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Thinking of amplifying your acoustic guitar? Noticed how
many makes, models and types are available? Confused? Well, let's take a look at the
different styles of pickups available and see if we can narrow the choice down a bit for
you.
Contact Pickups
 These pickups stick to the top of the guitar or bridge and are basically a
type of microphone which use the top of the guitar as a part of the pickup. Most adhere
using a putty-like substance or a double sided tape. Some of the better models are made to
fit internally
Pros: Inexpensive, pick up mechanical noises (flamenco style), easy
fitting and removal.
Cons: Very feedback prone, not usually a good representation of the
guitar's sound. Some glues used affect guitar's finish, pick up mechanical noises (string
squeaks, knocks, etc.)
Undersaddle Pickups
 There are currently two
main types of undersaddle pickups available: Piezo and Copolymer.
Due to the fact that they are fitted directly under the saddle, they get the majority of
their sound directly from the strings with a relatively small amount of the colour from
the body and top of the guitar. They have a wide frequency and dynamic range.
Piezo Pickups contain 6 tiny piezoelectric crystals which produce
electricity when stressed. Tend to be more percussive and have a very pronounced high end.
These are the pickups fitted to most off-the-shelf electric/acoustic guitars. Fitting is
extremely difficult, and different models are needed for different string spacings.
Copolymer Pickups utilise a single sensor strip which has a more
balanced frequency response and natural sound than piezo pickups. String spacing is
irrelevant to these pickups. A good example are the Prefix and Matrix ranges from Fishman.
Pros: Wide frequency and dynamic range, accurate sound, very
feedback resistant, Inconspicuous.
Cons: Require a preamp for proper operation, require professional
installation, some of the guitar's resonance is not sensed.
Magnetic Soundhole Pickups
 Magnetic pickups are designed for steel-string acoustic guitars only.
Classical guitars cannot utilise these pickups.They fit conveniently into the soundhole
and are removable. Some are height-adjustable and/or have individual polepieces so that
you can change the balance from string to string. A good example of these pickups is the
Dean Markley Pro Mag
Pros: Relatively cheap, require no preamp, easy installation and
removal, great feedback immunity, low noise.
Cons: They're very conspicuous and few have volume and EQ controls.
Lacking in upper frequency ranges. Slightly "electric" in sound.
Microphones
Don't forget these babies. In studio they are the only way to go as they pickup the total
sound the guitar produces. Some players use the miniature lapel mics, clipped to the
soundhole for performance.
Pros: Excellent accuracy of sound. Pick up desirable mechanical noises
(flamenco style percussion, etc)
Cons: Feedback prone. Good models are expensive. Full size mics limit
movement. Pick up undesirable mechanical noises (chair squeaks, player sneezes, etc.)
Combination Pickups
A new breed of pickups combining an
undersaddle pickup, an internal microphone and an onboard mixing system. Really the best
of both worlds - in a quieter playing situation the balance can be biased to the mic for a
more resonant sound, while in louder playing situations, the mix can swing towards the
undersaddle pickup for its anti feedback properties. Good examples of this are the Fishman
Prefix Blender and some of the Yamaha APX series acoustic electric guitars. |
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