better pick-up please!!

[lotuswight]

Hello
I was the proud owner of a dual source pick up.
now the mic does not work.
I was then informed that the element is way better and bought two of them.
Then realized that the element is just one half of the dual source and that the element by itself is not what I need.
there is a point in the element pick-up which is said to be where an external mic can be put in.
what mic is that? it does not say in the installation instruction.
can I buy the preamp and mic without the element now?
frustrating because I was originally told that the dual source is not available anymore, which was bullshit.
Sam

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Sam,
I'm sorry to hear that you were given that very poor (and incorrect) information. We do still make the Dual Source, although the current version uses the Element undersaddle pickup in place of the older Ribbon Transducer. If you wanted to upgrade it to a new dual-pickup system, I would have recommended the Anthem system. The Anthem uses the Element and our patented Tru-Mic condenser microphone. The Element is a decent pickup on it's own, but it definitely doesn't give you the natural tone or clarity that you get from a mic.

The Element system that you have can be used by itself, or with the addition of a mic, but that will only give you stereo output. There are no options for blending on the guitar. The mic options with that setup are fairly limited too.

I personally prefer the Anthem over anything that's currently available, but there are many players who still use and love the Dual Source.

Although the Element is the same in the Anthem and the Dual Source, buying any of those systems in a custom configuration will usually end up costing more money than the stock system with the Element included.

[lotuswight]

anthem!

yes Caleb
The Anthem is the one I have had my eye on.
But now that I have bought two Elements is there some way to change over to the element or to the dual source without buying the whole thing?
Full time musician and I must think of budgetary matters.

[lotuswight]

anthem!

Hey Caleb just to reword my query; can I now supplement my purchase of two element pick-ups with the rest of the apparatus to complete either the Anthem or the Dual source? Please tell me that there is a way to do this without starting from scratch!? I have three instruments to outfit and it feels like it will get pricey if I have to start over.

Hey Sam,
I'm sorry to hear that you were given that very poor (and incorrect) information. We do still make the Dual Source, although the current version uses the Element undersaddle pickup in place of the older Ribbon Transducer. If you wanted to upgrade it to a new dual-pickup system, I would have recommended the Anthem system. The Anthem uses the Element and our patented Tru-Mic condenser microphone. The Element is a decent pickup on it's own, but it definitely doesn't give you the natural tone or clarity that you get from a mic.

The Element system that you have can be used by itself, or with the addition of a mic, but that will only give you stereo output. There are no options for blending on the guitar. The mic options with that setup are fairly limited too.

I personally prefer the Anthem over anything that's currently available, but there are many players who still use and love the Dual Source.

Although the Element is the same in the Anthem and the Dual Source, buying any of those systems in a custom configuration will usually end up costing more money than the stock system with the Element included.

[Caleb_Elling]

Unfortunately, the Element pickup itself is the only common part between the Element Active and the Anthem or Dual Source. The Element doesn't even connect in the same way to the other systems.

Since custom ordering parts usually costs more in the end, with shipping and additional expenses, selling your Element systems (used) is probably the best way to recoup some of your cost for getting a new system. Buying the Anthem in parts is not an easy process, so it's not usually worth it to save the cost of the pickup itself.

I hope that helps.