cello pickup/ preamp

[emeka]

Hello-

A friend of mine is doing research to buy an electronic pickup for her cello. She's playing in an indie/pop group that has piano, violin, and drums in addition to the cello, so generally speaking miking is out for gigs, and she needs to be able to accurately and clearly amplify her sound. Any suggestions for a cello pickup? How about a good preamp? I know it's easiest for a soundman if she can just plug an xlr direct to the board... How about any winning combinations? Thanks for your advice!:munch

[62Tele]

John Jordan is an old friend of mine and makes a stunning electric cello. He has tried just about every pickup system out there and gets great results. I would look at his website and see what he's using on his electric cellos. You also might want to call the Electric Violin Shop in North Carolina - they seem to really know their stuff. I just bought an electric violin from them for my daughter and the service was as good as it gets. Great folks to deal with.

[emeka]

Many thanks jgm; John was very helpful. Cheers!

[clemduolian]

check out zoe keating's sites for her gear list. I'm pretty sure she's using a DTAR Solstice preamp (great piece of equipment)...not sure what pickup. Zoe knows as much about electric cello as ANYONE.

[improviduto]

I'd go with a pickup made by K&K Sound. Here's what they recommend for cellos: http://www.kksound.com/findpickup/cello.html

They also sell preamps, but if this one is like the Pure Archtop I have, it doesn't need it.

[mattthefiddler]

The cello will "hear" a lot of the other instruments on stage through it's pickup.... IF you can get isolation, that will help.


For a starting pickup that is really good, I send all my students to the Fishman C-100. I use a variety of preamps, but for an acoustic setting really like the Pro EQ series or the Bags DI. Make sure you look for a preamp that you can carefully eq. (specifically the "Quack" out.

That said.. depending on the live situation I think many people are surprised how usable a mic on a cello is with good stage placement... I will take a good mic anyday over my acoustic pickups, if I am wanting "authentic" tone.