Help me find a new Pick-up!

greggorypeccary · May 15th, 2008, 07:20 PM

So my 21 year old Seagull has a bad pickup. It's got the LB6 one-piece bridge/piezo and the high E is barely picking up. It was repaired a number of years ago so I think it's time to just get something new installed. I could replace it with the same thing but I'm not a huge fan of that piezo tone and I'm sure acoustic pickups have improved a lot in the past 20 years.

I assume I can still use the Baggs preamp so what might be some good options to look into? I'm open to anything, magnetic, piezo, something else, I just want to get decent acoustic tone when plugged in.

Thanks!

Paul in Colorado · May 16th, 2008, 12:20 PM

I love the Highlander in my Taylor 12 String. I'm going with a K&K Pure Western in my Taylor 512 because I don't want to drill any holes in it (other then the strap button/jack). I also use the Baggs preamp with all of my acoustic instruments.

Stuco · May 17th, 2008, 02:21 AM

I like the k&k PURE western mini -it consists of 3 pickups glued to the bottom of the bridge plate. Sounds fantastic and minimal feedback.

stephent2 · May 18th, 2008, 12:03 PM

The K&K is a piezo as well but folks seem to like them. Myself, I've tried them twice and have torn them out both times.

If you don't mind a soudhole pickup I'd suggest a Sunrise or a Baggs m1.

aunchaki · May 18th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephent2

If you don't mind a soudhole pickup I'd suggest a Sunrise or a Baggs m1.

+1 on the L.R.Baggs M1. I have the M1 Passive that I run through an L.R.Baggs Para Acoustic DI. I've also run it through various acoustic amps. It's a fabulous pickup. It's a humbucker whose top coil works with the string vibration and whose bottom coil responds to the vibration of the top. It's a great pickup.

I've been watching Remember That Night, David Gilmour's live concert at Royal Albert Hall. He seems to be using an M1 Active with his Gibson acoustic.

sorefingers · May 19th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggorypeccary

So my 21 year old Seagull has a bad pickup. It's got the LB6 one-piece bridge/piezo and the high E is barely picking up. It was repaired a number of years ago so I think it's time to just get something new installed. I could replace it with the same thing but I'm not a huge fan of that piezo tone and I'm sure acoustic pickups have improved a lot in the past 20 years.

I assume I can still use the Baggs preamp so what might be some good options to look into? I'm open to anything, magnetic, piezo, something else, I just want to get decent acoustic tone when plugged in.

Thanks!

This site has great video reviews on pickups and he's one heck of a player too..I really liked the soundhole pickup DiMarzio DP139..check it out
http://www.fingerpick.com/pickups.htm

greggorypeccary · May 19th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm leaning towards the Baggs M1, I figure I can wire it into the preamp that's already in the guitar and I'll be off to the races.

Haven't seen the Gilmore video, but I know Jeff Tweedy uses one and gets a great acoustic sound.

bluende · May 19th, 2008, 01:31 PM

+1 on the Dimarzio DP139....not easy to find but I think Steve's has them here.

Great warm sound, easy install (either temporary or wired to endpin jack) and, for me, a plus is that it's not as wide as the M1. I had an M1 active which wouldn't fit into the smaller soundholes of my 00 or parlor sized guitars.

ASAT-Sean · May 25th, 2008, 11:39 PM

I've got the Baggs Dual Element in my Breedlove and it sounds great. I really think, to my ears, they make a great sounding pickup and mic combo.

May 15th, 2008, 07:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
greggorypeccary Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 765 27 Photos	Help me find a new Pick-up! So my 21 year old Seagull has a bad pickup. It's got the LB6 one-piece bridge/piezo and the high E is barely picking up. It was repaired a number of years ago so I think it's time to just get something new installed. I could replace it with the same thing but I'm not a huge fan of that piezo tone and I'm sure acoustic pickups have improved a lot in the past 20 years. I assume I can still use the Baggs preamp so what might be some good options to look into? I'm open to anything, magnetic, piezo, something else, I just want to get decent acoustic tone when plugged in. Thanks! __________________ I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues! http://www.myspace.com/javablue

May 16th, 2008, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,012 3 Photos	I love the Highlander in my Taylor 12 String. I'm going with a K&K Pure Western in my Taylor 512 because I don't want to drill any holes in it (other then the strap button/jack). I also use the Baggs preamp with all of my acoustic instruments. __________________ www.tuatha.net

May 17th, 2008, 02:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,758	I like the k&k PURE western mini -it consists of 3 pickups glued to the bottom of the bridge plate. Sounds fantastic and minimal feedback. __________________ -"You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do" J. Garcia

May 18th, 2008, 12:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
stephent2 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA. Age: 57 Posts: 2,169 20 Photos	The K&K is a piezo as well but folks seem to like them. Myself, I've tried them twice and have torn them out both times. If you don't mind a soudhole pickup I'd suggest a Sunrise or a Baggs m1. __________________ 3. If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers. - - Thomas Pynchon

May 19th, 2008, 09:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
greggorypeccary Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 765 27 Photos	Thanks for the suggestions! I'm leaning towards the Baggs M1, I figure I can wire it into the preamp that's already in the guitar and I'll be off to the races. Haven't seen the Gilmore video, but I know Jeff Tweedy uses one and gets a great acoustic sound. __________________ I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues! http://www.myspace.com/javablue

May 19th, 2008, 01:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
bluende TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 19	+1 on the Dimarzio DP139....not easy to find but I think Steve's has them here. Great warm sound, easy install (either temporary or wired to endpin jack) and, for me, a plus is that it's not as wide as the M1. I had an M1 active which wouldn't fit into the smaller soundholes of my 00 or parlor sized guitars.

May 25th, 2008, 11:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
ASAT-Sean Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ozark,MO Posts: 133	I've got the Baggs Dual Element in my Breedlove and it sounds great. I really think, to my ears, they make a great sounding pickup and mic combo. __________________ "I am Jack's total lack of surprise."http://www.thehighriders.com