Intimidated by acoustic guitar pickups? Say no more. I’m breaking down the biggest myth about acoustic guitar pickups while also offering some pros and cons of the 5 most common pickup types.
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This video covers the most common pickup types you’ll encounter for your acoustic guitar. From the under-saddle pickup to the internal mic pickup, I’ll give you the pros and cons of each acoustic guitar pickup.
Finally, I’ll round out each category of acoustic guitar pickup with my recommendation for each type.
Besides talking acoustic guitar pickups, you’ll also hear from TAC Family Member Guy — trust me, you’re going to love his story!
Last but certainly not least, I’ll give you a breakdown of the biggest headlines and under-the-radar stories that are going on in the acoustic guitar world!
As always, you can catch Acoustic Tuesday at 10 am every Tuesday in these four places:
I really like the the picup system that the Cole Clark folks designed For their guitars. They combined three of the pickups that you discussed in your show today.
Hi Tony,all is well.i am starting my daily routine soon.i haven’t been dedicated,like I should have,but 2021 I will have more time to reach my goals.love your show.i am not ready for pickup s yet.but I like the external pickup.looks easy to adjust to the guitar.but you are right,the ones you like,I like to.sounds beautiful.those guitars at heartbrakes are stunning,very beautiful.thank you.i hope you and your family are well.
I would like to join but I don’t know if I can afford it. It does look like what I’m looking for. Is there any way I can take your yearly rate and pay it in 4 installments. I am 67 and I really want to learn and past time
Tony – I have been a slacker since joining TAC. I had several songs that I wanted to learn from other sites prior to joining and I decided to finish those up first. In the meantime life got in the way due to COVID and a “boomerang” child caused by the virus and his job. Your latest Acoustic Tuesday “struck a chord” regarding pickups – this was the first one I’ve listened to (vacation days at year end) and I wanted to add a point: recording yourself also reveals your flaws. To me this is a good thing. We think we sound good . . . Until replaying the song. At which point the buzzes or “muted notes” or timing issues come to the fore. It’s a great way to improve technique and become a better player. Just a thought. My plan, now that the boomerang flew again, is to restart my journey – one which ended 38 years ago college graduation) and restarted (more off and than on) about 3 years ago. My wife is realizing how much I really enjoy it and accepting that I have to close myself off to practice. Thanks for a great site.
hey toni have you ever tried a tone wood amp
my favorite acoustic is the LR BAGGS ANTHEM , its the best of both worlds having a sound hole mic and an undersaddle pick up that can be use together or separately. Not the cheapest but…..GREAT SOUND….check it out !
I have the K&K in my 2019 Martin D-28 (2017 reimagined). Being this is my first high-end acoustic (and the model I have dreamed about owning since I was a teenager), I was a little apprehensive about letting anyone cut/drill out the end-pin, but they did a fantastic job on it! I went through a local shop, (and I do not know if I am allowed to mention them on here, but if I can) Tarpley Music in Amarillo, Texas.
They are a Martin dealer (as well as many other fine acoustic manufacturers) and they really know their stuff! I was going to get an L.R. Baggs Anthem PU, but they had me listen to the K&K first. They said it would save me a lot of $$$, their other customers really like them, and they would be happy to sell, and install, the Anthem to me if it was what I chose after hearing the K&K. I am glad they were there to share their knowledge with me. I have bought several guitars, amps, and many accessories, from them and I trust them with everything I have. I have spent some quality time in their acoustic room, and I look forward to doing so again when we get past this COVID-19 pandemic.
Like you said, it is good to have pickups on your acoustics because you never know when you might get a chance to play with others, or be in an Open Mike situation, and you don’t want to miss the opportunities to do so.
I love Acoustic Tuesdays and I watch every one when they come out. Thank you for your devotion and passion for music, and acoustic guitars in particular!
As a TAC member, I specifically AVOIDED buying a guitar with a pickup, because I will never use it, nor will I want to use it!
I don’t ever want to record myself, and find the idea contrary to the pursuit of my actually playing acoustic guitar for enjoyment.
I’ve BEEN on stage, and never want to again. THANKS!
This episode was severely off-putting!
Oh, and to comment on this I had to do so as a guest, even though I was logged in!
So glad you chose to include the LR Baggs “Lyric.” That internal mike has enabled me to play my old Martin HD-28 in groups that plug in. To make it work at its best, I use the LR Baggs “Venue” DI which allows me to tweak the sound to make it sound as natural as possible.
Hey tony try the Fishman Aura pickup, you can,download tones,from almost every tpe of guitar, record with it and it has a tuner an equalizer. It’s really great. Expensive yes, between $550- $650
Hea Tony, its the other Guy. Still have not heard any congrats for my Tampa Lightning Your friend Guy B. Ruskin FL.
Hi Tony, I enjoyed this episode and learned about some pickup options I was not aware of. Sorry Curtis that you are not interested in recording or performing.
Hi Tony, another great Acoustic Tuesday. And this one was so timely because I am hoping to buy a pickup and small amp early 2021. Your program on amps helps greatly as well. Coincidentally, I had determined that I would buy the Fishman Matrix VT and a small Fender amp. I am just playing just for me so I don’t need something fancy just good quality and easy to use. I like to finger pick but I can’t get much volume, especially if I’m playing along with someone on YouTube. I’m hoping this will rectify that. Another of your member’s (and you) talked about how this can also point out some “flaws” in one’s playing which I think is a plus. It’s important to hear yourself as others hear you.
Anyway, thanks again to you and your staff. I have learned so much and you keep me going sometimes when it isn’t easy to keep going. Best wishes for a great 2021 and your expanded family!! Be safe, be well,
Mike Brooks
Park Ridge, Illinois
Hi Tony. I bought a Tanglewood acoustic which came equipped with a Fishman Presys+ which is very versatile. It has a UST pickup and a preamp powered by a 9v battery. It has controls for volume, bass, middle, treble, brilliance, phase, a notch filter to help eliminate feedback and a built in tuner with LED display and a low battery indicator. I think most players would be able to dial in a good sound with all of those options and with the low profile control knobs the preamp controls sit fairly discreetly on the side of the guitar. Happy New Year to you all from myself in the UK. Things can only get better, (cue song!)