FRETS LEARN
Pickup Pros and Cons
Understanding the two main types of acoustic pickups and how to amplify them.
BY JIMMY LESLIE
AS THE LINES between acoustic and electric guitars continue to blur, it’s easy to get confused about pickup systems.
Most players know that an acoustic with onboard electronics plugged into an electric guitar rig sounds bad, but relatively few players consider why. The following is a basic overview of the two main kinds of pickups relevant to acoustic players in need of amplification.
MAGNETIC SOUNDHOLE PRO/CON
The electromagnetic pickups commonly found on electric guitars can be used in the soundhole of an acoustic guitar, and they will sound pretty good through an electric-guitar amp because of the high impedance, low output and tight midrange focus. Use a direct box to convert a magnetic pickup to an appropriate level before sending it to a P.A. Active, battery-powered soundhole pickups can deliver more output and range than passive versions, but all magnetic pickups are generally designed with a middle focus. That focus, plus placement in the soundhole far from the bridge yields a tone that is more akin to the rhythm pickup on an electric.