Fishman Presys Shootout (OEM vs China/eBay Presys Blend 301)

[@raymondlooi]

OEM not bad huh! Although Fishman sound's brighter & crispy. But OEM's still good without comparison! 👍 Why didn't you show us the installation work? 🤩

[@Billkwando]

I did. You just weren't looking in the right place. ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH-bloRsmdKNidk

[@Billkwando]

Everyone mentions the tuning. That's my fault because I recorded each guitar quickly, back to back, in 1 take, because I wanted to be able to edit each guitar recording as a single piece of audio, without getting confused and mixing them up. However, it's the sound that's important here.

[@tenomSAA124T]

The washburn sounds richer in tone in all the tracks. I'm a fingerstyle guitarist anyway looking for quality pickup to improve my performance. Currently using Fishman presys+ on my Cort acoustic guitar.

[@Billkwando]

@@tenomSAA124T The washburn did have older strings, so that could be a factor, as far as richness (especially considering it's a thin-bodied model). I wasn't going for a scientific comparison. My only goal was to reassure folks who were thinking about buying the one from ebay that it wasn't a total piece of crap or a waste of money, and that it actually works.

[@tenomSAA124T]

We appreciate your effort. It's not easy to do a video like that. There are lots of effort involved. God job. 👍 👍 👍

[@Billkwando]

@@tenomSAA124T Thank you so much! :)

[@edwardfairbanks5758]

I wish you would've been able to do the comparison using the same kind of quitars with the same setup (strings & such).

[@Billkwando]

Yes, that would have been nice, but the main point was just to illustrate that (in my experience) the ebay one isn't crappy and is perfectly functional. I'm sure they would sound the same or similar if it was the same model guitar.

[@johnmcclinton9124]

Bothbunits are made in China. The Presys Blend301 is just a different model. The same model sold by American retailers. The ones on EBay for a fraction of the cost were made for foreign markets. In China with an average income 1/8th of American salaries could not afford the price of what retailers are forced to sell these for. Thus the same unit, not a counterfeit, is sold much cheaper in China. How long does it take an exporter in China to figure out that a huge profit can be made by exporting these? Well guess what is happening? Why counterfeit something that really only takes a few dollars to produce and buy in China? As much as the retailers would like you to believe these are flakes or substandard units, it isn't so. Not only with these Fishman products, but tuning machines produced by Ping are a fraction of the cost compared US retailers. I won't go thru the entire list of products that I'm aware of this going with. But wake up and smell the coffee, or tea as the case may be.

[@Billkwando]

Yea,h, basically I wasn't sure of these are made at the same factory as Fishman uses with the exact same components, or some knockoff copied by some Chenzen factory down the street You know how those China factories are always knocking off each others' products.

[@cef1416]

John McClinton im glad i came across this post. The battery case on my stock fishman presys OEM i have on my guitar broke so i had to find a replacement. I found tons on ebay for 15-20 bucks and could not believe the price. I bought one but i suspected to be counterfeit thinking i can just replace the guts.

[@Billkwando]

They're probably identical ;)

[@Billkwando]

You could be the one to tell us all for sure! :D

[@leehardisty9815]

John McClinton hey! I just replaced my fishman pickup. They have the same badge same everything but the chips and components are different and the sound is different. Going on a hunt now for an Australian made pickup... surely someone in their garage is making them

[@yashdave5929]

sir can i order Fishman presys or isys from aliexpress chinese website pls reply...?

[@Billkwando]

I assume they're the same thing cuz they all come from China

[@yangmagic0703]

Does the Chinese one have a mic that uses the 3.5mm jack?

[@Billkwando]

The mic is built into it you can see it when I flip it over. It's the black circle on the battery holder

[@DrummerJRyan]

Thanks for the video, I am building an acoustic electric and trying to determine the preamp to put in it. Keep up the great work!

[@Billkwando]

Hey, thanks so much! :) Good luck with your project and feel free to share a video. That sounds hard!

[@ondy71]

to make a fair comparison you need 2 of the same guitar and a different pickup in each

[@Billkwando]

It's not meant to be a fair comparison. That should be obvious. It's simply meant to illustrate that the ebay one isn't a subpar waste of money, which I think it does admirably.

[@ondy71]

@@Billkwando i know ive got one, just want to see others opinions

[@phatthand]

A fair comparison would be the same guitars or at least same brand, similar model with the same pickups, one with the OEM and one with the "knock off" version.

[@sharkindave35]

I bought one of these, and put in in my old washburn D13S. I think it sounds great! My only complaint, and i'm wondering if this happens to anyone else. It seems to always be active, even if not plugged in and tuner off. I have to take the battery out after a show. Otherwise, the battery will be dead in a week. Kind of aggravating, but now that I'm in the habit, it's not a huge deal. anyone else have this problem? any fixes that you have found?

[@Billkwando]

It sounds like maybe the jack is wired wrong? Unplugging the cord is supposed to cut the power.

[@sharkindave35]

Thanks. I have figured this might be the problem. any diagrams, or input to what wires should be attached to what part in order to correct his problem? I have yet to mess with it. I thought about comparing to my other guitars with preamps, but have yet to do so. any input would be welcomed, and i'll gladly give an update if I can resolve!

[@josejcastaneda5826]

I liked the sound of the Washburn much better. Was it the electric system or the guitar?..

[@Billkwando]

@@josejcastaneda5826 Probably the guitar. It has a thin body and those were old strings, so it's not as bright and boomy.

[@snap-off5383]

Just re-wire it to send the 9 volts through the guitar cable and use a TRS cable like the variax does with the XPS pedal. (I just soldered the 9 volt adapter straight into the cable.) If the house power is on, you've always got full 9 volts.

[@adamharith8025]

I bought it online, but actually i want to buy a violin pickup. Do u think i can use it for violin?

[@Billkwando]

almost certainly not, because the long copper wire goes in the groove under the guitar bridge, and you don't have a groove...only 2 little feet. You probably want something more like a JJB piezo pickup that you can stick on with some blue tack, which is removable..

[@johnmichaelmonillas8949]

Thank you! Ill be buying those fishmans now 😊

[@ChristopherFreedom]

Sound comparison starts at: 9.06 You're welcome: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWPccnl8rbKJf8U

[@Billkwando]

The time stamps were already in the description. Reading is fundamental ;) But. I did edit them slightly since they weren't showing on the player, so now they do.

[@ChristopherFreedom]

@@Billkwando 👍👌🙏☮️🎸🎶

[@mfoster1316]

I bought an ebay version (from China) almost a year ago. I was pretty happy with the sound (but had nothing to compare it with side by side), and the tuner didn't match exactly with a Boss tuner that I have. (Always registered a little flatter than the Boss.) I could live with that, since I could always tune with the other one, just in case. But, lately, the tuner button won't 'catch' anymore, without a few tries. I am not a gorilla and haven't abused it. I even recently wasted a battery because I thought I had turned it off but it didn't go off, and I put the guitar away for the night. Not sure if I can completely trust the inner workings of it much longer, either, and I don't want to risk it when playing live.

[@Billkwando]

The tuner on mine matches my Snark clip-on just fine. They're cheap enough that you could just swap out the box in the guitar. It sounds like the button wore out prematurely.

[@AndresTorres-jv6dh]

I had the same problem with the button, but I have a original fender with original fishman...Later the button won't work at all, and even, nor the tunner. Eventually the button gets stucked and don't let the entire systems works.

[@gerardoflores9894]

china makes fakes Fishman .

[@KabihugMedic]

Both pick up is good sound

[@zachary1657]

Is it true that these drain batteries quicker than the OEM?

[@Billkwando]

No and I'm pretty sure these actually are OEM, just sold direct by the manufacturer. I haven't needed to change the battery yet and it looks like it's been a year.

[@zachary1657]

@@Billkwando Do you know what the sellers name was on ebay by anychance?

[@Billkwando]

4 months later, I have the same battery in there that I had in there before you asked about it, and it's still alive. :)

[@grilledspaghetti]

So the tuner doesn't work on that Washburn.

[@Billkwando]

No, it does. Are you clowning on my tuning skills? :p

[@grilledspaghetti]

@@Billkwando Just clowning, that Zeppelin riff was painfully off with the Washburn is all.

[@snap-off5383]

@@Billkwando tune the loud part of the note right after you've picked it what you consider "FF" (forissimo) for your music, guitar strings flatten as they lose energy, if you tune the later part of the ring, you'll be sharp. Does the fishman fake respond fast enough to tune this way? (its the way to get that crystal clear tune).

[@Billkwando]

@@snap-off5383 Yup, works best that way.

[@mikesmith3195]

Lighting,lighting...

[@tenomSAA124T]

The washburn's guitar pickup sound richer. However the tuning is a bit out considering the pickup also in cooperate with the tuner. Sound wise I'd go with the washburn. Thanks for the review.

[@Billkwando]

For the Washburn, it had old strings, whereas the Taylor strings were brand new, so that may be enough to account for the difference you're hearing. I'm sure you could achieve the same result with the EQ knobs on the larger unit, but I kept everything centered for a direct comparison. Everyone mentions the tuning. That's my fault because I recorded each guitar quickly, back to back, in 1 take, because I wanted to be able to edit each guitar recording as a single piece of audio, without getting confused and mixing them up.

[@lokendradhanola1392]

From were you buy fish man

[@Billkwando]

ebay via china

[@gwthomas52]

Not really a fair comparison when you consider the wood, body shapes, different bracing, etc. of each guitar. Differences in the bridge, nut, saddle, etc. should also be considered.

[@Billkwando]

You're missing the point. If you're saying that it's not fair that Taylor sounds better than a Washburn, then duh. The point is that both both pickups sound almost equally acceptable in 2 vastly different guitars, meaning that you can put one in a Taylor and it still sounds like a Taylor, rather than sounding like a $20 ebay pickup (or worse than the Washburn because of it). If you want to give me 2 identical guitars to test with, as well as a store bought and an ebay bought Fishman, be my guest.

[@gwthomas52]

Now you're being defensive, and took my comment personally. It was intended for public consideration in relation to your demonstration. All information should be transparent. Let your viewers decide. You won't attract followers if you attack them.

[@glebsoloviev4826]

Gary, you are an asshat. Your issue in life is; Gary Thomas confuses confidence with defensiveness. He knows how his test applies to: should I shell out $199.99 or be stoked rocking the $25. People who type "now you're " are defending being schooled.

[@glebsoloviev4826]

Gary, have you matured in this last year? Or did you get best up or become a junky?

[@johnmcclinton9124]

Ok, hmm. There is a trim adjustment on the inside. You open the Presys 301 Blend. This trim is to fine trim the piezo/Mic balance. Now with the inside trim all the way toward piezo wouldn't the volume of the two be about the same? Also , the body's of the guitars are totally different. The shallower tighter body would be better for using a piezo most likely. Anyway good test. Interesting. But you should have balanced the volumes a bit better to compensate for the physical differences.i adjusted my TV mixer to my stereo and after listening to both st the same level, the differences were very minimal. The Presys Blend does have a big advantage tho. That being the mic. With the Mic on blended with the piezo I am able to get a very richer more natural sound. Still a good overall comparison. I've compared my Presys Blend with other brands that I do have. Not the one in your demo. And pretty much, using just the piezo pickup, the are all so very close. Some have more or less volume, but all of mine produce ample sound levels. The differences are so small to me that price is where the biggest difference lies. And with the Mic and piezo in the Presys Blend, which is a very big plus, this is a way better unit both in sound and price. Just my opinion. Thanks for your video demo. You petty much nailed it when you said the biggest difference was the volume level. That is what ive found too when comparing any of my piezo preamps. By the way, Nice playing too!

[@Billkwando]

Thanks man! I goofed a lot on my playing, haha. Also, you're a little late on the trim advice. ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2jLYWqflKdneZo Also, for the volume levels, I had to turn the Taylor way up in Reaper to compensate for how low it was. I mentioned the body differences n the video. My goal was simply to highlight the sound quality. And yeah, as I briefly mentioned at the end, the mic makes a huuuge difference. You only need a touch of it for it to sound great.

[@Munk_fish]

Since you are knowledgeable on the subject, do you know if it is possible to wire up the presys to blend mic + magnetic soundhole/ anything else? i am religiously opposed to piezo.

[@htx_carlos4766]

The only difrence is the piezo that’s what makes it cost more

[@Billkwando]

What are you talking about? The Chinese one comes with a piezo, made in China. You know what else does? The Fishman.

[@icaro738]

awesome video ! can you please record something with the presys blend MIC ?

[@Billkwando]

Sure, I can do that for you! Great idea! :) Glad you like the video, thanks!

[@Billkwando]

I'll start on it now. Not sure what timezone you're in, but if you're up for a couple hours, I should have it up before then.

[@Billkwando]

Here you go! I hope it helps. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aICwgYOPpNmsoK8

[@italoventura5441]

É exatamente o video que eu preciso explica os dois captadores assim eu decidiria qual comprar... Mas não entendi pois não falo essa lingua 😏

[@Billkwando]

Ambos são bons. Tudo o que importa é o que melhor se ajusta ao seu violão. ;) (Google Translate)

[@GretschProf]

I can't even begin to address the problems with this comparison, but that aside, it would be nice to see a presentation with the video in focus.

[@Billkwando]

and I can't even begin to address how many assholes with no videos to speak of on their youtube page post on my videos, and want to tell me how they would have done this or that, when to date they haven't made anything that helps anyone. Why don't you buy both and make your own video? Until then, shut yo ass. It was shot with a free flipcam, and if everyone thought it was that bad, I'd have more than 30 dislikes out of 40k views. Your highest view count is what, 41? After 3 years? Ride'em, cowboy.

[@DrBlues76]

Jibba Jabba

[@simonbland269]

I really wanted to like what I heard but they both sounded crap. I am now thinking of not upgrading my Cort..thanks for your effort anyway...cheers

[@Rain_Landicho]

So you're planning to put Fishman on your cort? bc i have cort mini op i was also planning putting a preamp

[@simonbland269]

@@Rain_Landicho I have installed the Presys blend $16 system now. The improvement is only slight over the original Cort 304T system....good luck

[@mutton_man]

@@simonbland269 is it better because of the built in microphone on the fishman blend?

[@maurigarciamusic]

Wich is better? Isys or presys?

[@Billkwando]

Mauri Garcia whichever one fits in your guitar but I would go with the bigger one if that's an option for you

[@billjohnson7499]

Great video! Can you share eBay link???

[@swarajsamal3501]

m.banggood.in/Presys-Blend-301-Acoustic-EQ-Equalizer-Guitar-Preamp-Piezo-Pickup-Tuner-p-1252376.html?rmmds=search

[@aroundthefur]

god, talk about QUACK.

[@Billkwando]

What does that mean? lol

[@aroundthefur]

@@Billkwando Its a describing term sound guys use for an extremely unnatural sounding acoustic guitar tone when using an undersaddle transducer. www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485316

[@icarocosta4302]

Fishman aura can fix This problem

[@joem5089]

So do you really think that a Washburn guitar has a $300 Fishman unit in it or it just comes with a cheap Chinese piece of junk

[@Billkwando]

The $300 Fishman is also equally cheap Chinese "junk". It just costs $300 because you're paying for the name. What's your point?

[@TWANGROCKS]

I have the chinese version and it sucks. I got a refund. Nothing about it makes sense. the interior volume has no effect. it feedsback like a banshee.. (four feet away from a roland micro cube!) and the counterclockwise blend is way way weaker than the clockwise blend. My Yamaha FGX800C has ten times better pickup and preamp. NOW I have to try to spend the 199$ in order to get something that will fit the same size hole. Apparently there is NO consistency with these imports. I'm really bummed and I warn you all.

[@Billkwando]

Got a video? I only have feedback when I use metal distortion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnnTl4d9ZpWGl7s Also, what's in the big square hole in your guitar now? LOL I see you edited since I asked. Why not just buy another one or exchange it? The sellers are very flexible in my experience. Funny how the past couple days, multiple people are coming out of the woodwork to complain, when the video has been up for months. What a coincidence.

[@maltyne1]

Dude are you stoned????

[@Billkwando]

I've learned now not to make videos late at night when I'm tired. LOL I didn't expect it to get 50k views. ;)

[@buaidhnobas1ify]

I'm sorry but you're going to what?

[@Billkwando]

Going to what what?? Got a timestamp?

[@buaidhnobas1ify]

@@Billkwando :06

[@jmjrevelation4449]

Very very bad quality vdo with ultra weird shaking not clear except audio

[@Billkwando]

You're welcome. Apparently 26 people seem to have liked it. Not everybody has a tripod. It's 720p, are you watching it on your phone or something?

[@Billkwando]

Also, your videos are shaky as fuck, jackass.

[@jmjrevelation4449]

Billkwando i dont have any vdos.. and hahaha you dont recognised that i commented for your betterment :D understanding issue is in you man

[@Billkwando]

You don't? So those 4 videos under your uploads just got there by magic? kzbin.info/www/bejne/noSshKx9rMSmaqs That is your name, right? What sort of "betterment" do you have in mind? You want me to re-record it? The sound is the whole point, so what it looks like doesn't matter at all. I'm here trying to help people. I could've chosen not to make the video at all. 10,000 people have watched this video, and you're the first person who felt the need to criticize the fact that the camera isn't completely immobile. Like it matters.

[@Billkwando]

LOL clown, I see you've taken down your Parkinson's cinematography.

[@darrelldrake5572]

This guy talks too much.

[@Billkwando]

That's why you have me warning you of that in the beginning, and providing jump links to skip it.

[@andrzejostrowski1000]

Film nagrany tragicznie! 🙉👎 Szkoda oczu i czasu na słuchanie i oglądanie! 🤮