Best soundhole pickup?

Jakedog · December 4th, 2008, 11:58 AM

I'm looking for a pickup for my custom jumbo. I would like a soundhole model with an endpin jack.

I see lots of solo singer/songwriter types going with this kind of setup lately, and while some of them sound out of this world and incredibly natural, some of them sound beyond crappy and fake. Like a strat pickup stuck on an acoustic and plugged into a Crate practice amp. So what are the good ones?

I would like to keep it under $200, and under $150 if possible. I have a guitar with an I-beam setup, and several with under-saddle type pickups, but I want to try one of the nicer soundhole types if I can afford it.

If it helps, my style is mostly flat pick/fingers hybrid, with some heavier strumming now and then, and just a few finger style tunes. Also play lead, flat pick and fingers, and some more bluegrass/country styled flatpicking kind of stuff.

Thanks for any suggestions.

twangcaster1 · December 4th, 2008, 12:04 PM

Well, I kinda like the sound of a microphone in front of the soundhole the most!

But, L.R. Baggs makes an EXCELLENT soundhole pickup. I installed one on a buddy's guitar and he loves it.

grasspicker · December 4th, 2008, 12:04 PM

I'm right there with you...and have pretty much decided on either the LR Baggs M1 or the M1A (with active electronics and volume knob on pickup).
Baggs and Fishman seem to be the best for the money, although I read good things on Shadow products.
I will likely make my purchase in a couple of weeks...
Merry Christmas to me...Merry Christmas to me....

twangcaster1 · December 4th, 2008, 12:05 PM

And they fit you're price range, too! That's the best thing about 'em.

twangcaster1 · December 4th, 2008, 12:07 PM

L.R. Baggs totally spanks Fishman, I think. I've never been disappointed with any L.R. Baggs product I've tried, but I can't quite say the same about Fishman.

RickG501 · December 4th, 2008, 12:08 PM

"Like a strat pickup stuck on an acoustic and plugged into a Crate practice amp. So what are the good ones?"

Quit making fun of me Jake!

Jakedog · December 4th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Twangcaster, I am right there with you. I would never plug in an acoustic to record it. But for live use, micing is just way impractical for me. I don't stand still well, especially when I solo. I don't run 'round like an idiot, but it's anybody's guess where within my little piece of real estate, I might be at any given moment.

Not to mention, I am also the lead vocalist, and have never had success getting a comfortable placement for both mics.

I also do alot of larger clubs opening for nationals, where I get little to no soundcheck time. Setting up a mic to sound good on the fly can be a bear, especially when the sound techs in some of these places are not used to acoustic instruments. I like to be able to eq my guitar myself, run into my tube pre/DI, and just send 'em a line, so all they have to worry about is levels.

I will poke around the net and check out the Baggs pieces. I love my i-beam setup, and the incredible service I got when the first one I bought was DOA, so they may be the way to go.

Jakedog · December 4th, 2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickG501

"Like a strat pickup stuck on an acoustic and plugged into a Crate practice amp. So what are the good ones?"

Quit making fun of me Jake!

Sorry Rick, didn't realize you'd resemble that remark!

Jakedog · December 4th, 2008, 08:23 PM

Bought the Baggs M1A today, and just installed it. I do not have a PA handy, here at the house, but first impressions through my electric amps are extremely favorable.

I'll keep y'all posted on how I like it, once I get to try it out in real world gig conditions.

aunchaki · December 4th, 2008, 11:01 PM

I have an L.R. Baggs M1 Passive. It's great (and cheaper than the Active). I run it into an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI. Wonderful pickup. I also have a Fishman Neo-D single-coil soundhole pickup. It's good, but the M1 blows it away.

RiverDog · December 4th, 2008, 11:10 PM

First let me state that I generally hate soundhole pickups having tried a few. About a year ago I picked up the Baggs M1 Active pickup at GC, installed it in my Martin D-1, and I absolutely love it. It sounds awesome!

We aren't currently playing out but my wife and I have an acoustic duo. She has a Taylor 814ce with the amazing sounding Expression System and I use my Martin with the LR Baggs M1 Active. When we play together my guitar actually sounds better through the PA system than hers. I was surprised. I'm glad I don't have to search for a great acoustic tone. I found it!

Hucklebilly · December 4th, 2008, 11:41 PM

After getting the Sunrise I'll never use anything else.

ironweed · December 5th, 2008, 10:45 AM

I haven't tried them all, but a Fishman Neo Humbucker (uses wrist watch batteries) is pretty good, not as noisy as the single-coil -- I've used it in several Martins, a Blueridge, a clunky old Yamaha flattop, and an Oahu hawaiian squareneck --can go direct to guitar amp, direct to sound-board, or (even better) with an Ultra-Sound DI box (phantom powered) in between --

fungusyoung · December 5th, 2008, 06:58 PM

Another vote for the M1 passive... great pick up, excellent price and feedback resistant!

dangerine49 · December 6th, 2008, 03:58 PM

I put a Baggs M-1A in my Guild and it sounds GREAT. The volume knob on the active version is worth the extra $.

ednew · December 6th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangerine49

I put a Baggs M-1A in my Guild and it sounds GREAT. The volume knob on the active version is worth the extra $.

+1

Used it with a Guild F-512 (the BIG 12-string) for recording and jamming--VERY nice and no feedback issues.

Ed

December 4th, 2008, 11:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TX Posts: 3,231	Best soundhole pickup? UPDATED. I'm looking for a pickup for my custom jumbo. I would like a soundhole model with an endpin jack. I see lots of solo singer/songwriter types going with this kind of setup lately, and while some of them sound out of this world and incredibly natural, some of them sound beyond crappy and fake. Like a strat pickup stuck on an acoustic and plugged into a Crate practice amp. So what are the good ones? I would like to keep it under $200, and under $150 if possible. I have a guitar with an I-beam setup, and several with under-saddle type pickups, but I want to try one of the nicer soundhole types if I can afford it. If it helps, my style is mostly flat pick/fingers hybrid, with some heavier strumming now and then, and just a few finger style tunes. Also play lead, flat pick and fingers, and some more bluegrass/country styled flatpicking kind of stuff. Thanks for any suggestions. __________________ Oh, the fear I've known That I might reap the praise of strangers And end up on my own All I've sown was a song And maybe I was wrong -Emily Saliers Last edited by Jakedog; December 4th, 2008 at 08:22 PM.

December 4th, 2008, 12:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
twangcaster1 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 1,550 6 Photos	Well, I kinda like the sound of a microphone in front of the soundhole the most! But, L.R. Baggs makes an EXCELLENT soundhole pickup. I installed one on a buddy's guitar and he loves it. __________________ SLC Twangsmith

December 4th, 2008, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
twangcaster1 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 1,550 6 Photos	And they fit you're price range, too! That's the best thing about 'em. __________________ SLC Twangsmith

December 4th, 2008, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
twangcaster1 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 1,550 6 Photos	L.R. Baggs totally spanks Fishman, I think. I've never been disappointed with any L.R. Baggs product I've tried, but I can't quite say the same about Fishman. __________________ SLC Twangsmith

December 4th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
RickG501 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Age: 54 Posts: 1,056	"Like a strat pickup stuck on an acoustic and plugged into a Crate practice amp. So what are the good ones?" Quit making fun of me Jake! __________________ I know my words sound strange to you but if you wait til my song is sung and my story's told you might come to understand...

December 4th, 2008, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
grasspicker TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cowtown, Texas Posts: 65	I'm right there with you...and have pretty much decided on either the LR Baggs M1 or the M1A (with active electronics and volume knob on pickup). Baggs and Fishman seem to be the best for the money, although I read good things on Shadow products. I will likely make my purchase in a couple of weeks... Merry Christmas to me...Merry Christmas to me....

December 4th, 2008, 12:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TX Posts: 3,231	Twangcaster, I am right there with you. I would never plug in an acoustic to record it. But for live use, micing is just way impractical for me. I don't stand still well, especially when I solo. I don't run 'round like an idiot, but it's anybody's guess where within my little piece of real estate, I might be at any given moment. Not to mention, I am also the lead vocalist, and have never had success getting a comfortable placement for both mics. I also do alot of larger clubs opening for nationals, where I get little to no soundcheck time. Setting up a mic to sound good on the fly can be a bear, especially when the sound techs in some of these places are not used to acoustic instruments. I like to be able to eq my guitar myself, run into my tube pre/DI, and just send 'em a line, so all they have to worry about is levels. I will poke around the net and check out the Baggs pieces. I love my i-beam setup, and the incredible service I got when the first one I bought was DOA, so they may be the way to go. __________________ Oh, the fear I've known That I might reap the praise of strangers And end up on my own All I've sown was a song And maybe I was wrong -Emily Saliers

December 4th, 2008, 08:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TX Posts: 3,231	Bought the Baggs M1A today, and just installed it. I do not have a PA handy, here at the house, but first impressions through my electric amps are extremely favorable. I'll keep y'all posted on how I like it, once I get to try it out in real world gig conditions. __________________ Oh, the fear I've known That I might reap the praise of strangers And end up on my own All I've sown was a song And maybe I was wrong -Emily Saliers

December 4th, 2008, 11:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
aunchaki Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 1,308 24 Photos	I have an L.R. Baggs M1 Passive. It's great (and cheaper than the Active). I run it into an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI. Wonderful pickup. I also have a Fishman Neo-D single-coil soundhole pickup. It's good, but the M1 blows it away. __________________ Two Teles, One Strat, Two Acoustics (6 & 12 strings), One Solidbody Acoustic, Two Mandolins (4 & 8 strings), One Bass (5 strings)

December 4th, 2008, 11:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Hucklebilly Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 822 2 Photos	Sunrise! After getting the Sunrise I'll never use anything else.

December 5th, 2008, 10:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
ironweed Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: mid-missouri Posts: 141	I haven't tried them all, but a Fishman Neo Humbucker (uses wrist watch batteries) is pretty good, not as noisy as the single-coil -- I've used it in several Martins, a Blueridge, a clunky old Yamaha flattop, and an Oahu hawaiian squareneck --can go direct to guitar amp, direct to sound-board, or (even better) with an Ultra-Sound DI box (phantom powered) in between --

December 5th, 2008, 06:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 1,017 22 Photos	Another vote for the M1 passive... great pick up, excellent price and feedback resistant!

December 6th, 2008, 03:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
dangerine49 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 362	I put a Baggs M-1A in my Guild and it sounds GREAT. The volume knob on the active version is worth the extra $.