Soundhole pick-ups?

[drplayer]

Any non-evasive (no end pin jack) sound hole pick-up recommendations? Thanks in advance...

[Ed-in-Ohio]

I really like the DiMarzio Passive Angel. It comes with connections for both an end pin jack, and for a standard guitar cable.

It performs best with a good preamp (I use the Fire-Eye Red-Eye, and it combos beautifully with the Angel), but if you have a good acoustic amp with a strong pre-amp section, it will sound full and rich through that also.

[AndyC]

I can recommend the DiMarzio Black Angel - all the benefits of the Angel, but also with a phase switch. (I prefer the black colour as well, but that's a personal preference of course).

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by AndyC

I can recommend the DiMarzio Black Angel - all the benefits of the Angel, but also with a phase switch. (I prefer the black colour as well, but that's a personal preference of course).

[Raggamuffin]

+1 on the Di Marzio Black Angel

[hotroad]

You can get an M80 and use it passively. The tone is awesome IMHO. I use it often to gig with and get great reactions to the tone. Sometimes I also use a DPA 4099 inside the guitar for more resonance making this a dual source system, a very good one. The DPA does not feedback when inside the guitar nor does the M80 in the sounhole.

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by hotroad

You can get an M80 and use it passively. The tone is awesome IMHO. I use it often to gig with and get great reactions to the tone. Sometimes I also use a DPA 4099 inside the guitar for more resonance making this a dual source system, a very good one. The DPA does not feedback when inside the guitar nor does the M80 in the sounhole.

I like the M80, but didn't realize until now that it could be used passively with an optional external soundhole cable. A bit pricey, but I guess I'd always have the option of installing the end-pin jack in the future if I decided too...thanks!

[hotroad]

The M80 has a little switch on the bottom of it that turns it to Passive or Active. I does therefore have a battery in it for the active mode but I use it passive and it actually sounds better to me that way. Yes, its a bit pricey but its considered by many on this forum to be a great soundhole pickup. Add an internal mic and you have a great dual source system although the internal mic would have to be wired to the endpin jack or you have two cables to deal with.

[noledog]

+1 on the M80 > features, tone, looks...especially sounds good with Boss AD-2. I use this combo with my D18 thru a Loudbox Performer for certain venues, very natural & resonant sounding, zero feedback issues.

[kdn]

On my M-20 i been using Fishman rare earth humbucker thru my Fishman Loudbox mini.
Course i keep her strung with monel mediums (.13's). ��

[Al Acuff]

Anther recommendation here for the DiMarzio Black Angel magnetic pickup. It includes a long cable and also includes a wiring harness and end pin jack in case you want to install it.

I think the "Black Angel" version of the pickup includes a phase switch on the pickup and the tortoiseshell version does not. It's useful to have have that phase switch. Getting the phase right usually quells any feedback issues.

[chitz]

Lawrence A245C. Works great cost effective @ around $45.

https://www.amazon.com/Bill-Lawrence.../dp/B0018D7S8U

[rickvox1]

Hi I use a Dimarizo DP136 Super Natural Plus pickup on my Epiphone EJ200 Artist guitar. I use this with my band, we play three piece Rockabilly Surf and 50s-60s music. I also play my Gretsch Brian Setzer and Dipinto Galaxie with the band but the acoustic adds a nice change in feel and sound. I play Buddy Holly and Beatles and Everly Bros on the acoustic. I love the sound with no feedback at loud volumes and at home played low it still sounds great to my ears. You can check it out here http://www.dimarzio.com/node/2130 It goes for about $90.00 and installs easily so I take it out when I want to use my guitar as just acoustic also. Check it out for a really nice acoustic sound that is reasonable in cost and sounds like a natural acoustic guitar sound!

[SalFromChatham]

I have two guitars with k&ks and three that use sound hole pups: M80, M1A, and DP136.

My D15 with the M80 sounds incredible especially passively. I feed it through a Venue DI into a Fishstick. I have had to adjust some pole heights to get the balance right. I like it passive best, as there are already too many gain stages... the Venue, the Stick...

The M1A usually sounds great as well.

It's important to note that often, when I am testing sound at home, I become displeased with the sound or balance, but I'm telling you, in the actual pub, with some volume, these pickups shine.

The DP136 is a great pickup option. Frankly I'd use it with a permanent end pin installed if they made it.

[drplayer]

Thanks for all the input folks! After reading your responses, reviewing the specs, reading other reviews, and listening to video, I decided on the L.R. Baggs M80. It was the priciest, but I liked the whole package best (sound, technology, features, & looks)...