Pickup Comparisons for my 1980 D40

[CajunBlues]

So, I compared the following three pickups for my newly purchased 1980 D40 ...

All pickups are magnetic soundhole passive pickups

1) Fishman Neo D single coil
2) Fishman Neo D hum cancelling
3) Dean Markley Promag Grand (humbucker)...

I choose a passive soundhole pickup because I believe it does the best job at being able to play loud without that nasty feedback... And belive you me, I need to play loud...

Well, I rehearsed with the single coil last night with my band and it just hums way too loud for me so it was out of the picture immediately... I am not sure how anyone would choose the single coil option...

So, now it was between #2 and #3 (above)... I feel that the fishman and the Dean Markly both sound good but I feel the Dean Markley actually sounded a bit better and it produced less feedback at high volumes... The Dean Markly also didn't seem to get into the way as much as the Fishman did... Both were void of any hum ....

I was really surprised that I preferred the Dean Markley... Because I know the good reputation that Fishman has...

So I removed the old electronics and soldered the Dean Markley to a new strap button/jack and it sounds AWESOME ! And no cord coming out of the sound hole...

The other two pickups will be returned to Guitar Center for full refund...

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

Thanks for the P/U review, CB. Have you got any post installation pictures you can share? I'd love to see how it turned out.

~nw

 

[CajunBlues]

Here you go...

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

Sweet! Thanks, CB.

That's a nice looking D-40, and a cutaway ta boot.

Cheers,

~nw

 

[CajunBlues]

Thanks Nigel... anyone else have any experiences with soundhole pickups they would like to share ?

 

[fronobulax]

Thanks Nigel... anyone else have any experiences with soundhole pickups they would like to share ?

Mrs. Fro had a Dean Markley soundhole PU. She did not like it in the guitar except when she absolutely had to be amplified. Thus it got put in and taken out a lot. After a while we noticed the soundhole was getting chipped and worn. Operator error to be sure but it has made me a big fan of permanent PU installations or a microphone.

 

[Ross]

... anyone else have any experiences with soundhole pickups they would like to share ?

An acquaintance has had a Dean Markley Pro Mag for over 20 years. It's the kind with the wire trailing down across the instrument, getting in the way :? . Anyway, I've played with him a couple of times in a loud band, and his guitar is definitely audible, with no feedback. It's an all-laminate non-Guild acoustic (don't know if that would affect anything.)

 

[CajunBlues]

... anyone else have any experiences with soundhole pickups they would like to share ?

An acquaintance has had a Dean Markley Pro Mag for over 20 years. It's the kind with the wire trailing down across the instrument, getting in the way :? . Anyway, I've played with him a couple of times in a loud band, and his guitar is definitely audible, with no feedback. It's an all-laminate non-Guild acoustic (don't know if that would affect anything.)

Mine has the cord soldered to a jack that doubles as a rear strap button.. very easy job ... no cord coming out of the sound hole... The laminate versus solid is not much of a difference when it comes to feedback

 

[walrus]

I too had a Dean Markley Pro Mag for my D-64. I liked it a lot, but found it made the guitar sound less "acoustic" that it really was, if you know what I mean. Nice at high volumes though as you have pointed out.

I have since sold the Markley and put a K & K "Pure Mini" in it and love it. I'm not playing at outrageous volumes (open mic type stuff only), and it is so much more convenient. IMO, it also replicates the true sound of the guitar better.

walrus

 

[evenkeel]

I used to have a guitar with a Dean Markley Tahoe and I've used a Dean Markley Pro Mag in my D-35. The Tahoe was in a 12 fret slot head and it sounded pretty good. The Pro Mag was ok. I've never played a guitar with one but I like the sound of the LR Baggs M1, plus it has a volume control which is a nice feature.

Like others I'm a big fan of the K&K. The D35 has one. The martin and gibby in my sig both now have the K&K with the active phase/volume control. I'm very happy with this active system. Same sound quality as the K&K western/mini plus the phase switch is a great feedback control and the volume control is very useful.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have one of the Dean Markley Pro Mag natural wood pickups that I use in my 12 strings.
It sounds great in the 12 strings but when used with a 6 string, it sounds a little too electric for me.

I have a Matrix Natural in my D-55 and it sounds good.
I would like to try a K&K some day.
I sure hear a lot of good things about them.

The Matrix was in the guitar when I bought it.
Did Guild use them in 2005?