• From: Midlands
  • Registered: 2009-05-09
  • Posts: 117

Topic: Tri-Ax or M1??!

Ok, so i've spent some time mooching through message boards, and your right it's expensive!

I'm considering adding a pickup to my Takamine TNV360SC (already has cool tube pre-amp....obviously!). I've watched some demos of the Tri-Ax and the M1, but listening through laptop speakers doesn't really do it any favours. I play live when I can, usually open-mic wait in the que sorta thang!

Has anybody tried? tested these pickups?

Is there any difference between the two? (apparently not much)

Would you recommend? Stay clear of them?

As I said before, I feel like I can get a bit more out my electro acoustic. When called upon I also play in a friends group, and have to compete with electric guitars, and from what I've heard a pickup will help?

Becky big_smile

*Seek that which within lies waiting to begin the fight of your life that is everyday*
...The flute is a heavy, metal instrument...
Would you like some cheese with that whine?
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Tri-Ax or M1??!

I remember when the tube preamped accoustics started coming out and getting all of these reviews in the magazines and stuff...I dunno I guess I'm kind of a minimalist when it comes to accoustics which is amazing because of the way I approach electric tones.  Some of my favorite accoustic/electrics that I can reccomend are basically anything from the Alvarez Yairi line (the Yairi line only, handbuilt in Japanese Custom Shop...amazing), a middle of the road Martin D-something like $1300 I think.  It just BARFED tone.  Larrivee makes a fantastic guitar and of course if you have the money a Gibson or Taylor will be more than plenty.  Just play accoustics unplugged until you find one that raises your eyebrow and plug her in...if she sounds great take her home with you!  It's tough shopping accoustics because they are so inconsistant guitar to guitar of the same model even.  Good luck and be very patient.  The right guitar will find you!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: South England
  • Registered: 2009-04-23
  • Posts: 154

Re: Tri-Ax or M1??!

You can get a few pickups that fit right over the soundhole i think. I dont mean the Tri-Ax or the M1, I mean something like Dave Matthews is using here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCiLCo-LoUg (This was the song that turned me on to Warren Haynes in a BIG way!!). I'd be willing to bet he may have stuffed his acoustic with towels or something too. Unfortunately i can't tell you what type of pickup that is! And I think the whole towel thing is to help beat feedback at high volumes. I'm sure there's a tech head here that can identify it!

Really.. i should know more about this seeing as I used to build guitars.. However I have been on a stag do this evening and I'm more than a little pickled!

I also play the occasional open mic. I'm not lucky enough to have the cash to play a Takamine. I don't even have an electro acoustic. However, I did find a wicked acoustic that only cost me £30! I just smack an SM58 in front of it and send it straight through the P.A. I quite like being able to move away from the mic when playing loud, or getting right in close for finger stuff. I'm pretty sure it's not the pro way to mic an acoustic, but it's the way i've always done it!

After having read that back I realise that's probably no help at all! haha sorry!

  • From: Midlands
  • Registered: 2009-05-09
  • Posts: 117

Re: Tri-Ax or M1??!

I do like my Takamine... sounds great plugged and unplugged, the cooltube is a great perk, and it's a beautiful looking guitar. Even with the cool tube dialled in it still remains very warm and natural.

I've tried playing in front of a mic but I like to move around when playing, and alas, they haven't invented a robotic mic yet sad

A bit like stratpaulguy86 said, I don't want to run the risk of sounding too electric hmm and I'm thinking that using a pick up with the cool tube might sound too electric and over do it. I'll probably get the Tri Ax out of pure curiosity, I can always flog it if I don't like it big_smile

*Seek that which within lies waiting to begin the fight of your life that is everyday*
...The flute is a heavy, metal instrument...
Would you like some cheese with that whine?