BelCat TD2
Submitted at: 7:09, 11/7/2003
Product Info
Pickup features: Twin piezo soundboard transducer.
Impedence or other specs: Not known.
Price Paid: Sterling 20
Purchased from: Stamford Music, Stamford, Lincs. England
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Vega 845 (Dutch-made Martin D28)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: No permanent pickup being replaced but a Bill Lawrence 145 has been used across the soundhole.
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: No idea
You musical style(s): Acoustic rock and blues.
Reason for pickup change: I needed to amplify my acoustic for live gigs and the Lawrence soundhole PU that I had used in the past was, frankly, awful. Having heard some piezo units live, I decided to try that route, chosing the twin BelCat on the priciple that it is so relatively inexpensive even if it doesn't deliver I haven't lost out financially and I get to keep the strap pin jack socket!
Sound
Perceived output level: It is a low output unit. Ideally it needs a pre-amp prior to going through a stand-alone amp or PA. I find putting it into my Boss CS3 compressor to boost the output level works well and by cutting down the level of compression I can get a very clean, authentic signal through to an amp or PA.
Tone: I find the sound well-balanced with the bass rounded and the trebles sparkling. The mid range is rich with good solid fundamentals and enough overtones to sweeten the sound.
Sonic evaluation: A Vega 845 (D28 style) with spruce top and rosewood rims and back. The BelCat amazed me once it was per-amped. Running it through an acoustic SansAmp set flat, the full acoustic qualities of the 25-year old dreadnaught emerged via a PA system. It was everything I was looking for (although more output level would have been welcome) in amplifying a rather old acoustic friend. Some fellow players have played it and are amazed at the richness and authenticity of the amplified sound. They are even more amazed at being told it is only a 20 quid piezo system. I am delighted at the sounds it makes and the Vega I am sure will get far more public use than of late.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Acoustic rock (think Pete Townshend / Neil Young faster stuff), blues and elementary folk-y finger pickery stuff (I ain't no John Martyn or Richard Thompson, that's for sure!)
Overall Rating
Comments: I would probably buy another BelCat TD2 if needed. I think that, despite its low output level, the sound quality and authenticity belie its ridiculously low price. I would rather have an acoustic PU system that authentically reproduces the inherent tonality of the instrument rather than some high output that seems more intent on turning an acoustic guitar into an insipid electric.
Fitting the system was easy although I did have a bit of a struggle manipulating the phono plug from the two piezo units onto the end pin. That says more about my fat wrists than the BelCat, however.
If the BelCat had a bit more output but retaining the fidelity I would have no hesitation in awarding it a full 10 rating. However...
The great advantage of the BelCat is that the only work one has to do to one's guitar is remove the existing endpin and drill out the hole to accommodate the supplied jack-pin. That is the only evidence of any electrical jiggery-pokery on your acoustic guitar. I certainly did not want any mission control module on the guitar's upper bout. In that sense, I am a Luddite - and proud of it.
Well done BelCat. A happy and satisfied customer
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
Submitted by: Richard Underwood