Baggs Element vs. Fishman Sonitone

[davenumber2]

I have a guitar that came equipped with the Fishman Sonitone UST pickup. I tried it out, while serviceable, not the greatest tone in the world. I have on hand an LR Baggs Element system that I pulled out of a guitar a few years ago. Can't really recall what the Baggs sounded like.

My question: Is the Element any better? Would it be worth swapping out? I know I can always put in a K&K or similar for a "better" sound but I have the Element on hand.

[rokdog49]

To me, the element by itself is ok.
I prefer the passive K&K style vs. the UST like the element.
The K and K doesn’t have the “quack” issue.

[ohiopicker]

IMHO, if you swap out pickup and controls, you will lose the metallic harshness and have a more natural tone.

[davenumber2]

You're saying swap the Sonitone for the Element and get this result? Or get rid of the UST altogether and put in something like a K&K?

[jricc]

I have the Sonitone in one guitar, I don't usually use it, instead I stick a Baggs M1A in it to gig. I have the Element in my Rainsong, I have A/B-ed the Sonitone and the Element, and for me the Element is better sounding.
Hope this helps.
jricc

[rpmguitar]

I much prefer the Baggs Element over Fishman Sonitone. I agree that the Baggs sounds more natural and the Fishman more harsh.

Rick

[Goat Mick]

If you're wanting to stick with a UST pickup, the Element will be much better than the Sonitone. Actually in my experience most everything sounds better than a Sonitone. I just don't like them at all.

[ohiopicker]

Originally Posted by ohiopicker

IMHO, if you swap out pickup and controls, you will lose the metallic harshness and have a more natural tone.

I was referring to replacing the Sonitone pickup and preamp with the Baggs Element pickup and preamp. Keep in mind both pickups are braided. That leads me to believe the Sonitone preamp shares some of the blame for the sound. Too much scoop, too much treble at one end and bass at the other. The Element, while still a budget pickup/preamp seems to balance better. But that is just my opinion.

[Nick84]

I hate the sonitone. Pulled it from my J-45 studio almost immediately.

The element in my J-45 sounds much better.

Bear in mind whilst both are braided the element is slimmer than the sonitone UST so you’ll need to take that into account with the drop in height at the 12th fret.

Interestingly the Martin thinline gold plus pickup in my 000-15me sounds better than the element and the sonitone. I think they are a rebranded Fishman Matrix?

Worth checking those out!

[jricc]

I just heard back from Fishman regarding wiring a Matrix to the battery box of the Sonitone.

This is their response:
The Matrix pickup is interchangeable with the Sonitone preamp system. The AG is a ceramic pickup and is not compatible with the Sonitone preamp. If you need further help, please let me know.

Hope this helps.
jricc

[JackB1]

Like most have said here, ANYTHING is better than the Sonitone. The Baggs Element is definitely better sounding than the Sonitone and is 1/2 of the Baggs Anthem SL system if you ever want to go that way.