I
imanogre
New member
I would like to install a pickup on my acoustic guitar. Can anyone offer suggestions on what kind/model of pickup to look for or where to go for research? Thanks.
philboyd studge
New member
Look into Fishman or L. R. Baggs and it's not a good idea to install it yourself.
C
Christine K
New member
I agree, don't install it yourself. Location movement of 1/8" can make a noticeable difference. Besides the I-Beam (LR Baggs), check out these:
K & K Acoustic
Fishman
Sunrise
CK
K & K Acoustic
Fishman
Sunrise
CK
freshmattyp
New member
I'll put in my vote for a good soundhole pickup. The Sunrise is the top of the line, but can be hard to find. The Fishman Rare Earth is also really good, as is the EMG. The EMG is tough to get the string balance set, but once you get it dialed in it really works well. I would also recommend getting an eq pedal to go with any type of acoustic pickup. The onboard ones usually don't have enough range. I use a Boss pedal myself.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Treeline
New member
I
imanogre
New member
Thanks for the suggestions. My budget starts at $150 so I'll see if any of these work in that range. My main need is to be able to play live in church. I also record projects so I may try recording direct once I get a pickup and compare with miking. Thanks again.
M
Major Tom
New member
What a coincidence, I just performed surgery on my old non-electric Ovation this past weekend for the exact same purpose. Check out the link immediately below, I took three of these things (ok, I had several laying around in the shop already), wired in parallel, and used in conjunction with an onboard preamp. I think they sound great ! Not as harsh as a lot of under saddle pickups, or as difficult to get a balanced output for each string, but way cheaper and easy to do it yourself. I did a bit of experimentation using a removeable adhesive to find good placement spots, and then used silicone as the permanent adhesive, since it can be removed fairly easily. also, I borrowed some of my wife's fingernail polish; spread it on with my finger to seal the wood where the pickups would be mounted, to help insure any future removal. This homebrew device got some very favorable reviews, so I thoght I would try it.
Do it yourself pickup
Here's where I got the onboard preamp, I bought the "3D Acoustic Guitar Pickup System" It comes with an under saddle piezo ( I didn't install yet ) and a magnetic soundhole pickup ( a copy of Fishman's Rare Earth) and has a built in condenser mic. I substituted the homebrew pickup and plugged it in where the under saddle would go. It blends the 3 sources together. For $100. I think this thing is a great value. This thing is an import made by Artec in Korea (I think), their pickups and preamps are used in lots of manufacturer's mid-priced acoustic guitars. It won't take the place of a couple of good condenser mics in the hands of a knowledgeable studio engineer for serious recording, but is a versatile, good sounding unit for live performance and casual recording. Send me a PM if you would want more info...
Custom Shop Parts
Do it yourself pickup
Here's where I got the onboard preamp, I bought the "3D Acoustic Guitar Pickup System" It comes with an under saddle piezo ( I didn't install yet ) and a magnetic soundhole pickup ( a copy of Fishman's Rare Earth) and has a built in condenser mic. I substituted the homebrew pickup and plugged it in where the under saddle would go. It blends the 3 sources together. For $100. I think this thing is a great value. This thing is an import made by Artec in Korea (I think), their pickups and preamps are used in lots of manufacturer's mid-priced acoustic guitars. It won't take the place of a couple of good condenser mics in the hands of a knowledgeable studio engineer for serious recording, but is a versatile, good sounding unit for live performance and casual recording. Send me a PM if you would want more info...
Custom Shop Parts
J
John Mayes
New member
pickup
I agree that it is not sucha good idea to try to install the pick-up yourself. You may be able to do it just fine but there are so many variables that canb happen that you would risk screwing up not only the pick-up you just bought but also the guitar. Take it to your local GC or Mars or local luthier and have it installed. It will only caost about %50-%75 and will be done right. as for nice pick-ups I am a dealer for LR Baggs, Fishman, K&K, and B-Band. All make killer pick-ups and one I'm sure will eb great suited for you.
www.mayesguitars.com
www.lrbaggs.com
www.fishman.com
www.b-band.com
I agree that it is not sucha good idea to try to install the pick-up yourself. You may be able to do it just fine but there are so many variables that canb happen that you would risk screwing up not only the pick-up you just bought but also the guitar. Take it to your local GC or Mars or local luthier and have it installed. It will only caost about %50-%75 and will be done right. as for nice pick-ups I am a dealer for LR Baggs, Fishman, K&K, and B-Band. All make killer pick-ups and one I'm sure will eb great suited for you.
www.mayesguitars.com
www.lrbaggs.com
www.fishman.com
www.b-band.com
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