. This pick up does make you guitar sound louder but it still sounds like your guitar. Happily my guitar sounds beautiful on it's own the pick up just makes that louder.

I am a professional musician,(40 years) teaching, gigging etc. I play Pierre Bensusan, Martin Simpson, Michael Hedges type of stuff but mostly my own material. Intricate picking stuff that demands great seperation of string sounds that I find the Lowden delivers and the K&K amplifies accurately. I have just bought another Lowden O10c and I will order another K&K pick up for it. They sell the K&K here in UK but I will contact Bob Gollihur in the US again, I like him, he knows his stuff! I will get the Pure system this time, it is the tranducers only as I rarely use the mic. In the studio I use a condenser mic and the K&K sound blended. If you want to hear my set up try myspace.com/markclaydon1 I used just the transducers into the desk through Bose 802's this was captured on my sons sony video camera's built in mic, not ideal but you can hear the seperation and acoustic tone.

Pickup features: Three under-bridge transducers and one internal mic through an outboard preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone AJ
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Who cares, it was a piezo
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Pregressive Folk/Rock
Reason for pickup change: I absolutely hate the piezo pickup sound. Needed a change. This system looked to offer the best.

Perceived output level: It's as hot as you'll ever need, although the mic can feedback.
Tone: Whatever you want it to be. I found it a little bassy, so I made some adjustments to it. No hum, hiss, or anything like that.
Sonic evaluation: It will surprise you. It honestly sounds just like whatever guitar you install it in. I could hear every little nuance of my guitar on the recordings I made with it, even the things I wish were different. Still, my guitar now sounds better plugged in than a $10,000 Martin with a piezo. When I can afford a nice guitar, this system is coming out of this guitar and going into the new one. I can't imagine the beauty. For now, this system in any cheap acoustic will sound better plugged in than a nice guitar with a factory piezo pickup installed.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a great match for anyone. Choose the guitar based on your style and this will reproduce its tone.

Comments: The preamp is nice. It allows you to split the output into a mic and a pickup channel for seperate processing if you want. Also, while I thought having the controls internal (you have to take the cover off and use a jeweler's screwdriver to adjust the gain and EQ) would be a pain, it actually allows you to spend an hour or two recording it and setting it precisely, then forget about it. And you still have mic and pickup volume controls handy on the top. Another advantage of the external belt-pack preamp is that you can install the pickup without intruding on the guitar at all.
All in all, I honestly consider this the perfect acoustic pickup system. It faithfully amplifies the tone of an acoustic guitar, it doesn't damage the guitar on installation, it allows for tone control, and it's completely removable. This is a major feat in acoustic amplification that shouldn't be overlooked.

Pickup features: bridge plate transducer + microphone + preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor Big Baby
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Rear Earth
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Fingerpicking + Struming
Reason for pickup change: Fishman sounds terible. Waste of money. Sound was thin and cheap. Output was low and noisy. My advice is stay away from Fishman if you're looking for good sound.

Perceived output level: Great. High output without noise. Probably double than RearEarth.
Tone: Trinity sounds great. Especially transducer. It sounds like Big Baby.That's all I was hoping for.
Sonic evaluation: Transducer is great. Mic is not necessary especially if you have one already. I use it with K&K preamp and TLAudio 5051. Transducer thru 5051 sounds wonderful. Hot, clean signal.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: every

Comments: Great system. Transducer best I've heard. Mic and preamp not necesery if you already have one. In this case save your money and buy just transducer.
It's a joke to compare it to Fishman RearEarth. RearEarth sound is shameful when you hear K&K.

Pickup features: 3 transducers and mic plus preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee KV-03
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: NONE
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, chords, worship music
Reason for pickup change: First pickup installed in guitar.

Perceived output level: Adjustable and puts out plenty of sound
Tone: Adjustable balanced sound
Sonic evaluation: Fender Acoustasonic SFX

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Pickup is adjustable so you can use in most any style.

Comments: This makes my guitar sound really nice. The EQ can be adjusted. I had a professional luthier install it and it works great. but 4 days later my battery is DEAD! I read all the reviews on harmony-central looking for a good pickup system. One person said the battery life was a big problem. Nobody else mentioned this. So I've now changed the battery only one time. I have to loosen every string and reach my hand inside the soundhole to change the battery. Then I'll have to retune. So pretty much, I will always have to have a backup guitar on stage. I'll be very careful to see what happens in the future and how often I need to change batteries. I may have to switch pickups to alleviate this problem.

Pickup features: 3 bridgeplate transducers, internal mic, & pre-amp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1995 Guild D-26
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: LR Baggs
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Singer/songwriter - fingerpicking, rhythm, folky-type stuff
Reason for pickup change: 1. Ear piercing feedback at higher volume (grrrr!) through the Baggs system.
2. I wanted an accurate, dual-source, pickup system at a good price, that didn't require more holes to be cut into my guitar.

Perceived output level: I played one outdoor show in a quiet venue, and the levels were perfect. Can't wait to get it into a noisy bar!
Tone: Warm, warm, warm. There is no bassy, middy, etc. Any of this can be compensated for using the eq in the pre-amp.
Sonic evaluation: It varies - my PA uses a Yamaha AG-Stomp into a Mackie DFX-6 to a combination of JBL EON mains & Mackie 450 monitor. For solo work/very small venues replace the JBLs & 450s with a Trace Elliot TA50. Home recording is done on a Boss 1180CD (can't wait to plug my guitar into that!). Other than that, whatever the house sound system consists of...
The sound of my Guild through my PA was unbelievably accurate. The Baggs system crapped out on the lows a lot, and I spent a lot of time trying to notch those frequencies back. The pre-amp's eq settings are actually inside the pre-amp box, so you need to open it up to set bass, mid, treble, & gain for both sources. I set everything to the middle, since I was in a hurry - and ended up tweaking a tiny bit on the AG Stomp & the board - but sonically...a dream come true. (I expect that I'll do some more tweaking on K&K end - but not just yet...)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My playing is exclusively fingerstyle/no picks, percussive, strumming and fingerpicking. If there is a position unsuitable for this pickup, I haven't found it.

Comments: If this pickup was taken (obviously along with the guitar!), I would definitely, positively, absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt buy another one.
I searched high and low for a dual source pickup system that was reasonably priced, acoustically accurate, and didn't require cutting another big hole in my guitar. In one of the Fishman reviews on this site, I found a reference to K&K sound systems. I read the K&K reviews and then went to the K&K Sound site. The Trinity system was exactly what I was searching for.
I ordered this system online and had intended to have one of our local luthier's install it, but I got a call to play an acoustic show on short notice. My last effort at installing a pickup in an acoustic guitar resulted in 2 trips to the "professionals" to undo the damage that I had wrought. Thus, I was understandably hesitant to wreck another instrument. However, on the day of the show, I took a deep breath, and installed the Trinity system all by my lonesome. It took about an hour from start to finish. With great trepidation, I plugged in and...
WOW!!! I couldn't believe my ears. It was my guitar - only louder.
I received many compliments on the sound of the guitar at the show that night. The musician on the bill with me was very impressed with the warmth of the sound and the overall accuracy. (I think the Trinity system sound has made a believer out of him as well.)
I have played guitar for about 12 years now - mostly coffee shops, open mics, a few bigger venues as part of various bands, and I've played friends' Martins, Gibsons, and Taylors with their Fishman systems, and those really don't compare to the K&K Trinity sound. I have been doing some home recording recently, and believe that I am ready to step up to a more professional effort. I can't wait to hear the sound through the Trinity system.
This is a truly superb system.

Pickup features: Tranducers + interrophonenal mic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Collings D1S
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Rare Earth Blend
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Contemporary acoustic/folk/bluegrass
Reason for pickup change: Looking for "prefect" sound

Perceived output level: The signal is a goos standard strength
Tone: Perfect - (OK, almost perfect) clear, yet woody
Sonic evaluation: I run this through the small external pre-amp box (provided) and into a Mackie PA (with effects) and out to a pair of FBT powered speakers (10" = tweeter).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Contemporary acoustic/folk/bluegrass

Comments: This is truly the best I've heard - and after 30 years of playing, I'm VERY fussy. Beats Fishman Rare Earth Dual Source, beats Highlander dual source systems as well as all others I've heard. Damn! It sounds soooo good.... I just wanted you'all to know.

Pickup features: see the other reviews
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin J-40, Harmony Sovereign, Martin 00-16 Cedar
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Pablo Picasso
You musical style(s): Jazz, Delta Blues, General Noise
Reason for pickup change: good reviews of K&K

Perceived output level: Great sound!
Tone: Sound like and acoustic guitar only way louder. What more could I ask?
Sonic evaluation: Ultrasound amp for live playing and Event 20/20 bas studio monitors in the studio.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play both styles of music - Country and Western. Just kidding. Blues, jazz, dirge, punk, acoustic folk, hippie music, redneck music, hip hop, noise.

Comments: Here's a letter I wrote to K&K about my biggest beef with thier fine pick up. And I must say it is a BIG beef.
Ok, I finally pissed off enough to write about this.
I love the sound of the Trinity Western but the way you have set up the Trinity western Preamp is NOT good. By having the 'on' switch' to the preamp as one of the plugs instead of a switch or a button is a terrible design solution. I've tried to tell myself "hey, don't forget to unplug your guitar when you've finished playing but also unplug each and every plug from every possible connection". If you don't you'll blow through batteries like there is no tomorrow.
OK, I'm a bit absent minded but now that I've blown through about 6 sets of batteries in the past 2 months I'm not blaiming it on myself any more. This is a BAD example of industrial design. The natural thing for a player to do when finished with playing your guitar in the sutdio is to unplug your guitar, turn off your mixer, and your computer or recording device. It is NOT an intuitive thing to go through and unplug each and every component in your system. I am a product designer and inventor by profession and have designed dozens of products we all use every day and this is the kind of thing that makes me crazy. This type of problem I only find on products designed by Americans. And I am an American.
I'm sure this will be blown off as another ranting customer but I'll tell you that, having worked with Asians, Europeans, and South Americans, on product development for the past 18 years they would work to solve such a simple problem and make their product better.
At least put a warning sign or something that says "PLEASE UNPLUG ME WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED PLAYING". Sorry for the harsh words but I was excited to play my guitar tonight and my preamp is 'dead' and all the local stores are closed.
If you'de like I'll redesign the graphics on your preamp for free.
Thanks,
Steve McDonald

Pickup features: 3 Transducers, Mic, and Onboard Pre-amp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone EJ-200
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: The following is the description of this setup from the K&K Sound web site.
"The Onboard Trinity System consists of: The super-natural Pure Guitar bridge plate transducing system. The Trinity Miniature Condenser Mic with integrated 5" gooseneck and 20-20.000 Hz frequency range. The Onboard Dual Channel Preamp is specially designed with "Silent-Filter-Technology". Individual adjustable Gain-Vol-Bass-Middle-Treble controls for both pickup channel and mic channel. It mounts inside the guitar on the bottom with Velcro and measures only 2.5" x 2.75" The system comes completely assembled with TRS stereo endpin-jack, no soldering necessary Self-adhesive magnetic battery holder Volume control unit for inside-soundhole-edge mount with individual thumbwheel-pots for mic and pickup."
I was playing a Gibson J-185EC with Fishman Matrix Plus undersaddle piezo pickup and pre-amp. It's a great guitar, but while the pickup had no piezo quack, it really sounded like an acoustic guitar only when the gain on my California Blonde amp was turned way down and the volume not too high. So I sold the Gibson. But I needed an acoustic guitar. I'd heard such praises of the K&K products that I decided to get a cheaper guitar and put in a great pickup system. I settled on an Epiphone EJ-200. This looks like the Gibson J-200, but the body is all laminated wood. I paid $415 for it used with case. The action is outstanding--better than the Gibson. The sound is very well balanced and has a lot of separation between strings, but it's not nearly as loud as the Gibson. It has none of that specialness where the sound seems to leap out from the guitar.

Perceived output level:
Tone: Imagine Neumann Mics in a Studio
Sonic evaluation: Go to the K&K Sound web site and listen to the comparison between this system and a high end Neumann mic. Listen with good headphones. You won't hear a difference. (Baggs did this test with its I-Beam system, having Phil Keaggy play. The Neumann on that recording sounds like the Neumann on this recording, but the I-Beam was only a pale imitation of the Neumann.)
Does it make sense to put a $300 sound system in a $400 guitar? It does if the result sounds like a $2,000 guitar and a $5,000 microphone in a studio. (Garbage in, garbage out still applies here, but many guitars have a lot more in them than you might imagine.)
The night after I installed the Online Trinity Western system, I gigged with it. The competition was a 5?? Taylor, a really wonderful 1953 Martin D-28 with spectacular unamplified sound, and a 1928 Martin 00-42. (Yes, one guy brought an $18,000 guitar to a gig!) All guitars went through the P.A. system with cheap direct boxes. The Epiphone wiped them all out. Everyone agreed that the Epiphone was the most distinctive and had the most beautiful tone, even though it was clearly the least impressive unamplified. This wasn't due to the guitar, but the pickup system. (And I wasn't even playing it. I play lead, so I loaned it to another guy.)
Remember the sound of Stephen Stills' guitar on the first Crosby, Stills, and Nash album, especially that solo on "Suitte: Judy Blue Eyes"? That's the sound of the K&K Sound Online Trinity System.
Have you heard Phil Keaggy's highly percussive tour-de-force playing on his custom-made acoustic? That's what the Online Trinity System sounds like: gorgeous and utterly alive.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I primarily play fingerstyle without picks, but this also sounds great with fingerpicks or flatpicks.

Comments: The only thing I've heard on the market that can match this sound is the new Expression system Taylor is using (it's quite similar), but that isn't available by itself. There are separate volume controls at the sound hole for the three transducer pickups (one control) and the mic. I usually use the transducer volume, setting it according to whether I'm using pick or fingers. I set the mic volume during the sound check, dialing in as much as the room will allow without feedback (sometimes that is a lot, but sometimes it's none), then don't touch it. Even without any mic the transducers sound great--the mic just adds that little extra.
The pre-amp controls are adjusted with a jeweler's screwdriver. This sounds like a pain, but the thing is, once you have the tone YOU want, you can just leave it. I was very happy with the tone the way it came from the factory, actually.
Installation took me two hours. The directions were good. What took so long was that I didn't want to place the pre-amp right on the Epiphone label. After all, it's held in place with velcro, and the sticky stuff won't come off the label. Here's what I did. I had an 8' roll of industrial strength 2" wide velcro near at hand, so I used that. Picture the label, centered between two braces that are four inches apart. I put a 2" piece of velcro on each of these braces and flowed it onto the guitar back on the side of the braces away from the label. Then I took a 9" piece of this 2" wide velcro, took off the protective paper, and plopped the 2" square pre-amp right in the middle. Then I folded over each end so it covered what was left of the sticky stuff. So picture a 2" pre-amp with about 1 1/2" of furry velcro sticking out from two sides. I simply pressed this velcro onto the velcro on the braces and guitar back. The pre-amp, thus, sits on a little velcro hammock 1/2" above the label.
Am I satisfied with this pickup or still searching for THAT sound? The search is over. I wanted that incredible, warm, rich, percussive, resonant, very-expensive-microphone sound, and now I have it. Search over. All done. I don't think it could possibly be better. I'm off the market.
If you aren't completely satisfied with the pickup in your acoustic, rip it out and put in this system. It's much cheaper than buying a more expensive guitar and still not having that special tone because the pickup isn't up to it.

Pickup features: On board mounted preamp with 3 head transducer&mini mic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson L-200
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Schertler Bluestick
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Lot's and more to come
You musical style(s): All styles, mainly fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: I got the guitar and gibson outfits them with the schertler, it sounded so bad and the e and b strings were not audible at all. I had to really fool with it to get balance and it was never quite right. I wanted natural tone

Perceived output level: the onboard preamp provides as much gain as a person will ever need
Tone: The preamp is completely adjustable, i can dial it in to the exact tone of the instrument
Sonic evaluation: I have a great p.a. system as well as an acoustic image amplifier. Both are very accurate sources of amplification. The pickup is extremely accurate to the guitars tone and dynamics, it's what you look for in an amp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Mainly fingerstyle but i do bluegrass, some jazz and classical stuff

Comments: I would get this pickup again and am more than impressed with K&K's constant search for better tone and willingness to create new products that will inspire players and also give them a tool in which makes them sound better too.

Pickup features: Active soundboard sensors and mic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee D03
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Taylor Fishman
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: I have no idea
You musical style(s): Rock, new and old
Reason for pickup change: I have tried other systems and this is the best!

Perceived output level: Output is more than suffient
Tone: The tone is the best I have heard
Sonic evaluation: I use a pretty extensive system for my Larrivee D03. The K&K provides the sound from the bridge and the mic at the soundhole. From there the signal goes to the K&K stereo preamp. Then to 3 Rane parametric EQs and then to a Mackie board for further EQ and processing.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I tend to play lots of big open chords and power strumming.

Comments: First off the question about if it were stolen would I buy another. Well my guitar was not stolen but I did buy another! Actually I bought a second guitar for alternate tunings live and I am installing the K&K in my second guitar like my primary guitar. After reading the glowing reviews on this website I bought my first K&K system without ever seeing or hearing it. ( They did send my a pretty impressive Demo CD) I had nothing to compare it to. Now that I have used the K&K and while I cannot find anything that sounds better. I was ready to buy a Taylor,even though I am not a fan of their acoustic sound I though the electronics should sound good. Well was I wrong! The Taylor(although louder without feedback) simple sounded like and Ovation and all the other Quacky under saddle pickups. I was spoiled and realized I has the best system. So I bought another Larrivee and ordered another K&K Trinity Western system. OK it does sound great but there are a few things. First, the preamp needs more eq especially the mic side. All it has it bass and treble. Although there is a mid eq on the pickup side there is no notch filter or selectable mid range. This is the reason I have added 2 parametrics EQs to my system and yes it is a pain to haul them but I could not live without them. Next, the jacks on the preamp do not hold cables because they are missing the notch on the insert to hold them properly. This is a pain also. It makes wearing the preamp impossible. Next, any mic system is going to feedback and this is no exception. I found the best placement of a mic when recording acoustic guitar is at the 14 fret. Placing a mic inside a guitar is problematic to say the least. I have found the best place for the internal mic is external. What I have done is mount the vecro at the base of the neck and point the mic up out of the guitar as close to the bottom of the fretboard as you can get without touching it. The mic should just clear the soundhole and point to the strings at an angle. I use the cable tie to secure the gooseneck to the underside of the edge of the soundhole. That keeps the mic from bouncing. Lastly be forewarned. The installation is not for the faint of heart. If you have any doubts find a good luthier. K&K provides and easier stick on sheet to attach the pickups but you loose up to 30% of the sound. The best way is to superglue the 3 contact pickups under the bridge on the inside on the guitar looking thought the peg holes into a mirror inside the guitar with a light. Its a little awakward and the superglue does not allow much screw up time. Also if you make a mistake or want to remove it well....
The upside is it does sound better than any other system I have heard. It does the best job in capturing the natural string sound and resonant wood quality of my guitar without the sharpness and ugly sound of many other systems.