Thanks Aaron for a very nice rundown on my pickup. I do want to clarify two points: 1. The pickup installation is straightforward, albeit a little unusual in that a single 12 position switch needs to be set for each unique install. It does not have to be done by me! I have a growing number of dealers and luthiers who have installed this pickup and would be glad to help. Please see the JME website: www.jamesmayengineering.com for more info on that. That said, I'm happy to provide the service. 2. Regarding the aforementioned setup procedure where the 12 position switch needs to be set properly: It is not a filter that notches out the resonance of your instrument, as might be thought. Rather, it is adjusting how much of the feedback suppression sensor gets mixed in with the main sensor, via a passive mixing circuit. When this is set optimally, all the mud and boom disappears from many resonant frequencies of your guitar, leaving the clarity and natural woodiness that this video demonstrates.
I was so impressed I just bought the Ultra Tonic V3 which has an upgraded primary transducer which spans the under-saddle bridge plate with one sensor, the out-of-phase bass transducer is still there so there's only two sensors to stick onto the bridge plate now. Will be installing it myself into a 2000 Taylor 314ce. Im a guitar tech so also doing a fret job with EVO frets and with installing this new pickup, which will allow removal of the under-saddle sensor, its going to be a full sound renovation for the Taylor which already sounded good with the Baggs Anthem I installed about five years ago. I was contemplating a Maton AP5 Pro (love Tommy's playing and sound) but cost was a huge factor, also removing and drilling the bridge and cutting a channel in the guitar's top and bridge plate to accommodate the piezo rail eventually turned me off to the idea. Thanks again for all your content, and thanks James May.
@@aaronshortmusic still think I'll just get the k&k pure as the ultra is too expensive and the shipping to portugal would probably be very expensive as well. would you say the k&k pure preamp is a better option for those pickups than the lr baggs gigpro? thanks
That thing sounds great. But the price...Is it 3 times better than the k&k? P.s. Have you tried Journey pickup? Similar to k&k but 1/3 the price. If not, it would be nice to see the review and maybe to compare these 3. Cheers!
Just ordered one of these. James answered the phone personally and told me to have my Luthier call him if he needs help installing it. I'm not mailing my d35 from Texas to California in 100 degree weather, lol. Thanks for the review, it helped make up my mind. Also getting the Tonedexter preamp to go with it.
Darl Ridgely Thanks Darl. Yes James does have a few installers around the USA and hopefully will add some more. I used this guitar at my gig tonight with that preamp and it sounded great!!
Thank you for these vids on pick-ups! Comparing to the Schatten HFN Passive, would you say this sound more "natural"? I've got the HFN installed on my M-18 and found it lacks the low-end while this JME has that.
I found they both lacked some low end in the guitars I tried. I would say it may be a little better but it also requires glue. You might want to consider the K&K as well.
@@aaronshortmusic Im actually looking to do the conversion kit of the Ultratonic to one of my guitars with K&K that's why Im researching the JME UT and how it sounds. Is this the best natural-sounding, balanced and not quacky sound bound transducer?
Hi Aaron. Thanks so much for these videos. For a guitar I'm exclusively going to be playing amplified, just solo fingerstyle at low to moderate volume house concerts, would you recommend the Anthem of the JME for the most lifelike and accurate sounding plug and play solution?
@@aaronshortmusic Thanks Aaron, I have a Breedlove Voice series guitar on the way with the custom Anthem voiced specifically for each guitar installed at the factory so I'm glad to hear it.
Very informative video, Aaron, thanks. Surprised you did not mention that James is the inventor of the Tonedexter, or demo this pickup with a Tonedexter. Perhaps you don't have one, but both this pickup and a standard K&K really shine through a Tonedexter to my ears (though as in all things, this is a subjective opinion). Thanks again for posting this.
Hi, have you tried out the V3.2 version of these yet? If so, is there a significant sound improvement, including the mic like top end that you felt was lacking in the V1 version?
I have not. As far as I know the design has been changed but not the tone. Nothing will likely bring that type of sound without adding a microphone as a second source.
Thanks Aaron for a very nice rundown on my pickup. I do want to clarify two points:
1. The pickup installation is straightforward, albeit a little unusual in that a single 12 position switch needs to be set for each unique install. It does not have to be done by me! I have a growing number of dealers and luthiers who have installed this pickup and would be glad to help. Please see the JME website: www.jamesmayengineering.com for more info on that. That said, I'm happy to provide the service.
2. Regarding the aforementioned setup procedure where the 12 position switch needs to be set properly: It is not a filter that notches out the resonance of your instrument, as might be thought. Rather, it is adjusting how much of the feedback suppression sensor gets mixed in with the main sensor, via a passive mixing circuit. When this is set optimally, all the mud and boom disappears from many resonant frequencies of your guitar, leaving the clarity and natural woodiness that this video demonstrates.
I was so impressed I just bought the Ultra Tonic V3 which has an upgraded primary transducer which spans the under-saddle bridge plate with one sensor, the out-of-phase bass transducer is still there so there's only two sensors to stick onto the bridge plate now. Will be installing it myself into a 2000 Taylor 314ce. Im a guitar tech so also doing a fret job with EVO frets and with installing this new pickup, which will allow removal of the under-saddle sensor, its going to be a full sound renovation for the Taylor which already sounded good with the Baggs Anthem I installed about five years ago.
I was contemplating a Maton AP5 Pro (love Tommy's playing and sound) but cost was a huge factor, also removing and drilling the bridge and cutting a channel in the guitar's top and bridge plate to accommodate the piezo rail eventually turned me off to the idea. Thanks again for all your content, and thanks James May.
Great news! Let me know how it works out...
this is the first time my jaw dropped in a piezo related video... I can't believe that's not a microphone, that's incredible
Yes it’s a great pickup!
@@aaronshortmusic still think I'll just get the k&k pure as the ultra is too expensive and the shipping to portugal would probably be very expensive as well. would you say the k&k pure preamp is a better option for those pickups than the lr baggs gigpro? thanks
Francisco Neves Yeah the K&K preamp is great to have. Also check out the ToneDexter. It’s really cool.
That thing sounds great. But the price...Is it 3 times better than the k&k?
P.s. Have you tried Journey pickup? Similar to k&k but 1/3 the price. If not, it would be nice to see the review and maybe to compare these 3. Cheers!
Just ordered one of these. James answered the phone personally and told me to have my Luthier call him if he needs help installing it. I'm not mailing my d35 from Texas to California in 100 degree weather, lol. Thanks for the review, it helped make up my mind. Also getting the Tonedexter preamp to go with it.
Excellent. Let us know how you like it!
Gosh, I’m one of those folks who doesn’t like the high EQ. To each their own, great video on a really intriguing pickup
What do you mean by the high EQ?
You can have your local luthier do it. James will sell a pickup to you
The pickup does sold very good. Thanks for the video
Darl Ridgely Thanks Darl. Yes James does have a few installers around the USA and hopefully will add some more. I used this guitar at my gig tonight with that preamp and it sounded great!!
Maybe the versions could be made upgradable with some type of USB connector?
No it’s not digital. It’s an all-analog system.
Thank you for these vids on pick-ups! Comparing to the Schatten HFN Passive, would you say this sound more "natural"? I've got the HFN installed on my M-18 and found it lacks the low-end while this JME has that.
I found they both lacked some low end in the guitars I tried. I would say it may be a little better but it also requires glue. You might want to consider the K&K as well.
@@aaronshortmusic Im actually looking to do the conversion kit of the Ultratonic to one of my guitars with K&K that's why Im researching the JME UT and how it sounds. Is this the best natural-sounding, balanced and not quacky sound bound transducer?
@@johndumlao6547 There is no best. If you feel you get to much bass and feedback from the K&K then it is worth a try.
@@aaronshortmusic Thank you Aaron! I'll give this a try.
Hi Aaron. Thanks so much for these videos. For a guitar I'm exclusively going to be playing amplified, just solo fingerstyle at low to moderate volume house concerts, would you recommend the Anthem of the JME for the most lifelike and accurate sounding plug and play solution?
Russell Graves For a guitar that will only be played amplified I suggest the Baggs Anthem without hesitation.
@@aaronshortmusic Thanks Aaron, I have a Breedlove Voice series guitar on the way with the custom Anthem voiced specifically for each guitar installed at the factory so I'm glad to hear it.
Russell Graves That’s great! How is the pickup voiced for each guitar exactly?
They are awesome
hey Aaron, Jim here again. Which switch do you have on, on the circuit board. Thanks
Hey Jim. I didn’t install it so I’m not sure sorry.
Very informative video, Aaron, thanks. Surprised you did not mention that James is the inventor of the Tonedexter, or demo this pickup with a Tonedexter. Perhaps you don't have one, but both this pickup and a standard K&K really shine through a Tonedexter to my ears (though as in all things, this is a subjective opinion). Thanks again for posting this.
Hi Robert. This is purely a pickup demo. Preamp demos will come soon including the Tone Dexter!
Did you custom order than OMC-21? Cool guitar.
No I actually bought it from a store in LA. I’m thinking of selling it actually.
Hi, have you tried out the V3.2 version of these yet? If so, is there a significant sound improvement, including the mic like top end that you felt was lacking in the V1 version?
I have not. As far as I know the design has been changed but not the tone. Nothing will likely bring that type of sound without adding a microphone as a second source.
@@aaronshortmusic Thanks for your quick response!
By the way, how come you haven't reviewed the LR Baggs Lyric yet? Or maybe I missed it.
@@douglasmackin9325 M80 coming soon. Lyric after that.
@@aaronshortmusic Great! Looking forward to them!
Have you tried the tonedexter?
I have. It’s an excellent product but I have many thoughts on it. I’ll cover it in a separate video.
You said its an active pick up. But isnt it a passive pick up?
I say it’s passive at the beginning.
...PASSIVE pickup!!...
Aaron , I lost your email regarding the pickup we spoke of . Sorry and thanks for reaching out .