Fishman Acoustic Matrix I
Submitted at: 18:58, 4/15/2001
Product Info
Pickup features: Under Saddle peizo-style pickup with active preamp built into the endpin
Impedence or other specs: low impedence
Price Paid: US $$99.00
Purchased from: Mars Music (online)
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Alvarez Artist series
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Lawrence FT-145
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Tim Reynolds, Dave Matthews, the guys from Barenakedladies, many others
You musical style(s): bad-ass acoustic with attitude
Reason for pickup change: The lawrence made my guitar sound like a Les Paul when I played through an electric amp. When I played through an acoustic amp it sounded just horrible. The only way to get it even close to eq'd was to turn the treble all the way down, and it still was way to bright for my tastes. It had a crappy clamping system that marred my soundhole and the built-in cable buzzed like crazy.
Sound
Perceived output level: very good...not as loud as some active systems, but still very useable
Tone: seems to be pretty balanced. Needs only slight eq'ing
Sonic evaluation: I play through a carvin AG-100D acoustic amp, which is great. It makes a good pickup sound really great.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup works well for acoustic rock and many other styles. Might not work for bluegrass, but what bluegrass player would give up his mic anyway
Overall Rating
Comments: This is a really good pickup. It does have a peizo tone to it, but it IS a peizo pickup. It seems to have outstanding battery life. I plan to eventually get fishman's electret condenser mic and a blender preamp to get a more natural attack. For the price I paid I am really satisfied.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
Submitted by: Colin Clark <dub_c2001@yahoo.com>
Submitted at: 15:31, 9/20/2000
Product Info
Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: US $99.00
Purchased from: Campbell's Morrell Music, Johnson City, TN
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Washburn D-28S
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): picker, strummer
Reason for pickup change:
Sound
Perceived output level: Tinny, but manageable,
Tone: trebly, little low end
Sonic evaluation: Peavey Classic 50 (5ow, 1x10inch, dual channel with overdrive, tube amp, bought used 15 years ago
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:
Overall Rating
Comments: Would buy again because it's probably the best for the money. If possible in your budget, go for the ACtive matrix II, or bite the bullet and go for the onboard preamp.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 8
Submitted by:
Submitted at: 5:25, 4/19/2000
Product Info
Pickup features: Under saddle active
Impedence or other specs: low, micro preamp built into endpin
Price Paid: US $105 w/s$h
Purchased from: Elderly Instruments, excellent, fast service
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Ovation Celebrty
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock passive junk
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ???
You musical style(s): Christian Contempory
Reason for pickup change: Poor sound from the stock passive system, A Fishman model G preamp helped, but it still had poor sound.
Sound
Perceived output level: A bit less than the stock passive, but enough power.
Tone: Excellent, natural sound without any EQ, not as harsh as the stock pickup
Sonic evaluation: Plugging into the Church sound board, it sounds great. By running thru the Model G preamp I can boost the sig a bit and have tone control. Several Fishman techs said that people are using this combination. I spant weeks researching pickups befor I decided on the
matris. I couldnt be happier. The onboard 'preamp' is more of a conditioner, not a lot of boost, hence the incredible battery life.
But it is more than enough level for anyone. I like the external preamp more for the tone control. Very easy installation, Any one with soldering skills can handle it fine.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Christian, folk, alternate,.... great for anything
Overall Rating
Comments: I would put this in another guitar in a heartbeat
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Andrew Wilson <awilson40@earthlink.net>
Submitted at: 13:51, 10/27/99
Product Info
Pickup features: Active "under the saddle" transducer
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: US $115
Purchased from: Guitar Center (ok it's around the corner from where I live, so I do go there quite a bit)
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Martin J-40
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: Now, a Sunrise
Artists using this pickup: Plenty, I guess
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, Slide, American Classical
Reason for pickup change: Needed a good sound on tape
Sound
Perceived output level: Loud without additional pre. This pickup has a battery-powered pre for internal installation
Tone: Plastic attack, man - like all piezos. It is, however, the best piezo I've heard.
Sonic evaluation: Through a Meek compressor/exciter into the Mackie. You must dial out mids, or else the plastic attack will overpower you. Dial out some bass to eliminate subsonic rumble. Add treble. You CANNOT go into the mixer flat with this thing (unless you are a masochist).
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For fingerstyle and slide, this pickup is NOT enough. It can be used to add wood to the sound of a soundhole pickup
Overall Rating
Comments: I don't think I would buy it again because I'm now convinced that all piezos sound plasticky and have brutal attack. You must EQ too much to get acceptable sound, and I believe in going into my mixer flat.
However, the mods have now been made to my J-40, so I will quietly accept it. I have been playing Guitar for 20+ years.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 6
Submitted by: LaughingAl <LaughingAl@prodigy.net>