FredZepp Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 nice addition to the 445 ... details can make the difference. And yeah... I'd put a PG on a 137 , but then again.. not a big issue on that one.
DetroitBlues Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I've probably already angered the guitar gods by adding a pickguard to my previously un-defiled-by-pickguard Heritages, haha. We'll see. If I DO put it on, it's on for good, as the screw holes would be pretty noticeable if I took it off. Regarding the preamp on the flattop, no, I haven't done that yet. Kevin doesn't feel comfortable doing it himself, he'd want to have his amp-building friend do it, and, frankly, I'm a little afraid to meet another amp builder... I tend to get myself in trouble when I associate myself with guys like that! There is a little tube preamp that can go in. Because Heritage doesn't use the end pin for a jack, you can remove the plate and have better access. The preamps I was looking at use adhesives under the top and shouldn't be seen on the outside nor should they require any structure changes...
kidsmoke Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 There is a little tube preamp that can go in. Because Heritage doesn't use the end pin for a jack, you can remove the plate and have better access. The preamps I was looking at use adhesives under the top and shouldn't be seen on the outside nor should they require any structure changes... not sure what you mean by "heritage doesn't use the endpin....." We're talking about the 445 correct? if you mount a pickup, piezo or otherwise, on the guitar, you'll use the endpin hole for your jack. This will require either modestly expanding that hole, or purchasing a special socket which will use the existing opening but require that aforementioned socket and a special cable/adapter with a 3mm pin. If you need a pre-amp, there are many like DB says that mount just inside the soundhole and require no screws or permanent mounting. But they still require the installation of the piezo under the saddle, or on the bridgeplate, depending on type, and that takes a certain degree of knowledge or skill. The VERY highly regarded K&K Pure western uses bridgeplate mounted piezo's and no pre-amp. Or you could just grab a simple soundhole pickup. this pic shows just such a pre-amp. fishman ellipse blend. Piezo under saddle, condensor suspended mid box. A slider to "mix" the two inputs to taste, a phase switch, and a volume slider. Ironically, this is on a Larrivee as well.
H Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I installed a K&K Pure Western Mini into my Hummingbird a couple of years ago. Aside from reaming out the end block a little to accommodate the input jack/end pin, there was nothing that made me sweat at all. A simple, straightforward job. I can confirm the excellence of the K&K acoustic pickups but would also recommend the LR Baggs units.
schundog Posted April 20, 2012 Author Posted April 20, 2012 not sure what you mean by "heritage doesn't use the endpin....." We're talking about the 445 correct? if you mount a pickup, piezo or otherwise, on the guitar, you'll use the endpin hole for your jack. This will require either modestly expanding that hole, or purchasing a special socket which will use the existing opening but require that aforementioned socket and a special cable/adapter with a 3mm pin. If you need a pre-amp, there are many like DB says that mount just inside the soundhole and require no screws or permanent mounting. But they still require the installation of the piezo under the saddle, or on the bridgeplate, depending on type, and that takes a certain degree of knowledge or skill. The VERY highly regarded K&K Pure western uses bridgeplate mounted piezo's and no pre-amp. Or you could just grab a simple soundhole pickup. this pic shows just such a pre-amp. fishman ellipse blend. Piezo under saddle, condensor suspended mid box. A slider to "mix" the two inputs to taste, a phase switch, and a volume slider. Ironically, this is on a Larrivee as well. Kidsmoke, I doubt my 445 came from the factory like this, but it has a relatively large brass plate and input jack on the lower back rim of the guitar. This is what DB was talking about. http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/schundog/tweeddeluxe016-2.jpg[/img]"]http:// I haven't looked at preamps too hard yet, but I'd like to get something good in there. There are ones that have volume and tone controls right under the upper part of the soundhole, so they don't require any additional cutting into the guitar.
schundog Posted April 20, 2012 Author Posted April 20, 2012 Not enough wood grain on 137's to look uncovered in my opinion... Adding a tortoise or black pg adds a little flavor to the guitar! So Brian, I'm going to double dog dare you to do it! Be a brave, be a man, add the PG! :D I've taken PGs off of 150/LP types before, and you are right, it's not very noticeable, as there are only 2 screw holes, one on the top of the body and one pretty much out of sight on the lower rim of the guitar. It wouldn't be that easy to reverse my decision with this PG, as it lays flat on the guitar, like a Fender PG, and has 5 or 6 screws that would leave screw holes right in the top. I'm not saying I WON'T do it at some time, I just want to make sure it's what I want first. It's not going anywhere.
DetroitBlues Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 not sure what you mean by "heritage doesn't use the endpin....." We're talking about the 445 correct? if you mount a pickup, piezo or otherwise, on the guitar, you'll use the endpin hole for your jack. This will require either modestly expanding that hole, or purchasing a special socket which will use the existing opening but require that aforementioned socket and a special cable/adapter with a 3mm pin. If you need a pre-amp, there are many like DB says that mount just inside the soundhole and require no screws or permanent mounting. But they still require the installation of the piezo under the saddle, or on the bridgeplate, depending on type, and that takes a certain degree of knowledge or skill. The VERY highly regarded K&K Pure western uses bridgeplate mounted piezo's and no pre-amp. Or you could just grab a simple soundhole pickup. this pic shows just such a pre-amp. fishman ellipse blend. Piezo under saddle, condensor suspended mid box. A slider to "mix" the two inputs to taste, a phase switch, and a volume slider. Ironically, this is on a Larrivee as well. You heard me right... There is not an end pin jack. They actually put a jack plate where most electrics have theirs... I've never seen that before, but we are talking about Heritage and they did not produce the bodies on those...
DetroitBlues Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Kidsmoke, I doubt my 445 came from the factory like this, but it has a relatively large brass plate and input jack on the lower back rim of the guitar. This is what DB was talking about. http:// I haven't looked at preamps too hard yet, but I'd like to get something good in there. There are ones that have volume and tone controls right under the upper part of the soundhole, so they don't require any additional cutting into the guitar. I peeked inside there with a flash light and a mirror... you can disconnect the piezo and insert a preamp in the signal chain.
DavesNotHere Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Finished! (Unless I decide to put a nice preamp in, which I may decide to do.) Man, that turned out nice!
kidsmoke Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Kidsmoke, I doubt my 445 came from the factory like this, but it has a relatively large brass plate and input jack on the lower back rim of the guitar. This is what DB was talking about. http:// I haven't looked at preamps too hard yet, but I'd like to get something good in there. There are ones that have volume and tone controls right under the upper part of the soundhole, so they don't require any additional cutting into the guitar. HOLY crap. NEVER seen anything like that before!!! Holy crap. ...so this is at the lower right "corner" of a the the lower bout, like a 150? If it's there, may as well use it. I'm assuming there's a pretty good chunk of wood missing behind that? or is it just overly "secured" with a small 1/2" hole? with piezo's mounted, you can already plug n play?? DB, you suspect it came that way? I can't imagine that it did. LOOKS heavy. seems it would change the weight considerably. Could make for a great playing out guitar. Nice job on the restoration, Schundog.
DetroitBlues Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Schundog is at least the fourth HOC owner, but I know Big Bob, KBP, nor myself did this. As old and tarnished as that brass plate is, I'm suspecting its been like that for a really long time. The guitar is 22 years old.
fxdx99 Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Good looking 445, Brian. Always enjoy your picture-book threads!
Hfan Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Nice spruce top there Brian. I am not much help with advise, can't make up my own mind on my own stuff...
big bob Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Schundog is at least the fourth HOC owner, but I know Big Bob, KBP, nor myself did this. As old and tarnished as that brass plate is, I'm suspecting its been like that for a really long time. The guitar is 22 years old. It was that way when I bought it from Brent.
schundog Posted April 20, 2012 Author Posted April 20, 2012 These may help you decide your 137 dilemma: No, Gregg, it doesn't help at all; like with my own, I think it looks great either way! It DOES, however, make me long for summer.
FredZepp Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 It was that way when I bought it from Brent. I was about to say that I remember when this one first appeared at the HOC, I thought that Brent was involved. Someone wanted a very sturdy jack plate....
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