What a great review, I play with fingerpicks and always feel the attack isnt present enough when I play without them. The opening piece set to the middle position was representing the dynamics of the R hand beautifully. I just bought one after watching this. Hope youre endorsed!
“Magnetic pickups handle lower tunings very well”... great info! I tune down a full step and use EJ18 heavy strings, 59-14’s... this should be the best option.
I have one of these and like to blend the pick up and mix half way, if you turn the wheel to pick up more Of the microphone you do get feedback, especially when playing on a big stage or Festival, when performing on a big stage it’s hard to be able to use the blend at all as the feedback is poor, however the blend is awesome for those smaller intimate gigs
Strawbs Music, I agree. I've been playing acoustically direct into mics for years with lots of feedback. Taking the plunge into 'plugged' acoustic and bought a Faith Legacy 'Mars' electroacoustic with fishman blend. I had feedback at first... Then popped the rubber bung into the sound hole and cranked up the pa (in the kithchen) But it was so effective that I had it really loud and stood facing it blasting my own head off and it still didn't feed back. So get yourself a feedback suppressor for your sound hole!! Do it... Get one!!!!! Then you can use the mic more.
@@LukeDayInTheUK Would you need to cut the sound hole cover? surely you would unless there is an already made version but not all sound holes are the same size.
Thank you for this good review! I have a question: On the official installation guide pdf off the fishman website it says: "If you wish to go back to a mono output for a stereo wired Rare Earth Blend, you may do so without removing and rewiring the endpin jack. Instead, make a special adapter with a mono male plug at one end and a female stereo jack at the other. Leave the ring terminal of the female stereo jack open. Plug the stereo cord from the Rare Earth Blend into this adapter. You may now combine microphone and pickup signals in mono (using the balance control under the pickup), without microphone signal degradation or distortion." In the video you are playing through a mono cable directly into the amp - did you notice any degradation or distortion?
How well would this work with a Martin D-35 12-string? I am looking for my dad who has been using a sound-hole pickup he purchased in the early 70's (when he bought the guitar) and it has been failing lately and I am looking for a replacement.
Mic position will depend on the instrument. I typically have the mic facing up toward the strings, as I find it a bit boomy if it faces into the body. But it all depends on the frequencies of the particular guitar, so some experimentation will lead to the best results.
Hi Keri, Unfortunately magnetic soundhole pickups only work with metal strings. To amply an instrument with nylon string guitars (check the core of the strings) you need either a contact microphone (K and K Mini) or an LR Baggs Five.O undersaddle transducer ukulele pickup. You could also consider another undersaddle transducer called the Fishman Matrix Infinity (the model that fits ukuleles). Undersaddle transducers work well with nylon string instuments.
I suppose theoretically, you could, though it may not even fit into the smaller soundhole of most nylon-string guitars. However, there are much better microphone-only solutions and pickups made for nylon-strings, so I wouldn't recommend it. - Teja Gerken
Any problem if I use it in a left-handed guitar? Can the cable runs out from the sound hole in the below position like you use it in the video in temporarily mode?
That's a good question, and I'd ask Fishman directly, perhaps via www.fishman.com. I think the pickups internal magnets might be voiced for a right-handed setup, but I'm not sure. You can definitely use with the cable hanging out of the soundhole, though depending on your stage setup, it is a little risky, as you could potentially tear the pickup out if the cable gets caught on something. - Teja Gerken
@@fewhite5126 Aw shoot- but this lefty plays with reversed strings! So if the magnets are indeed voiced for right-handed strings, we're not hearing what'll happen when I put one in my true lefty.
I bought one and it is useless because the pickup is taking all possible noises, EMI, hum, hiss, it is unmanageable. Moreover Fishman, Inc. support told me "You can't do anything with that and I hope we have been helpful". End.
Insert the PU head in a little dice of foam in wich you make a cut to accomodate it. It will partially solve that. I use black furniture foam, which presents a good stiffness.
Fishman's Rare Earth pickups are voiced for bronze or phosphor bronze acoustic strings, and since they don't have adjustable pole pieces, you might find that using electric strings will make the wound strings too loud in relation to the plain trebles. But I've never actually tried it myself with a Rare Earth, so it could be worth giving it a shot. - Teja Gerken
Run it through the strap pin hole attached either to a standard output Jack (which requires reaming out a larger hole or purchase a Tap A String jack that is the same shape as the tail pin.
Finally someone who really plays the guitar to do a pickup review. Great stuff.
What a great review, I play with fingerpicks and always feel the attack isnt present enough when I play without them. The opening piece set to the middle position was representing the dynamics of the R hand beautifully. I just bought one after watching this. Hope youre endorsed!
This is a great review! Everything I wanted to know about this pickup.
Lovely playing and tuning and tone
“Magnetic pickups handle lower tunings very well”... great info! I tune down a full step and use EJ18 heavy strings, 59-14’s... this should be the best option.
I have one of these and like to blend the pick up and mix half way, if you turn the wheel to pick up more
Of the microphone you do get feedback, especially when playing on a big stage or Festival, when performing on a big stage it’s hard to be able to use the blend at all as the feedback is poor, however the blend is awesome for those smaller intimate gigs
Strawbs Music, I agree. I've been playing acoustically direct into mics for years with lots of feedback. Taking the plunge into 'plugged' acoustic and bought a Faith Legacy 'Mars' electroacoustic with fishman blend.
I had feedback at first... Then popped the rubber bung into the sound hole and cranked up the pa (in the kithchen)
But it was so effective that I had it really loud and stood facing it blasting my own head off and it still didn't feed back.
So get yourself a feedback suppressor for your sound hole!! Do it... Get one!!!!! Then you can use the mic more.
@@LukeDayInTheUK Would you need to cut the sound hole cover? surely you would unless there is an already made version but not all sound holes are the same size.
Thank you for this good review!
I have a question: On the official installation guide pdf off the fishman website it says: "If you wish to go back to a mono output for a stereo wired Rare Earth Blend, you may do so without removing and rewiring the endpin jack. Instead, make a special adapter with a mono male plug at one end and a female stereo jack at the other. Leave the ring terminal of the female stereo jack open. Plug the stereo cord from the Rare Earth Blend into this adapter. You may now combine microphone and pickup signals in mono (using the balance control under the pickup), without microphone signal degradation or distortion."
In the video you are playing through a mono cable directly into the amp - did you notice any degradation or distortion?
Taylors are great, because Taylor said they are!
How does the tone compare to the power tap earth? Which would you prefer?
that tone is nuts. i think ive made a decision.
How well would this work with a Martin D-35 12-string? I am looking for my dad who has been using a sound-hole pickup he purchased in the early 70's (when he bought the guitar) and it has been failing lately and I am looking for a replacement.
Excellent, thanks
This or the Matrix Infinity Mic blend?
it cans pickup the percussion box sound of the guitar???
Thank you for such a good review. Can you speak to the best position for the mic?
Mic position will depend on the instrument. I typically have the mic facing up toward the strings, as I find it a bit boomy if it faces into the body. But it all depends on the frequencies of the particular guitar, so some experimentation will lead to the best results.
Sounds great! Can this be installed on Taylor Big baby?
Geez man you can play
rare earth humbuckers or single to soubd more vintage? oasis and verve sound i mean
Great review. Thanks
How much cost?
Love the sound of this. Please can you tell me if this can be installed on a Baritone ukulele?
Hi Keri, Unfortunately magnetic soundhole
pickups only work with metal strings. To amply an instrument with nylon string guitars (check the core of the strings) you need either a contact microphone (K and K Mini) or an LR Baggs Five.O undersaddle transducer ukulele pickup.
You could also consider another undersaddle transducer called the Fishman Matrix Infinity (the model that fits ukuleles). Undersaddle transducers work well with nylon string instuments.
Teja, do you have a Peghead Nation course for the song you played in the beginning of the video?
That's my tune "11:11PM," and it will be on an upcoming album of mine. No lesson for it, but thanks for the suggestion! - Teja Gerken
@@pegheadnation Would you share the tuning?
@@chrisyoung8062 That's in CGDGCD tuning.
If you wanted to use it in a nylon string guitar could you not just use the mic portion?
I suppose theoretically, you could, though it may not even fit into the smaller soundhole of most nylon-string guitars. However, there are much better microphone-only solutions and pickups made for nylon-strings, so I wouldn't recommend it. - Teja Gerken
Any problem if I use it in a left-handed guitar? Can the cable runs out from the sound hole in the below position like you use it in the video in temporarily mode?
That's a good question, and I'd ask Fishman directly, perhaps via www.fishman.com. I think the pickups internal magnets might be voiced for a right-handed setup, but I'm not sure. You can definitely use with the cable hanging out of the soundhole, though depending on your stage setup, it is a little risky, as you could potentially tear the pickup out if the cable gets caught on something. - Teja Gerken
Here it is in a lefty demo. th-cam.com/video/ijY_98XaT0A/w-d-xo.html
@@fewhite5126 Aw shoot- but this lefty plays with reversed strings! So if the magnets are indeed voiced for right-handed strings, we're not hearing what'll happen when I put one in my true lefty.
Do I need a amplifier for this pickup
Uhhhh... You serious?
You could plug it into a P.A. or an amp otherwise why would you want it?
Hey would this be a good replacement for the Taylor ES2 as I really don't like the sound I'm getting from my 2016 322 12-fret plugged in.
Matty
just knock the body of the guitar. why does no one understand people want to see how good your pick up is for percussion?
Because a guitar is for strumming or picking, not hitting! Go buy a set of bongos!
Whitty Oh you and your ‘rules’.
@@Whitty43 do you know ALEXANDR MISKO (world's best Guitarist)
@@Whitty43 ever heard of flamenco guitar?
@@ekbilli5074 Mike dawes, jon gom, andy mckee, thomas leeb, preston reed, etc
what is the song?
The intro song is an original of mine, called "11:11 PM." Not yet recorded, but hopefully soon to be found on an album! - Teja Gerken, Peghead Nation
great playing! what do you think compare to the lr baggs m1 active? Thanks!
Le M1 n'a pas de micro interne intégré!!...donc, ne captera pas aussi bien les effets de percussions sur la guitare!!....
Un micro interne est sensible au feedback, donc, il est important de tenir en compte le contexte dans lequel on s'en sert!!...
Tu peux aussi regarder du côté du Mag Mic!!...
Il y en a aussi qui ne jure que pas le Anthem!!...
Do i need an amp to be able to use a pickup or can i just plug it into a pc
Love the intro song so much! What is its name?
Thanks. That's a tune of mine called "11:11 PM." It'll be in a new CD release later this year - Teja Gerken
I bought one and it is useless because the pickup is taking all possible noises, EMI, hum, hiss, it is unmanageable. Moreover Fishman, Inc. support told me "You can't do anything with that and I hope we have been helpful". End.
Insert the PU head in a little dice of foam in wich you make a cut to accomodate it. It will partially solve that. I use black furniture foam, which presents a good stiffness.
Would you use electric guitar strings with a this magnetic pickup?
Fishman's Rare Earth pickups are voiced for bronze or phosphor bronze acoustic strings, and since they don't have adjustable pole pieces, you might find that using electric strings will make the wound strings too loud in relation to the plain trebles. But I've never actually tried it myself with a Rare Earth, so it could be worth giving it a shot. - Teja Gerken
Ok so you dont have to drill a hole in the back of your 5k guitar. Just run the cord out of the sound hole.
Run it through the strap pin hole attached either to a standard output Jack (which requires reaming out a larger hole or purchase a Tap A String jack that is the same shape as the tail pin.
He is only talking, where i can hear this pick up?