Guitarists- Any experience with acoustic pickups?

[Fritzo]

I just got a Seymour Duncan SA-1 pickup from my Martin D-15 and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with acoustic pickups. I've never used one before so I'm no sure if I got a decent bang for my buck. I like being able to add some effects to my acoustic sound but this one seems to be missing some low end- is that normal for an acoustic pickup? I've recorded a sample here:

The Rain Song

I've got the bass on my eq at the highest it will go without distorting the signal. I also have a touch or chorus and some reverb on it to to make the sound a bit brighter, so that could be the cause too.

Thoughts?

 

[Triumph]

I guess if you want to add effects, they are OK. But it's never going to make it sound like you're mic'ing the guitar. You lose probably half of what makes an acoustic sound the way it does when you use a pickup.

 

[CptObvious]

Cool guitar :thumbsup: I have a Martin 000-15 (the auditorium sized version) that I'm trying to sell for $$

This site has sound tests of a bunch of different pickups: link. It doesn't have your pickup, but you can get an idea of the different types of pickups (soundhole, USTs, ASTs) and their strengths and weaknesses. Also, you may need a preamp to boost the pickup signal and EQ it.

Here's another site that has good prices and info on pickups: link

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

I use a D-M Pro Mag SC-1. I've had two of these and have always been pleased. They deliver a nice warm sound on the low end. IMO the top end sounds a little bit "tinney", but the pickup responds well to outboard equalization so it's not a big issue for me. With a little bit of tweaking it sounds golden (as far as passive "drop-in-the-hole" pickups go.) If you dont' mind modifying your guitar, the D-M sweet spot (under the saddle) pickup is another good option.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: CptObvious
Cool guitar :thumbsup: I have a Martin 000-15 (the auditorium sized version) that I'm trying to sell for $$

This site has sound tests of a bunch of different pickups: link. It doesn't have your pickup, but you can get an idea of the different types of pickups (soundhole, USTs, ASTs) and their strengths and weaknesses. Also, you may need a preamp to boost the pickup signal and EQ it.

Here's another site that has good prices and info on pickups: link

Great site! Thanks! That's just the kind of info I was looking for.

 

[whattaguy]

LR Baggs and Fishman (Rare Earth, specifically) make some nice aftermarket pick-ups for acoustic.

 

[Fritzo]

Hey, I fixed it by moving the pickup back towards the saddle in the sound hole. Sounds great now