THE MI-SI PICKUP

Yesterday I installed a Mi-Si pickup in my very favorite ukulele, a koa/cedar build that has just incredible sound. Drilling a 1/2 inch hole through that beauty was a bit scary and I thought long and hard about what that Baggs pickup under a shortened saddle would do to the wonderful sound this uke produces.  Finally I took the leap.  This is all you can see of the Mi-Si, a shiny  strap button with a hole in it.  

Here is a closer look at the button.  Mi-Si pickups represent a real break-through.  There is no battery, no external doors, knobs etc.  No other holes to cut in your instrument.  Power is stored in a tiny capacitor located inside the uke.  It is charged  by a device plugged into your 110 household circuit.  The device is plugged into the cord hole you see above for a mere 60 seconds and the capacitor receives and stores enough power to play for 12 hours.  Now that is indeed cool.

I installed it, charged it for 60 seconds and plugged it into this little $35.00 karaoke machine that I had hanging around and to my astonishment and delight, clear, strong and clean notes were amplified when I played.  Who knows how good this will sound with a good amp or a P.A. system.  The final delight was that I could tell no difference in how my  uke sounded without amplification.  That pickup installed in the saddle slot under the slightly shortened saddle did not damage my sound.  

Here is the complete set-up.  I am so pleased with the results that I am going to stock a few Mi-Si s for my clients and customers who want amplification.   One benefit I have already noticed, modest amplification of your playing helps you work toward cleaner notes.  You can hear when you mess up a note.  Probably a good practice tool.
Once I get to the point where I can play a ukulele as well as I can make them I may take up a new career as a busker,  If I can find a place with an electric outlet this Mi-Si might pay  for itself.