Fishman Archtop Pickup
Submitted at: 8:01, 4/8/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Piezo Pickup installed in Archtop Bridge
Impedence or other specs: Unknown
Price Paid: US $100 used
Purchased from: Ebay
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Kay large body Archtop
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: Unknown
You musical style(s): Jazz
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to be able to amplify my acoustic archtop. I didn't want to use a microphone because of feedback. And I also didn't want to use a magnetic pickup because I don't want to have to modify the guitar. A Dearmond "guitar mike" might be nice, but I wonder how much they buzz, and, in any event, they tend to be priced too high (if you can even find one).
Sound
Perceived output level: The output level is a little low, but still more than adequate.
Tone: A little trebly.
Sonic evaluation: I use this pickup with an old acoustic archtop plugged into an Evans jazz guitar amp. If you keep an open mind, you might like it. It does'nt sound like a humbucker or single coil; it sounds like a piezo. In other words, it doesn't sound like a typical jazzbox. But in my opinion, it does sound more like the acoustic tone the guitar has unplugged. There is a little too much treble, and a little too little midrange. But still I can adjust the knobs on my amp to get a nice acoustic tone.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is good for jazz, but the tone is that of an acoustic jazzbox.
Overall Rating
Comments: This pickup is like Zima beer. If you think it's going to taste like other beers, you may not like it. But if you keep an open mind, and want something that is a little different, but still authentic, you'll probably be happy with it.
I'm not sure a pre-amp is needed, and I don't know of any pre-amp that is designed to give a good jazz sound, but I might still give one a try. Again, I'd like a little more midrange and less treble. But still this pickup has tons more clarity than a humbucker, and it doesn't buzz like a single coil. And even though the sound is more piezo than I would like, I still have to admit that sound is more like the sound you get acoustically than the typical tone you get from a magnetic pickup.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 7
Submitted by: Ben Fernandez <benlfernandez@earthlink.net>
Submitted at: 20:25, 11/25/2000
Product Info
Pickup features: High quality adjustable archtop bridge with piezo elements implanted
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: US $170
Purchased from: Fusión Musical - Buenos Aires - Argentina
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Washburn J6S
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: Two humbuckers
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:
Sound
Perceived output level: Similar to other Fishman piezos I use
Tone: VERY balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using it with an Acoustic Blender system with my J6S in order to mix the magnetic pickups with the piezo. While going direct isn't any good with an electric, adding this pickup gives me a very nice acoustic archtop sound, and I can boost the bass by using the neck pickup. I finally made it!: no amp to carry anymore!!!
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's perfect for the music I play: world-jazz in a mostly acoustic environment.
Overall Rating
Comments: I would definitely buy another. I might add that when I buy another archtop (which I will) I'll put it one of this, no matter how expensive it is. It provides me with all I expected and more. Absolutely happy with it.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Patricio Murphy <patriciomurphy@hotmail.com>