PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[chordspinner]

Greetings Guys and Gals
Does anyone have any experience micing an archtop guitar live, without an internal pickup? I'm interested in something that would clip onto the guitar somehow and arch out over the top so it would be out of the way of the pick hand. I know string players, violins, etc. use them all the time but don't know if it would work for guitar. I've tried them on stands and it's ok but, if you move an inch, the sound changes.
Thanks. Still enjoy the forum.
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Chordspinner

"You're either at the gig or waiting to go to the gig."

[Secret2goodtoneispractice]

How about these?

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1711-FL_LMM_I_GHT__CUUTC_U_ITAR__NN_BG_MICRPPONNN_OON.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul07/articles/guitartech_0707.htm

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AMTS3GSTUDIO&preadd=action

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AMTS15G&preadd=action

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AMTS15GSTUDIO&preadd=action

http://santafemusic.blogspot.com/2009/03/dpa-4099-guitar-microphone.html
_________________
Beware of alliances that are formed by dividing relationships of others.
.
Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. Form your opinion from what you value. Your need, preference, circumstance, experience, and opportunity are the most important factors.

[chordspinner]

Secret2good:
Thanks so much. I will look into these. It looks like I've got a lot of experimenting to do. I'll let you know what I uncover.
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Chordspinner

"You're either at the gig or waiting to go to the gig."

[chordspinner]

Just an update:
The H-Clamp from Gollihur didn't work. It is designed for a flat-top. The clamp does not allow for the arch. There is not enough flat space around the edge of my archtops to allow the clamp to be installed properly. When the clamp is pushed all the way in, it will do damage to the guitar when tightened. I'll try something else.
Gollihur is certainly nice to work with though. They took it back without hesitation.
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Chordspinner

"You're either at the gig or waiting to go to the gig."

[Secret2goodtoneispractice]

H-Clamp would have been my first choice, given price considerations . . .

I have spent much time placing mics in studio sessions, as well as counseling singers and instrumentalists about the importance of sound reproduction as it relates to mic proximity. I believe that it is far easier to practice good mic proximity in the studio because of it being a more controlled environment.

In a live setting, there is typically more performer energy, more audience interplay/distraction, and less environment control. These elements would dissuade me from using microphone with an acoustic archtop, fixed on the guitar, or on a stand.

With a sax or a trumpet, you can clip a small mic on the end of the horn. . . It is unobtrusive for the performer and the audience. The devices for guitar are distracting to me . . . they look cumbersome, and they are positioned in a way to be easily bumped, or adjusted in a "phantom" way.

Having said this, I might try the following, if in your circumstance:

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/ATM350.htm

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BBXOM1.htm

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/AT100.htm

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/IP-IM1.htm

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BEAS2.htm

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/GF30.htm

http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/pickups.htm : The PUTW Archtop Guitar Pickup

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Pickups:_Guitar,_archtop/Benedetto_Pickups/Benedetto_Suspended_Jazz_Pickup.html

Best!
_________________
Beware of alliances that are formed by dividing relationships of others.
.
Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. Form your opinion from what you value. Your need, preference, circumstance, experience, and opportunity are the most important factors.

[Secret2goodtoneispractice]

. . . Or, you could go Hollywood: Hire someone to hold your microphone
_________________
Beware of alliances that are formed by dividing relationships of others.
.
Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. Form your opinion from what you value. Your need, preference, circumstance, experience, and opportunity are the most important factors.

[chordspinner]

Secret2good:

Thanks again. I have checked out some of these guys. I have never liked the sound of a peizo pickup on a jazz guitar. It just sounds plastic to me....even when "blended" with a magnetic. I really wanted to find something non-intrusive, that wouldn't require any hole-drilling or gluing onto the guitar, but maybe that's just not possible. I think the H-clamp might work if there were some modification made to the clamp itself to fit over the arch without denting it.....or clip into the f-hole somehow, without harming the guitar. I'll check into that. Still think a microphone is the best solution. Your last suggestion was the best! Lots of out-of-work pickers there.
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Chordspinner

"You're either at the gig or waiting to go to the gig."