Help a Chick Out

[GuitarGirlfriend]

For Christmas i was going to get my boyfriend some pickups for his guitar. There is only one problem, i don't have a clue what is what. He gave me a few to pick from but i figured i would turn to you all for some help. if you have a suggestion on what i should get then it would be greatly appreciated. Here are some of the ones he said he wouldn't mind having...Pick which one you think would be best....Thanks a lot for the input!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Help a Chick Out

Welcome! And I have to say...you are an awesome girlfriend! If only my wife would consult with the forum before buying me guitar stuff!!!!!!!!! It would be helpful if you could tell us a little about who he likes to listen/play most?

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Help a Chick Out

what type of music does your boyfriend play? that would be rather helpful and what type of guitar (if you know)

 

[GuitarGirlfriend]

Re: Help a Chick Out

He likes to listen to stuff like Metallica, Lynard Skynyrd,The Who, Rage Against The Machine, The Doors, just about anything. The name of it is an Indiana Guitar. I think that he got it because it had a good sound and it was also cheap for what it was. But other than that i don't really know.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Help a Chick Out

Hi, this is Wildstar's wife writing. Just want to warn you: are you sure you want to go down this road? This could be very dangerous. The sweaty dudes might start calling you. Believe me, they think this is really hot.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Help a Chick Out

OK, sorry guys, I fought her off and kicked her off my computer.

GuitarGirlfriend, you ROCK! I don't know any of the pickups you asked about, so I can't comment- sorry. But you definitely rock.

My wonderful wife once surprised me with a guitar synth for Christmas. She called up my Sweetwater salesperson and arranged the whole thing, including it being shipped in an unmarked box! She's the best.

To GuitarGirlfriend's boyfriend:

Piece of advice, man: get her a ring.

Now.

Before Wicked Lester does.

 

[Stevo]

Re: Help a Chick Out

Sorry, I have not used those models. Those are acoustic guitar pickups.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Help a Chick Out

GuitarGirlfriend, a lot of your decision should be based on how much you want to spend. Of those three pickups, the SA-3 series are the "Woody" soundhole pickups. In order, the SC is a single coil (which makes it suceptible to 60-cycle hum), the HC is hum-canceling, and the XL is hum-canceling with the addition of fully adjustable pole pieces. And each goes up in price, in that order.

The SA-1 Acoustic Tube is the same price as the SA-3 HC Hum-canceling Woody. It's also hum-canceling and has the advantage of an on-board volume control. It's also slightly lower in output than the Woodys, but has a very natural tone. All four of these pickups are passive, meaning, they don't require a battery.

Now, I don't know how much you want to spend, but if you really want to knock his socks off for Christmas, spring for the SA-6 Mag Mic. It's an active pickup that mixes a magnetic, hum-canceling Stack with an on-board microphone.

I know I'm biased, but I really believe that the Mag Mic is the best acoustic guitar pickup. Period. And artists and serious players agree. David Lindley just wrote us a letter saying that he's switching all his on-stage instruments over to Mag Mics. Lenny Kravtiz uses them. So does Ben Harper, Keb Mo, Bill Frisell, Laurence Juber (Wings), Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow Band) and tons of other pro players.

The Mag Mic is pricey. I won't deny that. But if you want to splurge on him this holiday season, that's the pickup. If it's too pricey, the other pickups you mentioned are all great for the money. Just figure out how much you want to spend.

After Christmas, tell your boyfriend to log on and let us know how he likes his gift.

Cheers,

 

[More-Gear-Than-Skill]

Re: Help a Chick Out

If he's really well behaved, get him a mama bear with the pick up!
http://www.d-tar.com/mama_bear.shtml

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Help a Chick Out

#1. You totally ROCK ! ! ! !

#2. Call my wife, tell her she needs to do the same thing for me. . .

#3. You can buy him a Gift certificate to Musicians Friend or something similar, then he can pick it out and be perfectly happy.

#4. Have a great Christmas, you're doing the right thing for sure, and that definitely makes all us guitar guys hot!

Girls, Guns, Guitars . . . . . what a wonderful world.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Help a Chick Out

If he's really well behaved, get him a mama bear with the pick up!
http://www.d-tar.com/mama_bear.shtml

That's true. Lots of players are using these two pieces of gear together for the ultimate acoustic guitar live set up.

Alice Peac0ck is just such an artist. Here she is with Webmistress Kellie right after she pulled the trigger on a Mag Mic and a Mama Bear.

If you don't know Alice's work, go to alicepeac0ck.com (but spell it the right way - darn censor).

- EAS

 

[GuitarGirlfriend]

Re: Help a Chick Out

He said that i am not supposed to spend over $50 but you know how that is with guitar stuff. I was thinking that i wouldn't want to spend over $70-80. Is that not enough for a good pickup? If you have one that you prefer then let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated...and about the ring...i am only 16!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Help a Chick Out

:newangel: Warning! Warning! Jailbait alert!!!!:newangel:

I would like to personally appoligize for all of us out here who had any thoughts other than the most innocent and pure reflections on the joy of giving this holiday season. And don't even think that we didn't read between the lines of that thoughtful yet "designed to lure her in" response Evan!

Before you go to the "killer expensive" pickup also - what guitar is it going in (brand/model)? I have a Yamaha CGX171 classical with a piezo and mike setup that is amazing. But I'm like, your DAD's age!!!!!!!!! and have a job and have played for 25 years.....

If he's just a casual acoustic player looking to mike up the acoustic, go with the cheap one. Otherwise, get something nicer. If he's a serious player with a killer acoustic guitar , go all the way - with the pickup that is....

And tell your parents that they are raising you right! Except for the part about buying your boy a $50+ present. And tell him he'd better get you something REALLY nice or he's out of here. And everyone from the forum will be showing up the day after Christmas to help you exchange him for something better

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Help a Chick Out

For $50, I'd suggest going with the SA-3 SC Woody Single-Coil. Any Seymour Duncan dealer either has one in stock or can order one from us and have it in around a week or so.

Actually, for $50, you might even have some change left over for a set of strings or a capo or some sheet music.

Good luck!

 

[RW James]

Re: Help a Chick Out

here
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/300958/
is the XL for $59... they also have the single coil for $39... but I would go for the XL.

 

[groupiegirl]

Re: Help a Chick Out

Darlin $50 is a lot of money to spend on a boyfriend at your age....I would have a hissy fit if MY 16 yo spent that kind of money on a girl....sorry Evan and all you guys, as cool a gift as it is, and you DO rock for wanting to go that route....please think about what an expensive gift like this means. Be careful sweetie.

 

[GuitarGirlfriend]

Re: Help a Chick Out

We have been together for almost 3 years now so i think that it is okay to spend that much...but thanks for the look out. So is it true that the more expensive ones are the better ones? Aceman...do you think that i would spend that much on someone that i didn't care about...haha. And no, i don't know what he is going to get me...but it doesn't matter, it is the thought that counts.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Help a Chick Out

I'll stay out of the what is and what isn't an appropriate amount to spend on one's boy or girlfriend. But suffice to say that with these pickups, as with many things in life, you get what you pay for. The more expensive ones offer better features, e.g., hum-canceling, adjustable pole pieces, etc.

That said, I've used the SA-3 SC myself and it's a really good pickup. It's also the most popular of the Woody series. The SA-3 SC pickup is copper foil shielded, then wax potted, then epoxy potted. The cable is really high quality Belden brand. And the housing is solid maple. Those are all really good things for an acoustic guitar pickup.

I hope that helps.

 

[GuitarGirlfriend]

Re: Help a Chick Out

haha Evan, the only thing that i thought you could pot was a plant. Shows what i know about guitars huh? i was thinking that the SA-3SC was the coolest looking one, but he doesn't want cool looking, he wants kick ass. So would you say that the SA-3SC is kick ass...for the money that is?

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Help a Chick Out

You're talking about a very nice gift no matter which one you choose. I'd listen to Evan and go with the Woody SC and then use the spare change to buy him an inexpensive (but very good) Korg guitar tuner. That way you'd be helping him get 2 of the 3 T's of good guitar playing -- playing with good Tone and in-Tune (playing in-Time being the third).

Merry Christmas!