Dean Markley Pro Mag Grand
Submitted at: 10:24, 1/22/2002
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive- Humbucking- Magnetic
Impedence or other specs: High
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: The Arts- Newmarket
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Seagull M12, Ovation Applause AE 32
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: On the Ovation using the pro-mag instread of the installed piezo
Other pickups on guitar: Peizo on the Ovation- nothing on the Gull
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock- country Rock- Christian Contempory
Reason for pickup change: Needed a pick-up for the Seagull. The Ovation piezo (well
it sounds like an Ovation piezo)
Sound
Perceived output level: Some colour of course, but a close and interesting sound to an acoustic. The Ovation sound is vastly improved. The Seagull obviously still sounds better unplugged.
Tone: To get acceptable tone requires some tinkering. Can be both trebly or bassy unless the right setting is found on the amp and pre-amp.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Yorkville Am 100 Acoustic Amp and plug the Pro Mag
into a Fishman G11 pre-amp first. The sound is acceptably acoustic but
leans a little too far to the electric side on occasion. However I do need to "plug in" and this a acceptable way of doing this. A mic'ed
guitar always sounds best, but not always possible in live situations.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pick-up is suitable for pretty much any music style that i can think of.
Overall Rating
Comments: I am note sure of the longevity of these Markley pick-ups as some other reviewers have had them suddenly stop working. I am note sure
if I would buy it again, especially if it breaks next week. With the changes in technology I am sure there will better pick-ups around in the future. However at this time this pick-up gives acceptable acoustic expression to my guitars. This pick-up is very easy to use
and I like the fact that it is made of wood with foam on the inserts
to reduce wear and tear on the sound-hole. I have been playing for 26 years and I own the two previosly stated acoustics as well as a Tele
and a Hashimoto Classical (my first guitar). I chose this pick-up because the fellow at the Arts (a good store) recommended it as a good
value for the price. So far I'm satisfied. As for "that sound", I believe if you have an endless supply of $$ to buy expensive guitars and pick-ups, amps ect, you just might hopefully find it.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 8
Submitted by: <rwjwils@rogers.com>
Submitted at: 3:59, 1/16/2002
Product Info
Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: Local music store
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:
Sound
Perceived output level: Loud when mounted near the strings.
Tone: Balanced, can be tweeked through external EQ.
Sonic evaluation: Great sound. Connected it directly to the board and trimmed Mids. Same thing when connected to Fender Acoustic Amp (better sound when connected to this amp). Very quiet. No feedback, even when strumming hard.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good match for almost all types of playing ie finger, strum, etc.
Overall Rating
Comments: Great Value.
I'm looking for an EQ/Preamp to match this. Read/heard that the Gigpro or Para DI is a good one.
I'd recommend this.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
Submitted by: Chris
Submitted at: 13:37, 1/15/2002
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive-humbucking-magnetic- soundhole
Impedence or other specs: high impedance
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: The Arts- Newmarket,Ontario- Canada
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Applause AE 32, Seagull M12 Gloss
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Ovation under-saddle piezo for the Applause- no pick-up with the Gull
Other pickups on guitar: under saddle piezo for the Applause
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): flatt picking- finger picking- contempory Christian-and Beatles, Eagles ect
Reason for pickup change: needed a pick up for the Seagull-
disliked the sound of the piezo in the Applause
Sound
Perceived output level: Output level is much lower than the piezo, but can bring it up with the acoustic amp and fishman G2 preamp
Tone: You can adjust this pick-up to emphasize different sounds and combinations-I'm still experimenting- so i will say balanced
Sonic evaluation: I use the above two guitars with a Yorkville Am 100 acoustic amp
along with a Fishman G11 pre-amp. The sound is respectably acoustic
with this combination- even the Applause sounds better than using its
own piezo.The Seagull 12 string sounds even better. It is difficult to produce true acoustic sound with pick-ups on an acoustic but the Pro Mag does a reasonable job.
You need to tweak it to get it right as with most pick-ups. I would
recommend an acoustic amp as a starting point. At our Church the sound
system is substandard so the pick-up sounds the same as it always does at Church (tinny and too much treble). This is not the fault of the pick-up but the result of a bad sound system.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pick-up suits my style fine- it produces amplified acoustic volume out my acoustic guitars.
Overall Rating
Comments: I have not owned it long enough to know if I would buy another. It
depends on how it lasts and what other pick-up= pre-amp combinations i encounter in the future. I know that Fishman's are excellent, but they are expensive. I've been playing 26 years, I chose this pick-up because the guy at the Art's recommended it, (best pick-up for the price). So far I agree with him. It's hard to be sure of what "that sound" is. You can always get the sound if you have infinite dollars
to spend. For the money this is a good value for an acoustic pick-up
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 8
Submitted by: Rob Wilson <rwjwils@rogers.com>
Submitted at: 15:27, 4/9/2000
Product Info
Pickup features: passive, magnetic, humbucking.
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: US $$60
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Takamine G240
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Bartolini something
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): acoustic rock
Reason for pickup change: The Bartolini pickup was nice, but the plastic braces cracked, from me stepping on the cord and pulling the guitar by accident. I had a gig the next day, so I needed something quick.
Sound
Perceived output level: Normal for a magnetic pickup I guess.
Tone: Shitty.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a cheap Takamine G240 Acoustic guitar with a Fender Acoustasonic Junior amp. I couldn't get ANYTHING close to a natural acoustic sound with this pickup no matter what I did. I think this is just a problem with magnetic pickups in general. I simply CANNOT stand the sound. Addmitedly my guitar isn't that great, but it sounds a HELL of a lot better unplugged. The best part is, it BROKE for no reason. I was practicing with it in my living room today, and it just stopped working. I didn't pull on the cord at all. It just stopped working while I was strumming. I'm hoping I can get my money back and spend the money on a REAL pickup. Hopefully a piezo transducer.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play acoustic rock, but I can't see this pickup being suitable for ANY style, unless your style is sounding like shit.
Overall Rating
Comments: Normally i'd start this out with "If it was destroyed or stolen..." but it WAS destroyed. It quit for absolutley no reason at all. I would not buy this again. I need something I can rely on, and something that doesn't sound like crap.
I haven't been playing guitar for all that long, but i've been a classically trained musician for 8 years. I know when something doesn't sound good.
Pros: Cheap, easy to install/take out.
Cons: Sounds terrible, very unreliable. Don't count on this one without a backup.
I chose this one because I needed a pickup in a hurry, and I only had $70 on me.
This pickup sucks. Bottom line: Get a fishman.
I give it a 3 only because It's cheap and easy to install.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 3
Submitted by: Anthony D'Agostino <tonydelite@earthlink.net>