Jinder Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I've been doing a ton of pickup auditioning recently, in my quest to find the right pup for my AJ. I don't want to go UST this time, mainly due to the through-saddle bridge but also due to my desire to try something different after many years of Baggs and Fishman USTs. I've begged, borrowed and sneakily strummed as many guitars as I could lay my hands on with different pickup options, and here are my findings: K&K PWM - great in a 00 or 000 size guitar (I tried it in a Martin 0028), but found it very 'live' and microphonic. I have ruled this one out due to potential feedback probs, as I do a lot of loud stage work at close quarters, but a solid pickup. Baggs M1A - good tone, good feedback resistance despite being top-sensitive, good quality and reasonably priced, but I found when flatpicking at speed (Bluegrass style, not Yngwie Malmsteen style!) I kept clouting the pickup and getting a loud "CLACK!"...it's a good pickup (if a little wiry in the top end) but too obtrusive for me. Baggs iBeam - I found by the time I'd EQ'd this to sound great, it was feedback prone. Too much so for me. Ameliorated a little by my Feedback Buster, but too much of a punt for loud shows. Mi-Si Duo - I haven't played this, but saw a chap using it to great effect not so long ago. Pretty, small and good sounding (not as natural as the M1A or Rare Earth, but good). The only issue seemed to be that it needed to be run through a compressor to even out string balance etc. A contender, nonetheless. Fishman Rare Earth Blend - GREAT tone, absolutely outstanding-the best of the bunch. Somewhat out of my price range, and the mic introduces a lower feedback threshold, but beautiful sounding. Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker - Great, again. Doesn't get in my way, feels very well made, sounds excellent and has breath and definition in the top end without getting trashy or harsh. Almost entirely feedback resistant and looks good too. The price is right and this is currently in pole position... So, before I put my money down and go for the Rare Earth Humbucker, are there any last-min suggestions for pickups I must audition? I have the stock Baggs Element in my Blues King (don't like it one bit, microphonic as hell and extremely feedback prone for some reason-the Elements in my former J45, HBx2 and Dove were fine), and a Fishman Matrix Infinity in my EJ200 (super pickup, especially for a big guitar-sounds amazing in the EJ, but sucked in the L-00 (I originally bought it as a replacement for the Element, but changed back).
moej45 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 The M1A for my EJ200 with the bags para...it's money. But...I also hav a bud with fishman...it's great
Danner Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Good post, thanks for sharing your experience. I'd be interested in your comments on the fancy pick-up system in the Jackson Browne model, if you ever come across one.
BluesKing777 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Yes, nice post. What are you running the guitars into - preamp, amp, PA? Have you tried the Fishman Spectrum DI? I know you are looking at soundhole p/u's and others, but they can also work nicely with the Spectrum. I have a few guitars now and all except the Blues King and the J45 (Baggs Elements) I have had fitted with Fishman passive u/s pickups. I intend changing the Blues King and J45 too, maybe. The Spectrum gives a great sound and by having all my guitars with the same (passive) pickup I can get a consistent level and eq etc. in acoustic amp or PA. (Both at the same time with a XL out!) I also do not like the Baggs battery bag - have to get some skinny girl or small child to fish the battery out of the guitar, or loosen strings. How stupid! BluesKing777. Before I got the Fishman installed in my 12 string, I was using a Seymour Duncan soundhole pickup then through the Spectrum - sounded really good, but the lead hanging out was like wandering around at a hospital with your drip....
jchabalk Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Any of you guys have a chance to use a Sunrise Pickup? I always hear great things about them...
EuroAussie Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Jinder, like yourself I was looking for a non intrusive soundhole pickup for my vintage CW. Tried a number but the rare earth blend was what clearly stood out when testing a few. I was lucky to pick one up for $120 used on the AGF classifieds. I suggest you take a look there and on ebay to see if you can get a used one, its a significant saving and as you know the tone is outstanding.
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