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I'm playing in a band for the first time in 20 years. All my previous experience has been with my electric guitar.

I'd like to amplify my Yahama 6-string acoustic. What's the best way to do this?

1) Just use a mike?
2) Acoustic pickup?
3) Soundhole pickup?
4) Forget it, they all sound like crap. Just buy a new guitar.

Any suggestions for your choice?

Thanks,
Chris

Let Belushi smash it.

csmithnj wrote:I'm playing in a band for the first time in 20 years. All my previous experience has been with my electric guitar.

I'd like to amplify my Yahama 6-string acoustic. What's the best way to do this?

1) Just use a mike?
2) Acoustic pickup?
3) Soundhole pickup?
4) Forget it, they all sound like crap. Just buy a new guitar.

Any suggestions for your choice?

Thanks,
Chris

To start, I'd say it depends on what model the guitar is and the types of music/places you'll be playing. I wouldn't use a mic because once you turn away, your volume changes. Mics are great for recording when you are not moving. Not so much for live acoustic guitar. There are small clip-on mics that are good but I wouldn't go that route.

If by acoustic pickup you mean a bridge pickup, it will require some small modifications to the guitar to do (installing a jack), but could get you a decent sound.

A soundhole pickup would be the least damaging to the guitar and can sound quite good.

As for buying a new guitar, I suppose that depends on how much $$ you have to blow and if it's worth it for you.

If you're playing a style of music where you're finger picking or note clarity is a big deal, a new guitar or a high quality pickup would be smart. If you're playing bars or just banging out chords over a loud band, clarity isn't as important and something average should suffice.

I play a Martin OM28-V and use a Fishman Rare Earth soundhole pickup and it has worked out quite nicely. That would be my suggestion without knowing much else about your situation.

Thanks. It's mostly strumming. Not a lot of picking. I'll check out the Fishman Rare Earth soundhole pickup.

It's a small group - two guitars, piano (who's playing too loud) and drums. I tried the electric yesterday and it didn't have the tone I wanted.

You guys need someone to play the Cow Bell????

pair8head wrote:You guys need someone to play the Cow Bell????

You can never have too much cow bell.

I've got Fishman bridge pickups in both of my guitars, and I love 'em. Well worth the approximately $150 each and paying a luthier to install them.

I tried two different Dean Markleys; both of them were crap.

If you've got a good sound guy, the combination of a pickup and a good guitar mike can give you some excellent sound quality, and ways of tweaking the sound that you can't get any other way.

Your Mileage May Vary.

Thanks guys. Just got a postcard the guitar center is holding a big sale on Monday. Line starts forming at 7am. I'll have to go check out the Fishman.

csmithnj wrote:Thanks guys. Just got a postcard the guitar center is holding a big sale on Monday. Line starts forming at 7am. I'll have to go check out the Fishman.

I agree with everyone else...they are worth the money.

Does the soundhole pickup effect the sound (change the tone) of the guitar when not plugged in?

csmithnj wrote:Does the soundhole pickup effect the sound (change the tone) of the guitar when not plugged in?

Minimally. It's inevitable that closing up your sound hole some is going to affect the natural sound of the guitar but, at least in my case, it's not too bad.