Mike's Oud Forums

Installing K&K Twin Spot Internal

howldin - 9-12-2007 at 10:31 AM

I read the recent survey of preferred pickups and am interested in a K&K Twin Internal. I have a Najarian A500.

This is probably a very ignorant question, but on an instrument with an inlay in the sound hole, how does one gain access to the inside of the instrument to install internal pickups? Do these typically come out easily?

zoukboy - 9-13-2007 at 11:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by howldin
I read the recent survey of preferred pickups and am interested in a K&K Twin Internal. I have a Najarian A500.

This is probably a very ignorant question, but on an instrument with an inlay in the sound hole, how does one gain access to the inside of the instrument to install internal pickups? Do these typically come out easily?


Viken coached me to remove the rosette with an artist's palette knife. These are easy to find at any art supply house. Get the thinnest blade you can find. (see photo)

The rosette is be glued to the underside of the soundboard and you use the palette knife to separate the rosette from the wood. BE VERY CAREFUL. GO SLOW. Slip the knife's thin blade between the rosette and the top and it will separate. You might have a very thin sliver of wood come off with the rosette but if you are really careful and take your time it should come off cleanly.

Once it's loose you'll notice that there is a slot in the edge of the rosette that you can use to slip it out of the soundhole.

If you are nervous about the procedure you might take it to a tech and have him remove it, then you can install the pickup.

To replace it, I thread a length of cord through the rosette so that I have two ends and a loop that I can hold on to. Place a small amount of superglue on the top edge of the rosette where it contacts the underside of the soundboard and use the cord to position it. You won't have to hold it in place for long.

Good luck!
--
Roger Landes
rwlandes@taosnet.com
Website: http://rogerlandes.com
Bouzouki duo CD: http://janissarystomp.com
ZoukFest World Music Camp, June 8-14th, 2008: http://zoukfest.com

Dr. Oud - 9-13-2007 at 01:08 PM

I have a few thing sto add ( & correct)
The glue might be hide, if so apply a little warm water around the edge of the rose to soften it. A warm knife will also help soften the wet glue.
If not hide, it's some synthetic, and the knife must be heated slightly to soften the synthetic glue - BUT NOT RED HOT! I use a waffle iron to get the temperature around 150-160 deg F. Synthetic glues melt around 130-140 deg F. If you use an open flame to heat the knife it wi8ll leave black soot on the rose (been there) IF THE KNIFE IS TOO HOT IT WILL MELT THE ROSE (IF IT'S PLASTIC AND USUALLY IS).
Do not ust crazy glue to glue it back as you will never get it off again. IHide glue is best, but this is a good application for polyvinyl glue as it releases at the lowest temperature. You can tie 6 loops soaced around the rose, then slip some small sticks (popsicle are good) through the loops and on top of the face. appply the glue, then pull the rose up with some spacers you can use any thing really.

removing rosette

howldin - 9-14-2007 at 02:39 AM

Thank you so much for thorough responses. Away we go!

zoukboy - 9-14-2007 at 09:16 AM

thanks for the additions (corrections) Richard. I'll try those next time. BTW, I've never had any trouble getting superglue to release as long as it is used in very small amounts, but I will take your suggestion to use hide glue next time.

Cheers,
--
Roger Landes
rwlandes@taosnet.com
Website: http://rogerlandes.com
Bouzouki duo CD: http://janissarystomp.com
ZoukFest World Music Camp, June 8-14th, 2008: http://zoukfest.com

madzub - 9-14-2007 at 03:20 PM

I do love this forum so much, because other people seem to always ask the questions I'm thinking about (but either too embarassed or lazy to ask myself!). Thanks for the question and the advice.

By the way, Howldin, let us know how the K & K works for you. I'm planning on installing an internal in the shehata that I just bought. I use the external Twinspot on my turkish oud which is ok but has limits.