where to get a uke pickup

[Quinny]

Hi,

I'm into my 4th uke build and thought I'd add a pickup to my tenor uke. I've seen cheap stuff on eBay and $200 ones elsewhere. Any ideas on where to get a decent but not top line uke pickup?? How much do you have to pay??

thanks
Andrew

[kiwigeo]

K and K...not cheapest but IMHO best value for money.

Ive bought a few K and K systems from this ebay store....good service. http://stores.ebay.com.au/Shoreline-Mus ... 7675.l2563

If they dont have a uke pickup in stock ask them to get one in.

[Allen]

The two very best uke pickups out there are either the MISI under saddle with a built in preamp that is part of the end jack. Charge for 1 minute and good for 16 hours of play.

Or the K&K Aloha Twin. It's a soundboard transducer style and is my most requested to install. They put out enough of a signal that they don't require a preamp, but really do shine when run through a good one.

[Quinny]

thanks for the recommendations guys. As I know next to nothing about pickups I will check out the recommended items.

Does that mean you need to pay close to $150 for one?
Are there ones for ukes or do i just get a guitar one? I
way some with 2 transducers and some with 3. Is that just a matter of paying more for a better sound?

Thanks

Andrew

[Allen]

The K&K Aloha Twin is made for ukuleles. Do not get one of their other models and install it in a uke. It has 2 pads. The MISI will work for either guitars or ukes.

The saddle slot for the MISI needs to be at least 3.2mm wide. I make mine either 3.5 or 4.0 mm depending on the scale length and string choice. As well, you have to drill a clearance hole at the the other end of the saddle slot to slip the inactive end of the pickup through, or you will end up with a dead G or A string.

Yes, if you are building a uke worthy of amplifying it, then your pickup is going to cost more than $100. The going price to supply and install either of these pickups is $200 USD.

[Quinny]

Thanks Allen for the helpful advice as always. Really appreciate it.