self-contained pick-up

[john r toothman]

does anyone out there know of a decent self-contained'pickup system similar to a takemine etc?maybe with a tuner on board that can be afforded???the luthier supplysdont seem to carry these units any help will be appreciated . john

[Rob Mercure]

Describe a "self-contained" pickup system. My guess: the pickup (could be magnetic, piezo, microphone with several mounting possibilities for either or both the piezo and mic elements); volume control (could be multiple if more than one pickup or a mixer); and, maybe, some sort of frequency equalization (could be simple 1-knob "tone' control, or MBT, or a graphic EQ); a power supply assuming that we're using an active system which a tuner would require (unless using a tuning fork - but mounting that permanently would get resonances); and output coupling (probably a 1/4" phone jack but Cannon XLR locks and prevents unplugging on stage - there are some more exotic connectors that I like such as BNC) and now to all of this, or whatevere parts, we add a tuner - whew!! And I've probably forgotten several other possibilities.

So, what are you interested in? What sort of instrument do you wish to amplify? What sort of music do you play (some systems really don't like finger pickers)? and How much do you want to pay?

A card board cone and a harmonica make a nice "period" amplification/tuner system circa 1900 .

Rob