Soundhole pickup

[cacibi]

Just picked up a new Martin DM yesterday. Really like the sound of the thing for the price. I'm looking for soundhole pickup recommendations. It has no electronics stock - and I'd prefer to keep it that way. I don't really plan on using it live - more for home recording where it will be mic'd - so would just like to be able to pop in a pickup when needed.

Thanks

[Big Mike Simpson]

Try a Seymour Duncan acoustic tube.... pops in, pops out, rubber/vinyl coated spring clips, no alteration to the guitar and it has a volume control.


http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/DSA1.htm

[zombywoof]

Really depends on what kinda music you are playing. Agree with ya on buying an acoustic with no onboard electronics.

I still use a DeArmond 210 in my old Gibson. It is what I am used to (it was about the only acoustic pickup ya could buy in the 60s) and is perfect for my style of percussive blues. They produce sound from the movement of the the strings through a magnetic field just like an electric. Ya also got to watch out for feedback. But they do produce a fantastic tone and there is nothing on the market that sounds even close. Also have the advantage of being able to be plugged into virtually any amp.

But I would not recommend one to someone who really wants a dead-on acoustic tone.

Would love to give the Duncan Big Mike recommended a try myself. The guy knows his acoustics.

Also know some folks would heartily recommend the Baggs M1.

[ednew]

+1 on Baggs ACTIVE M1!

Ed

[David Barnett]

The Sunrise soundhole pickup seems to work well for Leo Kottke.

[Hucklebilly]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

The Sunrise soundhole pickup seems to work well for Leo Kottke.

And Richard Thompson, among others.

[Big Mike Simpson]

I use either a DeArmond RHC-B soundhols pickup or the Seymour Duncan Tube in my Gibson J-45's... depends on the gig and the sound I want, both pop in and out... the DeArmond is a little harder to get in and out.

Here is what the DeArmonds look like. I don't know any of these sellers, just for reference. The most desireable one is the third one with the lowered B string pole for better balance.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...&fsop=2&fsoo=2

Lots of folks like the Sunrise but it is not a "pop in, pop out" setup and it requires it's own onboard preamp and is generally an "installed" pickup system.

[aunchaki]

Originally Posted by ednew

+1 on Baggs ACTIVE M1!

I've got an L.R.Bagg M1 PASSIVE and think it's fabulous. It cost me $125 -- one of the most expensive "accessories" I've bought -- but was worth every penny. It uses the second, hum-cancelling coil to get sound off the soundboard (pick taps, etc). It's not truly microphonic, but does some of the same stuff. The main coil pulls it's sound off the string vibrations. For me, it's the best of both worlds. After playing with it for a few weeks with the cord sticking out the hole, I drilled out the strapjack and mounted it permanently.

[BB]

The Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker has worked well for me. I picked a new one up dirt cheap at a pawn shop several years ago and it does the job quite well. I have not compared it to many others, so I'm sure there are better ones out there, but for my needs, I have no complaints.

[David Barnett]

Originally Posted by Big Mike Simpson

Lots of folks like the Sunrise but it is not a "pop in, pop out" setup and it requires it's own onboard preamp and is generally an "installed" pickup system.

As near as I can tell, the preamp for the Sunrise is external, and optional. Richard Thompson's got the tube one on his acoustic pedalboard. Or did in 2000 when I saw him. Leo Kottke uses it without a preamp, just the pickup straight into a Radial DI.

[cacibi]

So I picked up an M1 Active today. Just curious if I other owners have feedback on the adjustable pole pieces. Is it good to go as-is, or should I switch out any of the lower (G,B,E) poles right off the bat?