Fishman AG125 Undersaddle Passive Pickup

Ceramic under-saddle pickup with end-pin jack. No preamp, no onboard EQ, no onboard tuner, etc.

They recommend an impedance-matching pre-amp.

Installed on a Blueridge BR-40. My bandmate played the same pickup through his Blueridge BR-60 and it sounds mostly the same - mine is a bit better, but that is because of my Elixir nano-webbed light gage strings. Only modification was that the endpin (strap-peg) was replaced and doubles as a jack.

I had this installed so I could gig my acoustic without having to mic it. It seems like it will do the trick.

I switch between amps - sometimes I decide to play it through my Fender Blues Deluxe 40w all tube, and sometimes through my solid state 30w Kustom KGA 30. Both are electric guitar amps, but seem to do the trick well enough for gigging.

It has a low output level. I knew this when I bought it - I did not want a battery-powered unit installed in my guitar nor did I want the body to be butchered by an onboard EQ. I control it with my amp and get get enough volume, but I do have to turn the amps up fairly high to get it proportional to electric guitars. Nonetheless, they do the trick.

It is heavy on the treble! Slightly tinny I suppose describes it well. This is normal for acoustic pickups, and can be balanced decently with a solid amp and/or EQ pedal.

It does not pick up the high E very well - I believe it is because that string is more thin and therefore does not put as much pressure on the saddle as others. It is fine for chording, but noticeable if you are doing any sort of pick work. Again, manageable, especially for gigging, but that differentiation of volume is a little troubling.

Overall, it is a very good sound as far as acoustic pickups go - not too tinny, especially is EQ'd properly, and has a decent tone. Good for gigging, but I would not record with it. However, recording with an acoustic pickup is silly in the first place, you're much better off to have a very good quality microphone and a very good solid-body guitar.

I use it for classic rock, alternative country (ie. The Cardinals type stuff) and occasionally a bit of blues. I repeat - great for live, probably not greatest idea for recording.

Overall, I'd rate this at eight. It's a good pickup with good tone. It seems like a real workhorse type thing - not great for audiophiles in the studio, but exceptional as far as live sound will go. I compared it to some active pickups, and I found that they over did the tone somehow. The only thing that bothers me is the slightly quiter high E. Otherwise, it's all golden. A good bang for your buck, won't take the tone out of your guitar at all, doesn't make it look any different and will be a valued addition to your workhorse guitar.

I repeat - exceptional for gigging, probably not greatest idea for recording. Only thing I might add is an EQ pedal somewhere down the line for a more balanced high-end, but really it sounds definitively like an acoustic guitar and doesn't mess with anything about my instrument.

I would recommend professional installation - because it will raise your bridge saddle slightly, it's good to have them adjust the truss rod slightly to keep the action low.