KNA AP-2 Piezo Acoustic Pickup With Volume

I have a 50yr old Yamaha acoustic guitar. This pickup captures the sound of the guitar very well. Nice option for not cutting into the guitar for an on board pick up .

Okay, This little piezo pickup is expensive, but WOW does it work! I put this on my Pono tenor ukulele last night and couldn’t put it down. The sound signal is great, and the BEST part is that I did not have to modify my expensive instrument to use it. This product meets the principle of “simple and elegant” in every way.
TIPS: 1. Go ahead and plan on removing the strings completely at the tuners to facilitate installation at the bridge. This will ensure that you do not damage the pickup when loosening the knots at bridge.
2. The pickup is very sensitive, so plan on wearing short sleeves to prevent extra noise due to rubbing against the pickup. Remember, this is the equivalent of a microphone attached to your bridge.
3. You can buy a more expensive patch cable, but this one is perfectly adequate, (and to the manufacturer’s credit, the box clearly says the cable is “complimentary”, so try not to complain if it isn’t first-class). UPDATE: I bought a fancy fabric-shielded cable for this and quickly found that it created too much noise as it rubbed against surfaces (pants, amp, other cords). Stick with the smooth plastic cord and you will be better off.

MY FIRST REVIEW: This amplifies my uke without any buzz. Close rendition of the actual sound – just amplified. – – – – – MY FOLLOW UP REVIEW: It’s been seven months. The other reviews that state how fragile this pickup is, are spot on. Yes, it sounds great, but I tripped on my chord, and it pulled the cord from the pickup. I thought it was the cord, so replaced the cord. The pickup still does not work. I would not say “a piece of junk” like some of the others said. When it worked, I was extremely happy with this pickup. It is however, very fragile and should be purchased with that in mind. Stars reduced from FIVE STARS to a SINGLE STAR. It should have lasted longer. Sorry KNA . . .

Great emergency pick up to use, looks just like the picture and sounds pretty decent. However this is not the permanent solution I thought it was. It only lasted 3 months before it broke and dont expect the sticky pads to last more than 3/4 weeks. Its a quick back-up solution but PLEASE just install a normal interior mic pick-up rather than a stick on one for permanent use.

Suono pulitissimo

I, a 74 year old ‘hippie’, have been playing stringed instruments for nearly 60 years. I currently have multiple banjos (4, 5, 6 and 12 string), guitars (6 and 7 string Russian and 8 string parlor, acoustic bass and Flamenco), Resonator guitar, dulcimers (3, 4, 6 string), violins (electric and ‘acoustic’), Venezuelan and Puerto RIcan cuatros, Columbian tiples, Weissenborn, etc. etc. – So what you may say. This: those with built-in pre-amp pickups – no problem. Those with ‘tie-down’ strings (classical setup) the KNA-NG1 which you attach under strings on saddle work excellently for true acoustic reproduction – same for the KNA-UK1 for ukuleles, etc. – However, sound hole pickups leave much to be desired usually – but this pickup, the KNA-AP2 (and quake hold museum putty) are exactly what is needed. I highly suggest spending the extra $10 for the one with volume control (KNA-AP2 vs KNA-AP1) – such a nuisance otherwise to have to keep reaching over to the amp. Regarding the putty – provided you do not leave it on the instrument for days at a time, and you ‘twist’ it off each time, it should last you about 3 lifetimes and leaves no stain or residue whatsoever. However, I would still test it first to insure the finish on your particular instrument is not the exception. The pickup is about as true to the sound of the instrument when amplified (provided you use an acoustic and not electric amp) as one could possible expect.
When I play at ‘gigs’ I quickly and easily can transfer the pickup from one instrument to another without any problem whatsoever. Why not buy one for each instrument you may say? What for, they are so easily put in place (be sure and find the sweet spot for each instrument) and removed. Plus why have more than one since you shouldn’t be leaving them on the instruments beyond performance time anyway.
Bottom line: You can pay more (which I have for other ‘stick-on’ pickups, some with built-in microphones, etc.) and always reach for the KNA-AP2 rather than any of the others. 5 star product – definitely, and an honest price for the quality – try it, I am sure you will love it.
Oh, do I sound eccentric what with all these instruments? At my age they are how I pamper myself and are both legal and moral.