Takamine Classical Hum: Difference between revisions

October 5, 2014

OK, I have a resolution.  Thanks to everyone for all the input.

To recap: loud hum (with secondary poor string balance) when coupling Takamine Hirade Classical (E90 now known as TH90) with Bose L1 compact, or 1S.

As I had anticipated, tracking down a hum problem is a methodical task that takes patience and a series of well planned tests.  Ultimately, Takamine USA (which I presume is KMC) verified that there was a "manufacturing defect" in this past year's line of Takamine Nylon-string pickups (Palathetic nylon-string pickups), which directly led to the hum.  Takamine-Japan corrected the manufacturing prob (missing shield) and reissued a replacement pickup with proper shielding of the solder connection - addressed the hum, but this did not fix the string imbalance.

Furthermore, it appears that there was what I would consider a "design change" of some sort that led, IMO, to unbalanced string response (i.e. the first two strings are considerably louder - 6-10dB estimate - than the other strings). Takamine USA tech support had no solution for this problem and agreed that I try a 3rd party solution.  

So, after much consultation with local setup artists and LR Baggs tech support, I gutted the Takamine electronics and replaced it all with LRBaggs Element for Nylon String.  The sound was immediately warm, balanced, and completely hum-free - I could play at high sound pressure levels with no feedback.

As for the Bose L1: I tested the Takamine-LRBaggs combo with two Bose L1 units and it was hum free - and most importantly SOUNDED AMAZING!  As I said I do fingerstyle jazz and the warmth and dynamics, even at high sound-pressure levels was the absolute best acoustic live sound I have heard to date.  Kudos to Bose on the L1 and miniature-line-array technology!

RE why some acoustic amps reproduced no hum? It appears from research on DSP-based amps, many companies create a "characteristic sound" with DSPs and this includes EQ and in some cases "hum filtering".  It is a matter of technical and artistic opinion as to whether this is an advantage/disadvantage. It is my "guess" that some DSP-based acoustic amps are actively filtering hum.

In my opinion, I believe that it is not optimum to be performing with an inherent hum in your instrument rig. In this case, the Bose L1 simply faithfully reproduced a hum that was ultimately traced back to a pickup with a manufacturing defect (the Bose absolutely did NOT cause or contribute to the hum).  I agree with the Bose philosophy of minimal filtering in the DSP/digital-processing stage.

Personal opinion: I believe the Takamine Hirade is a good mid-level stage guitar, but the electronics are currently pretty buggy.  Takamine USA are great people and very responsive, but IMO the nylon pickups are just not ready for performance level.  LRBaggs tech support is second to none - incredible help with the replacement electronics.  Bose L1 - I can't think of any portable system that even comes close to the L1 for an acoustic musician wanting a musical, dynamic, reliable rig.

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