What is the BEST Acoustic Pickup? // The Ultimate Shootout

Summary

In this video, the presenter shares insights on the best acoustic guitar pickups, drawn from their extensive hands-on experience with 12-15 different models. The video covers four main types: undersaddle piezos, piezo contact mics, built-in microphones, and magnetic pickups. The pros and cons of each type are discussed, including sound quality, feedback resistance, and practicality in various performance settings. The presenter also highlights specific models they recommend and provides demo clips. Ultimately, the choice of pickup depends on individual playing styles and performance needs, with no one-size-fits-all solution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Undersaddle piezo pickups are the most common type, but they're often disliked due to their artificial tone and disconnection from the instrument's natural resonance.
• 😀 Piezo contact pickups are a better alternative for more natural sound, offering improved authenticity without affecting the instrument's tone, but they're more prone to feedback in loud environments.
• 😀 Built-in microphones (dynamic or condenser) offer great tonal authenticity, but they are highly feedback-prone, making them unsuitable for loud stage environments.
• 😀 Magnetic pickups, like the Fishman Rare Earth Blend, provide a good balance between acoustic and electric guitar tones, and are ideal for lead players or those needing sustain.
• 😀 Feedback is a major issue for most acoustic pickups, with piezo contact mics and built-in microphones being especially susceptible, which makes them more suited for controlled environments.
• 😀 The Martin Gold ThinLine Plus (a piezo) is considered one of the best undersaddle piezo pickups, though still not ideal for a truly natural acoustic sound.
• 😀 Using a preamp is essential for most passive pickups (like piezo contact mics) to amplify the signal, take down impedance, and improve tone.
• 😀 Magnetic pickups are generally mounted on the sound hole, which can dampen vibrations and affect the instrument's tone but can be removed when not in use to mitigate this.
• 😀 The K&K Pure Mini is a popular piezo contact mic, offering good sound quality and minimal intrusion on the instrument's tonal properties, though it may lack in low-end warmth.
• 😀 For live settings, balancing a pickup's tone and feedback resistance is crucial, with options like the Fishman Rare Earth Blend providing a hybrid solution of piezo and microphone for flexible sound control.

Q & A

What is the most common type of acoustic guitar pickup?

The most common type of acoustic guitar pickup is the undersaddle piezo, which is typically installed in about 95% of factory-equipped guitars.

What is a major con of undersaddle piezo pickups?

A major con of undersaddle piezo pickups is that they do not sound very good and can fail to represent the natural tone of an acoustic guitar. They can also disconnect the crucial contact point between the saddle and the bridge, affecting sound transmission.

Why are undersaddle piezo pickups often disliked?

Undersaddle piezo pickups are often disliked because they tend to produce a very unnatural and harsh tone, and they interfere with the acoustic guitar's natural vibrations by breaking the connection between the saddle and the instrument.

What is the benefit of using a piezo contact mic over an undersaddle piezo?

A piezo contact mic has the benefit of not interrupting the saddle's contact with the instrument, which allows for a more authentic tone. It also doesn’t add extra weight to the guitar, unlike an undersaddle piezo.

What is a drawback of using piezo contact pickups?

Piezo contact pickups are more prone to feedback, especially in loud performance environments, making them less suitable for large or high-volume stages.

Can piezo contact pickups sound too bright?

Yes, some users find that piezo contact pickups, like the K&K Pure Mini, can sound bright or even brittle, lacking the low-end warmth that some players might prefer.

What are built-in microphones used for in acoustic guitars?

Built-in microphones are used to capture the natural sound of the instrument. They provide a more authentic acoustic tone and are often used in quiet environments or smaller, more controlled settings like musical pits.

What is the biggest con of using a microphone pickup in an acoustic guitar?

The biggest con of using a microphone pickup is its susceptibility to feedback, especially in loud environments. This makes microphones less suitable for high-volume performance situations.

What is the advantage of using a magnetic pickup over a piezo or microphone?

Magnetic pickups are less prone to feedback, making them more suitable for louder environments. They also offer a different tonal quality, with some players preferring their ability to capture sustain and warmth for lead playing.

Why might someone choose a magnetic pickup like the Fishman Rare Earth Blend?

Someone might choose the Fishman Rare Earth Blend because it combines both a magnetic pickup and a microphone, giving the flexibility to adjust the tonal balance depending on the environment, providing more warmth and detail in quieter settings while still being feedback-resistant.