Acoustic pickup?

[John_P]

I'd like to fit an acoustic pickup to my Avalon acoustic.

I've fitted an under saddle and end pin system to a guitar many years ago so that's an option but it would onviously be easier to go for a sound hole pickup.

I'd like a good sound (obviously) and something that is set and use - I don't want to be resetting it before gigs.

Has anyone got any thoughts on which route I should go and care to recommend any?

Thanks

[Wonks]

When I had an Avalon it was factory pre-drilled for an undersaddle pickup and an endpin jack. The standard endpin was supplied separately for me to fit. There was a piezo-sized shimunder the saddle (for a particular Fishman I think) so you could simply remove this, fit an piezo strip, feed the lead through the existing hole and then run it out to the jack etc. and yiu didn't need to adjust the height of the saddle.

If you haven't done so, might be worth checking if yours isn't like this next time you change the strings.

I've got a Fishman soundhole humbucker for my Martin. I know a lot of people think they are good, but I'm not that convinced myself. My Takamine sounds more natural plugged in.

[John_P]

Thanks - ill have a look at the weekend - that would certainly make an under saddle pickup an obvious choice :-)

[alwoodcock]

Don't forget you'll need a pre-amp/EQ, too!

[ICBM]

Don't forget you'll need a pre-amp/EQ, too!

You won't with an active soundhole pickup, or one of the piezos that has the preamp on the endpin jack.

For a soundhole pickup you want the LR Baggs M1A - I think it's easily the best sounding, is simple to fit and the new versions have a volume control on the pickup itself. It's warm, punchy and natural-sounding. The Fishman Rare Earth is clearer, brighter and thinner-sounding in my opinion - although it's less visually intrusive, it that matters. (Also has no onboard volume control.)

There are also plenty of systems with an undersaddle strip and the endpin preamp. You still need a battery holder inside the guitar for these though (usually on the neck block). I still prefer to avoid this if possible, and just put the pickup alone and a jack into the guitar. Keeping the preamp outboard allows you to more easily upgrade or replace it - or even just change the battery.

[DiscoStu]

+1 on the Baggs M1A.
I fitted one on my Stonebridge and it sounds gorgeous, like a mic'd up acoustic rather than an electro with a piezo.

[stickyfiddle]

Another +1 for the M1A. Brilliant little thing