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I'm doing a build and thinking of making this one electric. Any thoughts on a decent pickup system but don't want to get carried away. I only play at home for my own amusement but thinking I would like to add some electronics to this one. Have abudget in mind of $100 - $150 if that makes sense?

The guitar will be a EI Rosewood b/s with Adirondack top, 25.4 scale. If that makes a difference.

For the money it is hard to beat either the LR Baggs element active, or the
b-band ust/A1

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

K&K Pure Western is within your budget.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Also look at the LR Bags Ibeam. I find it more natural acoutic sound than the Element. The only draw back is if you are playing big venues or with a full band you may get feedback but that doesn't sound like a problem for you. I am currently using the Baggs M1 which I love but it is a little morearvey38627.9047337963

I agree with John on the B-band A1-ust. Great little pickup and very easy to install.

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[QUOTE=arvey] Also look at the LR Bags Ibeam. I find it more natural
acoutic sound than the Element. The only draw back is if you are playing
big venues or with a full band you may get feedback but that doesn't
sound like a problem for you. I am currently using the Baggs M1 which I
love but it is a little more[/QUOTE]

I REALLY dislike the I-Beam. I know some people love it, but to me it
sounds hollow, and is too pressure sensitive for larger venues. Plus it is
very finicky to install and get sounding good. Normally you have to move
it around a few times.

The only contact pickup I like is the b-band ast, and that is only in
conjunction with a undersaddle. So the above comments are just my
personal preferences..

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I'd take a peek at K&KSound's Pure Western m'self. I've got a couple that are going into the next few instruments.

Just stick a good mike in front of the soundhole when you want amplification. It's still the only way I've heard to keep an good acoustic sounding like an acoustic.

There you go, now that's a different point of view for you!

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Does the L.R. baggs element require any deepening of the saddle slot.

Every time I have tried to play solo acoustic at a small gig with a mic in front of the guitar, I have sounded like crap. I don't know if it is because of the sound man, or just that way it is but pickups are the best thing that ever happened to acoustic guitars for me.

I'd go with K & K pure western. I think Tim McKnight is a dealer. I am as well. I am sure either one of us would give a fellow OLFr a good deal!

I became a dealer because I realy like the pickups and are installing them in my line of guitars as well as others. They install easy and sound great!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I have heard a few complaints about the Ibeam but I haven't had any problems. Yes it has problems in a big venue or with lots of other equipment around but that doesn't apply to this situation. I personally fnd it so easy to install and get right, comes with a jig that just plops it in the right place. Next to a sound hole pickup like the M1 is is the easiest I have found, although I've heard it is harder on a pinless bridge or a symetrically braced guitar. I don't like the under the saddle pickups I've used because they are a lot more work to get right, especially the Element. If you use the element ignore their directions to angle the bottom of the saddle and just slightly round the edges instead. Works much better. My most popular pickup is the IMIX, combination of the Element and Ibeam. Can't beat it for sound but it is out of your price range.

Has anyone tried the Fishman Acoustic Matrix Natural? It's an under
saddle transducer with a preamp/jack endpin. I'm about to purchase/
install one and would like to hear comments before I go ahead.
Craig

Craig, I have one installed in my first acoustic. It has that distinctive under-saddle piezo sound. Great if you are worried about feedback, but for my money, I like the K&K Pure Western, which I've installed a few now. They sound much more natural, but are a little more prone to feedback. PM me, or email me.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I would take the Element over the Marix any day. Much more natural sound. Never tried the K&K