where to get a uke pickup

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Quinny
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where to get a uke pickup

Post by Quinny » Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:35 am

Hi,

I'm into my 4th uke build and thought I'd add a pickup to my tenor uke. I've seen cheap stuff on eBay and $200 ones elsewhere. Any ideas on where to get a decent but not top line uke pickup?? How much do you have to pay??

thanks
Andrew

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kiwigeo
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Re: where to get a uke pickup

Post by kiwigeo » Thu Nov 26, 2015 10:10 am

K and K...not cheapest but IMHO best value for money.

Ive bought a few K and K systems from this ebay store....good service. http://stores.ebay.com.au/Shoreline-Mus ... 7675.l2563

If they dont have a uke pickup in stock ask them to get one in.
Martin

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Allen
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Re: where to get a uke pickup

Post by Allen » Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:06 pm

The two very best uke pickups out there are either the MISI under saddle with a built in preamp that is part of the end jack. Charge for 1 minute and good for 16 hours of play.

Or the K&K Aloha Twin. It's a soundboard transducer style and is my most requested to install. They put out enough of a signal that they don't require a preamp, but really do shine when run through a good one.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
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Quinny
Myrtle
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Re: where to get a uke pickup

Post by Quinny » Fri Nov 27, 2015 9:31 pm

thanks for the recommendations guys. As I know next to nothing about pickups I will check out the recommended items.

Does that mean you need to pay close to $150 for one?
Are there ones for ukes or do i just get a guitar one? I
way some with 2 transducers and some with 3. Is that just a matter of paying more for a better sound?

Thanks

Andrew

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Allen
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Re: where to get a uke pickup

Post by Allen » Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:14 am

The K&K Aloha Twin is made for ukuleles. Do not get one of their other models and install it in a uke. It has 2 pads. The MISI will work for either guitars or ukes.

The saddle slot for the MISI needs to be at least 3.2mm wide. I make mine either 3.5 or 4.0 mm depending on the scale length and string choice. As well, you have to drill a clearance hole at the the other end of the saddle slot to slip the inactive end of the pickup through, or you will end up with a dead G or A string.

Yes, if you are building a uke worthy of amplifying it, then your pickup is going to cost more than $100. The going price to supply and install either of these pickups is $200 USD.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
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Quinny
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Re: where to get a uke pickup

Post by Quinny » Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:43 am

Thanks Allen for the helpful advice as always. Really appreciate it.

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