mostly for my own reference

[solarbird]

Mandolin Cafe consensus for flattops:

K&K Mandolin Twin. Does not require professional installation, external mount. Can be temporarily mounted; claims to not mar finish.
McIntyre Mandolin Feather. Professional installation required by a luthier. (Also here.) Permanent installation.

Mike Dulak at Big Muddy says a microphone is best but for built-in pickups they use and recommend the McIntyre Feather.

Comments

[emrecom.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing the reason you want one of these--aside from making it louder, duh--is to make it louder while staying true to the sonic nature of your instrument.

So my first question is: What is the quality-level of the PA/amp you're using or will tend to use?

'Cause unless it's *really( good, I'd think twice before permanently altering my instrument.

Thing is, I agree with your person: for an instrument like this, a mic is the best thing, sound-wise.

Otherwise, you're basically ending up with an 'electric' instrument. I mean, I once bought a quite pricey Yamaha acoustic with a terrific bridge-mount pick-up and live? Through my amp/club PA?

Sounded like what it was: a hollow body acoustic guitar with more high end.

So why not buy an electric mandolin for live performance? You'll cut out the middleman, so to speak, and probably get something that's designed in all ways not to feedback as much and sound more mandolin-y when going through an amp. Plus, you could have fun with a multi-EFX unit designed for acoustic string instruments--reverb! Delay! Chorus and flange even!

[emrecom.livejournal.com]

(er--I meant a 'hollow body electric guitar with more high end'. )

[solarbird]

I'm guessing the reason you want one of these--aside from making it louder, duh--is to make it louder while staying true to the sonic nature of your instrument.
Sometimes. Currently I've been performing with a couple of mics, always under the control of the venue. And while that's the most accurate way of doing things (of course) it also means you have the joys of dealing with two microphones at the same time. So I end up kind of locked down into a position, and I hate that really a lot.

Sounded like what it was: a hollow body electric guitar with more high end.
Well, I want this to sound like my mandolin does now, which, btw, like all Mid-Missouri monsters, has a rather atypical sound. (Very loud; very bassy, as mandolins go.) I'm not trying to get an electric sound out of it, but what I'm trying to get is a mic that doesn't lock me into a single position on stage. I'm fine with a microphone for studio.

Oh, and if it isn't clear, both of these pickups are mounted acoustic pickups, not coil-magnetic pickups.

So why not buy an electric mandolin for live performance?
1) much, much more expensive. 2) very different instrument, very different sound. A lot of them aren't even double-stringed.