Fishman Acoustic Matrix I

As noted by other reviewers - under saddle piezo. Preamp in endpin. No expernal controls. A nice design because there is nothing to screw-up your guitar! Except for the new endpin, the guitar looks exactly as it did before installing the pickup. The instructions on the Acoustic Matrix indicate that this model is the best choice for smaller body guitars - so it was perfect for my parlor sized acoustic. The pickup is very well designed, all mounting hardware is included, even a nice little bag for the battery, which can be located in the upper bout, near the neck.

I had this installed in a Tanglewood TW-73 slot head style Parlor Acoustic. This is a handmade, all solid wood guitar. Professional installation was well worth the investment as this is a beautiful instrument and prety hard to find. Getting optimal performance from the pickup requires proper installation and precise fitting of the pickup under the saddle for banalced sound. I paid $115.00 for the pickup and $75.00 to have it installed - a good deal from my point of view.

The sound is superb! Output is very adequate - certainly not loud. Betteries are suppored tolast forever in these pickups - my luthier told my the bateries last for darn near their normal shelf life! The sound is very clear and articulate from tis pickup with my guitar and amp. Very well balanced. No one string comes through any louder than any other string (this is where professional installation is important). I play it through a Roland AC-60 acoustic amp and Monster Jazz Cables. I play Fingerstyle guitar - so clarity and articulation are important. Unlike many piezos, the Acoustic Matrix sounds very clean and natural. My guitar actually sounds like my guitar (only louder)with this pickup.

I am very satisfied with this pickup. Very pleased that I bought it!

Pickup features: Under Saddle peizo-style pickup with active preamp built into the endpin
Impedence or other specs: low impedence

Model of guitar or bass: Alvarez Artist series
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Lawrence FT-145
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Tim Reynolds, Dave Matthews, the guys from Barenakedladies, many others
You musical style(s): bad-ass acoustic with attitude
Reason for pickup change: The lawrence made my guitar sound like a Les Paul when I played through an electric amp. When I played through an acoustic amp it sounded just horrible. The only way to get it even close to eq'd was to turn the treble all the way down, and it still was way to bright for my tastes. It had a crappy clamping system that marred my soundhole and the built-in cable buzzed like crazy.

Perceived output level: very good...not as loud as some active systems, but still very useable
Tone: seems to be pretty balanced. Needs only slight eq'ing
Sonic evaluation: I play through a carvin AG-100D acoustic amp, which is great. It makes a good pickup sound really great.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup works well for acoustic rock and many other styles. Might not work for bluegrass, but what bluegrass player would give up his mic anyway

Comments: This is a really good pickup. It does have a peizo tone to it, but it IS a peizo pickup. It seems to have outstanding battery life. I plan to eventually get fishman's electret condenser mic and a blender preamp to get a more natural attack. For the price I paid I am really satisfied.

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Washburn D-28S
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): picker, strummer
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Tinny, but manageable,
Tone: trebly, little low end
Sonic evaluation: Peavey Classic 50 (5ow, 1x10inch, dual channel with overdrive, tube amp, bought used 15 years ago

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: Would buy again because it's probably the best for the money. If possible in your budget, go for the ACtive matrix II, or bite the bullet and go for the onboard preamp.

Pickup features: Under saddle active
Impedence or other specs: low, micro preamp built into endpin

Model of guitar or bass: Ovation Celebrty
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock passive junk
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ???
You musical style(s): Christian Contempory
Reason for pickup change: Poor sound from the stock passive system, A Fishman model G preamp helped, but it still had poor sound.

Perceived output level: A bit less than the stock passive, but enough power.
Tone: Excellent, natural sound without any EQ, not as harsh as the stock pickup
Sonic evaluation: Plugging into the Church sound board, it sounds great. By running thru the Model G preamp I can boost the sig a bit and have tone control. Several Fishman techs said that people are using this combination. I spant weeks researching pickups befor I decided on the
matris. I couldnt be happier. The onboard 'preamp' is more of a conditioner, not a lot of boost, hence the incredible battery life.
But it is more than enough level for anyone. I like the external preamp more for the tone control. Very easy installation, Any one with soldering skills can handle it fine.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Christian, folk, alternate,.... great for anything

Comments: I would put this in another guitar in a heartbeat

Pickup features: Active "under the saddle" transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin J-40
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: Now, a Sunrise
Artists using this pickup: Plenty, I guess
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, Slide, American Classical
Reason for pickup change: Needed a good sound on tape

Perceived output level: Loud without additional pre. This pickup has a battery-powered pre for internal installation
Tone: Plastic attack, man - like all piezos. It is, however, the best piezo I've heard.
Sonic evaluation: Through a Meek compressor/exciter into the Mackie. You must dial out mids, or else the plastic attack will overpower you. Dial out some bass to eliminate subsonic rumble. Add treble. You CANNOT go into the mixer flat with this thing (unless you are a masochist).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For fingerstyle and slide, this pickup is NOT enough. It can be used to add wood to the sound of a soundhole pickup

Comments: I don't think I would buy it again because I'm now convinced that all piezos sound plasticky and have brutal attack. You must EQ too much to get acceptable sound, and I believe in going into my mixer flat.
However, the mods have now been made to my J-40, so I will quietly accept it. I have been playing Guitar for 20+ years.