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  #1  
Old 01-22-2020, 08:47 AM
blackbird86 blackbird86 is offline
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Default Best pickup for a martin d18

Probably going to get myself a d18 in the next month or so. Since I generally always use a looper, ill need a pickup installed. I know very little about pickups. I dont want to cut a barn door hole or anything like that. What pickup is the best.

Thanks!
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Old 01-22-2020, 09:59 AM
Petty1818 Petty1818 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbird86 View Post
Probably going to get myself a d18 in the next month or so. Since I generally always use a looper, ill need a pickup installed. I know very little about pickups. I dont want to cut a barn door hole or anything like that. What pickup is the best.

Thanks!
Is it just you playing or are you in a band? I would suggest the K&K as it requires no batteries, is fairly easy to eq and has a nice natural tone. I know others like the Schatten HFN but I find the K&K to be a bit more consistent in terms of installation.
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Old 01-22-2020, 10:03 AM
JackB1 JackB1 is offline
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Soundhole pickup like a Baggs M80 is super easy to try out and install permanently yourself. Sounds great IMO.
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Old 01-22-2020, 10:45 AM
blackbird86 blackbird86 is offline
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Im looking to have it professonally installed by a martin authorized shop so it doesnt void the lifetime warranty. Also, it will be mainly for playing by myself.
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  #5  
Old 01-22-2020, 10:46 AM
ChrisE ChrisE is offline
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I have a Baggs Lyric in my D-18 (installed it myself) and it sounds great. I have another guitar with a K&K Pure Mini and I like that one, too. You can't go wrong with either.

The Lyric has a volume control but the K&K doesn't require a battery, which is very convenient.
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  #6  
Old 01-22-2020, 05:57 PM
JimT JimT is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisE View Post
I have a Baggs Lyric in my D-18 (installed it myself) and it sounds great. I have another guitar with a K&K Pure Mini and I like that one, too. You can't go wrong with either.

The Lyric has a volume control but the K&K doesn't require a battery, which is very convenient.
I’ve used a K&K pure western mini in an M-36 and it sounded OK, but if I was putting a pickup in my D-18, I would put the LR Baggs EAS VTC that came in my Breedlove Oregon Concert 25th Anniversary edition. The sound it puts out is incredible! It really outshines my GPCPA1 with the Aura system in it.
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Old 01-23-2020, 03:27 AM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Trance Amulet M-VT
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  #8  
Old 01-23-2020, 08:22 AM
rokdog49 rokdog49 is offline
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I have a K and K in my J45.
I have the JJB which is the same type of pickup in my D18.
I actually prefer the JJB as it is a more balanced, smoother sounding version of that style. The JJB has lower output. Both are good and I use a Fire Eye preamp for both with an MXR 10 band EQ.
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  #9  
Old 01-23-2020, 08:35 AM
JackB1 JackB1 is offline
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The Baggs Element VTC is one of the best sounding under saddle pickups I have ever heard. It came stock in ny J45 and it sounded great.


Quote:
Originally Posted by JimT View Post
I’ve used a K&K pure western mini in an M-36 and it sounded OK, but if I was putting a pickup in my D-18, I would put the LR Baggs EAS VTC that came in my Breedlove Oregon Concert 25th Anniversary edition. The sound it puts out is incredible! It really outshines my GPCPA1 with the Aura system in it.
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  #10  
Old 01-25-2020, 09:21 PM
blackbird86 blackbird86 is offline
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Purchased a martin d18 modern deluxe today. The salesman sold me on a lr baggs ibeam. Cant wait to take the guitar home (theyre currently installing it).
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