Acoustic pickups for a live performer??

[Beautiful_Sin]

so i'm just starting out on the open mic scene, and think i really need an acoustic pickup for my geetar
i have a bashed up epiphone AJ-10 that i have grown to love, and cant perform without. i'm not a fingerstylist, i like to hit those strings quite hard with chunky and unsual chords, using old strings. what kind of pickup would suit that sound, contact/soundhole etc?
i'm looking for something that wont cost an arm and leg to get installed, with preferably no mods to my geetar.

any ideas?
cheers

 

[Sloan]

A lot of guys rush to plug in an acoustic. If your concerned about sound quality, just mic it up. Easier, no mods, and sounds x1000 better. Only thing is that you've gotta be careful about feedback and not moving around too much.

 

[apl]

I use a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucking. I like the sound a lot.

 

[dirtythermos]

B-Band makes the best and most natural sounding acoustic pickups. It will require professional installation and minimal modifications to your guitar.

Otherwise, just get one of those junky soundhole pickups.

 

[jfrog]

I use a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucking. I like the sound a lot.

I've got to second that. I've had the rare earth for several years and been pleased with how it sounds. You may also want to get a good DI box - a Fishman or L.R. Baggs or something...that'll allow you to EQ it how you like, adjust the volume and whatever.

 

[Beautiful_Sin]

cool - i'll look up those suggestions!

A lot of guys rush to plug in an acoustic. If your concerned about sound quality, just mic it up. Easier, no mods, and sounds x1000 better. Only thing is that you've gotta be careful about feedback and not moving around too much.

yeah - i get what you mean
i'm very aware that micing provides you with more of your geetar's natural acoustic sound... alas some sound techs at my local open mic nights frown upon it for some strange reason

 

[gbondo9]

alas some sound techs at my local open mic nights frown upon it for some strange reason

....because it's easier to call your self a sound tech when there's nothing to challenge the title?

 

[solo.guitar]

....because it's easier to call your self a sound tech when there's nothing to challenge the title?

Yes probably because they don't have to mess with mic placement, etc.

Once you plug an acoustic guitar up to something, it essentially becomes an electric guitar.

If you're going to go the pickup route, get a pickup with a small microphone that goes in the soundhole, like a Fishman. Having it installed properly is important, especially since it can differ a little for each guitar.

The best method is just getting 1 or 2 mics and mic'ing the guitar. Condensors seem to be the best for acoustic instruments from my experience (not much mic knowledge here), but dynamics like a Shure can help in a live setting so you don't pickup as much 'room' noise, or noise from other instruments.

 

[RandyW]

I use a Lace California which clamps in the sound hole. It has a very natural sound never had any type of feed back from it. It doesn't sound as nice as my Taylor with the expression system in it though.

 

[sajs]

I use a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucking. I like the sound a lot.

We use these with great results. No drilling, etc. Just great sound. One other piece of gear we use with the Acoustic is the Fishman Pro Platinum E.Q.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--FSMPEQP

I like the notch filter to tune out any feedback you might have if you plug the Acoustic into a combo amp.

 

[MadAudio]

B-Band makes the best and most natural sounding acoustic pickups. It will require professional installation and minimal modifications to your guitar.

Otherwise, just get one of those junky soundhole pickups.

My new acoustic came with a B-Band pickup and it sounds fantastic! I just tested it out today and I was quite impressed with the tone.

 

[philboyd studge]

For your style and the old box and strings you're playing through I'd go with a DeArmond....it worked for Brownie McGee. Or maybe upgrade a little to a Sunrise.

 

[ez_willis]

If your concerned about sound quality, just mic it up.

LOL! That's hilarious!(check's in the mail, apl!)

Mic'ing an acoustic is cool, if you're into holding the acoustic pretty damn still while playing it.

Also, he'd be at the mercy of whatever was at the 'open-mic' night, which could be discouraging to say the least.

 

[ez_willis]

My new acoustic came with a B-Band pickup and it sounds fantastic! I just tested it out today and I was quite impressed with the tone.

MY new acoustic!!

 

[MadAudio]

MY new acoustic!!

I told you, not 'til I'm done!

See you in 2041!

 

[freshmattyp]

If you've got the bucks, Sunrise is the way to go. I have one in my main performing acoustic. The bitch of it is, to really get the best out of it you have to buy the preamp with it which doubles the cost. The Rare Earth is an excellent alternative, as is the EMG ACS and Baggs M1.

 

[Crash ©]

Damn yall folks trying to make this to difficult and expensive...

Get a 1 buck Piezo here:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/PE-49/466/PIEZO_ELEMENT_.html
Take your choice of quarter inch jacks here:http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category/190200/Quarter_Inch.html
Get some sheilded cable to connect the two parts together.. A touch of heat shrink tubing to pretty things up a bit..

For under $3 ($10 if you count shipping from this place) and 20 minutes of your time you've got a decent pick-up..

Play around with the location by scotch taping it in place in various spots (inside, outside, front, back, sides, neck, etc.) to get your favorite sound before making a (semi) permanent attachment..

Rob

 

[mbrebes]

I use the L.R. Baggs Ibeam with their Para DI for my acoustics. If you want to try a mic, the ATM35 is a small condensor with a mini gooseneck that could clamp to the sound hole and then would move with you.