If you have an acoustic guitar, it can be tough to find the best acoustic guitar pickups. There’s a wide range of different pickups on the market that you can get if your instrument doesn’t have one already installed.
I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for many years and have gone through a wide range of pickups for my own instruments. Here are some of the better pickups on the market that you can get for your guitar. These are all great choices.
Quick Look: Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups
★ #1 Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup Overall: L.R Baggs M1 ★
- Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar Pickup: Dean Markley DM3000
- Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup Under $500: L.R. Baggs Anthem
- Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup Under $100: Fishman Neo D
- Best Soundhole Acoustic Guitar Pickup: Fishman Rare Earth
- Best Piezo Acoustic Guitar Pickup: L.R. Baggs Element Active System
Please keep in mind that a pickup’s sound can be perceived differently depending upon your own musical tastes. Not all pickups work for every guitar player. You have to experiment to determine the tone that’s right for you.
What Is an Acoustic Guitar Pickup?
An acoustic guitar pickup is a device that amplifies the sound of your acoustic guitar. It allows you to plug your acoustic guitar into an amplifier. You want this if you’re going to be playing live, so people can hear you.
There are several different types of pickups that you can use for an acoustic guitar. Some acoustic guitars come with their own pickups, while others don’t. You’ll need to install one if it doesn’t have a pickup.
Types of Acoustic Guitar Pickups
There are several main types of acoustic guitar pickups that you need to be aware of. The list below runs down the basic pickups that you can install on your acoustic guitar.
Magnetic Pickup
This type of pickup is like the ones you find on regular electric guitars, except they’re designed for the acoustic. They’re not all that expensive, but they’re prone to feedback. You can get both humbucking and single-coil varieties.
Piezo Pickup
This type of pickup is usually under the saddle of an acoustic guitar. Some acoustic guitars ship with this type of pickup, or you can install one yourself. They have a great tone and less feedback.
Microphone Pickup
This type of pickup is paired with a microphone. It may be internal or external on the acoustic guitar. It allows you to produce a wide range of tones. The downside is that this type of pickup is quite expensive.
Contact or Vibrational
These are a combination of pickups. They might be under the saddle or a microphone. They can be installed temporarily or a permanently. They give you the flexibility of having your acoustic guitar both amplified and unamplified.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar Pickup
Here are a few points to consider before you buy the best acoustic guitar pickup for your instrument. There are several factors that you need to look at.
Size
The size of your acoustic pickup may be important to you. Some pickups may be quite large, such as the ones that sit in the soundhole. Other pickups are small, and you’ll never see them. You need to decide what size you want.
Type
The type of pickup you get all depends upon your needs and what you want. Soundhole pickups can be ideal because they’re easy to install. There are two ways that you can install this type of pickup.
Undersaddle pickups are out of the way, and no one will know that you even have one. The downside to this type of pickup is that there’s a little more installation involved, and you might need to have someone do it for you.
You may also want to try a contact style pickup, as they’re quite small and attached anywhere on your acoustic guitar. The downside is that they don’t have the tone of a regular soundhole pickup.
Your Amplifier
Remember that your amplifier is as important as the pickup. You need to use a decent quality acoustic guitar amplifier, as this will bring out the best tone from your pickup.
Price
The price of acoustic guitar pickups varies. The price you pay all depends upon the sound that you want and your budget. Higher priced pickups sound better. Here are some common prices that you’ll run into.
- Basic: $35-$50
- Intermediate: $50-$100
- Advanced: $100+
10 Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups
Here are ten of the best acoustic guitar pickups that you can purchase for your instrument. These would all make excellent selections and will have the tone that you want.
Please keep in mind that the sound of the pickup may or may not appeal to you. We all have different music tastes, so sometimes you need to experiment with pickups until you find your ideal tone. These are my personal selections.
1. Fishman Neo D Single Coil
- Type: Magnetic (single coil)
- Battery powered: No
- Installation: Soundhole
- Best for: Best for those that need a great soundhole pickup
The Fishman Neo D is an excellent soundhole magnetic single-coil pickup. It’s easy to install and use whenever you need it. You’ll have a great amplified sound with your acoustic guitar when you use this pickup.
✅ No battery required
✅ Easy installation
✅ Great sound
✅ Fits most acoustic soundholes
❌ Easy to see
❌ May hum a bit
Why I Recommend It
It’s an excellent beginner style pickup for your acoustic guitar. It’s simple to install, and you get a great acoustic sound. You don’t have to worry about any batteries, as all you do is plug it into your amplifier.
You’ll get great a single-coil sound from your acoustic guitar when you install this pickup. You can also get this in a humbucking version if you want, so you have other options.
2. L.R. Baggs M1 Active Pickup
- Type: Magnetic (humbucker)
- Battery powered: Yes
- Installation: Soundhole
- Best for: Best for advanced players that need a high-quality pickup
The L.R. Baggs M1 is an excellent soundhole pickup for your acoustic guitar. It’s simple to install and provides you with the tone that you want for your instrument. It has a long battery life and an included volume control.
✅ Has a volume control
✅ Excellent sound
✅ Long battery life
✅ Feedback resistant
❌ Expensive
❌ Not for beginners
Why I Recommend It
I’m a big fan of L.R. Baggs pickups. I’ve used a similar model before in one of my own acoustic guitars. They have a great tone, and they’re easy to set up.
I like that this one has included volume control to change your sound when you want to. This one is resistant to feedback, so you can get a cleaner tone out of your acoustic amplifier.
3. Dean Markley DM3000
- Type: Contact (removable)
- Battery powered: No
- Installation: Anywhere
- Best for: Those that need a removable pickup
If you need a simple contact style pickup that attaches to your acoustic guitar, Dean Markley DM3000 is the one you want to get. You can install this pickup anywhere you want, and the adhesive won’t scratch the surface of your instrument.
✅ Installs anywhere
✅ Good tone
✅ Simple operation
✅ Secure adhesive
❌ A little expensive
❌ The long chord may tangle
Why I Recommend It
This is a good pickup for a beginner who wants to experiment with amplifying their acoustic guitar. It’s low cost and will delivers the sound that you want. I’ve used Dean Markley pickups before and found them to be reliable.
This is easy for beginners to use because you can attach it anywhere on your acoustic guitar. It has adhesive on the back, which you can use over and over again. You’ll be ready for acoustic amplification in no time with this pickup.
4. L.R. Baggs Active Element Pickup
- Type: Piezo/mic (undersaddle)
- Battery powered: Yes
- Installation: Inside the guitar body and saddle
- Best for: Those that need a pro pickup setup
This is a reliable piezo pickup that installs under the saddle. The L.R. Baggs Active Element Pickup has a lot to offer you. It has a dedicated endpin jack that you install inside the guitar. Then, attach the volume and tone control to the soundhole for easy access.
✅ Preamp
✅ Great tone
✅ Soundhole control unit
✅ Undersaddle pickup
❌ A lot of installation
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
This pickup has a discrete volume and tone control that you can attach to the soundhole. You get a great acoustic tone out of this pickup system. The pickup itself fits nicely underneath the saddle.
There is an included compression circuit that improves the lower frequencies. You get a superior tone when you use this pickup. A 9-volt battery powers the entire system.
5. Seymour Duncan Woody Series SA-3SC
- Type: Magnetic (single coil)
- Battery powered: No
- Installation: Inside the guitar soundhole
- Best for: Those that need a moderately priced soundhole pickup
For those that want an easy-to-install soundhole pickup, the Seymour Duncan Woody Series is an excellent product. It has a long and thick cable, so it will reach the amplifier no matter where you are. You’ll get a superior tone out of the pickup.
✅ Easy operation
✅ Solid cable
✅ Great tone
✅ Good price
❌ Cable can get in the way
❌ Some hum
Why I Recommend It
I like Seymour Duncan pickups because they have an excellent tone and reliability. This one is moderately priced, but it still has the sound you want for your acoustic guitar. The cable itself is well made and long enough.
While the sound of this pickup might not be ideal for a professional, it will provide a great tone if you’re a beginner or intermediate player that’s looking to get into acoustic pickups.
6. Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker
- Type: Magnetic (humbucker)
- Battery powered: Yes
- Installation: Inside the guitar soundhole
- Best for: Those that need a professional pickup
The Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker pickup provides a great humbucking tone for your acoustic guitar. It has a long battery life, so it’s ready to go when you need it. This pickup is easy to install and has an included volume wheel for you to vary your sound and tone.
✅ Excellent tone
✅ Solid cable
✅ Volume wheel
✅ Long battery life
❌ You can see it
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
Fishman makes superior acoustic guitar pickups. This one will give a nice humbucking sound to your acoustic guitar. I like that it has an included volume control, so you can change your sound when you want to.
There is no need to alter your guitar as it fits nicely in the soundhole and is ready to go when you want it. You also have the option of mounting it to the endpin if you prefer, so the cable isn’t in the way.
7. Guild DeArmond Soundhole Pickup
- Type: Magnetic (humbucker)
- Battery powered: No
- Installation: Inside the guitar soundhole
- Best for: Those that need a dependable soundhole pickup
The Guild DeArmond Soundhole is an excellent pickup system from Guild. It comes with several different cover plates, so the colors will match your instrument. You get a dependable humbucking tone with this pickup.
✅ Different colors
✅ Two install methods
✅ Volume knob
✅ Excellent tone
❌ A bit expensive
❌ Instructions could be better
Why I Recommend It
I like this pickup system because there are two ways you can install it. You can use the included cable and hang it out of the side of the soundhole, or you can install it to the endpin jack for a cleaner installation.
It’s also nice that it has a couple of color plates to match your instrument’s color to the pickup. This one has an excellent tone that will improve the sound of your acoustic guitar by a wide margin.
8. Fishman Blackstack Passive
- Type: Magnetic (humbucker)
- Battery powered: No
- Installation: Inside the guitar soundhole
- Best for: Those that need a pro soundhole pickup
The Fishman Blackstack Passive is an excellent choice for a superior humbucking style pickup for your acoustic guitar. It fits easily into the soundhole and gives you the sound that you want out of a pickup.
✅ Great look
✅ Superior tone
✅ Good price
✅ Low noise
❌ Expensive
❌ It may not fit all styles
Why I Recommend It
I recommended this pickup because it doesn’t come with a battery and has a simple installation. You can either have the cable hanging out of the guitar, or you can attach it to the endpin jack if you prefer.
With this pickup, you can fine tune the sound the way you want to. This pickup has a sturdy cable, so it’ll last a long time. You’ll be impressed with the sound that you get out of this system.
9. L.R. Baggs Anthem Pickup System
- Type: Piezo/mic
- Battery powered: Yes
- Installation: Guitar soundhole/bridge/internal
- Best for: Those that need a professional pickup system
For those that want a full system for their acoustic guitar, the L.R. Baggs Anthem Pickup System is a great product. It’s a combination of a microphone and pickup in one. You have full control over your sound with this system.
✅ Excellent tone
✅ Soundhole controls
✅ Less noise
✅ Mic and pickup
❌ Expensive
❌ Lots of installation
Why I Recommend It
This pickup system is an excellent product. I like the fact that you have full control over your sound with the soundhole control box. You have volume, mix, and other controls, so you can sculpt your sound the way you want.
The pickup system requires a lot of installation, but it’s a superior product for a professional looking for an excellent tone out of their pickup. It features noise-canceling technology, so you’ll have a cleaner sound.
10. Cling On Acoustic Pickup
- Type: Contact (removable)
- Battery powered: No
- Installation: Inside the guitar soundhole
- Best for: Those that need a pro soundhole pickup
Sometimes, you need a simple pickup for your acoustic guitar. The Cling On Acoustic Pickup attaches anywhere on your acoustic guitar. It has a great sound, and it’s one of the best cheap acoustic guitar pickups.
✅ Easy installation
✅ Good sound
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Low cost
❌ Not the best tone
❌ The cable could be better
Why I Recommend It
I like this pickup because it’s beginner-friendly. All you do is attach it to the guitar body, plug it in, and you’re ready to go. You don’t have to struggle with a confusing installation as you do with some pickups.
While this pickup might not have a professional sound, it gets the job done for any beginner that wants to plug into an amplifier and play right away. It does have a decent tone, and for that reason, I recommend it to any beginner.
Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup Brands
There are a few top acoustic guitar pickup brands that you’ll probably want to go with. These are the companies that make the best pickup systems for your acoustic guitar.
Here are the brands that you need to know.
L.R. Baggs
This company makes exceptional acoustic pickup systems. In fact, many acoustic guitars ship with an L.R. Baggs pickup already installed. They have many stand-alone pickups for acoustic guitars, so you can sculpt your own tones.
Fishman
Fishman makes great acoustic pickups. They have a wide range of different pickups for the acoustic guitar, including soundhole, undersaddle, and other pickups to match your needs. You’ll find a quality product with this company.
Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan makes a wide range of pickups for both electric and acoustic guitars. They have several options for acoustic guitar players, especially for those that want a soundhole style pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions that people ask about acoustic guitar pickups. Here’s what you need to know before you purchase.
How Much Do Acoustic Guitar Pickups Cost?
Acoustic guitar pickups vary in price. A basic pickup will probably cost between $35 to $50. As you go up in the price range, you’ll get better quality pickups. You’ll probably have to try a few before you settle on one pickup.
- Basic: $35-$50
- Intermediate: $50-$100
- Advanced: $100+
What Type Should I Buy?
There are many acoustic pickups on the market, so what type you should get can be confusing. I’d go with a basic soundhole pickup. You can get these in both single coil and humbucking.
There’s not a lot of installation involved with this type unless you want to go the endpin route and put it through the body of your guitar. With most of them, you can just use the cable and plug it straight into your amplifier.
The undersaddle type of pickup is a little bit more complicated. There will be more wires and installation involved. Unless you have some skill working with acoustic guitars, you may not want to do this by yourself.
Should I Buy a Cheap Pickup?
When shopping, you may find pickups that are only a few dollars. These aren’t good choices for your acoustic guitar. You want to have a great sound, and you have to spend a little bit of money on your pickup for this.
I’d avoid all no-name acoustic pickups. The sound of your instrument will suffer if you’re not using a high-quality pickup. By spending a little bit more, you’ll get sound a you can enjoy.
What Are the Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups?
Here are three of the best acoustic guitar pickups that you should consider for your instrument. All of these would make excellent options for your guitar.
Fishman Neo D: Best for Beginners
The Fishman Neo D is an excellent single-coil acoustic pickup. It’s low cost, so it’s perfect for beginners. It has a great tone and features a simple installation. It’s a good choice for any beginner or intermediate player.
Seymour Duncan Woody: Best for Intermediate Players
The Seymour Duncan Woody is a great choice for the intermediate player. It’s easy to install, and you get a great single-coil sound. It has a long and durable table, so the pickup will last you a long time. You’ll get the sound that you want with this system.
L.R. Bagg Anthem: Best for Professionals
The L.R. Bagg Anthem pickup system is an excellent product for professionals. It’s easy to sculpt your sound with the soundhole control system. You’ll have an unmatched acoustic guitar tone when you install it.
Where Are the Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups Made?
Most of the best acoustic guitar pickups are made in the United States. This is where the major manufacturers are, such as L.R. Baggs and Fishman.
Where to Buy Acoustic Guitar Pickups
There are few places where you might want to consider buying acoustic guitar pickups. Here are the locations I consider to be the best places to get your pickups from.
Amazon
One of the best places to buy your acoustic pickups is Amazon. They have a great selection, quality customer service, and you can read reviews on products before you make a purchase.
Online Music Retailers
Guitar Center and Sweetwater are two other locations where you might want to purchase a pickup. They both have an amazing selection, great prices, and the service that you need.
Your Local Music Store
You may also want to get a pickup at your local music store. The downside to this is that they may not have the selection that you want. This can still be ideal, especially if you want them to install the system for you.
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Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitar Accessories
- What Is an Acoustic Guitar Pickup?
- Types of Acoustic Guitar Pickups
- Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar Pickup
- 10 Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups
- Best Acoustic Guitar Pickup Brands
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- What Are the Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups?
- Where Are the Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups Made?
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best acoustic guitar pickups. These are my own personal selections, and I find that they’re all great pickups. After you try a few pickups, you’ll find one that works for your needs.
Please share, like, and leave a comment on this article. I look forward to hearing from you. Now, grab your acoustic guitar, plug it into an amplifier, and make some great music.
