Soundhole pickup thoughts

[Yoko Oh No]

Hello Purists....It looks like I might finally have to break down and amplify my guitar. Any thoughts on a portable soundhole pickup would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking to break the bank...probably looking for a passive pickup...and most likely looking for good value and sound with minimal hum and feedback. Too much to ask?

As always, I appreciate your good advice and experience,

AC

 

[evenkeel]

There are several passive, soundhole mounted pickups that should work for you.
Fishman NeoD-02
Seymour Duncan woody
DiMarzio.

I'm guessing you do not want a permanent installation. Given that, you will need to deal with the chord dangling down from the sound hole. A feature I hated. I also found the tone (Seymour Duncan) a bit "electric", which is a characteristic of many of the humbucker soundhole mounted pickups. Many of the single coil style will have the distinctive hum. Of the bunch above the Fishman Neo D02 sounds the most natural to me.

If you don't mind drilling a hole for the end pin jack and still want a soundhole mounted pickup, then the LR Baggs M1 is a good option. Sounds very natural, has a volume control (needs a battery). But, if you're willing to drill a hole then I'd suggect the K&K western/mini. You can also do it with a vintage style jack, that means you do not need to drill a 1/2" hole, but can use the smaller strap button hole. This way the guitar retains the original appearance and can be returned to original specs, although removing the internal bridgeplate mounted pickups is a real challenge.

 

[fronobulax]

Unrelated to the sound, several years of using a Dean Markley soundhole PU resulted in major cosmetic damage to the soundhole and rosette. If cosmetics are important or if you just consider yourself a steward of the instrument and want to pass it on in better shape than you received it then you might wish to factor in how often you will be installing and removing the PU and possibly consider an alternative.

 

[charliea]

I used my LR Baggs M1A on a couple of guitars. Paired with a Vintage Jack, I could change between instruments with no modifications or damage. The Baggs has a very natural sound.

 

[capnjuan]

This Seymour Duncan Woody does a decent job without any hum or noise. About $50 retail; quiet ... good but not great.

 

[plaidseason]

I haven't tried the Neo-D, but I'm hugely impressed with the Rare Earth. So much that I'm contemplating buying a second one to replace the Fishman Matrix in my other guitar.

Unless your guitar is of a reasonable vintage. I wouldn't worry so much about drilling a hole for the jack.