Acoustic preamp question

bigfoamfinger

bigfoamfinger

Inspired
So I’m looking into doing some singer songwriter stuff, playing my band’s material in a solo acoustic fashion, to ambient backing tracks.

Quick question—I was planning on running my acoustics through my III for all pre, comp, effects, etc BUT is there any benefit to running the guitars through an LR Baggs preamp pedal before it hits the III?

New to this whole setup and concept so just looking for info as questions come up.
 
I use both an Ax3 and FM3 regularly for an acoustic setup. Some patches are a combination of Eq’d signal and an acoustic IR in parallel, others are based around a multiband compressor.

That said, I do miss having my Grace Audio preamp in the chain. Having knobs to quickly grab problematic feedback or to quickly shape my tone works way better than diving into edit screens or even performance knobs. Sounds silly, but…
 
Great question, I have just been playing acoustic the last couple of years and dabbling in various settings. Basically I have been satisfied, but have wondered if one of the acoustic amps/pedals might offer more. I have not pulled the trigger on one to compare. So, now the only advantage in another acoustic amp might be the addition of vocals. I pretty old, don't have ambition's of playing out. However, my wife is a pretty loud singer, who I would play with, and does not need an amp. I'm mainly using the FM3 and some FM9.
 
I run a Fishman Rare Earth single coil straight into the Axe FX III with my mid 70's Guild D-25M. I've used that guitar with that pickup for many, many years, generally through the main PA system. Never sounded better than through the Axe FX, although my current FRFR setup (Red Sound MF.10 stereo pair), while amazing for electric guitar, isn't quite right for acoustic. No biggie for me, as I'm happy just to have acoustic through monitors and FOH.

Recently got a late 60's Martin, so need to research what pickup system might be better than the Fishman 20 years on. Thoughts appreciated, but only guitar modification allowed is the strap button pass through. It is a peach of a 000-18, and I don't want to fit an undersaddle piezo.

Liam
 
I have run Yamaha piezo, Taylor ES-2 guitars through the FM3 and AX3 with very good results.
I now have a Maton guitar that is supposed to have a real nice pickup system in it, the AP5 Pro.
Looking forward to trying that.
Cooper Carter has a video on this exact topic.
 
LiamH said:
I run a Fishman Rare Earth single coil straight into the Axe FX III with my mid 70's Guild D-25M. I've used that guitar with that pickup for many, many years, generally through the main PA system. Never sounded better than through the Axe FX, although my current FRFR setup (Red Sound MF.10 stereo pair), while amazing for electric guitar, isn't quite right for acoustic. No biggie for me, as I'm happy just to have acoustic through monitors and FOH.

Recently got a late 60's Martin, so need to research what pickup system might be better than the Fishman 20 years on. Thoughts appreciated, but only guitar modification allowed is the strap button pass through. It is a peach of a 000-18, and I don't want to fit an undersaddle piezo.

Liam
Click to expand...
I installed the pure mini in my 000-18 GE absolutely love it. Other than the strap button no permanent mods just a tiny dab of super glue and a jig to line up the pickups inside.

OP someone here just put up an acoustic video which was a nice watch. It is a current thread take a look. I think it was a current thread I can’t seem to find it now.

Found it, it was a G66 video on YouTube. I know there was a thread here somewhere but I had to go to my YouTube history to find it there.
 
Last edited:
I bought a dimarzio black angel for my acoustic and the volume overall just seems far too low. Have to really crank the input :(
 
I use a preamp pedal on the floor as part of an electric piezo setup. I like it as I can more easily tweak volume and to a lesser extent tone in a live setting based on the blend and the room.
 
I have a tonewood amp. Pretty amazing device I put on the back of the 000. Without An amp it adds resonance through a part that sits on the back. No marring. I have not tried it yet as a preamp but think I can. I can’t wait to try it with the FX3! Two of the best things I’ve added the tonewood amp years ago and the FX3
 
Last edited:
jzguitar said:
We run acoustics through the III on tour and it works really well.
Click to expand...
You reminded me of another question I had… did you guys replace the pickups in your acoustics or once you run through the Axe does it do all the work at that point? I’ve debated changing the ES system in my Taylors to Anthems but if they simply serve a purpose of teeing up the Axe FX then no need.
 
bigfoamfinger said:
You reminded me of another question I had… did you guys replace the pickups in your acoustics or once you run through the Axe does it do all the work at that point? I’ve debated changing the ES system in my Taylors to Anthems but if they simply serve a purpose of teeing up the Axe FX then no need.
Click to expand...
My thought: No matter if you use Axe-Fx or a simple DI, it‘s important that you like the basic Sound of your Pickup. Piezo, Piezo w Mic, Contact Pickup, Magnetic Pickup, Mic, they all have their unique qualities. Once you have something you like, Axe Fx let‘s you sculpt your Sound in a great sounding and recallable way.
 
edwinstar said:
My thought: No matter if you use Axe-Fx or a simple DI, it‘s important that you like the basic Sound of your Pickup. Piezo, Piezo w Mic, Contact Pickup, Magnetic Pickup, Mic, they all have their unique qualities. Once you have something you like, Axe Fx let‘s you sculpt your Sound in a great sounding and recallable way.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. I've used Fractal for acoustic processing for years, though I've also owned and used many purpose-built acoustic preamps. Over the past two years, I've concluded that nothing offers as much capability to craft the best plugged-in piezo-based tones as Fractal, so I've just been using my FM9 and loving it. I have a pretty big pedalboard to do what I like, but it's nice to use one board for all gigs—acoustic or full-band electric. I've been attracted to using a smaller, lighter board, but I have spent a lot of time and effort to conclude that Fractal is the way.
 
I'm with Scott. Years ago I thought I needed acoustic preamps for the III, used Lehle and others only to notice that the sound got worse because I EQ'ed too much.
I've been using the III exclusively with my acoustics both nylon and steel and couldn't be happier.
 
So I'm going to throw out my recent experience.....

Start out with - I'm a fractal lover and gig with my FM3 every weekend (and have been gigging with Fractal since my first Axe Ultra purchase). That is for band gigs (electric).

For acoustic gigs, I have a small pedal board -> Keely Comp - Boss Eq - Wampler Tunmus - HX Stomp (for tuner and volume boost).
I set up an A/B box and tried to match this set up in my FM3. I tried like hell, and I cannot get as warm of a sound using the FM3 alone.
It left me a little frustrated to be honest. It logically does not make sense....but my ears are hearing what they hear.

I used a Comp - Tube Pre - EQ in the FM3. It just sounds thinner (no matter how much I EQ). I love to find out that there is something I'm not doing right...but for the time being, I've stuck with my 'analog' pedal board.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom