Best Acoustic Preamp (Not an Anthem)

[patriotplayer90]

I've had an LR Baggs Anthem pickup for years, which have their pros for sure. But in a live setting, I would prefer fewer feedback issues and a stronger output in exchange for some of the more "organic" qualities the LR Baggs provides.

I hope that you can help me out, because information seems to be limited other than that of the Anthem. Maybe because people are happy with onboard preamps, but that is not an option in my case. I would like a big, full, rich sound. Something that just sounds good.

 

[johnb]

What is wrong with one of these? I have one that has worked great for 20 years!
Amazon product ASIN B07XZKZR44

 

[loco gringo]

I have this in two guitars. Great sound and plug and play anywhere you play. You do have a battery in the guitar. The second link shows a model that does not have an onboard preamp.

(link removed)

Trance Audio Products - AMULET M PHANTOM

www.tranceaudio.com

I have this in one guitar. I had it another, but I sold that guitar. You need a separate preamp. No battery in guitar. Can't just show up and plug in, though. Need your separate preamp with you. They sound fantastic, though, and they handle feedback suppression really well. If the situation allows for me to use the separate preamp, this is my choice.

James May Engineering | The Ultra Tonic Pickup - Premium Sound

The Ultra Tonic Pickup by James May Engineering. At last an acoustic guitar pickup with the richness of a sound board transducer and the feedback immunity of an under saddle transducer. Uncompromising performance for guitarist who care about their live sound.

jamesmayengineering.com

Preamps:

This preamp is amazing. You use a mic to make an IR map for your guitar. This plus the Ultra Tonic pickup is amazing. Again, a fair amount of work is required.

Audio Sprocket's ToneDexter II & TapDexter for stringed instruments

ToneDexter is a pro preamp that corrects a stringed instrument’s piezo pickup so that it sounds like a mic in a live & recording environment.

audiosprockets.com

This one doesn't use IR. It is just a really high quality preamp. It sounds great with just about anything. I think they make it in a single channel model, too.

MS-2c Stereo Preamp - (Limited Availability) — sunnaudio.com

Sunnaudio MS-2 Stereo Preamp offers more features and control of your sound. Create a vivid natural stereo image, a mono blend, or pre-amplification for 2 separate instruments at a touch of button. 2-channel sophistication that is easy to use. Contact us for additional details and accessories. Lim

sunnaudio.com

Another really high quality preamp. I haven't personally used this, but I do know some people that use it. It is top notch quality. They have a single channel model as well.

FELiX2 2ch instrument preamp / EQ / DI Acoustic Instrument and Mic Preamp - Grace Design

FELiX is a studio quality, 2-channel acoustic instrument / mic preamp, designed to provide the highest quality solution for amplifying stringed instruments.

gracedesign.com

I almost forgot this one. It isn't a preamp, really, but a buffer. I bought it 12 or 15 years ago to use with a Sunrise pickup. It was excellent with that pickup. I no longer have a Sunrise in a guitar. However, I still use this a lot. I have used it in conjunction with the Amulet and the Ultra Tonic pickups. I also use it with my electric guitars.

If your Anthem has an onboard preamp, you might try running that through this. It will likely sweeten it up.

Steel Guitar Black Box

The Steel Guitar Black Box is the finest studio grade vacuum tube buffer/impedance matcher for virtually all amplified musical instruments.

www.sarnomusicsolutions.com

 

[loudboy]

Pendulum makes a nice one.

https://www.pendulumaudio.com/sps-1

 

[drewg]

Are you wanting another sound hole/ under saddle pickup like the Anthem? Or an out board preamp like Johnb suggested?

There are many options out there.

The Schertler Bluestick is active, has a strong output and was designed to feedback considerably less. I have one that came factory installed in my Gibson acoustic but I haven’t even plugged it in yet because I just got it back from the luthier. But I heard a guy playing it live and it sounded great. He’s the one who told me it feeds back less. The Bluestick gets very good reviews, but unfortunately they don’t seem to be making them anymore. I don’t know what that’s about, but I think you can still buy them new.

My favorite is the K&K Pure Mini, but it’s passive. I think K&K has active options too, though. (The impedance match is important for passives, and the K&K doesn’t match well with the Para-di, but the Para -Di is good with other pickups, I hear.)

For exterior preamps, over on the acousticguitarforum many rave about the Red-eye, which apparently has great sound but isn’t so adjustable.

I myself would like a Radial PZ-Pro but they’re spendy. Radial also has the PZ-di and other cheaper models.

I did a lot of research on this topic over at the acousticguitarforum. It really depends on your exact use, but they have a lot of experienced acoustic players over there who have tried these options, plus newer products, I’m sure.

Hope that gives you a few leads.

 

[loco gringo]

Pendulum makes a nice one.

https://www.pendulumaudio.com/sps-1

These are great. I don't think they make them anymore, do they?

 

[drewg]

I have this in two guitars. Great sound and plug and play anywhere you play. You do have a battery in the guitar. The second link shows a model that does not have an onboard preamp.

(link removed)

Trance Audio Products - AMULET M PHANTOM

www.tranceaudio.com

I have this in one guitar. I had it another, but I sold that guitar. You need a separate preamp. No battery in guitar. Can't just show up and plug in, though. Need your separate preamp with you. They sound fantastic, though, and they handle feedback suppression really well. If the situation allows for me to use the separate preamp, this is my choice.

James May Engineering | The Ultra Tonic Pickup - Premium Sound

The Ultra Tonic Pickup by James May Engineering. At last an acoustic guitar pickup with the richness of a sound board transducer and the feedback immunity of an under saddle transducer. Uncompromising performance for guitarist who care about their live sound.

jamesmayengineering.com

Preamps:

This preamp is amazing. You use a mic to make an IR map for your guitar. This plus the Ultra Tonic pickup is amazing. Again, a fair amount of work is required.

Audio Sprocket's ToneDexter II & TapDexter for stringed instruments

ToneDexter is a pro preamp that corrects a stringed instrument’s piezo pickup so that it sounds like a mic in a live & recording environment.

audiosprockets.com

This one doesn't use IR. It is just a really high quality preamp. It sounds great with just about anything. I think they make it in a single channel model, too.

MS-2c Stereo Preamp - (Limited Availability) — sunnaudio.com

Sunnaudio MS-2 Stereo Preamp offers more features and control of your sound. Create a vivid natural stereo image, a mono blend, or pre-amplification for 2 separate instruments at a touch of button. 2-channel sophistication that is easy to use. Contact us for additional details and accessories. Lim

sunnaudio.com

Another really high quality preamp. I haven't personally used this, but I do know some people that use it. It is top notch quality. They have a single channel model as well.

FELiX2 2ch instrument preamp / EQ / DI Acoustic Instrument and Mic Preamp - Grace Design

FELiX is a studio quality, 2-channel acoustic instrument / mic preamp, designed to provide the highest quality solution for amplifying stringed instruments.

gracedesign.com

I almost forgot this one. It isn't a preamp, really, but a buffer. I bought it 12 or 15 years ago to use with a Sunrise pickup. It was excellent with that pickup. I no longer have a Sunrise in a guitar. However, I still use this a lot. I have used it in conjunction with the Amulet and the Ultra Tonic pickups. I also use it with my electric guitars.

If your Anthem has an onboard preamp, you might try running that through this. It will likely sweeten it up.

Steel Guitar Black Box

The Steel Guitar Black Box is the finest studio grade vacuum tube buffer/impedance matcher for virtually all amplified musical instruments.

www.sarnomusicsolutions.com

A lot of good suggestions here for the OP. A lot of these same products are recommended on the acousticguitarforum, so depending on your budget I’ve heard great things about these too.

Thanks loco gringo for the tip on the steel guitar black box. That’s one I had never heard of and it sounds like it would go great with my K&K mini, which sounds best with a 1 MEG imput impedance. There wasn’t much info on the tube they use inside. Does it give it a nice warm tube amp sound?

 

[Maguchi]

I've had an LR Baggs Anthem pickup for years, which have their pros for sure. But in a live setting, I would prefer fewer feedback issues and a stronger output in exchange for some of the more "organic" qualities the LR Baggs provides.

I hope that you can help me out, because information seems to be limited other than that of the Anthem. Maybe because people are happy with onboard preamps, but that is not an option in my case. I would like a big, full, rich sound. Something that just sounds good.

Sunrise pickups for the win!

Sunrise Brochure

 

[loco gringo]

A lot of good suggestions here for the OP. A lot of these same products are recommended on the acousticguitarforum, so depending on your budget I’ve heard great things about these too.

Thanks loco gringo for the tip on the steel guitar black box. That’s one I had never heard of and it sounds like it would go great with my K&K mini, which sounds best with a 1 MEG imput impedance. There wasn’t much info on the tube they use inside. Does it give it a nice warm tube amp sound?

It has a 12AX7 in it. It has given everything I have run through it a tube fattening. I used to have two guitars with K & K's. I know that I probably have run them through the Black Box at one time, but it has been so long ago that I don't specifically remember it. Pretty sure it would be good with them, though. The impedance is adjustable with that knob. You can use it to dial in what you want. I really like it. If it got ran over with a forklift and flattened, I would buy another one.

I loaned mine to a couple of electric players some years ago, and they both bought one.

 

[Burlington Dave]

I've had an LR Baggs Anthem pickup for years, which have their pros for sure. But in a live setting, I would prefer fewer feedback issues and a stronger output in exchange for some of the more "organic" qualities the LR Baggs provides.

I hope that you can help me out, because information seems to be limited other than that of the Anthem. Maybe because people are happy with onboard preamps, but that is not an option in my case. I would like a big, full, rich sound. Something that just sounds good.

K&K Mini. The.Best.

 

[drewg]

It has a 12AX7 in it. It has given everything I have run through it a tube fattening. I used to have two guitars with K & K's. I know that I probably have run them through the Black Box at one time, but it has been so long ago that I don't specifically remember it. Pretty sure it would be good with them, though. The impedance is adjustable with that knob. You can use it to dial in what you want. I really like it. If it got ran over with a forklift and flattened, I would buy another one.

I loaned mine to a couple of electric players some years ago, and they both bought one.

Thanks, I think I'm going to have to get one of these...

 

[sax4blues]

Because I already have it I use the Helix HX Stomp. I made a patch with noise gate/ compressor/chorus/reverb/eq. Fantastic.

 

[patriotplayer90]

What is wrong with one of these? I have one that has worked great for 20 years!
Amazon product ASIN B07XZKZR44

The output is weak, the "pickup" is underwater muddy sounding, while the mic is much better but has feedback issues. It sounds pretty meh compared to every other acoustic electric I've heard it next to in a live setting, and the feedback presents many issues for me live

 

[tfarny]

The output is weak, the "pickup" is underwater muddy sounding, while the mic is much better but has feedback issues. It sounds pretty meh compared to every other acoustic electric I've heard it next to in a live setting, and the feedback presents many issues for me live

I have the M1A which is, I think, the Anthem without the mic. I think you might need want some outboard EQ for yours, not an entire new setup. Scoop the mids and raise the overall level a bit, play through a good PA or acoustic amp and see what you can get.
The LR Baggs stiff is used by a lot of pros and was recommended to me as the best out there. I know it doesn't sound like a great acoustic in the studio, but it also doesn't sound like a quacky plastic piezo.

 

[johnb]

The output is weak, the "pickup" is underwater muddy sounding, while the mic is much better but has feedback issues. It sounds pretty meh compared to every other acoustic electric I've heard it next to in a live setting, and the feedback presents many issues for me live

Are you talking about the pickup or the Bagg's Para Acoustic DI?

 

[KC]

I’m using a k&k with a redeye pre / di and it makes my Martin sound like a Martin. Very pleased with this setup.

 

[uriah1]

Yep. Red eye

 

[NashvilleDeluxe]

The output is weak, the "pickup" is underwater muddy sounding, while the mic is much better but has feedback issues. It sounds pretty meh compared to every other acoustic electric I've heard it next to in a live setting, and the feedback presents many issues for me live

That doesn't sound right. I've installed a lot of these (and K&K, and all the other common systems), and the Anthem has strong output with good feedback resistance. I use my Anthem SL in a Martin HD 28, and the only tone-shaping is a TC Electronics BodyRez pedal, which really sweetens up the sound. I'd be taking another look at the saddle contact for the piezo, and try some of the alternate Tru-Mic placements. Mine, for instance, sounds best in placement #3 on this diagram:
Will, from La Grange Guitar Workshop

 

[Terrygh1949]

I've had an LR Baggs Anthem pickup for years, which have their pros for sure. But in a live setting, I would prefer fewer feedback issues and a stronger output in exchange for some of the more "organic" qualities the LR Baggs provides.

I hope that you can help me out, because information seems to be limited other than that of the Anthem. Maybe because people are happy with onboard preamps, but that is not an option in my case. I would like a big, full, rich sound. Something that just sounds good.

Fishman makes a good one, the Zoom ac 1 or 2 is pretty decent.

 

[dang]

Forget the others, just get:

Pure XLR Mach 2 Preamp​

Pure XLR Mach 2 — K&K Sound

www.kksound.com