Pickup for the boss' guitar?

[slowlearner]

Hi all,
My boss asked me what would be involved in putting a pickup in his Maton (sorry for using the 5 letter word) acoustic.

Was wondering what would be best. He uses it for church plugged straight into the PA. Doesn't have to be flash, but I know people aren't favouring bridge piezos like they used to any more. What pickup would you suggest for it? And what is best bang for back at the mo?

[tippie53]

there are a number of pickup styles Under saddle ( often quaky ) Mics and my favorite K&K.
The K&K is a triple transducer that is attached to the bridge plate. They have a nice tonal quality and work well with most pre amps. Also work well straight into an amp. I also run mine through a line 6 pod 2. They are moderately costly but very reliable and easy to install.

[kiwigeo]

+1 for K and K western

[Tod Gilding]

This topic is a little like “How long is a piece of string”. Pete it would most likely depend on the model of Maton that the boss owns , if it was a custom shop model ,then the K & K would most likely be the best option, however if it is a 225 or 325 or the like, then an under saddle transducer will give a better result ,most builders on this forum produce a very resonant instrument with high monopole mobility , and therefore find the K& K a good option, a lot of factory built instruments are not like this (Overbuilt, compared to what we do)and as such an UST can be the better option . It really comes down to the particular instrument and how it has been built, as to what is best and without knowing that ,you are not likely to get an accurate answer to your question. Sorry mate, one thing that I could say is that I have never heard a passive system that could hold its own against an active system ( In an Acoustic Guitar), regardless of how the guitar has been built, however I welcome being corrected on that statement.

[Kim]

With Tod's good points on board, another alternative is the Baggs M1 soundhole pickup.

In a group situation, the LR Baggs M1a (on-board active via a single CR2032 3v battery) will cut thought pretty well, 'and' it's a 2 minute fit, 'and' can be swapped from one instrument to the next should you decide to upgrade guitars later...Oh yeah, and they sound pretty grouse too.

Will add that most cheap soundhole pickups have the capacity to sound 'brittle' or too brash on trebles. In my opinion the Baggs M1 is a step up from other SHPU's that I've heard but then they are not very cheap either.. Even so I have found that you 'can' make them sound too brash, but to get there you need to push them to the point where, in a band situation, nobody out front would really be listening for the timbre' anyway. The big plus to consider for a soundhole p/u alternative is they are not near as feedback sensitive as most other types of acoustic guitar pick-ups on the market and in an amp'ed up church band situation, I reckon that's gotta be a big plus.


youtu.be/

While your there take a look around on youtube and you will see plenty of stuff worth considering but it really does come down to what you (or in this instance your boss) likes and the intended application/venue, but when it comes to SH pickup, I reckon the Baggs is hard to top simply because the technology is reading more than a standard magnetic can and that is what you are paying for.

Cheers

Kim

[tippie53]

One point that is coming up , and it is a good one and that is to match the pick up to the players style. While I do love the K&K western and mini the sound hole pickup is not a bad choice.
If he is using a pre amp playing rock these are all things that need to be considered so do some caparisons and match the one that best fits the needs . Be aware the Under saddle transducers are not all the same. Some are fine others just horrible. Cheap pickups are just that , cheap and the end result will show.

[slowlearner]

Thanks guys, a bit to think about, but I get your point. I'll have a chat with him and see what he wants to do.