Alan Hoover subsequently introduced some brilliant modifications to the SUSTAINIAC systems. In addition to the ON/OFF switch controlling the sustainer, the new operating mode selection for the Stealth Pro no longer simply makes the strings vibrate, but allows you to create astonishing sound effects.

This HARMONIC MODE can be switched either via a Push/Pull control potentiometer or via a mini-switch (the choice must be specified when purchasing and installing the system). When Push/Pull potentiometers are used, here are all the possibilities available to you:

1) Potentiometer in its normal position, fully open — NORMAL mode The magnetic field generated excites the strings, which then vibrate normally, regardless of which fret is being played. This mode is particularly suitable for long notes, violin-style volume swells, slide playing, and effects obtained by playing chords.

2) Now, by completely closing the potentiometer, you switch to HARMONIC mode. And this is where the magic happens: as soon as the note is played, it transforms, depending on the position, string and fret being played, into a harmonic third, fourth or fifth. The notes scream and the entire instrument starts to sing. Impressive. This mode is particularly effective for solos, bends and vibrato playing.

3) By pulling up the Push/Pull potentiometer, the rotational functions of the potentiometer remain the same, but the overall mode accessed is called HARMONICS MIX MODE. This combines the NORMAL and HARMONICS modes of the STEALTH PLUS. It creates completely crazy harmonics, sometimes with no apparent relationship whatsoever to the original note. Generally speaking, however, in this mode the thicker strings respond better to HARMONICS mode, while the thinner strings respond better to NORMAL mode. This mode quite accurately imitates the natural feedback response obtained with a distorted amplifier played at high volume, with harmonics gradually appearing on lower notes. This subtler mode tends to produce second and third harmonics of the notes being played.

It is, of course, entirely possible to replace the Push/Pull controls with mini-switches and obtain the same results. In this configuration, one ON/OFF mini-switch, one 3-position mini-switch (NORMAL / MIX / HARMONICS MODE), and one of the instrument’s original tone controls — one of the two tone controls on a Strat, for example — can be used as the intensity control for the selected MODE.

The new preamp circuit board included with the systems is now compatible with both passive and active pickups, EMG or Fishman pickups. A small potentiometer allows the board to be adjusted to match the type of bridge pickup installed on the guitar.

The Raven 2 Leopard strap offers perfect playing comfort and optimal support for your instrument. With its width of almost 6 centimeters and its adjustable length between 100 and 165 centimeters, the Raven Vintage 2 adapts to all instruments, and thanks to their soft leather, will not take up much space either in your case or in your gigbag.

Raven’s Vintage 2 strap line features an assortment of premium straps made from natural leather in Chile. The manufacturing methods are respectful of the environment and animals, and the Raven Strap company can pride itself on currently offering the best high-end straps on the market.

The Raven 2 strap offers perfect playing comfort and optimal support for your instrument. With its width of almost 6 centimeters and its adjustable length between 100 and 165 centimeters, the Raven Vintage 2 adapts to all instruments, and thanks to their soft leather, will not take up much space either in your case or in your gigbag.

Available in White, Whisky, Black.

The Ft.MK II strap offers perfect playing comfort and optimal support for your instrument. With its width of almost 6 centimeters and its adjustable length between 100 and 145 centimeters, the Raven Ft. MK II adapts to all instruments, and thanks to their soft leather, will not take up much space either in your case or in your gigbag.

Available in White, Whisky, Black, Pink, Metallic Purple and Silver Foil finishes.

The Raven Cosmo 3” Strap is a premium strap made from natural leather in Chile. The manufacturing methods are respectful of the environment and animals, and the Raven Strap company can pride itself on currently offering the best high-end straps on the market.

The Raven Cosmo 3” strap offers perfect playing comfort and optimal balance for your instrument. With its width of 8 centimeters and its adjustable length between 98 and 136 centimeters, the Raven 3” adapts to all instruments, and will last as long as your favorite instruments.

The Jaco 3” strap offers perfect playing comfort and optimal balance for your instrument. With its width of 8 centimeters and its adjustable length between 98 and 136 centimeters, the Jaco 3” adapts to all instruments, and as its name suggests was designed with bassists in mind, with often heavier instruments .

This passive volume control works without a battery. It does not boost the volume, but it allows you to turn the pickup signal down. It functions best when the input impedance of the device you plug your guitar into is 1 Mega Ohm (preamp/amp or mixing board-channel). If this input impedance deviates by a large amount (i.e. 100 Kilo Ohms or 10 Mega Ohms), you may experience diminished range (from “full volume” to “off” within a 1/3rd rotation) or, in extreme cases, a slight hum when the potentiometer is at middle position. This is a normal phenomenon when passive potentiometers are used with piezo based pickups. At “full-on” or “full-off” it will always be noise-free. A lot of customers use the Volume Control like an extended on/off switch.

The Pure Pickup is K&K award-winning, signature pickup for acoustic guitars. Installed on the guitar’s bridge plate, the Pure Pickup is the the best choice for achieving a rich, natural guitar sound — even without a preamp! Our customers tell us that it’s the best passive pickup on the market, which means it’s the perfect plug-and-play solution for the musician who wants a warm, full-range signal without worrying about cluttering up their instrument, adjusting onboard electronics, or having to remember to change the battery.

The Pure Pickup’s position on the bridge plate provides the perfect balance of sound, picking up all the strings without sounding harsh or percussive and “listening” to the sound board to amplify the unique characteristics of your guitar. The result is a warm, full-range signal that represents the true character of your guitar.

]]> https://leadmusic.com/en/produit/kk-big-twin-internal-universal-pickup/ Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:42:19 +0000 https://leadmusic.com/?post_type=produit&p=36291 The Big Twin is a two-head piezo pickup, especially designed for bigger instruments with low mechanical resonance. The extra strong output signal makes it a versatile choice for a variety of instruments. The two heads allow for positioning at two spots which results in improved balance of the sound and a wider and absolutely flat frequency response. The Big Twin is recommended to transduce acoustic guitars, acoustic bass, double bass, cello, mandocello and piano, grand piano, harp, dulcimer…

The Big Twin is available with an internal jack. The internal jack can be mounted from the outside so no soldering is necessary. The pickup heads are attached with a special double-side adhesive film, which is UV resistant to ensure safe adhesion even after years of use. It is ultra-thin and enables the harmonic frequencies to completely pass through to the pickup disks.

The Hot Spot comes with double-sided adhesive film and self-adhesive jack mounting clip. Its frequency range is close to perfectly linear and the output signal is very high for a piezo this small.
The Hot Spot Internal comes with an internal endpin jack.