Fishman Active Matrix Natural I

Pickup features: Active Piezo
Impedence or other specs: High Z

Model of guitar or bass: Seagull S6+ Cedar
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: More then i can list.
You musical style(s): Christian Rock, Pop, Blues, Alt-Pop.
Reason for pickup change: More volume, better recording sound.

Perceived output level: Fairly normal gain output. Needs a box if you're going to DI.
Tone: Balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Fender M80, or go direct into my Mackie. Sound is always very clean. a good natural sound for a peizo. clean, crisp, but still has some warmth to it. as well it picks up the body of the guitar, which obviously makes for a nicer warmer more natural tone. with a little high end boost it has a biting lead tone, (say +3dB at 12kHz 1.5oct 'Q'), but still retains a rich sound on the low strings. Does tent to get a bit harsh as high ends gets boosted more, but again, it's a piezo. I combine it with a Rode NT1, and NT2 sometimes, for recording, makes for a good all around sound. i'd rather combine it with an outboard mic for recording (such as the NT1 or even gettin up into things liek a Classic II, or U47, U87, and high end beasts like that.) because it allows for better mic placement options, and a little bit more selection in quality and blend, bu for live, you need nothing more.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a good all around live pickup, and will work very well for blending in recording.

Comments: I'd buy this again. The price is right, I don't have to chop a hole in my guitar (big bonus). I got my installation free of charge (which is why I LOVE murch music) but either way a good all around pickup. for live it has the balance of tone and volume to do what you need (you may want fishman's outboard pre-amp if you need stage control over volume and tone) but i'd stay way from putting a hole in my guitar myself. For recording it's got a good sound to be blended, but i wouldn't reccomend not using a mic while recording it. part of the reason piezo's don't sound real is because whiel some may pick up body vibration, none of tehm pickup ROOM noise, even in a fairly dead room, an accoustic will sound like an electric if there isn't any 'space' around it. It's a nice sounding pick up, and i'll put it in whatever guitar i go to next. Fishman makes high quality stuff, and as long as it's installed properly (which isn't hard if you have the expertise, or if you know a good trustworthy luthier) it will sound as natural as is possible for a peizo.