K&K Sound Systems
K&K Sound Systems is a privately held manufacturer of piezoelectric acoustic instrument pickups and amplification systems, founded in 1984 and based in Coos Bay, Oregon. It serves professional musicians and instrument dealers worldwide through a direct online store and a curated international reseller network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersCoos Bay, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What K&K Sound Systems does
K&K Sound Systems is a privately held manufacturer of acoustic instrument pickups and amplification systems, founded in 1984 in Würzburg, Germany by Dieter and Karla Kaudel and relocated to Coos Bay, Oregon in 1995. The company designs and builds piezoelectric transducer-based hardware — including the Pure Pickup family (Mini, Classic, 12-String), the FanTaStick undersaddle pickup, the Trinity System, PowerMix Pure, Bass Master systems, and patented vibraphone and marimba amplification — that convert acoustic instrument vibrations into amplified signal without onboard microphones. The technology is proprietary, with a founding patent on the vibraphone amplification system and refinements accumulated over four decades of founder-led engineering.
The company operates a bootstrapped, low-overhead business model with no external investors and a 1-10 person team. It sells one-time hardware purchases priced between $99 and $646 through a direct online store and a curated international authorized reseller network, while explicitly excluding marketplace and Amazon channels to preserve margins and brand integrity. Its customer base consists of professional and touring musicians across guitar, bass, upright bass, piano, and mallet percussion categories, with documented endorsements from multiple Grammy- and award-winning artists. The owner-operated structure, absence of funding history, and tightly scoped product line indicate a stable niche manufacturer rather than a venture-scale business.
K&K Sound Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- K&K Sound Systems
- Legal name
- K&K Sound Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://kksound.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- K&K Sound Systems is a privately held manufacturer of piezoelectric acoustic instrument pickups and amplification systems, founded in 1984 and based in Coos Bay, Oregon. It serves professional musicians and instrument dealers worldwide through a direct online store and a curated international reseller network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
K&K Sound Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Acoustic Instrument Amplification / Pickups
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring) (MPAIAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA)
Keywords
Where K&K Sound Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Coos Bay
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
K&K Sound Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Acoustic Pickups and Transducers: K&K Sound Systems generates revenue primarily through the sale of acoustic instrument pickups and amplification systems. Products include Pure Pickup variants (Mini, Classic, 12-String), undersaddle pickups (FanTaStick), and universal soundboard pickups (Hot Spot, Big Shot, Big Twin, Twin Spot). Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with varying price points based on product complexity.
- Preamps and Signal Processing: Sale of external and onboard preamps including Pure Preamp, Pure XLR Preamp, Dual Channel Pro Preamp, Quantum Blender, and UltraPure Retro Edition. These products complement pickup systems and represent additional revenue per installation.
- Combination/Amplification Systems: Bundled systems combining multiple pickups and preamps for specific instruments including Trinity System, Quantum Trinity System, PowerMix Pure System, Bass Master Pro, and Bass Master RB. Systems are priced at premium tier compared to individual components.
- Accessories and Replacement Parts: Accessories including Volume Controls, custom jacks, strapnuts, power supplies for preamps, and replacement transducers. These represent lower-ticket add-on sales to existing customer base.
- Custom/Made-to-Order Products: Custom-built products and systems for musicians, dealers, and manufacturers. Made-to-order fee applies for special configurations like Internal PowerMix Pure System with custom preamp placement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pure Pickup variants - bridge plate pickups for acoustic guitars |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FanTaStick undersaddle pickups |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pure Preamp - single-channel belt-clip preamp |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pure XLR Preamp with balanced XLR output and phase switch |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PowerMix Pure XT combination systems |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | UltraPure Retro Edition preamp and systems |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pure Piano - triple-head transducer system |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Volume Control add-on for passive pickups |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Big Twin - two-head piezo pickup for larger instruments |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Twin Spot - two-head piezo transducer |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bass Master RB for rockabilly/slap bass |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Preamp power supplies |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
K&K Sound Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
K&K Sound Systems designs and manufactures acoustic instrument amplification products, including piezoelectric pickups (bridge plate, undersaddle, and soundboard), external and onboard preamps, and combination systems that pair pickups with microphones and mixers. The product line covers acoustic guitar, vibraphone, marimba, upright bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, piano, violin, resonator guitar, and other acoustic instruments. All products are made in-house at the company's Coos Bay, Oregon facility.
Product overview
K&K Sound Systems manufactures acoustic amplification products for musical instruments. The product portfolio centers on pickups (bridge plate transducers, undersaddle pickups, and soundboard pickups), preamps (external and onboard), and combination systems that blend multiple pickup types with microphones. Core products include the award-winning Pure Pickup line (Mini for steel strings, Classic for nylon strings, 12-String for 12-string guitars) and the FanTaStick undersaddle pickup. These can be paired with preamps including the Pure Preamp, Pure XLR Preamp, Dual Channel Pro Preamp, and Quantum Blender. Combination systems like the Trinity System (Pure Pickup + internal microphone + 2-channel preamp), PowerMix Pure System (Pure Pickup + FanTaStick + PowerMix XT Preamp), and Bass Master systems serve specific instrument categories. The company also produces specialized pickups for instruments including vibraphone/marimba (their original product since 1984), banjo, mandolin, ukulele, resonator guitar, piano, violin, cello, upright bass, and more. All products are designed and manufactured in-house in Coos Bay, Oregon, USA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pure Pickup (Mini, Classic, 12-String)
- FanTaStick (Western, Classic)
- Pure Preamp
- Pure XLR Preamp
- Dual Channel Pro Preamp
- Quantum Blender
- PowerMix Pure XT System (Mini, Classic, Upgrade)
- Trinity System (Standard, Quantum, Pro)
- Bass Master Pro
- Bass Master RB (Standard, Upgrade System)
- Big Twin (Internal)
- Twin Spot (Internal)
- Hot Spot and Big Shot
- Double Big Twin, Bass Max, and Fingerboard Pickup
- Pure Bass (4-String, 5-String)
- Aloha Twin and Big Island Spot
- Banjo Twin
- Mandolin Twin (Internal, Fusion)
- Pure Archtop, Pure Floating Bridge, Pure Maccaferri XT, Pure Resonator (Biscuit Bridge, Spider Bridge)
- Pure Piano
- Violinissimo (Standard, Pro)
- Hot Harmonica
- Double Helix
- Vibraphone/Marimba Amplification System
- UltraPure Retro Edition (Systems and Preamp)
- Volume Control Add-On
- Power Supply for K&K Preamps
- Custom Jacks and Strapnuts
Quantifiable outcome
- Battery life of 180+ hours on Pure Preamp
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use K&K Sound Systems
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
K&K Sound Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
K&K Sound Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- MunjuminorFusion rock band formed in 1976 with Dieter Kaudel as member. All records self-produced giving Dieter experience in technical production work. Band recorded first album at studio with Deagan vibraphone where Dieter fell in love with the instrument. Band disbanded 1986 allowing Dieter to focus on K&K full-time.
- Seiler PianosminorGerman piano manufacturer that collaborated with K&K in developing the Pure Piano system. Three transducer heads were developed specifically for bass, mid, and descant tone ranges based on partnership insights.
- Dieter Kaudel (Founder)coreCo-founder, president, and chief engineer of K&K Sound Systems. Former professional musician in band Munju. Invented first vibraphone amplification system in 1983 using magnetic pickup technology. Continues to record music under artist name 'Dietri.'
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
K&K Sound Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fishman: Leading US manufacturer of acoustic instrument pickups, preamps, and amplification systems for guitar, bass, mandolin, and other acoustic instruments. Directly competes with K&K's Pure Pickup, FanTaStick, and preamp lines in nearly identical product categories and the same luthier/installer channel.
- Bartolini: US manufacturer of pickups and preamp systems for bass (electric and acoustic upright) and acoustic instruments. Directly overlaps with K&K's Bass Max, Double Big Twin, and upright bass amplification portfolio.
- Schatten Design: Boutique Canadian maker of passive acoustic instrument pickups (Player, Artist, Archtop). Comparable small-scale, artisan transducer-focused manufacturer competing in the same boutique acoustic pickup niche as K&K, including passive/no-battery designs.
- L.R. Baggs: Specialist in acoustic instrument pickup and preamp systems (Element, Anthem, Lyric, iBeam) widely used on steel-string and nylon-string guitars. Closest direct competitor to K&K in tone philosophy and target customer (pro fingerstyle and acoustic performers).
- Highlander Audio: Small US handmade acoustic pickup maker focused on guitar and other acoustic instruments. Closely comparable to K&K in scale, made-in-USA ethos, and boutique transducer positioning.
Broad incumbents
- EMG Pickups: Large US pickup manufacturer primarily known for electric guitar and bass pickups (81, 85, etc.) but also offering acoustic solutions and preamps. Broader portfolio; partial overlap with K&K on acoustic amplification but does not specialize in K&K's niche transducer approach.
- DiMarzio: Established US maker of pickups and electronics primarily for electric guitars and basses. Larger and broader portfolio than K&K, with limited but real overlap in acoustic pickup technology.
Emerging players
- Audere: US designer of acoustic instrument preamps and combination pickup systems (Pro II, LDC). Niche overlap with K&K's Pure Preamp and combination system lines; smaller footprint than Fishman/L.R. Baggs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
K&K Sound Systems social profiles
Digital presenceK&K Sound Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
K&K Sound Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
K&K Sound Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
K&K Sound Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about K&K Sound Systems
What does K&K Sound Systems do?
K&K Sound Systems designs and manufactures acoustic instrument amplification products, including piezoelectric pickups (bridge plate, undersaddle, and soundboard), external and onboard preamps, and combination systems that pair pickups with microphones and mixers. The product line covers acoustic guitar, vibraphone, marimba, upright bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, piano, violin, resonator guitar, and other acoustic instruments. All products are made in-house at the company's Coos Bay, Oregon facility.
Is K&K Sound Systems a public or private company?
K&K Sound Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was K&K Sound Systems founded?
K&K Sound Systems was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is K&K Sound Systems based?
K&K Sound Systems is headquartered in Coos Bay, United States, in the North America region.
How does K&K Sound Systems make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Acoustic Pickups and Transducers are the primary driver. The others are preamps and Signal Processing, combination/Amplification Systems, accessories and Replacement Parts and custom/Made-to-Order Products.
Who are K&K Sound Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fishman, Bartolini, Schatten Design, L.R. Baggs and Highlander Audio. Broad incumbents are EMG Pickups and DiMarzio. Audere is listed as an emerging player.
Does K&K Sound Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for K&K Sound Systems.
What industry is K&K Sound Systems in?
K&K Sound Systems's product category is Acoustic Instrument Amplification / Pickups. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAD, Live Sound & Stage Equipment (PA Systems, Amplification, Monitoring), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAA, Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric). Its NAICS code is 339992 and its SIC code is 3931.