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So here is my overall question:

Design your dream "electric" ukulele setup for under $1000, preferably closer to $500, considering I already have the uke and pickup, but nothing else.

I have an acoustic uke with a DiMarzio acoustic piezo pickup attached on the inside, under the bridge.

What kind of combinations would be able to come up that include the following fx?

Distortion (preferably tube)
Reverb
EQ (nothing fancy)
Delay (tap tempo)
Compression (nothing fancy)
Tuner (probably pedal?)
Others... phaser/flanger/chorus (nothing crazy)

I don't really have any experience building guitar rigs. I don't know whether to get a combo with some pedals, or separate head and speaker with a modeler, or a rack setup with pedal board, or any mish mash of these options. I don't know which brands/models are reputable or worth it in any area. I just know that I've played with guitarists who've used a million cheap boss pedals and it sounded like the tears of a banshee. I want to get something serviceable, not necessarily loud, but with good tone. Again, here is my overall question:

Design your dream "electric" ukulele setup for under $1000, preferably closer to $500, considering I already have the uke and pickup, but nothing else.

Thanks! Let me know if you need anymore info.

Comments

BobRogers Fri, 02/26/2010 - 14:45

OK, just step back for a second and imagine some old uke player reading about you asking for recommendations for Distortion (preferably tube), Reverb, EQ (nothing fancy), Delay (tap tempo), Compression (nothing fancy), Tuner (probably pedal?) and then ending with the immortal line....Others... phaser/flanger/chorus (nothing crazy)

Not exactly punting on the Thames with your best gel...

Ahem, where was I?....

Anyway, I suggest that you borrow (or buy with the intention of possibly selling) a POD or some other similar modeling device. You want something that let's you try out a bunch of effects to see if they really work for you with a uke. Yes, every effect in a POD can be replaced by something that sounds better - but each sound costs about as much as the whole POD. It's a Swiss Army Knife in both a good and bad way.

ThirdBird Fri, 02/26/2010 - 21:28

Is the Line6 M9 ($400) or M13 ($500) worth the money?
[="http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-M13-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Pedal?sku=482675"]Buy Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler Guitar Multi Effects Pedal | Floor Guitar Effects | Musician's Friend[/]="http://guitars.musi…"]Buy Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler Guitar Multi Effects Pedal | Floor Guitar Effects | Musician's Friend[/]
[[url=http://="http://guitars.musi…"]Buy Line 6 M9 Stompbox Modeler Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal | Floor Guitar Effects | Musician's Friend[/]="http://guitars.musi…"]Buy Line 6 M9 Stompbox Modeler Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal | Floor Guitar Effects | Musician's Friend[/]

Could I get decent live amplification for under $500?
Would it be better to get a combo or head/speaker?
Are tubes out the question?
Could I go straight into a PA and use something like The Brick? If I did, would it go before or after the fx?
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://pro-audio.mu…"]Buy Groove Tube The Brick Tube DI and Preamp | Microphone Preamps | Musician's Friend[/]="http://pro-audio.mu…"]Buy Groove Tube The Brick Tube DI and Preamp | Microphone Preamps | Musician's Friend[/]

Thanks!

jg49 Sat, 02/27/2010 - 03:39

You are probably aware of this [="http://www.starandshadow.org.uk/on/gig/133"]The Star And Shadow Cinema[/]="http://www.starands…"]The Star And Shadow Cinema[/] but you might see if any of these bands have websites and contact your fellow aliens for any thoughts on ukelele transmitters.

Another outpost [[url=http://="http://ukuleleunder…"]Uke Got Mail ep49: Solid body ukuleles[/]="http://ukuleleunder…"]Uke Got Mail ep49: Solid body ukuleles[/]

BobRogers Sat, 02/27/2010 - 04:44

You have to be careful with preamps/DIs since piezo pickups are very high impedance. Not all preamps match well with them. I've had good luck with the Brick and Taylor guitars - both Fishman and Expression pickups. The Baggs ParaAcoustic DI has worked well for me with a lot of acoustics. But I'd definitely try before you buy to see how they match with your pickup.

djmukilteo Sat, 02/27/2010 - 08:40

ThirdBird, post: 300867 wrote: DJ, I was looking for studio AND live use.... that is a good idea though, thank you!

Guitar Rig and the Rig Kontrol pedal gives you the best of both worlds!
They even have a mobile version of it with instrument input and software built into a small box.
Again this was just something that came to my mind, in terms of modeling and reading you initial post.
There are a lot of string players looking for effects for their acoustic instruments, guitars, bass, uke, mandolin, fiddles, dulcimer etc....Software is a very flexible and highly customizable way to get a lot of different FX and big bang for your buck in terms of sound shaping....there's really no limits now as to what you can do with this stuff....so if you want a clean dry uke sound for studio or live then yeah go with a nice preamp, if you were thinking completely customized effects system think software!
You can use software like this for really any input, vocals, keys, drums....that's the beauty of it, it doesn't care what sort of input comes in, it will let you shape a sound from dry to whatever...and one thing for sure....it won't be a bunch of stomp boxes and cords on the floor.
One thing you should do is find someone who has it and plug in and give it a try....