Fishman Neo-D

Single Coil - Passive

Fitted to Guild F4CE acoustic, slight modifications as the sound hole is oval, not round. There is a fishman peizo fitted as standard which gives an awful sound.

The sound from pickup was an immediate wow. I tried it in the shop head to head against the undersaddle pickup. I have struggled with undersaddles on all guitars that I have tried. Its possible if you have a good PA with an acceptable EQ to get a sound of sorts. However it is not a sound that you enjoy. The top is too brash and brittle and the bass is too boomy. Merge them together to get a mid point and you never acheive it, and even if you get a sound that you like, it still bears no resemblance to a guitar.
However the sound hole Neo-D gives an instant warm sound, much closer to an acoustic sound, which gives you all of the tone controls on your equipment to get the sound you want.
The reason for not rating the sound higher than an 8 is that there is a rare earth version available at a cost of 2 1/2 times the price which must be even better than the Neo -D
I use a Marshall AS50 with a Hartke Acoustic Attack pedal. Style is mainly Jazz/Blues with a flatpick.

I would by another if I lost this one. I've been playing for about 30 years, but only seriously for about 4.
This represents the single most effective sound improvement to the guitar that I have found (and I spend a lot of time trying to get the sound I want). I would recommend this pickup for anyone with an undersaddle pickup.

Single-Coil Soundhole pickup. It's strictly a pickup, no preamp or anything of that nature. Comes with clamps that are lined with cork, so it will not mar the finish of your guitar. Also included is the 10-ft cable.

I am using it in a Yamaha FG-441S that is roughly 13 years old. I have never used acoustic pickups before, so this was a first.

The output level is kind of low, but with a bit of tweaking, it is more than adequate. I run it through a Fender Tube Amp and a compressor for that kick it needs. The tone is tremondous. It's a bit trebly, but that's easily fixed with EQ. Feedback was a bit of a problem for me, but I play live with my guitars and we're loud. As long as you mute your strings when not playing, it's not insurmountable. At home, practicing at a reasonable level, no feedback at all.

I play in a garage/blues rock band and we were asked to play an acoustic show. I practiced with it the morning of the show and really loved the sound of it. It's clean and clear and bright as can be. The output level was a bit low and had to turn my amp quite loud to cut through the band. Being a simple 3-piece, this is important. Eventually we ran it through a Presonus Comp16 (Compressor) and then into my Fender Blues Deluxe. With the compressor my guitar leapt out of my hands and started dancing for me. Seriously, I was sceptical, but with a little bit of tweaking to find your sound (it's that way with any new equipment) this pick-up screamed. I just finished recording a song for trial purposes and was blown away.

Single coil, passive acoustic pickup. Mounts in the soundhole. Box says especially balanced for bronze stringed acoustic instruments. Without modifying the guitar the wire would hang out of the soundhole, which i'm sure no serious performer would want...visually or practically.

I've used this pick up in an Epiphone Dove, Epi DR100 and a cheap acoustic dreadnought by SX. On all three guitars I installed an output jack/strap button then snipped the end of the wire and soldered it directly to the jack. I left plenty of slack coiled inside the body of the guitar in case i need to transplant. It was fairly easy to drill the hole and only slightly tricky to feed the wire down thru the hole. The guitars i use with this pickup don't come with any pickups but sound great. Especially the Dove as it's solid woods.

The pickup is passive but on most PA's that doesn't matter too much as you can use channel gain to get loud enough. I chopped my roland micro cube's cabinet and speaker off and built a small metal cab for it. That's my preamp that i use if gigging right into the pa. Works great and i get reverb and blackface sound. Otherwise i use a silverface fender proreverb. The tone of the pickup is clear, balanced and fairly true to an acoustic sound. I reckon it's actually better than a bridge piezo for what i do, as i want a sort of electric sound. With this pickup, my amp and preamp i can get a good aggressive throaty acoustic sound and bassy twang like Duane Eddy/Surf/Rockabilly kinda gretsch sound. I think this pickup would really suit someone looking for the ability to play acoustic music with an electric edge.

If destroyed/stolen sure i'd get one of these again. I've been playing at least 12years but in the last 3 years a lot of acoustic. The pickup is incredible value for money...although like other reviewers i think the wire connecting the pickup is cheap. The way to go is definitely to do some drilling and just permanently install the pickup. Nobody really wants a wire dangling outta their soundhole do they? It's passive, which means it's quiet...so you might wanna compensate for that. I reckon my guitar looks cool with it too...oh yeah...never had a feedback problem either.

No-Alteration, Drop-In Passive Soundhole Pickup.

I purchashed this pickup to amplify my Blueridge BR-160 and avoid the "saw and drill" approach.

This little gem is hooked directly to a Fender Acoustasonic 30. For the price, it's very well balanced and does the absolute best to replicate the guitar's pure sound. Obviously, to capture true acoustic sound, several elements must be used, however, this little unit does exceptionally well for a drop in soundhole pickup.

I've been playing for approx. 13 years and have owned a little bit of everything along the way. This pickup is simply amazing for it's simple amplication, setup, and value.

I am however, extremely concerned about the quality of the cable. Come on Fishman, at least make the lead/cable look like something that didn't come out of a starter pack!

Pickup features: Single Coil passive magnetic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Washburn D13
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Dean Markley ProMag Grand
Other pickups on guitar: None.
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Folk, Blues, just about everything
Reason for pickup change: The Markley just wasn't clear enough. Wanted better but can't afford new guitar with all the neat electronics on board.

Perceived output level: Typical single coil. Maybe a touch less than the Markley but insignificantly so. Plenty of power.
Tone: Balanced. Clear. Crisp. I Can't believe how clean this sounds for the $$$. Watch for typical single-coil noise but hey that's the tradeoff.
Sonic evaluation: OK here goes. I tried it on a Ibanez Troubador acoustic amp in the store. Amazed. Got home and...ready?..Roland Micro Cube practice amp set on "acoustic" simulation, feeding a Crate GX80 guitar amp modified with two external speaker jacks. Into which are plugged my home stereo speakers. Ok go ahead and laugh. It's what I had on hand and it sounds wonderful for the budget. Cant wait to get a proper acoustic amp. The pickup is much MUCH better than the Markley for clarity, string balance is as advertised. A purist might say it's still not "acoustic" enough, fine. I compared directly to an Ovation, an Applause, and one other gtr in the store and found, sure, a new guitar sounds betterfor some things, not in others. I'm starting to discover all boosted acoustics (in my price range) compromise somewhere. On a budget ? Buy this pickup and give your old acoustic ax new life. Take the time to install the wire inside.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: A bit brittle for agressive picking but EQ can tune that. Picks up percussive thumps and lots of bottom end.Great for hybrid and finger styles.

Comments: If it were lost I'd get the same one again immediately. Sounds great, easy soundhole clamp-on, (Careful you dont put it in upside down the sound will be unbalanced). I could add a preamp/pocket eq to it but thats extras. Direct into a nice amp or PA, you'll get clear, crisp sound with a slught and I mean slight magnetic/electric "edge". Play with care, (dont bang too hard) you'll get good acoustic tone. Well done, Fishman, I am truly impressed.

Pickup features: Single Coil - sound hole pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender DG-7
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): folk-rock, rock, folk, bluegrass, country
Reason for pickup change: no prior pickup on guitar, added Neo-D

Perceived output level: very low output level
Tone: fantastic tone, balanced
Sonic evaluation: I've put this through, Mesa Studio .22, Kustom 12A, Roland 120 Chorus into Randall 4x12, and various PA systems.

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

Comments: >>WARNING<< Fishman has begun using VERY cheap wire for the cord on these pickups. I got one because a band-mate has the same one and I loved the sound. A few months later both of ours had the cords go bad (patch-cable is made into the pickup and cannot be changed)... Both of us!! I was able to put a new tip on one but the other is dead, I can't find the place where the cable is broken. It's too bad because these pickups sound GREAT, but the cheap hardware doesn't last.

Pickup features: SIngle coil soundhole mount
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1970s Guild D-35
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone: Balanced tone, very acoustic
Sonic evaluation: I have not been pleased with most of the piezoelectric pickups I've tried; the bridge pickups tend to sound quacy, and the body pickups, muddy. This simple magnetic pickup has a very clear sound that really captues the acoustic sound of the guitar. I've used it on stage and was very pleased with it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Country, Folk

Comments: I liked this pickup so much that I built it into my guitar, using an endpin jack. If it died, though, I'd be tempted to try FIshman's active version of the same pickup.
I've been playing 35 years and have a pretty large collection of stringed instruments.

Pickup features: passive, single coil with neodymium magnets, 10' cable terminating in 1/4" plug
Impedence or other specs: Don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Gretsh (dreadnaught)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: First pickup on guitar
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, Folk, "American Primative"
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Output met my expectations for a passive pickup
Tone: Very balanced, bright
Sonic evaluation: I run through either an SWR workingman's 10 or small eight-channel Peavey PA. I also have an ART acoustic fx/DI. When run straight into either system the tone is consistent with that of other single coil pickups. The unwound strings have a bright, mildly stratty sort of sound, but that is not to say that the bass strings are absent from the mix- a problem that I found with other pickups I evaluated before buying this one. (Lawrence FT 145, Markley Pro-Mag SC, Duncan Acoustic Tube) I found this pickup remakably shapable with the tools I have available. (The ART does a good job of warming it up a bit.)Like practically all magnetic systems, though, the tone comes off somewhat electric.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is a good match for acoustic blues or rock. I could see using it elsewhwere as well.

Comments: Were it lost or stolen I would probably buy it again. I've been playing for more than twenty years and I associate a certain type of sound with a magnetic pick-up. This was no different, but not a dissappointment. I intend to use this rig for tunes where its sound will fit in perfectly. I like the way this pickup installs in the soundhole. I believe its position near the fingerboard helps contribute to its good string to string balance which I found adequate right out of the tube. Its passive so no fooling around with batteries. Like most single-coil pickups, it hums, but if you want that single-coil tone you find ways around that. It was fairly feedback resistant (I had to push it pretty hard before it did and even then it wasn't like a Ted Nugent kind of thing.) I hate that, like a number of other pickups in this genre, it comes with 10' of cable attached. If you desire internal installation, you have to buy an end-pin jack, cut the cable, solder, etc.,etc. I compared it with the other products mentioned above. Not that others don't exist, but these (other than the Rare Earth an Matrix which were beyond what I wanted to pay) were the things available at the store I patronize and I generally don't buy gear that I can't test drive. I thought this was the best of the lot. A humbucker in this line might have swayed my decision. I'm satisfied with this pickup. It really is a great value and I was pleasantly surprised when I plugged it in.

Pickup features: passive single coil soundhole p/u with 10ft. cable and 1/4" plug
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin 000-15
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: i dunno
You musical style(s): Christian praise/worship
Reason for pickup change: No change; I just didn't want to modify my guitar

Perceived output level: seems pretty hot for a passive P/U
Tone: good balance with a slight brittleness on the treble end
Sonic evaluation: I am playing a Martin 000-15 running through an Ampeg B100R Rocket Bass combo (100 watts) with the p/u plugged into "0" passive input... This amp has a low-mid voicing that sounds quite nice with this p/u... I know you purists out there will think it crazy to use a bass amp but when I roll off some of the low & low-mids on the eq, it shapes well. I do mostly strummy type playing and it blends well with the nice grand piano that we have at church.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: works for what I'm doing

Comments: I would probably get one of these again if something happened to it; I have been playing 15 years (half my life); I've used and enjoyed a dean markley soundhole p/u before BUT I couldn't use it on the Martin 000-15 because of it's smaller soundhole... this p/u, although a little tricky to install (have to use a phillips screwdriver to clamp it in), fits well and sounds good. No real complaints.

Pickup features: passive single coil
Impedence or other specs: unsure, look at www.fishman.com

Model of guitar or bass: Reedman NS-15
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: didn't have one
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: I don't know
You musical style(s): punk, alt country, folk, emo
Reason for pickup change: I'm doing an acoustic gig in a few days and wanted a pickup so I didn't have to sit still in front of a mic.

Perceived output level: hotter than other soundhole pickups I've tried
Tone: pretty even. bright, but I've only played it through a fender combo at the store
Sonic evaluation: I haven't played it through a P.A. or my halfstack or anything yet, but I was pretty impressed with the way it sounded at the store. Crisp, even tone, albeit a little bright but that might've been the Fender combo I was playing through.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play punk, emo, alt country stuff on acoustic, but it's prolly good for most styles, maybe not a good match for finger style playing

Comments: I'd prolly buy this one again. Originally I bought a Dimarzio Natural Plus or whatever, and it didn't work! The switch was messed up so it would only work if you held it down a certain way. This pickup was $10 cheaper and sounded way better. My only problem with it is that I'm left-handed and this is a right-handed pickup, so I can either turn it upside-down or have the cord wrap underneath my guitar, a real pain. but if you're looking for a decent-sounding soundhole pickup for cheap, go with this one. Obviously if you're a serious acoustic player you should go with one of Fishman's transducer systems, but this is definitely good for the money.