"Try some and use your own ear" is exactly the advice I got from a friend who is a very experienced recording engineer and rock musician (he used to work for Mackey, among other things). He told me that the best he could do was maybe steer me away from some that were obviously not suitable (for a cittern, in my case), but beyond that, you really have to just try them out and find one that suits your particular tastes.
BTW, make sure that you get one with a volume control that goes to 11:-) Guy ----- Original Message ----- From: Herbert Ward<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu<mailto:lute@cs.dartmouth.edu> Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 12:17 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Microphone -> Amplifier > I know this is not a musical question, but nither entirely OT. > What system/elements would you suggest for a fairly good amplification > system for a lute (or any historical instrument). In another words, > what's reasonably best to mic, transfer (wire/transmitter), amplify, > &c. without much degradation of the sound. My two cents: Try to get a directional mike, to minimize feedback potential. Also try to do an "A/B test", where you listen to several different systems in the same room at the same time, and someone playing your instrument. In general, avoid guitar amps -- they are often not built to minimize distortion. With some many manufacturers competing for so long in vocals amplication, I'd guess you'd be OK if you just looked around a few music stores and use your own ear. Popular musicians call vocal amp systems "PAs". Good speakers are heavy for their size. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html<http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html> --
