Fishman Prefix Premium Blend

Pickup features: Under brige piezo + gooseneck microphone (blendable), backlit fully chromatic tuner, mono or stereo operation, phase reverse, notch filter, 3 band eq with semi parametric "contour" control, solid construction
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Michael Kelly Dragonfly Rose Acoustic Bass
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Classic 4 preamp + pickup
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: who knows
You musical style(s): Blues, Jazz, Rock
Reason for pickup change: I really wanted to get rid of the 'fake' acoustic sound that an under bridge pickup delivers. If anyone has heard an acoustic guitar mic'd and plugged in they will agree, it sucks plugged in. Also, a built in backlit chromatic tuner isn't bad either.

Perceived output level: The output is nice, and since there is a "set it and forget it" mic volume control on the backside of the preamp, I all but eliminated feedback. There is also a built in phase reverser and notch filter to cut feedback even more. No problem for me.
Tone: The tone is much more filled out with the blend control set in the center. The contour control, which is a fancy parametric midrange, delivers a 12dbl cut/boost from 250hz to 10khz for great tonal adjustments.
Sonic evaluation: I tested it out on my SWR workingman's 15 combo amp. I was floored by the sound with both eq's flat and only the aural enhancer up where I normally have it (2 o' clock). Theres no more fake acoustic sound, just fat, woody, bluesy tone that is to die for.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup and preamp is the perfect setup for those who really want to get their tone out to the world without having to go through the trouble of micing their guitar and all that other junk.

Comments: Oh, boy, is this a good preamp! The construction is rock solid (much better than my previous preamp, actually). The features are close to endless for an onboard preamp. It really left me speechless when I got it set up and played it for the first time. I'm leaving this review not to gloat over my gear, but to tell all those out there seeking a better straight-to-board tone that there is an option. I was nervous at first, because I talked to a guy from Fishman, and he said that I might not be happy with the results if I put it in an acoustic bass. He said that the mic would not add much bass and that the chromatic tuner was more calibrated for normal guitars. Well, let me tell you, I couldn't be happier. I tuned up in a flash, and the tone I get with the eq flat is astonishing. Theres lots of bass to go round, with the blend slider set in the center. Of course, if you want to put it into a normal acoustic guitar, be my guest. Either way I'm sure you will be happy. Oh and another thing, I put the preamp in myself. Bought a Dremel at Home Depot for 60 bucks and went at it. The preamp comes with a template so that even a dummy could do it. I saved alot on the installation, and I took my old Fishman Classic 4 and threw it into my beater Yamaha acoustic guitar. No sense in wastin' it, huh? Thats two preamp installations for only 60 bucks, crazy. The only complaint that it cost me 300 smackers for the preamp, pickup and mic. I'm a high school student so I had to wait until I sold my Ibanez electric guitar before I could get it. It is well worth the price, don't get me wrong. Oh, and if you want to know what I would do if someone stole it, remember that in doing so, they would also be stealing my "Rose" as well. I would hunt them down, castrate them, and feed their balls to their mother, after feeding them to themselves. I've been playing for 5 years and preforming for about 2. I may only be 16 but I've heard and played my share of expensive guitars and amps, but theres nothing that sounds better for blues and hard rock than my Michael Kelly. It has a woody upright tone and crunch when I want it to too. The thing is, blues is the basis for all forms of music other than classical. A little tweaking and some effects here and there and I can get any sound I want. I am also educated in music theory and can read music in bass and treble clef, so you can trust what I say, Im not a tabber guitarist who cringes at the first sign of music theory. I play every type of saxophone there is as well, and I started that when I was in third grade. The only reason that I don't give this thing a 10 is because of the price, but its just something you have to deal with when buying top of the line equiptment.