Microphone pickups, much like vocal mics, detect sounds and turn them into an electrical current that can be amplified. Piezos are prized for their super clear and bright sound, as well as their resistance to feedback. The reason for these pickups being undersaddle mounted is because that’s where the strings are at their tightest. These pickups are usually mounted inside the cavity of the guitar, underneath the saddle. Piezo pickups, like soundboard transducers, work by detecting the vibration of the body of the guitar. The downside of these pickups is that they pick up vibrations and noise from the whole room, and can suffer from feedback issues. This type of pickup is a favorite of those playing with a percussive style, as it captures the vibrations from steel strings, and the guitar body itself. These pickups use a small sensor that attaches to the outside of your guitar’s body and plugs right into your pre-amp or straight into the amplifier itself. Soundboard transducers, sometimes known as bottle-cap transducers are another flexible, non-permanent way to amplify your acoustic guitar. Do bear in mind that magnetic acoustic guitar pickup systems aren't suitable for nylon strung guitars. Soundhole pickups offer a good balance between clarity and warmth, making them a good choice for both picking and strumming. This makes them especially handy for vintage or high-value acoustic guitars that you don’t want to modify or to risk damaging. One of the biggest benefits of a soundhole pickup is that there is no permanent modification to your guitar. Read Also: What are the best pedalboards for an acoustic guitar? Although, some do require screws or clamps to hold them in place. These pickups are by far the easiest to set up and use – in many cases it’s just a case of slotting them into the soundhole and plugging in. Sound hole pickups are named so because they simply slot into the soundhole of an acoustic guitar, right behind the guitar strings. What Are The Different Types of Pickups For Acoustic Guitars (Are They All The Same)? Sound Hole What Is An Acoustic Guitar Pickup (Should You Use One)?Īcoustic guitar pickups are specialist devices that allow acoustic guitar players to plug in their instruments directly to an amplifier.Without pickups, the only way to amplify a guitar is with an external microphone, which means having to be stationary while you’re playing – not always easy to do, especially in a live performance.Īn aftermarket acoustic guitar pickup is a great tool for anybody looking to play their existing instrument for an audience, without having to invest in an acoustic-electric guitar as well.