Audio Comparison of Ischell Contact Mic and KNA Bridge Wing Piezo

Thank you for posting. I am a gear nerd and I appreciate the effort!

My observations-
Pizz tone: the bridge wing (KNA) had the expected stronger attack, particularly in the ultra low bass range and fundamentals; the sustained tone delivered by the KNA also had more low-mid content. By itself, I prefer this tone, but would dial out a bit more of the <60Hz region to keep things under control if things get loud.

The Ischell pizz had more high-mid "nose" in the 700-800Hz region while sustaining, and a more polite attack. In a loud band, the more controlled lows and present high-mids would work well to cut through.

Arco, these sounded more similar than when pizzed, with the given eq setting on the KNA.

 

voting for one is a challenge...honestly, it would depend on the gig.

 

I have a hard time hearing much of a difference between them. I am impressed with the KNA. My wing pickup doesn't sound that good.

 

Nice tone out of both. IMO, slight edge to the Ischell pizz, but I liked the KNA better arco.

 

Pretty darn close Rick, of course I prefer the Ischel, because it has a warmer sound with less midrange artifacts. Lot of difference in price though. I agree that the arco of the KNA sounds really nice.

 

They both sound very good. I'm surprised at how good that wing mounted piezo sounds. But Rick, I thought you had achieved MBOL nirvana with the Ischell. And now you're back messing with piezos? Is it just gas again?

 

They're awful close. Play 20 min into a gig and you likely won't notice the diff. Ischell sounds fatter to me tho and the bottom is "rounder" or "smoother".

KNA has that piezo quack - which is neccessarily a bad thing. Sounds like a better sounding Realist to me.

How's the feedback rejection on the KNA?

I might get one just as a backup pickup - my underwood disappeared somewhere yet again.

 

Just to get up to date, I’ve just got hold of a KNA: it’s certainly affordable. Didn’t like it in the G wing slot but it’s quite nice in the E. It’s got a lot of gain, lots more than the Lifeline which is fitted to my Bryant.

I ran it through a Genz Shuttle 10 Combo with a bit of the middle taken out and bass at 10 o clock. Perhaps I can have thebass at 12 if I put an HPF in the line but for a quick and dirty evaluation I think it’s got a lot of promise, especially at that price.