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So I would love to make 3 of my acoustic guitars acoustic electric but not sure which route to go. Do I get pick ups or do I have those Fishmans built in(cut wholes in bodyπŸ˜–) There's one I saw that looks like a strap pin with 3 disc at the other end that (I assume) you stick down to the top of the body,but is it any good. What are your thoughts/opinion?

    Hey Mark.
    I have two old acoustics which do not have pickups. I didn't want to cut holes in them (for fear of destroying the tone) so I got a sound hole pickup instead.
    I plug that into a multi effects pedal for some delay, reverb and chorus and the results are pretty sweet.

    Here is the one I use: https://www.audiomart.co.za/product_info.php/seymour-duncan-sa-3sc-woody-single-coil-acoustic-soundhole-picku-p-26068

    Word of advice - don't go cheap on this. The cheaper pickups sound horrendous. πŸ€ͺ

    Hope it helps. Good luck.

    Hey Wern

    That is my concern as well,cutting into the body. I don't mind if the strap button doubles as a plug in. I am quite interested in Seymore Duncuns,but not a fan of wires. I got me a Rexer VR-2000 last year so quite keen on the wireless systems (If I don't trip over them, I rip them out or cause more damage)

    This is what I have in mind.

    Mark_H I guess you work with what works for you? I haven't seen any of these or have any feedback on them.
    The woody works well for me and produces good sound.

    I tuck the wire in behind the guitar or through the Strap lock and its behind me, same as an Electric would be. Just stand still when you play πŸ˜†

    Now that's the other thing, getting me to stand still in 1 place for a 45min set🀣🀣🀣
    (Not that I'm performing as yet,but one has to practice.πŸ˜‹)
    I geuss I can use the Squier acoustic as it's already got built in pre amp and a cutaway,but let's be honest,there is just something about a Epiphone FT150 that's awesome to play. And I would quite like to make that and the 12 string Ibanez acoustic electric.

    I would love to see what the woody looks like on your acoustic and how it's setup.(as this is my first introduction to the woody's)

      Mark_H Or even these
      O

      Lord no, there isn't a world where these sound good. Though, it depends on what you think sounds good πŸ˜‰

      They're cheap and do make a sound - you can make something similar by wiring up and ol' piezo (from a buzzer/ringer/etc) to a jack. I've make some basic footdrum stompbox's - it works.

      Overall...I'd go for a guitar that already has a pickup installed (factory or a reputable installer). If sentiment is a thing and you really want to use that specific guitar then installing is a option - though you'll never get your money back - hence the attraction of a soundhole style pickup, a no fuss reversible mod.

      For me, most acoustics sound best with a duet/blend system - a undersaddle piezo + insternal; mic - that could be blended to taste. But that be a pricey aftermarket install.

      Given the cost of the decent pickups etc, and the cost of mods if you choose to go that route. I would be more inclined to pickup another guitar that has all these goodies built in already. I often see Cort acoustics with built in preamps going for 2k or so..

      Yeah, I actually nearly had a heart attack when I saw the prices of some of these pickups 😱 and 12 strings aren’t that expensive, so I'll have one for home to fiddle on and around the campfire and get another to plug and play. And maybe just get a fresh set of D'addarios for the Squire acoustic

      • V8 replied to this.

        Mark_H They ain't cheep - I had a iBeam in a yahama CG171S - pickup was worth more than the guitar. And that is a nice guitar! The cheapest Cherub ()installed undersaddle) is gonna be R500-600 before installation. A real good pickup one with blend is R3k++ before installation.

        Or a set of Elixir's for your Squire is around R250-300 and won't need changing for years πŸ˜›

        Yeah,I actually saw an Ibanez Acoustic with built in amp for R1100 on Marketplace,so there's that and one can pick up a fairly decent Fender acoustic also for around R2000.πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

        Please please please tell me where you got Elixr's for R250-R300 as Bothers as well as MusiekwΓͺreld's starting prices were R500πŸ˜– and quite keen to test em out(never played on elixr's - that I know of)
        I must admit, I quite like D'addarios,especially the XT's copperwound and nicklewound that I use on the 12 string as they are very gentle on you finger tips in comparison to the cheaper strings that start feeling like barbwire after a year

        Mark_H the Elixirs at R200 was when Veee bought them 4 years ago. In today money, they are R500 🀣

        guidothepimmp the Elixirs at R200 was when Veee bought them 4 years ago. In today money, they are R500 🀣

        πŸ˜† πŸ˜…

        Actually R175 was the price I recall...yeah, it was probably 4 yrs ago when I bought that set 🀦

        Heh, a set of Nanoweb nickle 11's are now R269.

        A set of Nanoweb bronze 12's are now R355

        Those were the cheaper sets of the range...and both around 30% more than I remember. EIsh!

        If you wanna skip shipping, try the gear junkie - I know they have stock and the prices are around the same.

        V8 I'm going to investigate this as I would like to give em a try. I am actually in Tableview,Cape Town and have been to the Gear Junkie in 2018 to book in my Epiphone for repairs.
        But yeah,all the places I've seen had Elixrs in the R500 range. Maybe pay musicician clearance mart a visit (in Paarden Eiland) as well

        • V8 replied to this.

          Mark_H Maybe pay musicician clearance mart a visit (in Paarden Eiland) as well

          AFAIK They moved into the N1 City Paul Bothners branch store - havn't been there yet to check it out.

            Really? I did not know that. I was there in December looking for som D'addario's for my 12 string, ended up going to Music Experience

            • V8 replied to this.

              Mark_H I was there a couple times during lockdown - they weren't keen to move, but the big bosses had decided . Went past there on the way to builders warehouse - two weeks ago - the store was empty.

              Just checked their FB page - it's now a address in goodwood (Google says tekkie town...but probably they're inside the Bothners Branch).

                Interesting, they were there for quite some time. If I remember correctly it was just for temp (pop up store?) Think it makes sense due save that rent rather or to move to an area that's busier.

                  Oh so it seems like my 11's are the ones that are really expensive,the 11-52. Go figure,saw a few elixirs for R269,but not the 11's.πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

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