I took a look at the D-TAR. Those units look slick. Kekani, do you know what model was in the uke you heard?
Will the UST strip built for guitar be too long for an 'ukulele bridge/saddle? If that was the case could you cut it down in size?
I will see if I can try the Paracoustic DI, but I have the Fishman Pro EQ preamp and I can't see the Baggs being that much better. I don't see how it would cut down on arm noise, which is really bugging me, but I'll give it a shot.
If the DI doesn't help, D-TAR, Fishman, or Baggs?
Thanks again,
It was either the Timber-line or Wave-length. With the Timber-line, this is what I was referring to if you really meant
serious. If I recall, the suggested installation requires a ball nose tip into the bottom of the saddle slot to accomodate the round pickup piezo. Rick Turner told me that by doing this, it really makes a difference. One thing about his technology is that they use 18v, instead of 9v, and yes, you can hear the difference. The Wave-length seems (because this is off the record un-confirmed) to use the Baggs Element piezo.
If MGM is correct, and you have a passive Fishman, then your problem may not be the pickup. As for the active Fishmans, my experience has been that they are very sensitive across the piezo, in a good/balanced way.
As for the UST piezo, depends on what kind of saddle you have, how wide, etc. I install closed end saddles, so I HAVE to get the shortened 2" Fishmand, which is another reason I now install Baggs - they are just an easy company for me to deal with (not that Fishman is not, I've never tried dealing with them directly). I believe on the Kamaka, even though you have an open end, the saddle itself is not much wider than 2", so you'll need the same. Do NOT cut the piezo down - that's something for the manufacturer to do (which I have Baggs do for me).
For the Pre-amps, I don't use them, so I can't comment. Unlike MGM, I actually like the active pickups, which can be plugged directly into a P/A. Of course, I'm just a cheapie and don't want to buy a Para Acoustic DI - probably will someday.
As for the choice - personally I would install the Baggs. . .but that's for me. Its supposed to be plug and play, but I always ended up re-soldering the lengths of the battery, volume and piezo wires at the pre-amp (prior to custom ordering lengths, which still need some adjustment). The new Fishman Matrix Infinity seems to be an easier install, but the piezo length may be a problem for you. The D-Tar is certainly the higher end - again, I've never installed one, but I've heard them and played them on a Compass Rose. First question to answer is who is going to do your installation, and go from there.
Oh, one more thing, to confuse you even more - I throw in a back angle of about 7 degrees for the saddle on all my bridges. When you install pickups, you appreciate this effect. Of course, when you setup instruments, you appreciate this as well, especially if you set intonation before you set action, but that's another thread.
BTW - the back angle idea originated from Rick Turner. If you don't know who he is, and you want a serious pickup, do some research on him. Shouldn't be too hard.