Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup To Buy In 2023 - Top 8 Ranked
Harvey Fletcher Sep 26, 2023 10:07 AM
You may improve your playing volume without having to stand in front of a microphone if you install a pickup on your acoustic guitar. The under-saddle piezo (standard on most mid-priced electro-acoustics), the bridge plate transducer, and the soundhole pickup are the three main types of acoustic guitar pickups.
Try out a few different pickups to hear which one sounds best with your playing style. We know that there is a wide variety of acoustic guitar players, so we've done the legwork for you by trying out a few different models.
If you want to learn more about the best acoustic guitar pickup, you may follow the link provided after this post. You may keep scrolling if you want to skip right to the goods.
Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup Reviews
#1. AMUMU SP30 Woody Magnetic Soundhole Pickup - Best Overall
Important Specifications
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Pickup Theory: Cutting Magnetic Lines
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Pickup Type: Single Coil Passive
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Housing: Solid Beech Wood
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Connection Method: 10 feet instrument cable with 3.5mm and 6.35mm jacks
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Fit Minimum Soundhole Diameter: 3.88” (98.5 mm)
Product’s Highlights
The Amumu SP30 is a passive magnetic soundhole pickup with a high impedance that is exclusively made for steel-string acoustic guitars.
Utilizing the hand-wound oxygen-free copper single coil, we can produce an acoustic sound that is both clear and brilliant. Because it is a magnetic pickup, it can only be used with acoustic guitars with steel strings. Nylon strings are incompatible with this device.
We employ a bespoke rare earth neodymium magnet to achieve the ideal string balance and dynamic frequency. The single-coil pickup is vulnerable to hum between 50 and 60 hertz because of its design. You can reduce hum by avoiding routing the soundhole to the amplifiers and keeping the pickup away from fluorescent lights, dimmer packs, computer displays, and transformers.
We developed a bespoke lossless audio cable that transmits almost all of the original signal.
The SP30 employs a 10-foot instrument cable to transmit a signal between the pickup and the acoustic guitar's 1/8" and 1/4" connectors, freeing you from the hassle of installing and stowing away the device.
It's easy to set up and doesn't need special tools or batteries, plus there's no drilling involved.
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What We Like
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To get to the 3.5 mm jack side of the instrument, you'll need to remove the pickup
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Move the pickup as near as you can to the end of the fretboard
Things to Consider
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If you don't have a preamp look elsewhere
#2. Imelod Contact Microphone Piezo Pickup - Best Easy to Use
Important Specifications
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Color: Red
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Brand: Imelod
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Item Dimensions LxWxH: 0.4 x 4.5 x 6 inches
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Item Weight: 0.04 Pounds
Product’s Highlights
The direct contact pickup on this guitar operates by touching the sound source. Be unaffected by echoes off of surrounding objects and able to block out almost all ambient noise.
Female jack is compatible with male plugs measuring 6.35mm (the industry standard for a 1/4") diameter. This mic is designed to amplify the vibrations of stringed instruments. Thus it should work well with the guitar, ukulele, violin, cello, mandolin, banjo, autoharp, kantele, lyre, kalimba, Cajon, etc.
The pickup is sensitive enough to recreate the original sound quality of an instrument, but the quality of the speaker also plays a role. Its mounting hardware consists of both double-sided tape and self-adhesive Velcro.
It should work with instruments like the ukulele, banjo, cello, acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin, kalimba, idiophone, drum, and cello. It's small enough to fit in your pocket and is simple to use; simply connect it to your guitar amp, bass amp, or other recording gear.
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What We Like
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Good sound reproduction
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Nice sound when at a reasonable volume
Things to Consider
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Needs a volume control
#3. Kmise 5 Band Acoustic Guitar Preamp EQ Equalizer Piezo Pickup - Best Durable
Important Specifications
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Brand: Kmise
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Compatible Devices: Guitar
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Product Dimensions: 1.57"D x 2.28"W x 3.86"H
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Number of Bands: 5
Product’s Highlights
Kmise was established in 2012 with the goal of creating high-quality musical instruments and offering outstanding customer service. The public has a strong affinity for musical instruments such as the ukulele, banjo, guitar, and violin.
The Kmise ukulele is the go-to for many educators and music programs. The mic's piezo and mixing features provide high-quality audio. But there is one major problem in the design: the preamp's face is enormous. Thus, a large hole will need to be drilled into your guitar. Lucky for me, I placed it in a pre-owned, budget-friendly Jasmine, so it wasn't a major issue.
This is the cheap travel guitar that I use for practicing and jamming. No matter how nice this pickup sounds, I won't be slicing up my expensive Taylor or Guild to install it. The XLR Jack wasn't set up either. Having heard a few gripes about that part, I believed I had removed enough of it off the guitar. I installed a battery holder with an endpin jack in the sound hole and supplemented it with a direct injection box as required.
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What We Like
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Good sound
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Easy to use
Things to Consider
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Not best quality sound!
#4. SUNYIN Acoustic Guitar Pickup - Best Volume Control
Important Specifications
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Item Weight: 1.5 ounces
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Product Dimensions: 1.58 x 1.58 x 0.7 inches
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Item model number: SP1001
Product’s Highlights
Furthermore, this ukulele pickup is affixed to the ukulele with an adhesive pad, creating a thinner wall between the pickup and the vibrations being picked up and translated.
I still think one of the nicest things about this kind of pickup is that it can be utilized with so many different instruments. Since there is no insulation between the pickup and the instrument, you may use it with any instrument. You'll be able to listen if you can attach it.
Like the previous offering, it is simply a glorified contact microphone, with which you can get pretty adventurous, transmitting a wide variety of different types of sound vibrations, such as those on a kitchen appliance or just about anything else.
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What We Like
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Consider that you'll also have the option of purchasing more sticky pads for a fraction of the price, and you'll see how great of a deal this really is
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The improved sound-customization options are made possible via the volume knob
Things to Consider
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The weak signal at the pickup's foundation
#5. Donner Acoustic Guitar Pickup, DSS-6 Guitar Pickups - Best Clear Sound
Important Specifications
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Brand: Donner
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Color: bronze
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Compatible Devices: Guitar
Product’s Highlights
The DSS-6 is a humbucking-style passive guitar pickup (no battery is needed). Since the magnetic field is unaffected by ambient noise, it is able to efficiently filter out vibrations from the strings and transmit them to the speaker.
In order to achieve its signature sound, the DSS-6 employs a rare earth neodymium magnet that has been modified specifically for this purpose. Controls for volume and tone are included. The string balance may be easily adjusted for the optimum sound.
Acoustic vibrations are transmitted steadily by the solid mahogany housing, resulting in a well-balanced and crystal-clear sound. Furthermore, the natural pattern and aged look of the Mahogany wood complements any acoustic guitar. There's no need to use a drill; place it in the ear and tighten the screw to ensure a secure fit.
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What We Like
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Reducing noise
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Solid mahogany housing
Things to Consider
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Low volume output
#6. TraderPlus 12 SoundHole Guitar Pickup - Best High-Quality
Important Specifications
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Brand: traderplus
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Color: Black
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Compatible Devices: Guitar
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Material: Metal
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Product Dimensions: 0.02"D x 0.04"W x 0.34"H
Product’s Highlights
This pickup may be used with any steel-stringed acoustic guitar that has a sound hole in the body of the instrument. Your guitar's sound may be easily amplified with the help of this convenient 12-hole magnetic acoustic guitar soundhole pickup. This pickup is a terrific addition for any guitarist.
In order to achieve a more precise pickup, it has been constructed with a volume and tone control, and it also comes with a jack and cable for connecting to an amplifier.
You are able to make a sound that is of high quality and has little feedback. The instrument is shielded from any potential scratches or damage by the felt backing of the clip.
In addition, this one may be simple to install; all you need to do is put the pickup into the point, clip the left side of the point, and then use the wrench to tighten up the right side of the point. Finally, connect the wire coming from the bottom of the guitar to an amplifier and a speaker.
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What We Like
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Putting in a pickup is as simple as inserting a cushioned metal piece into the sound hole and adjusting it to your liking
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No holes are needed, and your instrument won't be scratched in the process
Things to Consider
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Not easy to install
#7. Amumu SBT-10 Trans-HD Transducer Piezo Pickup - Best Built-in Trans-HD Technology
Important Specifications
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Volume Knob: For adjusting volume
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Tone Knob: For Adjusting tone
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2.5 mm (1⁄10 in) Female Jack: For connecting to the cable(included)
Product’s Highlights
A passive contact microphone system, the Amumu SBT-10 Trans-HD Transducer Pickup is designed to be used with a wide variety of acoustic instruments. Both the volume and the tone may be altered. It offers a sound that is authentic, complete, and opulent. A refined appearance is achieved by the pickup body's use of pearl shell inlay. High-definition audio transduction is provided by the built-in Trans-HD technology.
You may contact The tone that is produced by the microphone transducer is natural, warm, and clear.
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What We Like
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Easy to use
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Durable
Things to Consider
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Not the best sound-quality
#8. Dean Markley Pro Mag Plus Acoustic Guitar Pickup - Best Sound-Quality
Important Specifications
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Brand: Dean Markley
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Color: Maple
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Top Material Type: Maple
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Body Material: Maple
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Back Material Type Maple: Wood
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Neck Material Type: Maple
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Fretboard Material Type: Maple
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Guitar Pickup Configuration: S
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String Material Type: Nickel
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Hand Orientation: Right
Product’s Highlights
The ProMag Plus acoustic pickup designed by Dean Markley is widely used. The ProMag acoustic pickup provides a silky, high-quality sound thanks to its balanced design and maple wood housing. When compared to the competition, ProMag is in a league of its own. The ProMag Plus sings like no other acoustic pickup, thanks to its single-coil design and bell-like harmonics.
There is widespread agreement that the ProMag acoustic pickup is the best option. All ProMags are factory voiced and balanced to ensure optimum string balance, so both the treble and bass strings will sound equally loud. The flexibility to walk about without interference thanks to a 15-foot long, low-noise, double-shielded cable that ends in a solder-less 1/4" nickel connector. Plug your acoustic guitar with Dean Markley's ProMag Plus Acoustical Pickup and hear it the way it was meant to be heard.
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What We Like
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Single coil pickup
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Perfect string balance
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Maple wood housing
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15-foot low noise, double-shielded cable terminated with a solderless 1/4" nickel jack.
Things to Consider
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Pickup would not fit some guitars
Compare Products
- JG Score8.6
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandAmumu
- Prime
- JG Score8.4
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandImelod
- Prime
- JG Score8.4
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandKmise
- Prime
SUNYIN Acoustic Guitar Pickup,Piezo Transducer Contact Microphone Self-adhesive Easily AMP
View on Amazon- JG Score8.2
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandSUNYIN
- Prime
- JG Score8.2
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandDonner
- Prime
- JG Score8.0
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- Brandtraderplus
- Prime
- JG Score8.0
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandAmumu
- Prime
- JG Score8.0
JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more
- BrandDean Markley
Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Does adding a pickup to an acoustic guitar change sound?
The pickup will boost the guitar's volume, altering the instrument's original tone. Think twice before installing a pickup on your acoustic guitar if you value its authentic tone. Second, you should choose the pickup you wish to install in your acoustic guitar.
Is a guitar pick or fingers preferable?
Compared to plucking the strings with various areas of your fingers, the bright and steady tone produced by using a pick is possible because the pick is constructed of the same material throughout.
For noise cancellation purposes, we'd probably go with a humbucker. For that reason, we'd prefer a low-priced option; the best acoustic guitar pickup that costs more than the instrument it's meant to amplify seems wasteful. As an added bonus, we'd want it to fit with no effort on our part.