Guitulele (tech question as well)

BastardofYoung · 08-27-2012, 03:47 PM

I picked up a Yamaha GL1 Guitulele recently... and am loving the playability of it. For such a cheap instrument (mine was $115 with tax) they are really fun.

Now, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of pick up would be best to install in something like this. I would like to use it to record some stuff on my computer, as I have a ZOOM pedal that allows me to plug right to my lap top.

specs:

WEIGHT: 3.2
HEIGHT: 4
LENGTH: 28.75
WIDTH: 12
AVAIL: Jan
SERIES: Guitar Ukulele
BODY STYLE: Tenor Ukulele
TOP: Spruce
BACK & SIDES: Meranti
NECK WOOD: Nato
FINGERBOARD: Sonokeling
FRETS: 18
BRIDGE: Sonokeling
SCALE LENGTH: 17
CASE INCL: Yes
PICKGUARD: No

I was looking into something like this for a pick up:EMG Acoustic Saddle Pickup System - Narrow | Musician's Friend

anything anyone can tell me, help me make a more educated choice on what to do with it?

BastardofYoung · 08-27-2012, 03:50 PM

I am doing a few small mods on it tomorrow. Changing the nut/saddle.... it comes with plastic, so going to trade them out for Bone, and add some strap buttons to it.

Really the pick up will be the final thing I do with it for now.

mr dave · 08-28-2012, 06:01 PM

If you're going to change the nut / saddle why not try installing a Peizo pickup in there or one of the LR Baggs bridge pickups that appear in the 'consider this' section to that EMG? Otherwise how comparable is the size of the soundhole to a typical acoustic? You might be able to get one of those Fishman pickups to fit.

Worse case you can always use a bottle cap pickup.

BastardofYoung · 08-29-2012, 12:23 AM

Yeah, I talked to a tech and he recommended a transducer pickup.

But in other news, speaking of tech. I talked to a local Luthier today who said he would absolutely let me help him in making one. I mean I have ZERO knowledge... but told him I would do it on a volunteer basis, and if he would just take off a small amount of labor costs to do so.

Work under his supervision to do it, and learn the basics of guitar making, so in the future I can just make my own.

It is with hopes that if that works out, I can apprentice more under him, and get into the trade, and start building my own instruments in time.

Fingers crossed it works as I see it.

As I said, in the long run, it would be worth it to just have something that is what I want out of production, and spend the money (which will not be cheap), instead of buying cheap and just paying to fix it up.

This instrument though is only $115, and he said he would only charge me $100 + GST to put do the bone and saddle. Which is less than he would normally charge. Said labor would usually would be $50 for saddle, $75 for nut + $20 for the nut and saddle itself.

So really, getting a good deal there.

$225 about to have it all said and done.

mr dave · 08-29-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BastardofYoung

Yeah, I talked to a tech and he recommended a transducer pickup.

But in other news, speaking of tech. I talked to a local Luthier today who said he would absolutely let me help him in making one. I mean I have ZERO knowledge... but told him I would do it on a volunteer basis, and if he would just take off a small amount of labor costs to do so.

Work under his supervision to do it, and learn the basics of guitar making, so in the future I can just make my own.

It is with hopes that if that works out, I can apprentice more under him, and get into the trade, and start building my own instruments in time.

Fingers crossed it works as I see it.

Holy crap that's awesome dude! Congrats

08-27-2012, 03:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	Guitulele (tech question as well) I picked up a Yamaha GL1 Guitulele recently... and am loving the playability of it. For such a cheap instrument (mine was $115 with tax) they are really fun. Now, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of pick up would be best to install in something like this. I would like to use it to record some stuff on my computer, as I have a ZOOM pedal that allows me to plug right to my lap top. specs: WEIGHT: 3.2 HEIGHT: 4 LENGTH: 28.75 WIDTH: 12 AVAIL: Jan SERIES: Guitar Ukulele BODY STYLE: Tenor Ukulele TOP: Spruce BACK & SIDES: Meranti NECK WOOD: Nato FINGERBOARD: Sonokeling FRETS: 18 BRIDGE: Sonokeling SCALE LENGTH: 17 CASE INCL: Yes PICKGUARD: No I was looking into something like this for a pick up:EMG Acoustic Saddle Pickup System - Narrow \| Musician's Friend anything anyone can tell me, help me make a more educated choice on what to do with it? __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

08-27-2012, 03:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	I am doing a few small mods on it tomorrow. Changing the nut/saddle.... it comes with plastic, so going to trade them out for Bone, and add some strap buttons to it. Really the pick up will be the final thing I do with it for now. __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

08-29-2012, 12:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	Yeah, I talked to a tech and he recommended a transducer pickup. But in other news, speaking of tech. I talked to a local Luthier today who said he would absolutely let me help him in making one. I mean I have ZERO knowledge... but told him I would do it on a volunteer basis, and if he would just take off a small amount of labor costs to do so. Work under his supervision to do it, and learn the basics of guitar making, so in the future I can just make my own. It is with hopes that if that works out, I can apprentice more under him, and get into the trade, and start building my own instruments in time. Fingers crossed it works as I see it. As I said, in the long run, it would be worth it to just have something that is what I want out of production, and spend the money (which will not be cheap), instead of buying cheap and just paying to fix it up. This instrument though is only $115, and he said he would only charge me $100 + GST to put do the bone and saddle. Which is less than he would normally charge. Said labor would usually would be $50 for saddle, $75 for nut + $20 for the nut and saddle itself. So really, getting a good deal there. $225 about to have it all said and done. __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.