![]() SBTs mostly sense the motion of the guitar’s top, and are often described as having a somewhat “woody” tone. Soundboard transducers (SBTs) are sensors, usually installed inside the guitar on the bridge plate. Baggs Element ($149) are just two examples of USTs. ![]() The Fishman Acoustic Matrix ($167) and the L.R. USTs are easy to install and are completely invisible. USTs are, by far, the most popular pickup, owing to their ability to combine good feedback resistance with a reasonable acoustic tone, although they can produce an undesirable sound (often referred to as “quack”) when driven hard. Undersaddle transducers (USTs) are thin pieces of piezo-electric material placed in the slot under the saddle, and are the most common pickups used in factory-installed systems. Baggs M80 ($249), and DiMarzio Black Angel ($165). Examples of magnetic soundhole pickups include the Sunrise S-2 ($330), Fishman Rare Earth ($170), Krivo Djangobucker ($199), L.R. ![]() They also produce a big, warm-though somewhat “electric”-tone that can be pleasing for many styles. Magnetic pickups are popular among players who need to play at higher volumes because they tend to be more resistant to feedback. They typically mount across the soundhole, clamping onto the top of the guitar, and in some cases are easily removable. Magnetic acoustic pickups are similar to the pickups on an electric guitar. Although there are hundreds of pickups on the market, they generally fall into several basic types: For most of this article, we’re going to focus on systems based around pickups. In most cases, guitar pickups are a more convenient option, as they allow you to move around, they provide more volume before feedback, and they isolate your guitar’s sound from other instruments. Mics can be effective in quiet settings, but present challenges when you’re playing loud gigs, or performing in a setting where a mic will also pick up other instruments. To amplify an acoustic guitar, we first need to convert its acoustic sound into an electrical signal, which requires either a microphone or a pickup. To help you chart a course through the options, we’re going to look at the big picture and cover the three main elements of an acoustic amplification system: pickups, preamps/DIs, and amplifiers/PA systems. Figuring out what equipment you need and how to use it can be a daunting task. ![]() Whether you need to reach an audience in a large concert hall, rise above the chatter at a coffee shop, or compete with drums or electric instruments in a band, making your guitar heard requires some assistance from an amplification system. Unfortunately, sharing that sound with more than a few others can be challenging. One of the appeals of playing an acoustic guitar is the intimacy-that personal experience as the sound washes over you when you’re playing for yourself. From the August 2018 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY DOUG YOUNG ![]()
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