K and K Pure Western Installation


1. The K and K 'Pure Western' is an acoustic guitar pickup system that consists of 3 soundboard transducers wired to an endpin out- put jack. It's a relatively low-cost way to get a good amplified acoustic tone and a fair amount of feedback free volume.	2. Removing the Endpin with a large pair of flush-ground end-nippers is a safe way of getting the tapered endpin out of the way. The output jack for the pickup has an attachment that will accomodate a guitar strap.


3. Reaming the Hole in the Tail- block with an endpin reamer will make room for the jack. This hole may also be drilled out with an electric drill. I prefer to use a reamer for this step because it won't chip the finish around the 1/2" hole like a drill bit can.	4. The Bridge Plate is a thin patch of hardwood inside the guitar located beneath the bridge. The K and K transducers are designed to be affixed to the bridge plate. For optimum tone, the pickup should be installed with cyano-accrilate (super glue). Removing a super glued soundboard trans- ducer in order to service the bridge or bridge plate can damage the guitar and, or pickup. This means that any necessary bridge or bridge plate repairs should be performed before the pickup is installed. Before proceeding I'll thoroughly clean the bridge plate with naptha to ensure a strong glue joint between the bridge plate and each transducer.


5. Applying Super Glue to the Transducers. I'm only applying adhesive to one transducer at a time. This ensures that I'll be able to accurately place each transducer for optimal tone and string balance.	6. Gluing the Pickup is sticky business, so I like to wear a rubber glove to keep my fingers unglued. Each transducer should be placed beneath the saddle and evenly be- tween two strings. Also, the transducers should be out of the way of the ball- ends of the strings. The compression from the string ball ends could damage the transducers. To ensure optimal placement I stick a mirror inside the guitar and peek through the bridge- pin holes so I can make small adjust- ments to the transducer's location before the adhesive cures.


7. Installing the End-Pin Jack is pretty straight forward once there is a 1/2" hole in the endblock. The jack has a small hole through it just big enough for a small allen wrench or jeweler's screwdriver. The hex- wrench allows me to hold the jack in place as I tighten down the nut.	8. Tightening the Strap Button with a pair of channel lock pliers is pretty straightforward. The trick is to get the strap button tight (but not too tight!) without damaging the button with the teeth of the pliers. Padding the jaws with a thin piece of leather, a piece of paper towel or scrap cotton will help prevent this. It's a good idea to keep the nut side of the channel locks facing away from the guitar.


9. A Secured Endpin Jack.	10. Cleaning Things Up. A shop vac with a replacement rubber hoze is an easy way to get the dust-rhinos and wood chips created by the reamer out of the box.


11. A "Permanently" Installed K and K Pure Western Pickup.