In doing the “re-set-up” after installing a piezo-wire pickup (which the aNueNue Blue and Air/Air are), do you not shave the saddle equivalent to the “lift” caused by the piezo wire running across the bridge “saddle trench”? I would think that is a standard part of a re-set-up after installing a piezo-wire pickup, so that the usual ideal 12th fret action of around 2.5mm to 3mm is returned to the “after-pickup” instrument. (NOTE: I have seven instruments from ULTP, all of which had LR Baggs 5.0 piezo-wire pickups installed, and all of which pre-date ULTP having on-site luthiers - and for each of those instruments, I shaved the saddle myself after receiving the instrument to get to a 12th fret string action of just under 3mm, . . . and perhaps this video predates ULTP having luthiers to do a post-pickup-installation re-set-up. I would hope now that ULTP [Yes, I know that it’s now Terry Carter Music, but I use the name of my purchases for consistency], with in-house luthiers makes the saddle adjustment for the piezo-wire space such that installation of a piezo pickup does not effect the final set up action height).
'better’ … well, it’s just different. Both low(er) & high(er) action have benefits and drawbacks. It all depends on the players needs, on his playing style & technique. If you are a ferocious strummer, diggin’ in while busking or rocking out in a ukulele group, a low action you neither need nor want. If, on the other hand, you pick out a delicate classical fingerstyle piece that maybe flows w/o much dynamics, yes, a low action might help to play more effortlessly.
I thought it was the reverse, that fingerpickers prefer it higher so it is easier to get the fingers under the strings to pluck, while strummers prefer it lower because it is easier to fret three or four strings and strum them. Also, higher action can affect intonation.
Lil late here.. but I just couldn’t do that! It takes away the element of what was intended.. I’d slap a piezo mic or a real mic. Up front. The way I see it, it’s like adding midi to a Jupiter 8 or a Roland 808.. it takes away from the original vision just my opinion
The installation of a pickup, if done correctly, should have no impact on the action. The tech doing the installation would adjust the slot depth to accommodate the rod (if necessary). And the jack installation would have no impact.
Thanks for a good review. This was useful to me, because I'm about to install a pickup in my favourite uke. I have had some doubts, but now I'm convinced. I give it a go 🙂
No the hole in the Ribs(Sides) will not affect the sound as the Ribs are DESIGNED to be stiff to support the edges of the Soundboard and to allow it too vibrate.....especially as you are putting the Jack Mount in it. - BUT - Most people will install an UNDER-SADDLE Piezo pickup not the type you have. Under-saddle types DO affect the Acoustic sound of a Uke - the Piezo pickup HAS to be very closely evenly in contact with both the Underside of the Bridge Saddle AND the Floor of the Saddle Slot..........even if done well - and it ISN'T just the easy job some seem to think it is(I've done several dozen) - it can STILL affect the Acoustic sound - if done incorrectly it will also affect the sound produced by the Pickup..........
I listened with a pair of quality bt earbuds, couldn’t hear much difference. Maybe with high quality eaphones or in person it would be easier to judge. Do you hear a difference?
My son had a pickup put in his martin concert uke, and no matter what adjustments he makes, it howls terribly when he plugs it into any amp. Is it possible that it was installed incorrectly? It was expensive, so we are trying to figure this out. The uke was $500 and the pickup was an additional $120. I don't want it going to waste.
Man why is it every ukulele guy that I watch and honestly brother I really love your channel but why is it like I just got done watching a guy actually a few guys and their video was let's test five different pickups and ukuleles and see what the sound is at no point did they show us what pickup they were using they had installed these pickups themselves but no point did they show the box what the pickup looked like once you took it out of the box what kind of pickup it was or what it was called!?!? It would have been real nice brother if you would have like at least just told us hey this is the pickup this is the brand this is what it looks like this is what I'm going to have installed in this ukulele..... Butter last my expectations are always too high I mean guitar guys seem to be all over that s***.... I guess like the lackadaisical Hawaiian vibe rubs off on even the whitest man of European descent that somehow makes them, which makes them somehow contrary to the simplicity of the simple act of actually explaining just what the hell they're doing.
He said it was either the aNue Nue Air Air, or the aNue Nue Air Blue. These have an undersaddle pickup, a small pcb adhered under the soundboard where you can reach it through the sound hole. It has two dials for adjusting the mix between the mic (which is in the pcb) and the ust. There is also a nine volt battery holder that attaches with velcro, preferably to the block where the neck joins the body. So wires go from the battery to the pcb, and a set of wires go from the pcb and the ust to the jack, which is mounted into the tail piece usually. There are several pickup makers who now have these dual systems with an onboard mic and a ust, and you are able to adjust the relative output to the blend the sound to your preference. It also helps to reduce the downside to the sound of a ust by blending it with the more natural sound from the mic. Fishman Affinity Matrix is another, Double makes one (AU1?), and I think there is at least one other name brand with dual pickups. There are also Chinese knockoffs, at least of the Double pickup.
@@DennisHicks78749No clue what a PCB or UST is but at least there's more description here of the pickup. Takes a 9 volt battery you say but it's not connected to an amp in the video so I assume there's no battery in there to hear how it sounds, with either the amp on off so how is one supposed to hear if there's any sound difference in this respect. Seems like the intention is also to sell their amp installation services so probably why there's not much of any info about the amp itself?
In doing the “re-set-up” after installing a piezo-wire pickup (which the aNueNue Blue and Air/Air are), do you not shave the saddle equivalent to the “lift” caused by the piezo wire running across the bridge “saddle trench”? I would think that is a standard part of a re-set-up after installing a piezo-wire pickup, so that the usual ideal 12th fret action of around 2.5mm to 3mm is returned to the “after-pickup” instrument. (NOTE: I have seven instruments from ULTP, all of which had LR Baggs 5.0 piezo-wire pickups installed, and all of which pre-date ULTP having on-site luthiers - and for each of those instruments, I shaved the saddle myself after receiving the instrument to get to a 12th fret string action of just under 3mm, . . . and perhaps this video predates ULTP having luthiers to do a post-pickup-installation re-set-up. I would hope now that ULTP [Yes, I know that it’s now Terry Carter Music, but I use the name of my purchases for consistency], with in-house luthiers makes the saddle adjustment for the piezo-wire space such that installation of a piezo pickup does not effect the final set up action height).
Great point!
Everyone wants high action?!? That's news to me. I thought low action is better, because it's easier to play.
'better’ … well, it’s just different.
Both low(er) & high(er) action have benefits and drawbacks. It all depends on the players needs, on his playing style & technique.
If you are a ferocious strummer, diggin’ in while busking or rocking out in a ukulele group, a low action you neither need nor want.
If, on the other hand, you pick out a delicate classical fingerstyle piece that maybe flows w/o much dynamics, yes, a low action might help to play more effortlessly.
I thought it was the reverse, that fingerpickers prefer it higher so it is easier to get the fingers under the strings to pluck, while strummers prefer it lower because it is easier to fret three or four strings and strum them. Also, higher action can affect intonation.
“Everyone wants hight action”? I prefer low action. I’ve never heard of anyone wanting high action. Is that really what you meant? If so, why?
The before and after both sound amazing. Beautiful ukulele.
I agree with you! Thanks
Lil late here.. but I just couldn’t do that! It takes away the element of what was intended.. I’d slap a piezo mic or a real mic. Up front. The way I see it, it’s like adding midi to a Jupiter 8 or a Roland 808.. it takes away from the original vision just my opinion
The installation of a pickup, if done correctly, should have no impact on the action. The tech doing the installation would adjust the slot depth to accommodate the rod (if necessary). And the jack installation would have no impact.
Thanks for a good review. This was useful to me, because I'm about to install a pickup in my favourite uke. I have had some doubts, but now I'm convinced. I give it a go 🙂
How did it go? 😊
No the hole in the Ribs(Sides) will not affect the sound as the Ribs are DESIGNED to be stiff to support the edges of the Soundboard and to allow it too vibrate.....especially as you are putting the Jack Mount in it.
- BUT - Most people will install an UNDER-SADDLE Piezo pickup not the type you have. Under-saddle types DO affect the Acoustic sound of a Uke - the Piezo pickup HAS to be very closely evenly in contact with both the Underside of the Bridge Saddle AND the Floor of the Saddle Slot..........even if done well - and it ISN'T just the easy job some seem to think it is(I've done several dozen) - it can STILL affect the Acoustic sound - if done incorrectly it will also affect the sound produced by the Pickup..........
I believe the pickup he installed has both a ust and a mic.
I'm about to send in a 1960s Kamaka tenor to have a pickup installed plus other minor repairs. I guess we'll see. LOL
It sounds great with and without but I’d say it sounds a little better after it was put in.
What a beautiful ukulele, WOW! And sounds great!
I listened with a pair of quality bt earbuds, couldn’t hear much difference. Maybe with high quality eaphones or in person it would be easier to judge.
Do you hear a difference?
Still sounds great to me. My biggest concern is the wiring and how it's attached to the inside of the instrument.
Yes, sounds incredible! Our in-house luthiers will take amazing care of your uke, they do this all the time! they will answer all of your questions!
My son had a pickup put in his martin concert uke, and no matter what adjustments he makes, it howls terribly when he plugs it into any amp. Is it possible that it was installed incorrectly? It was expensive, so we are trying to figure this out. The uke was $500 and the pickup was an additional $120. I don't want it going to waste.
Thanks for the review I think 🤔 is sounds great and after I don’t hear much difference 😊 thank you ☺️
Sounds great what amp would you recommend
Still fine. Didn't really hear much diff.
I think it will stay the same.
❤
Man why is it every ukulele guy that I watch and honestly brother I really love your channel but why is it like I just got done watching a guy actually a few guys and their video was let's test five different pickups and ukuleles and see what the sound is at no point did they show us what pickup they were using they had installed these pickups themselves but no point did they show the box what the pickup looked like once you took it out of the box what kind of pickup it was or what it was called!?!? It would have been real nice brother if you would have like at least just told us hey this is the pickup this is the brand this is what it looks like this is what I'm going to have installed in this ukulele..... Butter last my expectations are always too high I mean guitar guys seem to be all over that s***.... I guess like the lackadaisical Hawaiian vibe rubs off on even the whitest man of European descent that somehow makes them, which makes them somehow contrary to the simplicity of the simple act of actually explaining just what the hell they're doing.
He said it was either the aNue Nue Air Air, or the aNue Nue Air Blue. These have an undersaddle pickup, a small pcb adhered under the soundboard where you can reach it through the sound hole. It has two dials for adjusting the mix between the mic (which is in the pcb) and the ust. There is also a nine volt battery holder that attaches with velcro, preferably to the block where the neck joins the body. So wires go from the battery to the pcb, and a set of wires go from the pcb and the ust to the jack, which is mounted into the tail piece usually.
There are several pickup makers who now have these dual systems with an onboard mic and a ust, and you are able to adjust the relative output to the blend the sound to your preference. It also helps to reduce the downside to the sound of a ust by blending it with the more natural sound from the mic.
Fishman Affinity Matrix is another, Double makes one (AU1?), and I think there is at least one other name brand with dual pickups. There are also Chinese knockoffs, at least of the Double pickup.
@@DennisHicks78749No clue what a PCB or UST is but at least there's more description here of the pickup. Takes a 9 volt battery you say but it's not connected to an amp in the video so I assume there's no battery in there to hear how it sounds, with either the amp on off so how is one supposed to hear if there's any sound difference in this respect. Seems like the intention is also to sell their amp installation services so probably why there's not much of any info about the amp itself?