EMG Ampjak

Pickup features: Active under the saddle,pre-amp is in the jack and the battery mounts in a cordura velcro bag that can be fastened to the neck block.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor Big Baby
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: I have'nt checked into this
You musical style(s): Contemporary Praise/Worship;Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: New Install

Perceived output level: Good signal level.It's also adjustable from a trim/pot on the preamp.
Tone: Balanced and Transparent,Represents the Guitar Well
Sonic evaluation: Fender Acoustisonic 30. Also, I run this thru a Peavey Profex when going D.I. The p/u has a builtin preamp so the gain is pretty good.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Christian Praise/Worship. Very good match. This is an under the saddle mount.

Comments: I would choose this p/u again if it was stolen or lost. I've been playing over 30 years and have owned many guitars. My current electric collection cosist of a 1993 Gibson ES-350T L.E., '84 Fender Strat Plus,and a Peavey Reactor AX. My acoustic collection includes the new Big Baby from Taylor,which is an incredible instrument,a 1976 Guild D-40 "BlueGrass Jubillee",1979 Guild 212XL Jumbo 12-string, 1992 Takamine NP-45 acoustic/electric,1993 Washburn C-84CES classic/electric,1993 Deering Deluxe 5-string banjo and a 1995 Dobro/Gibson "F" model square neck. I firmly believe that unless you start w/ a good sounding guitar(acoustic or electric)there is no pickup on earth that can make that guitar sound like it should. This pickup does a good job of representing the guitars total sound. I've also owned other EMG products and was satisfied w/ their sound and quality. The other thing I liked is the way the preamp is secured in the guitar jack and the battery/bag that mounts on the neck block.Pretty Cool!

Pickup features: Piezo plus preamp built into Ultrakak endpin
Impedence or other specs: Matched for combos/PA due to pre-amp

Model of guitar or bass: Brook Tamar 6 string
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Newly fitted to new guitar
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: No one with any sense
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: Well actually, I'm telling you what a heap of garbage this pickup is; It was noisy (hums) and had a nasty quack which just clashed with the voice of the guitar. It sounds more acceptable though a Session Matchbox or Boss AD5, but it still hums. This is not on, it's awful in a PA. It was supplied and fitted free by the dealer with the guitar. I have changed it to a Headway unit with a belt-mounted pickup which is far nicer - I will review that in due course. I have two guitars with older AT93 EMGs with preamps mounted on the neck blocks. These have been reliable and quiet but I have moved on, with the Headway in this guitar and a Martin Thinline and Fishman active AGP2 preamp in my Lowden - it's not as good as the Headway, but its not bad either and beautifully made.

Perceived output level: Pretty standard and pre-set but level an be altered up or down to suit.
Tone: Middly, plasticky, noisy.
Sonic evaluation: Top quality handmade acoustic with a bright yet deep sound. The EMG made it sound awful and it hummed. I checked and re-made all the cnnections and it still did it. None of my other guitars made any noise with the same lead/amp, so it is the Ampjak.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I couldn't say this is any good for anything. Its nicely made, the jack socket is good quality, but I am unhappy with the sound and the noise.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I'd be pleased. I'd claim the insurance and buy something else. Well I already have bought something else.