kokotele - Posted - 09/15/2011:  07:56:29

I'm a K&K pickup dealer, and trying to order one of their resonator pickups for my new guitar.  They ship it stock with a standard 1/4" jack like you'd use on an electric, that requires drilling through the side of the guitar.  When I asked if I could order one with an endpin jack they didn't seem to know what I was talking about.  Before I call them and insist on getting what I want, is there any reason why I couldn't use a normal endpin jack?  That seems standard in other resonator pickups.

chuck hall - Posted - 09/15/2011:  08:25:47

Most builders put them below the end pin so you can use a straplock.

TC6969 - Posted - 09/15/2011:  10:22:56

Check first and see if you have a huge block of wood back there that the tailpiece screws on to.

I wanted an endpin jack on one of mine a while back but couldn't see drilling through 4" of wood to do it.

daver - Posted - 09/15/2011:  11:38:57

I looked at the K&K spider bridge resophonic pickup, and see that the jack is a panel jack and not an endpin jack. I would not install a panel jack in the side or top of any acoustic guitar, because the side torque from pulling the cable would likely split the thin wood and damage the guitar. If you wanted, you could use the panel jack in a coverplate opening and use a right angle plug on your cable, but this pickup mounts on the wrong side of the cone for that approach.

The endpin jack is the way to go. There is enough wood in the end block (usually not 4"; what kind of guitar do you have, TC?) to provide structural integrity. I agree with Chuck to install the endpin jack below your current endpin, and use a straplock (Dunlop or Schaller preferred) in place of the stock endpin.

I highly recommend using the Stewart MacDonald endpin reamer for the endpin jack hole. It is pricey and noisy to use, but does the job perfectly and pays for itself in the first installation:

stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special...word=4323

SamCy - Posted - 09/15/2011:  15:12:37

Another reason to mount it in the endblock below your current endpin is the convenience of removing the tailpiece without disturbing the jack. Many Dobro players, myself included, are forever taking their guitars apart to try a different cone, spider-bridge, or inserts for improved tone or power.

dobrocop1 - Posted - 09/16/2011:  06:36:00

I have a standard endpin same as any acoustic with strap button and never had any real problems!, only a few extra mins removing the lock nut when stripping /service on the reso!,.i use an Angled Jack Planet lead and its a tight fit and seems to keep the strap from slipping off ,. ive never dropped it yet!!!.ted.

daver - Posted - 09/16/2011:  10:45:25

Hi Ted. A standard endpin jack with cable plugged in makes a great strap retention feature. However, I do not always play plugged-in, and I have had more than one close call when straps came off the endpin (and straps never tended to hold well on the larger endpin jacks for me). So all my acoustic/electric instruments are set up with Dunlop Straploks and separate jacks. YMMV.

Rvl - Posted - 10/06/2011:  19:03:10

How did the K&K work out?
I am considering putting one into an old Model 27

Thanks

Robert VanLane

Grizz - Posted - 10/06/2011:  21:28:03

quote:

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Originally posted by dobrocop1

I have a standard endpin same as any acoustic with strap button and never had any real problems!, only a few extra mins removing the lock nut when stripping /service on the reso!,.i use an Angled Jack Planet lead and its a tight fit and seems to keep the strap from slipping off ,. ive never dropped it yet!!!.ted.

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Ted, great minds think alike.   I do the same thing with my Wessie. When playing acoustic the angled end is perfect.

Robert, I don't use one but have seen nothing but good posted about them. Lou Wamp uses the K&K.

Edited by - Grizz on 10/06/2011 21:30:24