EMF Acoustics B-Band with Core Preamp

Pickup features: undersaddle pickup with mic
Impedence or other specs: came with flimsy stick-on pads for mounting the wiring and mic (I hear they've changed this since then)

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha SJ-180
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EMG AT-93
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): folk, folk-rock
Reason for pickup change: EMG sounded horrible

Perceived output level: Needs external preamps, especially for the mic.
Tone: The pickup by itself is a little trebly, but the mic balances it out.
Sonic evaluation: I plug in through an active direct box to a PA system.
It sounds about as good as other similar systems costing twice as much, but it's less convenient because it lacks onboard controls.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It sounds better for fingerpicking than for strumming, where it has more of that undersaddle pickup edgin.ess

Comments: I'd probably get an L.R. Baggs Dual Source or a True Tone M-7 instead of this sytem, because it has no onboard blend or volume controls. You have to blend the outputs externally using a 3-conductor wire.
Sound quality is similar to the Dual Source, though the B-Band system costs about half as much if you don't include the cost of an external blend control. I think the Fishman Blender line or Rane AP-13 are all that's on the market to blend the two signals. I've heard bad things about the Fishman's build quality and quietness, and the Rane is about $300 (3 times the cost of the B-Band system without installation) and has a graphic EQ, where I'd prefer a parametric. So I haven't gotten a satisfactory system set up for this pickup.

Pickup features: B-band electret undersaddle pickup (NOT piezo, no quack) and condenser mic (I believe omnidirectional) with the redesigned Core preamp (active)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 420-R
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EMF Core preamp with B-band
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Larry Pattis, Ville Numella.. others if you check http://www.b-band.com
You musical style(s): Alternative, Christian contempo, fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: I was sent the newest EMF pickup with mic to replace the b-band from EMF (Which is fairly new technology as it is)

Perceived output level: The tone on this pickup is normal- a very balanced tone. (Unless you're like me and you EQ it to be really bright)
Tone: The tone is very clear, very balanced. Especially with the new mic, the tone is definitely more clear as the mic helps the highs really sparkle! It's not muddy by any means. With EQing, you can make it bassy or middy or whatever because this pickup system picks up all levels of tone.
Sonic evaluation: I used the Taylor 420-R with my cheesy bass amp (mono) and with an SWR California Blond (stereo). What an improvement! I could definitely hear the mic's work because one of my last complaints what that I had to turn down the highs so the sound wouldn't be harsh when I banged the strings too hard when strumming- with the mic, I can bang away and get a beautiful tone. With the proper EQing, this sounds definitely natural. THis is probably the best value on the market for dual source systems and sounds better than everything in its price range!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Alternative, Christian contempo, fingerpicking. Pickup works for all styles- beatiful match, though I admit that I love how it sounds with fingerpicking because the mic adds such clarity that I just love to fingerpick now. :)

Comments: Considering that I already love EMF's stuff, this was only icing on the cake. I feel that this is the most affordable, GOOD sounding pickup system unless you want to splurge and pay 500 for something like an Amulet system. EMF has a good thing going: no quack, good sound, good tone, good price. What more could you ask?

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 420-R
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Larry Pattis
You musical style(s): Acoustic folk, Christian contemporary
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: normal, very similar sound to acoustic.
Tone: very balanced tone
Sonic evaluation: I used various amps: Crate CA60, a pair of Trace TA30, and a Crate bass amp. In all of them, the sound was very clear (though I admit the midrange and bass was louder with the bass amp). With acoustic amps, the pickup reflected the tone of the guitar closely. (It is a undersaddle microphone, not piezo) The highs are very impressive- cleaner than the Highlander, very sharp. The lows and mids are precise and more acoustic than the Fishman. The pickup is very balanced. It's not the audiophile's perfect pickup, best its by far, the best undersaddle pickup that one can buy.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play acoustic folk/christian contempo- fingerstyle, light strumming, and heavy strumming (string banging). The pickup is suitable for all 3, best for the first 2 options in my opinion.

Comments: I'd get another one of these anyday, but I would add the mic for a little more clearness. It's very close to the sound of an acoustic, well worth buying. (check http://www.b-band.com for more information)