There is an extensive range of acoustic guitar pickups on the market these days and I certainly haven't heard or installed all of them. However, I have had the opportunity to listen to a great variety and so I now recommend a comprehensive selection based on my experience.
I am always keen to try new pickups and so I'll be updating this page as I find new systems to recommend. All are available for purchase and / or fitting. Please contact me to discuss a system that's right for you. I am also happy to give brief tutorials on how to get the best out of your kit - especially pre-amps.
For a basic overview of pickup designs and systems click here
For mandolin pickups click here
At the moment I feel the L.R Baggs range of pickups are generally the best on offer for the price. I find them dynamic and natural sounding and they offer a range that suits a wide variety of playing styles and situations. They use class A amp configuration, all discreet circuitry (less components in the signal path) and FET transistors. I do recommend other brands and models too depending on the situation. To check out the Baggs website click here.
Steelstring
Undersaddle
L.R Baggs element. This system is one of the most dynamic undersaddle pickups I have heard. It comes with on board fixed E.Q preamp and a volume wheel which attaches discreetly just on the inside of the soundhole. On board tone control option available. £Price
L.R Baggs LB6. For those who work at high stage volume this is a great system. It is a saddle with high output pickup built in. Very feedback resistant and dynamic at high volume. Off board pre-amp recommended. £Price
Highlander IP1 . Top end undersaddle system based on a cable transducer. They do one stand alone (IP1) or one with mic (IP2 see below). £Price
Headway HE. Another great undersaddle from British company, Headway, also utilising a cable transducer. I recommend this especially for split saddles ie Lowden and regularly gigged instruments. £Price
Gypsy Jazz Guitars
Bigtone Pickups. I have recently been able to get hold of these pickups - well known in Gypsy Jazz circles. They need fitting in to the bridge and the price includes that service. Especially great when coupled with a mic - off or on board. They are passive but high output and therefore a pre-amp is recommended but not essential. £Price
I have fitted one of these with a Baggs Dual Source on board pre-amp and mic with great results. £Poa
Magnetic
L.R Baggs M1. This excellent soundhole pickup has a passive and active version. The passive I recommend with an off board pre amp such as the Para D.I. It has a unique microphonic acion which gives this pickup a natural dynamism not usually found with magnetic pickups and is very resistant to feedback. It will pick up body taps / soundboard percussion making it ideal for this style of playing without having to use a dual system and the adjustable pole pieces make for correct string balance. A great all round pickup perhaps especially suited to fingerpickers although a good strumming system too. Think the solid bass end of a magnetic without the clunky trebles. £Price
Contact transducers
L.R Baggs i beam active . This bridgeplate pickup has a microphonic sound - natural, open, dynamic. When placed in the correct position it gives an even, natural response. Great for recording, low volume use or in conjunction with an undersaddle - see imix below. Pre amp with tone shaping recommended e.g the Baggs para DI. £Price
Combination systems
L.R Baggs i Mix. A great all round system incorporating the Element undersaddle and the i beam contact trasducer. It features an on board blender preamp which mounts on the guitar back (inside the guitar!) with blend and volume control mounting discreetly just inside the sounhole. You can mix easily between the natural microphonic like sound of the i beam and the more controlled piezo sound of the element. A system with a potential dynamism but stability needed for a mix of picking and strumming. £Price
L.R Baggs Elelment Dual Source. Similar concept to the above but the element undersaddle is coupled with a foam encased electret mic that fits on the back of the guitar. You can mix on board or run out in stereo to a blender. £Price
Custom combination
Many systems can be combined. I have for example fitted magnetic pickups with a mic and undersaddles with a mic. I have also fitted contact transducers with undersaddles. Off - board blenders can increase possibilities by adding greater EQ possibilities and 9v(ish) phantom power for mics.
Spanish Guitar (Nylon string)
Undersaddle
Fishman acoustic matrix natural 1. I seem to always come back to this pickup as it has the right kind of tonal shaping for the Spanish guitar and for an undersaddle sounds warmer and less quacky than other models. A good stable, no fuss system for all styles of playing. On board fixed E.Q preamp. For tone control I recommend the Baggs Para D.I off board pre amp. £Price
L.R Baggs Element Classical. I can now get the Spanish Guitar version of this pickup - great transparency and dynamics. Comes with or without on-board tone control. £Price
Contact Transducer
L.R Baggs i beam active classical. This bridgeplate pickup has a microphonic sound - natural, open, dynamic. When placed in the correct position it gives an even, natural response. Great for the classical player or with a good E.Q system, potentially great for the flamenco player. On board tone control preamp version available. Works better on more tightly built soundboards. Great for recording too. For an off board preamp I recommend the Baggs Para D.I. £Price
Combination
Baggs element with added mini mic. This is a custom option and needs a twin channel amp or pre-amp that will power the microphone. Look at D-Tar Solstice or Highlander PAMDI. £poa
For those which will take it in terms of internal braces, I recommend the Fishman Elipse system. Although designed for steel string guitars, the combination of the matrix pickup and natural preamp blended with a condenser mic works very well. The whole system mounts inside the soundhole and is extremely lightweight. You have a blend, volume control and phase reversal button accessable through the soundhole. A stable but open and natural sound. Would work well for the classical player but could also provide the dynamics and also stability needed for the latin or flamenco artist. £Price
Off board pre amp
L.R Baggs Para D.I. A great piece of kit that will make any pickup sound better and please any sound engineer! Will boost the signal and warm the tone keeping clarity and dynamics. Features volume and tone control - treb, bass and tunable mid, notch filter, phase invert, variable input gain and XLR balanced output. £Price
D-TAR Equinox. A hugely versatile preamp with two notch filters and parametric EQ and a step up from the Baggs. Most folk will need some tuition on how to use this tool to best effect. £Price
D-TAR Soltice. Very high quality twin channel preamp with phantom power and three band EQ on each channel. An affordable must for dual systems. £Price
Highlander Pro acoustic Mix DI or PAMDI. The ultimate offboard stereo blender. A compact high end mixer which fits in your case. Features phantom power two mid range notch filters and tunable bass and treble. Again, most folk will need some tuition on how to use this tool to best effect. £Price
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