Page 1 of 2

my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 5:39 am
by smokymtguitar09
I have a new - old guitar I'm playing. It's a '98 Martin 00-21 Golden Era limited edition #146 of 164. Small body, rosewood with Adirondack top, short 24.9" scale, 1-7/8" neck, 12 fret, slot head stock, and it works great to transition from nylon string 2" neck. I tried it unplugged yesterday at the Smoky Mountain Visitor's Center and it was plenty loud for the small venue. Easy to play all the way to the 12th fret using full chords, even when playing Chet's "Girl Friend of the Whirling Dervish".
I'm looking for a good natural pickup system other than under-saddle transducer since this has a 'through-saddle' bridge. I'm torn between an LR Baggs Lyric (Tru-mic) and K&K both of which mount on the bridge plate under the top. I'm using Martin custom light (.11-.54) phosphor strings.

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:56 am
by Hendrik
Nice looking guitar! Maybe a Barbera Soloist pickup is something for you?

Barbera Soloist pickup

Loren and Mark playing Buscarino steel guitars w/ Barbera Soloist pickups

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:21 pm
by Roger Pratt
I can speak in favor of the K & K Pure Mini system (about $120 w/volume control) that I installed in a cheap Blueridge flat top. It sounds wonderful and you don't even need an external preamp because it is plenty loud and it's a passive pickup. It has 3 transducers that mount on the bridge plate. Easy to install as I did it myself quite easily. It now is the best sounding flat top that I own!!

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:09 pm
by smokymtguitar09
Hendrik,
I appreciate the suggestion, but I can't use an under saddle or saddle replacement like the Barbera Soloist because the guitar has a 'saddle-through' bridge and the saddle is glued in. It takes a delicate technique to remove and replace the saddle and I don't want to risk affecting the integrity of the guitar. I am using a Barbera in my Buscarino Cabaret which really works good and doesn't require a preamp. Thanks!

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:12 pm
by smokymtguitar09
Roger,
Did you glue the K&K 3 transducers to the bridge plate or use the double-side tape? Was it difficult to find the 'sweet spot' to place them? What size guitar did you put it in?

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:44 pm
by rkk2786
Ronnie I just sent you a private message.

Micah Yandell

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:31 pm
by Roger Pratt
Hi Ronnie.......I used a super glue gel that I bought at Walmart and just held finger pressure on the transducer for a minute or so then I let it set overnight to be safe. They have been on there for a year now with no movement.

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:37 pm
by Roger Pratt
Sorry Ronnie I didn't read the rest of the post. It is easy to locate the sweet spot because they include a template that is held in place by the bridge pins and they have real tacky putty that holds the transducer in place on the template. You have to clean it off with your fingers and a paper towel. I mounted it on a dreadnaught model guitar. I think the Blueridge guitars sound every bit as good as a Martin for cheap.

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:21 am
by smokymtguitar09
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. It seems searching for the Holy Grail of pickups depends on what is the latest thing in the market place. I notice that Taylor has moved in a new direction and introduced a new Expression System in their 2014 800 series guitars. The Taylor ESP-2 now has three transducers under the bridge plate that are adjustable from the top of the bridge with a small hex wrench. I wonder if K&K's success has put them in that direction.

Re: my new-old guitar Martin 00-21GE

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:27 am
by smokymtguitar09
BTW I made an error in my original post. The Martin custom light string gauge is .11-.52 not 54 as I indicated. Being short-scale 12 fret makes the strings a bit looser and easier to play with the somewhat the feel of playing nylon without sacrificing very little steel string tone and volume.