Acoustic Pickup

[smitty302]

I have a little different question than what we're use to answering on here. We're always talking about a custom 5 or PG vs Slash or Slash vs WLH.lol. But I've got a question about acoustic pickups. Seems like most of the Slash, PG, WHL, Custom Custom, Custom, Custom 5, JB, 59n Jazz neck, Dimebucker etc, questions have already been answered. Haha. It's a solid wood Taylor GA3 that I bought new about 15 years ago old. Sitka spruce top and Sapele sides. Real good bright sounding guitar. It's not made for heavy strumming and will start to get muddy, if strummed hard. Well here goes my question finally, which of the Seymour Duncan Acoustic pickups would be the best. Oh and by the way I'll play anything from gospel, blues, classic rock and any newer cooler acoustic stuff. Thanks.

 

[Snix]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

Hi Smitty.

In my experience I would leave SD pickups alone, for acoustics. There are better sounding solutions by other brands (LR Baggs, Fishman), who are more specialized on the subject.
It also depends on what you are looking for. If you play in small, not too loud ensembles or on your own, you might want to look into internal microphones, perhaps combined with an undersaddle piezo. In a louder environment, just undersaddle is more reliable. Sound a bit more unnatural, but i.e. Fishman provides very good solutions for that.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

i use a magmic in my martin and think it sounds great but im curious about the new active mag

 

[Mincer]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

From what I've heard (I haven't tried one yet- it is really new), the Active Mag might be the right one. I am sure there will be more demos coming out.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

If all else fails get an in the soundhole Bill Lawrence pickup..... You'd be surprised how natural they sound.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

i used sunrise pups before getting my magmic and they are great as well

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

Fishman and LR Baggs have been doing this for a long time. There's a reason that they remain in business.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

If all else fails get an in the soundhole Bill Lawrence pickup..... You'd be surprised how natural they sound.

+1 to this right here! A super inexpensive item that sounds the most natural out of all of the acoustic pickups I've used (I fancy the BL A300 personally.)

LR Braggs are very nice, I've never found a Fishman that has worked for me–always sounded very sterile and "simulated".

The BLs don't really add to the tone the way other acoustic pickups do from my experience–very natural sounding.

 

[Paully]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

For years and a few different guitars I've used a Dean Markley Pro Mag +

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

For years and a few different guitars I've used a Dean Markley Pro Mag +

I've had good experiences with Dean Markley's soundhole pickups. Also like their UltraSound amps (both before and after being bought out)

 

[jeremy]

Re: Acoustic Pickup

are you plugging the acoustic into the pa or an amp or ?