meanstreak Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 I want to add an undersaddle pickup to my Masterbilt AJ-500M. I'm thinking a proper install by a luthier with the plug at the endpin. I've been mostly happy with my fishman soundhole pickup on my h-bird but I don't like having it in the hole! What's the best one out there in your opinion?
Tennroots Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I have a LR Baggs EAS installed on my J 45 and I like it's tone reproduction. It's simple and out of the way. I've also had the K&K "pure western" mini installed on a Martin D 16 and liked it as well but that one is an under the bridge inside install.
dhanners623 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Although it may not fall within your definition of "under saddle" pickup, I like the LR Baggs i-Beam.
EuroAussie Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I have the Fishman matrix infinity in my Furch OM, and combined with the Aura specturm the tone is natural and heavenly.
meanstreak Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 Although it may not fall within your definition of "under saddle" pickup, I like the . sorry, noob error I suppose! I don't really know enough about acoustic pickups. Is there a nice website anywhere that will explain the differences between types? I guess I don't care really what kind of pickup as long as it sounds great and it's inside the guitar and not in the soundhole! I do like a nice bassy, J-45'ish sound, does that make an impact on my decision?
sjl200 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I have the Fishman matrix infinity in my Furch OM, and combined with the Aura specturm the tone is natural and heavenly. +one for me. 1 Fishman Matrix>Aura16>SJ200> SA220 solo 2 Fishman Aura Pro> J45 > SA220 solo Like'em both
Acousticologist Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Under the saddle / piezo pickup sits underneath the actual saddle. Picking up the vibration of the strings though the saddle, also some are able to pickup a small amount of top noise around the bridge. These can sound a bit "quacky" Or a bit fake. Some k&k and the ibeam pickup the resonating sound off of the top. Tend to be a bit more "airy" Or you can go the combination route. Lr baggs - imix: combines the ibeam, with the under the saddle. Great for controlling the sound. Sounds bit more like a real guitar. They also have a dual source: which uses under the saddle with a mic. Very cool tone production. Of course having. A mic in your guitar and playing a loud live show is more likely to feedback. AER has the mic/under the saddle combo too. After many years of trying reproduce my acoustic tone at a live show, I've found the baggs duel source, and imix to be my favorites.
Gilliangirl Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 I have the Fishman matrix infinity in my Furch OM, and combined with the Aura specturm the tone is natural and heavenly. I have a Fishman Matrix Infinity in my J-185 and I REALLY like it
L5Larry Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 When looking for a "natural" sound when adding a pickup to ANY acoustic instrument, the buzz word is ACTIVE, versus passive. A battery powered system (EQ, vol level, etc) makes a world of difference in what you can get out of the instrument. The high-end Fishman "active" systems are the best you can find (but your gonna pay for it).
Spot Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 When looking for a "natural" sound when adding a pickup to ANY acoustic instrument, the buzz word is ACTIVE, versus passive. A battery powered system (EQ, vol level, etc) makes a world of difference in what you can get out of the instrument. The high-end Fishman "active" systems are the best you can find (but your gonna pay for it). Larry.....forgive me if I'm wrong but a PASSIVE option is still a good way to go if you have one of these...
meanstreak Posted January 24, 2011 Author Posted January 24, 2011 Anyone know what kind of pickup do they put in the new J-45 and Hummingbird modern classics?
Spot Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Anyone know what kind of pickup do they put in the new J-45 and Hummingbird modern classics? Yeah its the L.R. Baggs Element Active Acoustic Pickup System Blurb below:- "...Gibson Acoustic’s J-45 comes equipped with the popular Element Active Acoustic Pickup System from L.R. Baggs, which features a low-profile undersaddle element—or transducer—that’s proven more stable and durable than many standard ribbon-type pickups. Combined with an onboard preamp with an unobtrusive volume control mounted just inside the soundhole, the Element delivers performance not previously attainable from an undersaddle pickup. Its sleek and effective design removes unnecessary internal components to enhance the coupling between the pickup and the guitar, and improve the sensitivity of the transducer for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. The Element works with a standard 9V battery, which is housed inside the guitar in L.R. Bagg’s new “Battery Bagg.”
meanstreak Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Yeah its the L.R. Baggs Element Active Acoustic Pickup System Blurb below:- "...Gibson Acoustic’s J-45 comes equipped with the popular Element Active Acoustic Pickup System from L.R. Baggs, which features a low-profile undersaddle element—or transducer—that’s proven more stable and durable than many standard ribbon-type pickups. Combined with an onboard preamp with an unobtrusive volume control mounted just inside the soundhole, the Element delivers performance not previously attainable from an undersaddle pickup. Its sleek and effective design removes unnecessary internal components to enhance the coupling between the pickup and the guitar, and improve the sensitivity of the transducer for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. The Element works with a standard 9V battery, which is housed inside the guitar in L.R. Bagg’s new “Battery Bagg.” Ok well I went ahead and ordered a LR Baggs Element, hopefully it will be here by the weekend but IDK with the snowy weather. I figure if it's good enough for Gibson it's good enough for me! Will let you guys know how I like it once it arrives and I get it installed.
meanstreak Posted February 27, 2011 Author Posted February 27, 2011 got the pickup installed in my Epi masterbilt and all I can say is wow! I tried it out in the shop on the $500 Fender Acoustasonic JR amp and man it was amazing! I ended up playing for about 20 minutes and will be going back to buy that amp soon!
espasonico Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 I installed a k&k in my AJ and the sound is great. It has more 3D and woody tone than UST. It needs some EQ but it sounds "very" natural.
brians356 Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 Caution: The Baggs under-saddle transducers are all (I believe) braided or woven wire filaments, and really screws up the pure acoustic sound of the guitar. If you only ever plan to play amplified (even at home) you may not care. I certainly do. I have removed the Baggs PU from two guitars recently, a Gibson "Jackson Browne" prototype and an Epiphone Elitist "J-200", and in both cases the liberation of acoustic tone and volume was remarkable. Brian
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