McIntyre pickup

Matt Hutchinson · Post by **Matt Hutchinson** » 29 Oct 2004 4:32 am

Hi,

I've got a McIntyre dobro pickup (the kind which sticks to the spider, not the newer one) and I wondered which way up it's supposed to go or if it matters (dumb question maybe but I don't have the fitting instructions that go with it).

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 29 Oct 2004 5:10 pm

Mine is mounted on the spider's underside.

hp

Tim Tweedale · Post by **Tim Tweedale** » 30 Oct 2004 9:21 am

Hi Mike. I'm looking at my instructions for the Mac Feather right now. Clean the underside of the cone with alcohol first.Install it on the underside of the cone, directly underneath the tailpiece, lengthwise (tip of the "feather" facing the headstock).
Let us know how it sounds, too. What kind of reso do you have?
(edit) whoops... Just noticed it's the old kind. This applies to the feather shaped one. Oh well... let us know how it sounds anyways!

-Tim[This message was edited by Tim Tweedale on 30 October 2004 at 10:27 AM.]

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 30 Oct 2004 9:50 am

I have the original McIntyre pickup that was factory installed on my custom made Ivan Guernsey resphonic. The pickup is mounted on the bottom of the spider leg that goes straight back towards the end. It is mounted at the junction of that leg and the two short cross supports. Measured from the adjustment screw it is 3 inches to the center of the pickup. Also, make sure that the wire does not contact the cone. Mine has a small hole drilled in the top edge of the soundwell and feeds cord to end pin. I get best sound when hooked to an 'acoustic amp' such as the Peavey Ecoustic.

Thanx,
Jim

Thanx,
Jim

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 30 Oct 2004 12:37 pm

Jim, same rig I've got, except I use a Crate acoustic amp, which they don't make anymore. Is Ivan Guernsey a cool guy, or what?
BTW, do you use a preamp with that pickup?

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 30 Oct 2004 1:40 pm

Like Jim and Howard suggest, the cone itself is usually not a good place to mount a piezo. The tone will be very harsh and much more prone to feedback.

------------------
Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
[This message was edited by Mike D on 30 October 2004 at 02:41 PM.]

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 30 Oct 2004 4:41 pm

The query was about the "original" McIntyre which is designed to be mounted to the spider.

The newer "Feather" is designed to be mounted directly to the resonator. Lots of good reports on the newer one. The original has been discontinued.

h

------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT-L
77' MSA Classic D-10

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 30 Oct 2004 5:07 pm

For my 'old' McIntyre pickup I never have had to use a pre-amp when going through the Ecoustic.

There are probably many good acoustic amps on the market. I just happened to be playing a gig for a local area music store that geve me a good price on the Ecoustic, when they were first introduced.

Thanx,
Jim

Tim Tweedale · Post by **Tim Tweedale** » 30 Oct 2004 8:19 pm

I don't think either sounds particularly good, if you're looking to get your dobro to sound like itself in a live setting. Microphones all the way.

-Tim

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 31 Oct 2004 6:20 am

Yes, I agree that for the best amplied 'dobro' sound use a mike. I use a AKG C 1000S, though the P.A., BUT I have to stay away from the loud monitors to avoid feedback.

The McIntyre is the best I have tried. Most of them just turn the dobro into an electric guitar sound.

Thanx,
Jim

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 31 Oct 2004 9:00 am

I don't think either sounds particularly good, if you're looking to get your dobro to sound like itself in a live setting. Microphones all the way.

This really does not answer the original inquiry. Many players have managed to get the desired acoustic sound after carefully installing a piezo pickup. Pickups may also be mandatory in some venues due to the high volumes required.

Sorry some of you guys weren't satisfied with your pickups.

hp

------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT-L
77' MSA Classic D-10

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 31 Oct 2004 3:19 pm

Many players have managed to get the desired acoustic sound after carefully installing a piezo pickup.

Like who?

I guess it depends on what you mean by "desired acoustic sound." I know that Jerry Douglas uses a pickup in addition to a microphone, but the mix between the two isn't very flattering to the pickup. When he wants to comp behiind somebody he steps back from the mic and lets the pickup take over--sort of an automatic volume control, and I guess the pickup sounds okay for quiet background rhythm.

It doesn't matter what the question is. The words "use a microphone" should be in every thread about reso pickups, just as a matter of principle. If there was a reso pickups FAQ, the first answer would be "use a mic." Pickups to supplement the sound or to deal with feedback in certain situations only.

-Travis

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 31 Oct 2004 5:18 pm

It doesn't matter what the question is. The words "use a microphone" should be in every thread about reso pickups, just as a matter of principle.

Just a matter of opinion actually, I'd disagree with the quote. YMMV

Pickups (IMHO) are useful devices in many situations and are much easier to process live than a mic feed (again IMHO).

I don't think generalizations are particularly useful, especially when they don't address the specific question at hand.

Resonator guitars are used in many "non traditional" genres these days. It's tough to compete against a screaming tele when you're slamming into a AT 4050 or whatever your fav mic is. If a pickup is available it could help overcome many difficulties.

It's just a tool in your bag. Use it, or not!

I do and... I don't!

hp[This message was edited by Howard Parker on 31 October 2004 at 05:19 PM.]

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 31 Oct 2004 5:51 pm

You're right, of course. There are situations where a microphone can be impractical, and one shouldn't shun a useful tool out of some kind of misguided traditionalism, or something.

Just don't go chasing after rainbows, either.

-Travis

Tim Tweedale · Post by **Tim Tweedale** » 31 Oct 2004 10:58 pm

I've played live with both a macintyre and a mic. Both are susceptible to feedback. However, if you have found a way to use a macintyre pickup at high volumes without feedback, I would genuinely like to know about it.

-Tim[This message was edited by Tim Tweedale on 31 October 2004 at 11:00 PM.]

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 1 Nov 2004 6:48 am

I can't speak for everyone of course. I personally use an "original" McIntyre with the Sabine single channel feedback eliminator (along with a preamp of course) and I can drive the rig to "stoopid" levels (ear plugs required).

I'd argue that at these levels/venues one could sacrifice a wee bit of tone for volume.

Yep...I'm primarily a bluegrass player and I'd better not be seen with a tail hangin' out of the guitar. However, if the gig requires me to prance around the stage or use a pedal board, I'll be plugging in.

btw...I LIKE Jerry's sound when he's plugged in. Cindy's also.

Go figure

Cheers,

HowardP

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 1 Nov 2004 9:47 am

You can always contact Carl McIntyre (or Judy) by telephone or e-mail. They are great folks to deal with.

------------------
"Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back into the same box."

Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Tim Tweedale · Post by **Tim Tweedale** » 1 Nov 2004 11:47 am

What kind of pre-amp are you using, Howard?

-Tim

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 1 Nov 2004 11:48 am

I'm using an older version of the Fishman Blender.

Wish I had the Rane AP-13 though.

HowardP

Tim Tweedale · Post by **Tim Tweedale** » 2 Nov 2004 9:41 am

Can you upload some soundclips of this set-up?

-Tim

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 2 Nov 2004 10:18 am

I first heard Jerry Douglas plugged in, back when he was playing through a big ol' rack, and it sounded like a lap steel. Recently heard Randy Kohrs, and his Scheerhorn sounded like that, too. Even the MASTER of resophonic tone, Mike Auldridge, didn't sound right plugged in, on the Lyle Lovett tour. I think ANY pickup is a second choice way to go. But that's MY opinion.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 2 Nov 2004 6:36 pm

Can you upload some soundclips of this set-up?

Yikes...I don't have the setup. Let me put my thinking cap on.

hp