Non-invasive acoustic pickup not prone to feedback

[FiggyPudding18]

Does this type of pickup exist? I've done tons of looking on this forum and listened to sound samples and basically can generally conclude two things:

-K&K Pure Mini is non-invasive, but sometimes prone to feedback
-LR Baggs anthem sounds great, but many on this forum say it impacts acoustic unplugged tone.
EDIT: -Also have seen on this forum that magnetic soundhole pickups aren't prone to feedback but some say they affect unplugged tone.

This would be in a Martin dreadnought, probably a D28. I do much more unplugged playing than plugged in, but having a pickup is a must. I could be playing with other people in loud environments too so in sum, here are the two things I'm looking for:

1.The pickup does not affect unplugged tone
2.The pickup is not prone to feedback

Apologies in advance for my newbness and thanks for your help.

[BlueStarfish]

Can you better define what non-invasive means to you?

I ask because I would define a K&K as invasive. Requires superglue to install ... if you want to take it out the install is potentially not fully reversible. Whereas an Anthem is completely reversible. So when you say non-invasive I don’t think you mean the same thing I would mean when I say that.

[FiggyPudding18]

Originally Posted by BlueStarfish

Can you better define what non-invasive means to you?

I ask because I would define a K&K as invasive. Requires superglue to install ... if you want to take it out the install is potentially not fully reversible. Whereas an Anthem is completely reversible. So when you say non-invasive I don’t think you mean the same thing I would mean when I say that.

Sure, I mean just that it does not affect unplugged tone. Sorry that wasn't clear!

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

…1.The pickup does not affect unplugged tone
2.The pickup is not prone to feedback

Apologies in advance for my newbness and thanks for your help.

Hi FP

A clip in magnetic pickup is non invasive and doesn't feed back easily.

If you use a K&K in conjunction with a feedback-buster (black rubber soundhole plug) it's very resistant to feedback. At least the ones I have in 4 of my acoustic guitars are.

I do NOT consider K&K pickups invasive. At least not for the purposes of devaluing instruments.

[DownUpDave]

That is a big ask.......the holy grail....gotta sound great plugged in as well. It really is about comprise , what is you #1 priority, then #2, #3 etc. Pick a pick up based on your most important need.

As Larry J said above a K&K with sound hole plug can work. Same with a Schatten HFN, I have two guitars with them and love the sound but I don’t have to deal with feedback so no experience there
,

[FiggyPudding18]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

A clip in magnetic pickup is non invasive and doesn't feed back easily.

Any insight into whether or not the magnetic pickups affect unplugged tone when left in?

[SpruceTop]

Trance Audio Amulet M Phantom.

[FiggyPudding18]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Trance Audio Amulet M Phantom.

I've heard good things about this one but also that it's prone to feedback like K&K. Any insight?

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

I've heard good things about this one but also that it's prone to feedback like K&K. Any insight?

I don't think it's as prone to feedback as a K&K but it's been years since I've used a K&K or any disc-type transducer. I've had Trance systems in a few guitars and liked the amplified results. I have a Trance Amulet M-VT Phantom on the shelf that I'll put in one of my Larrivees if I ever get around to it. Reality Check: Based on my enthusiasm for Trance systems, a few AGFers bought and installed them, and didn't like them.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

I've heard good things about this one but also that it's prone to feedback like K&K. Any insight?

Any SBT will be more prone to feedback when compared to a magnetic or UST pickup. However, I used to worry about this a lot but in reality, I have never had an issue and I play in loud venues and at times with a drummer. The Amulet was quite good though. I don't think I can 100% say that it's any better than the K&K but I never worried about it feeding back. It ultimately didn't work for me but out of all the SBT's that I have used, it was the most plug and play out of all of them.

[Rudy4]

As ljguitar related, the K&K Pure Mini can be used at high volume with a feedback buster.

I played a GS Mini with a K&k Pure Mini and a D'Addario Screeching Halt soundhole plug at really high volume when I was nursing a collarbone injury and couldn't play my Telecaster.

The K&K can be completely removed from a bridge plate inside the guitar by careful use of a knife between the transducer heads and the bridge plate. It's also relatively easy to remove the output jack and install a standard end pin if necessary.

[tadol]

James Mays UltraTonic is simple to install, and when you get the switches set properly ( takes about 10 minutes during install ) is about as feedback resistant as it gets. Great sound, no battery - not sure why it isn’t more highly recommended -

This was a little video I shot on my iPhone while playing with the switches - so while the audio isn’t great, it shows a bit about how the different switches help with different frequency ranges, and leave you with a great sounding pickup that can run at high volume with essentially no feedback -

https://youtu.be/uj4ccly8JX0

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by tadol

James Mays UltraTonic is simple to install, and when you get the switches set properly ( takes about 10 minutes during install ) is about as feedback resistant as it gets. Great sound, no battery - not sure why it isn’t more highly recommended -

This was a little video I shot on my iPhone while playing with the switches - so while the audio isn’t great, it shows a bit about how the different switches help with different frequency ranges, and leave you with a great sounding pickup that can run at high volume with essentially no feedback -

https://youtu.be/uj4ccly8JX0

I am curious to hear his latest V3 pickup. I wonder why James went to a single transducer vs. the three transducers under the bridge plate? It would be interesting to compare his V2 Ultra Tonic to the new V3 model.

[stephenT]

Fishman Blackstack. It can be installed w/o slacking the strings and removed when one doesn't need it. I have a couple, light weight and the best soundhole pickup I've heard and used,.. and I've tried (bought and resold) most. I play some gigs w/ three acoustic guitars and standup bass in a medium size club w/ never a feedback issue and always got compliments on my sound.

This from a long time Sunrise user.

[guitarman68]

Dazzo, Schatten HFN, UltraTonic - all wonderful und superior to a K&K in terms of feedback. Feedback heavily depends on proper monitoring, so maybe stay away from floor wedges ? I use a QSC K8.2 on a stand. Couldn't be happier.