Fishman SBT Sound Board Transducer

Passive disk-shaped soundboard transducers. I have only seen them advertised with one element, but Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA installs them with two. No preamp. Just pickups and output jack.

Martin Norman Blake Signature. This has a vintage-style bridge with a glued-in saddle, which precludes the use of a saddle pickup. I use a Fishman Matrix on my other Martin for its simplicity, reliability and decent sound, but that's not possible here. The shop recommended the SBT.

Output is pretty low. Definitely need a preamp here. I'm using a Bagg's Para-Acoustic, which has excellent controls. The sound is a bit trebly and feedback is more of a problem here than with the Fishman Matrix. This is a very resonant guitar, so that doesn't help. The Bagg's DI keeps the feedback under control. I play mostly fingerstyle, so the bright sound is a good match for me. Good note definition. About equal to other good soundboard transducers like K+K or Schertler, but not as good as the sweet but expensive Trance.

A good compromise here. Reasonable price, good tone, very few mods needed to your guitar. Downside is you need to use a preamp. For casual playing, I like the simple plug-and-go of the Fishman Matrix. The SBT requires a bit more work, but sounds a bit better.

Pickup features: Coin shaped piezo style soundboard transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Handmade Garcia classical guitar, and Steel string dreadnaught
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Flamenco, folk, pop, alternative, a large variety of music
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: It has a moderate output. If you're using a chord longer than 10ft. using a preamp is almost a must.
Tone: It tends to be rather trebly. I get the best sound from putting it really near the bridge on the bass end. If you're not careful, it can be too trebly, sometimes too harsh. However, when when I fiddle with the eq's, and put the pickup in the "sweet spot" the acoustic reproduction is excellent.
Sonic evaluation: I use a fishman sbt preamp. If live use, it's almost a must.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup can be used for pretty much everything. Finger noise is minimal, and soundboard thumps are a little less than other soundboard pickups.

Comments: I would replace it had it been lost. I've been playing for about 7 years, with different styles. Once I adjust all the settings on the amp, I get a really nice acoustic sound. However, it takes a little work. I've used a dean markeley soundboard transducer before. It's easier to plug and play, however it gave an almost humbucker sound, which isn't what I'm looking for in an acoustic pickup. The fishman has a much more natural, woodsy, sound and has great potential provided that you're willing to play around with it for a little while.

Pickup features: Coin-shaped transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez 12-String Performance Series
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Jazz, Folk
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to record my 12-string, with both a mic and pickup. The pickup was installed to give the guitar more signal variety, and drown out any additional noise that the microphones catch (string squeek, clothes, obnoxious pick strumming, etc.)

Perceived output level: Hard to say -- I'm using it on a 12-string, which would easily supply enough signal for any PU
Tone: Nice highs, boomy lows. I didn't expect much out of this PU ....but was delightfully suprised.
Sonic evaluation: A low cut is probably a must for this PU, as it tends to catch the thumps of your wrist occasionally. I tend to run mine through an EQ to my 8 track.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for strumming - so long as you avoid smacking the wood. A welcome companion with a microphone (SM57, etc.).

Comments: The only thing that irritates me is awkwardness of it's location. Sticking the the jack into it can be difficult. It just looks like a cheap job - with a cord dangling out of the soundhole. Yet, I have become rather fond of this SBT for replicating a very woody sound, and having a surprising freq. response.

Pickup features: A simple button pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Cheap Jasmine cutaway
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): Blues and folk picking(on acoustic, of course)
Reason for pickup change: I was in need of low end on this guitar. It also just needed general amplification for performence and recording.

Perceived output level: It has a pretty high output for such a basic pickup
Tone: Surprisingly clean and clear
Sonic evaluation: My initial opinion is very favorable. It pushes some good sound with little feedback on a little Peavey 15 watt. Bear in mind I had it set at only 2 or three volume.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think that it really gives you a good sound if you want a good steely, slightly treble sound.

Comments: If it was stolen I would probably go out and buy another one. I have been playing seriously for about a year. Two hours a night practice. I also own a Martin D-18, Epiphone Les Paul, Danelectro 12-string, Yamaha acoustic 12-string, Airline Lap Steel, Kay acoustic, and a no-name classical guitar. I like the way the pickup really brings out the woody sound of the guitar which has a kind of thin sound without amplification. I think that this pickup will do fine for this guitar. When you don't have it plugged in, it is unnoticeable and doesn't affect the regular sound. And oh yeah, it sounds kind of cool if you overdrive it just a touch:)