• Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Topic: Acoustic pickups

Hey, right now I have an acoustic 6 string, and I'd like to put a pickup on it.  I know that it's not going to sound like the real thing, but I'd like to wait a little while and get a good quality electric guitar, not just a $200 for everything kind of deal.  I know pretty much nothing about acoustic pickups, so can anyone offer me some recommendations for, say, under $40?  Also, any suggestions for an amp (something to play in my bedroom, and preferably under $50).  Thanks

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • From: Camden, SC
  • Registered: 2006-03-19
  • Posts: 95

Re: Acoustic pickups

As far as an acoustic amp you can try to find a used one. If it is just something to make your acoustic guitar louder try getting a small vocal amp that should suffice. For the pick up you might be able to get a sound hole pick up for 50 and under.

But if you wish to buy an electric guitar you should just save your money and get one in a few months. There is no reason to get an amp and pickup for your acoustic unless you are playing with a band or out at a gig. Then I would not advise getting a cheap one.

I have an acoustic amp and I hardly ever use it. Maybe once a month when I play out but that is it.

Eddie

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Acoustic pickups

You can get saddle and tone hole pickups for around $40.

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/catego … classical/

For an amp, you don't need a special amp for acoustics.  Get a good quality 12 or 15 watt tube amp.  It will probably cost you about $100 for that.  You can get nice little Epiphone or Kustom amps in that range for cheap, and they sound fantastic.

I don't know what you mean by "not sounding like the real thing" though.   It will sound like an acoustic guitar through your amp.  I've got two acoustics, one with a piezzo pickup, and it sounds like a real acoustic.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Acoustic pickups

jerome.oneil wrote:

You can get saddle and tone hole pickups for around $40.

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/catego … classical/

For an amp, you don't need a special amp for acoustics.  Get a good quality 12 or 15 watt tube amp.  It will probably cost you about $100 for that.  You can get nice little Epiphone or Kustom amps in that range for cheap, and they sound fantastic.

I don't know what you mean by "not sounding like the real thing" though.   It will sound like an acoustic guitar through your amp.  I've got two acoustics, one with a piezzo pickup, and it sounds like a real acoustic.

I meant it not sounding like a real solid or semi-hollow electric.

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Acoustic pickups

Hi SC, acoustic pickups of any variety will not sound like any kind of electric, they are built to give an acoustic feel. You could then add effects and sure you'll get a fuzzed up distorted tone, but you won't get the playing dynamics of electric. Semi-hollow players complain of unwanted feedback alot with a pu-ed acoustic it should be worse. Also and electric's sustain comes from it's mass and rigidity, an acoustic will be too light.

I'd recommend you look for a Squire Affinity strat and a Line6 Pocket Pod. The two together will give you a great electric experience for little outlay. Once you've played with the Pocket Pod amp simulations you'll know alot about the real amp you need.

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Acoustic pickups

06sc500 wrote:

I meant it not sounding like a real solid or semi-hollow electric.

Ah.  Then you're going about it wrong.  big_smile

You should go buy a solid body electric.   You can find decent bargains pretty much anywhere. 

Same deal with the amp, though.   Small tube amp == happyness and joy.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

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