Roland Amp

crazyforukes

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I was given a retirement gift of a Roland Micro Cube Amp.. I know nothing about amping my Flea concert.. I would welcome advice on adding the proper good quality pick up short of sending back to the factory, or drilling holes in my wonderful Flea. Most add ons will probably look just like that, an add on.. but perhaps there is an alternative that some have used that work and look good too..
 
Roland Microcubes are awesome for amplifying ukes as they come with built in effects and a range of settings (it's like 7 amps in one + effects)

Perhaps for the money that would cost to fit a decent pickup on your Flea, it may be a better investment to get a good solidbody electric uke.
Such as this Stagg, which is just over $100 (installing a good quality pickup for your Flea may cost even more!)
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-STAGG-EUKS-...ltDomain_0&hash=item51933d88df#ht_6232wt_1068
Eleukes and Risa are also quite good (and there are others... there's even a Fluke solidbody electric now lol).
I have always found that solid-body electrics sound better than acoustic-electrics through amps like the Microcube, because you are able to use higher gains without feedback and make better use of the effects and amp sound.

Pickups, if done by a professional who knows what they're doing, will not cause any problems to the instrument.
I suggest taking it to your local musical instrument specialist (generally, guitar specialists can also work on ukes).
Of course there will always be those who oppose pickups altogether and insist that microphones are the way to go... but unfortunately for them, that method won't do you much good with a Microcube lol.
(Well the Microcube can be used with a microphone.. but I'm not sure how successful microphoning a uke on such a small amp would be..).

Active pickups... They're the most invasive, but are the most convenient to plug and play once installed correctly.
They take power (usually battery that only needs replacing once a year or so), and usually have tone and volume knobs built into the preamp.
There's many brands, some popular ones being Fishman, B-band, Shadow... variable prices, but all decent to great quality.
Mi-Si are quite popular and don't take batteries, but you need to recharge them every 16 hours or so (and no tone/volume control).
Active pickups generally cost around $100 and up.
Mahalo have a really cheap active pickup, but the quality is quite poor per my experience.
Don't make the mistake I did - ruin a good uke with a cheap pickup lol. Get a decent pickup :)

For less modification to the uke itself, there are passive undersaddle pickups. These are generally cheaper than the actives, but are also variable with price/quality.
Good quality undersaddle passives should sound ok through the Microcube. Risa uses Shadow nanoflex passives on their nylon string electrics, and that works well - though there is more feedback hum with them than active pickups. An external pre-amp would do wonders to this though. I think some professionals (including Jake Shimabukuro? Aldrine?) use a Fishman passive pickup..
I think there are many people who prefer this option - getting an undersaddle pickup and output jack installed is only moderately invasive, and the quality of the sound can be adjusted depending on the external pre-amp you use (though the Microcube should be able to handle it directly without the pre-amp if you're not overly fussy about the sound quality).

I guess stick-on pickups and transducers are the minimally invasive.
I'm not a big fan of this type of pickup, because they don't sound good if you connect them directly into an amp..
External pre-amp would be essential in getting a quality sound from them.

For amplifying acoustic ukes on the Microcube, if you're not happy with their default "Acoustic" setting, try turning the gain down low and setting the amp knob to "Mic".
 
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lol or if you truly wanna go overboard (like I did) try a steel-string electric uke with magnetic pickups.
The Roland amps are designed to sound best with steel-string electrics LOL
 
you might consider a contact transducer like Barcus Berry makes for violins. It uses stickum to adhere to the bridge (or anywhere) and then has a small wire leading out. No drilling or permanent installation necessary.
 
Here's a solution that will work well for your stated applicaction AND will not require any modification of your Flea:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-Center-Stage-Microphone-and-Stand-Kit?sku=270968

The Nady Center Stage Neo-dymium Dynamic Microphone is a versatile, professional microphone designed to provide top performance in all live performance, and public address applications. Its transparent sound also makes the Center Stage microphone a valuable recording tool. The mic kit includes a 20 ft. XLR to 1/4" cable for connecting microphone to your audio mixer or amplifier, a secure grip microphone clip, and a sturdy metal tripod easily adjustable for performers up to 6' 4" tall.

Nady Center Stage Microphone and Stand Kit Features:

Advanced high-output neodymium cartridge provides maximum clarity and definition, even in noisy environments

Unidirectional cardioid pattern reduces feedback

Special-design internal cartridge mount for lowest handling noise and quiet performance

Withstands highest sound pressure levels without overload or distortion

Rugged, all-metal construction

External ON-OFF switch on handle

Kit includes the Center Stage Microphone, 20 ft. XLR to 1/4" Cable, secure grip microhone clip, Sturdy metal tripod easily adjustable up to 6' 4" tall

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There are several options you can pursue.
  1. A passive under-saddle pickup. (Pono uses passive pickups.)
    Advantages: not visible. Relatively easy for luthier to install. Provides a strap button afterwards. No batteries required. Hardware is not too expensive.
    Disadvantages: sound comes from saddle, not top or soundhole, so is not 'true' sound. Might require saddle modification afterwards to lower strings. Luthiers can be expensive. No tone or volume controls on instrument, only on amp.
  2. An active under-saddle pickup. (Kala and Riptide use active pickups)
    Advantages: provides tone and volume controls on uke itself sou output is easier to control. Provides a strap button afterwards. Good electronics package may include tuner, and more robust equalizer controls.
    Disadvantages: sound comes from saddle, not top or soundhole, so is not 'true' sound. Might require saddle modification afterwards. Luthier has to cut a hole in body to mount hardware. Can be an expensive upgrade for both hardware and installation. Batteries for pre-amp need frequent changing or charging.
  3. Surface (passive) stick-on pickup.
    Advantages: easy to install yourself. Inexpensive and portable. No batteries. Can be bought at any music store.
    Disadvantages: sometimes falls off (especially when moving around). Can mar the surface. Very visible. Sound is filtered through sticky putty, so is not 'true'. Works only on top, doesn't pick up sound from soundhole. Sensitive to location. Picks up tapping and other sounds from your fingers when you touch the top. Attached cables are often too short and require an extension.
  4. Internal mic.
    Advantages: easy to install and remove. Doesn't change the instrument. Portable. Easy to find one in any electronics or music shop.
    Disadvantages: visible and wire can be clumsy. Can rattle around inside, and make noise (might require a special or custom hanger). Only picks up internal sound, not sound from top. A good mic is expensive and some small mics need batteries. Usually needs a jack adapter and extension cable.
  5. External mic.
    Advantages: truest sound. Doesn't require any modifications. Can be used for other applications like harmonica or other instruments.
    Disadvantages: needs stand and holder. Fixed position limits movement and sound fidelity. Expensive for a good mic and good cable (inexpensive mics are usually rubbish). Not as portable.
 
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