Message Board Archive: Thread Number 122

I have a Sigma Martin, and I would like to know some pickup that
reproduces the most natural possible the sound of my guitar. I don't
like that piezos that have a metal and high sound. Could you tell me
some models that will help me? I wanna put just a Jack in the body don't
equalizer and other things and I like more "mouth" pickups. Thanks for
all. Elvis Paiva

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 11:37:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: hclewman@mindspring.com (Harry Lewman)
Subject: Note: Pickups for acoustic guitar
Message Number: 122.1

If you want a pickup for the sound hole, (the mouth), of the guitar, you
will mostly be looking for a magnetic based pick-up. These will give you
a good strong, low feedback sound, but it will be heavy on the bass.
Jerry Ricks prefers this type because it can be plugged directly into a
small guitar amp on stage, and the PA system microphone can be directed
to the amp speaker. He gets good volume and very little feedback that
way, and has an easy way to monitor his own sound. Brownie McGhee also
liked this type of amplification system.

It really depends upon the guitar. If you can, try out a few types. I
prefer the single spot transducer glued to the underside of the top.
This pick-up will be emphasizing high end, so look for a spot on the top
that gives you some good low end response. These spot transducers are
inexpensive, but to get the best response, you will need an outboard
pre-amp between the pick-up and the PA or amplification system. I have
had real good luck with a shadow transducer and a Fishman pre-amp model
G. This is a small unit that can be clipped on your belt.

I have no experience with under the saddle transducers, although I must
say I have heard some horrible sounds from some. Another method is a
mini-flex microphone. I have had good luck with sounds from these on X
braced guitars.

I am sure there are lots of experiences from other guitarists out there.
Any comments?

Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 01:21:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: zeppa@earthlink.net (Frank Basile)
Subject: Feedback: Re: Pickups for acoustic guitar
Message Number: 122.1.1

I usually steer clear of gear discussions 'cause I'm really no good at
them but I had the chance, recently, to compare four relatively new
pickups. The pickups I checked out were the Baggs Ribbon Transducer, the
Fishman Active Matrix, the Fishman Rare Earth and EMF Acoustics' B-Band.
The Baggs was installed in a Santa Cruz F, the Active Matrix in a Martin
dreadnought and the B-Band in a Taylor dreadnought. The Rare Earth was
swapped in and out of all three. All guitars were played through a
California Blonde amplifier with no pre-amplification (save what was
part of the pick-up assembly) and no effects.
I was really expecting my bread to be buttered by the B-Band. It
utilizes a kind of condenser microphone-like material to pick up
vibrations from under the saddle rather than piezo crystals. A lot of
people complain about the "quacky" sound of under the saddle (UTS) piezo
pickups. While it did sound a _little_ better than the Fishman Active
Matrix, it wasn't such a difference that I would have swapped a FAM out
of my guitar if I already had one installed. The B-Band also seemed to
have a lot less output that the FAM. This isn't necessarily a problem,
just weird.
The Baggs impressed me the least. It had a kind of brash sound that
might have impressed me if I wanted to play in a band setting...
but I don't.
The FAM was just fine. Not great. Not awful. It's a perfectly
serviceable pickup for someone who wants reliable sound with a minimum
of fuss. I have one in a Martin OOO and its' consistency and reliability
has been a real plus. The B-Band is easier to install, though and does
represent a modest tonal improvement. If you have a guitar with an
open-ended saddle (pyramid bridges often have this type of saddle, as
well as older Martins), the FAM can be difficult to install and voice
properly due to its' thickness. The B-Band, since it's about as thick as
a sheet of paper, doesn't present any problem with this kind of saddle.
If I really wanted to put a UTS in my guitar, I'd probably go with a
B-Band. If you already have a FAM, keep it. The B-Band sounds a bit
better but not all that markedly different.
To my complete shock and amazement, the clear standout was the Fishman
Rare Earth. Generally, I've been pretty disappointed by magnetic
soundhole pick-ups. I didn't even want to try the FRE out based on
previous experiences... The flavor of FRE that I tried out was a dual
source humbucker. In other words, it had a hum-cancelling magnetic
pick-up and a built in microphone with a blend fader to adjust the mix.
Even with the microphone dialed all the way out, the pickup sounded
great! Once we started adding in the sound of the internal mic, things
just started getting better. I don't know what the hell Fishman did in
the design of this gizmo but it was better able than any other pick-up
to produce an interesting and relatively faithful acoustic sound even
without the microphone. With the microphone it was just wonderful. The
FRE is the most expensive option (you can get into one for about $300 or
so - probably less) but also the best sounding and requires that NO
MODIFICATION be made to the guitar. No holes under the saddle, no
reaming out the endpin... AND you can easily swap it out of one guitar
to use it in another. Just try that with a UTS pick-up!
I've used the FAM in countless live situations and can attest to its'
roadworthiness. I wasn't able to assess any of the other pick-ups the
same way. I don't really expect any surprises from the B-Band... UTS
pickups generally generate zero feedback... but the dual source FRE
makes me wonder. Will it feed back in a situation that requires high
volume? I haven't yet purchased one and even if I had, being a recent
papa (and about become a papa twice over... yikes! :) ), I don't really
have the time right now to gig anyway... Maybe someone else out there
can speak to the issue...
Dang! That's more gear talk than I've spewed at one time in years! Hope
it helps...
Frank