Martin Thinline 332

Pickup features: Passive under-saddle transducer
Impedence or other specs: Manufactured by Fishman

Model of guitar or bass: Martin SPDC-16TR
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: Martin Active Jack & Fishman Ellipse Blend
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Acoustic Adult Alternative
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Low output level requiring preamp/DI for most live situations
Tone: Well balanced, but a bit bright, like most transducer-type pickups
Sonic evaluation: Primarily play Martin dreadnaught through a Marshall AS100D acoustic amp with minimal effects.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Acoustic adult alternative (country, folk, pop, rock, reggae, etc)

Comments: Low output initially discouraging, but overcome with use of DI for limited live playing. Later upgraded to "active" pickup with addition of Martin "Active Jack" effectively modifying pickup to a "Thinline 332+ Plus". Though not overly bright like some transducers, it does still tend to lean towards the high end of the spectrum. As this pickup is made by Fishman, further modification and breadth tonal response is possible with the addition of the Fishman Ellipse Blend... Essentially a soundhole mic with both a volume control and a blend control to adjust the output balance between the two pickups. A GREAT sounding combination.
I'm very please with Fishman's quality, the guitar's sound and tonal variety that I can achieve with this pickup combination and would likely duplicate the same or a very similar setup in subsequent quitars. While the Ellipse Blend's controls are not in the most convenient location, the tradeoff/advantage is that you don't have to cut a 2x3" hole in the side of your $3000 guitar to install it.

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone AJ15
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: The pick-up gives a great sound but there is no way i'd recommend it to anyone. it is so quiet that i can barely use it to fill a coffee house through a 50 watt amp since i've had it installed i havent used it other than in my own house because it doesn't get loud enough i plan on replacing it with a fishman acoustic matrix when i get some spare money. martin is a great brand but if you actually need your acoustic amplified DO NOT BUY THIS PICKUP

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Art & Lutherie
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Not real loud...
Tone: It's a bit thin in general
Sonic evaluation: I've found this to work very well using the thinline into an ART tube mic pre. The mic pre ($99) works great as a DI box. The tube evens out the thinline nicely...

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

Comments: The thinline is cheap and easy way to go. I would still mike the guitar if possible but this is usually impossible in live situations. You really can't go wrong with having a thinline installed and as I stated above, get some kind of tube mic pre for a DI and it will sound very good for your live setup. Installation kinda freaked me out but I decided to go for it.
Here's what I did: I went to the hardware store and bought a 1/2 inch forstner bit for $10. This is the way to go! It has a pointed tip that guides the bit so you don't need to pre-drill. Just center it up and go for it. There was a 1.5 inch block on mine and it took a few minutes for it to make it through but it got there nice and slow without tearing at all! The rest was easy. Center up the pickup in the saddle, drill a quick little hole for the wire, soder it up to the endjack (I forgot to put the endjack sleeve on before sodering! Don't forget it!). Then grab a beer, some sandpaper and the bridge and start rubbin' it down... (the beer will help). I marked my bridge with a pencil straight across the entire bridge before and after installing the pickup so I could tell when I had sanded enough away. Throw it all back together and you should be fine. It took me about an hour and a half but I was real timid about it. It's really no problem at all. Just takes some time.
Overall, I'd give this a 10 because it's a great value but it's still not as good as a mike (hence the 9). Don't ecpect it to sound GREAT pluged direct into a cheap PA. GET A PRE AMP!!! I had used different "acoustic pres" but they just made the thinline suck differently. I was really happy when I tried the tube pre. Give it a shot...

Pickup features: Piezo
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Keller Acoustic (custom)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Acoustic with an attitude
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Very responsive (hot)
Tone: Bright
Sonic evaluation: Crate Acoustic 125D with Michael Keller Acoustic. I sometimes feel like I'm a Nashville cat. The sounds I get from my cedar top with this pickup are incredible. I 'never' get tired of playing this set up. Remember that time when you as a beginning acoustic guitar player used to strum a chord and put the body of the guitar close to your ear and just listen to the myriads of tones? This is that same experience.

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

Comments: Excellent, would recommend to anyone. Some finicky acoustic purists don't like piezo's because they "are too bright, and don't have that warm wood sound". To that I reply that I have never heard a recording that acurately captures the infinite beauty of the tones from an acoustic guitar. The piezo does change the acoustic sound, but too me it's the closest thing to the real thing. Keep in mind you must have an acoustic amp. Currently, there are only two worth considering IMHO Crate 125D and the new Fender Acoustimass 6xx model.

Pickup features: Piezo under the saddle pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Takamine G330
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): All kinds
Reason for pickup change: Installed on my acoustic

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: I'm using an old combination solid state/tube amp with 12 inch speaker, about 50 watts.

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

Comments: I've been playing for 35 years. I've never electrified my acoustic, saving it only for unplugged portable playing and songwriting. I've been playing in groups for the past 12 years and have always played my electrics. I've been wanting that acoustic sound in the mix. The regular "woodies" placed in the sound hole have had an unsatisfactory sound to my ear. I don't think they don't have good acoustic tone.I bought a cheap Korean acoustic in a pawn shop that had an under the saddle pickup, active with a battery inside and EQ. It had a great sound but the battery was such a hassle and I even broke it just trying to change the battery. Then it developed another problem and I gave up on it. So, I wanted that same sound without the hassles of battery. This Martin 332 thinline is fantastic! Great sound just through my regular amp. I get an even better sound going through a Boss Compressor/Sustainer pedal that I already had. I turn the sustain all the way down. This is a great sound for now. Don't think I can justify a high-dollar preamp or EQ just yet. I'm so happy with this sound. I highly recommend it. I like the sound so much I may stop playing my electrics altogether!

Pickup features: Passive Bridge Pickup
Impedence or other specs: Who knows

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Drednought
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Dean Markley Sound-hole-piece-of-crap
Other pickups on guitar: none here
Artists using this pickup: Me Baby
You musical style(s): Alternative rock, some fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: The Dean Markley soundhole pickup was way unbalanced and made my acoustic sound like a cheap electric. It was a pice of crap.

Perceived output level: Slightly week
Tone: Balanced, and smooth
Sonic evaluation: I really like this pickup. It keeps the acoustic sound and is very well balanced. It was easy to install and is hidden from view. much better sounding than soundhole pickups.

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

Comments: If I Ever had to buy another pickup I would probably buy this one again. For $60 it's the best sounding pickup you can buy. It doesn't affect the unplugged sound nor is it unsightly like sound-hole pickups. An active pickup might sound a little better but this one works fine for me.

Pickup features: Passive, Under the Saddle.
Impedence or other specs: HZ

Model of guitar or bass: A small '72 Alvarez 6-String Acoustic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Barcus Berry Micro dots (2)
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Only me.
You musical style(s): Blues & Hill Country Blues
Reason for pickup change: Micro-Dots died, needed to plug into board.

Perceived output level: Normal output level.
Tone: Trebly, but the old Barcus Berry pre-amp works like a CHAMP.
Sonic evaluation: Sometimes a Peavy Decade, A Crate +200 watter, and the P.A.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, R&B, and Ballads. It fits good, I can get the sound of the guitar, or overdive, too.

Comments: If I lost this guitar, I would have to find another just like it, and I would probably try a Baggs system. However, if the Baggs didn't get near what I have, I wouldn't have any trouble puttin' a Thinline back in it. I played for 30+ years, and I don't like having to use a pre-amp, but that could be tied up in the alternative hole drilling location thing, too. I'm satisfied with it, now, and am installing a Thinline Gold+ in my bigger Alvarez... If it all goes well, then we'll see about playing with hole locations on the little one.

Pickup features: passive piezo pickup
Impedence or other specs: ??

Model of guitar or bass: Sigma - deep body dreadnought with a cutaway
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Dean Markley (the brown, soundhole pickup)
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ??
You musical style(s): mainly flatpicking
Reason for pickup change: I strum my guitar hard and the over-the-soundhole pickup was getting in my way of picking

Perceived output level: The signal is very weak, especially comparing to other active, pre-amp included acoustic pickup packages. When I plug directly into a PA, the soundman often asks if my guitar is on - because the signal is so faint.
Tone: Well, maybe drilling the hole on the high E end will help (as others testified), but the sound is very trebly. It's very harsh. Now, my plaing style does create a lot of bright top end in any guitar I play - but my guitar has a deep body and the full sounding low end of my acoustic guitar is not reflected at all in the sound.
Sonic evaluation: I've had this pickup for over three years for now, have used it from a rock gig to coffeehouse to church PA's. It sounds the best, actually, when I plug it into my electric guitar amp. But still it's harsh, thin and unnatural. Maybe a good acoustic pre-amp with lots of nice effects will help. But by itself, the sound is quite disappointing if you want a clean, crystal piezo sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Maybe this pickup will work if someone is looking for a very unnatural, trashed up guitar sound. I have used it to that effect, so I guess you can turn anything into strength if you tried.

Comments: I am hoping to replace it or at least augment it with a pre-amp as soon as I have some money on my hand. Sound evaluation is a very subjective call, but if you are looking for a clean piezo sound this one is not good. Nor is it close to a real acoustic guitar sound. But depending on you point of view, it does create an unnatural, disturbing and unique sound, so there are ways to use it musically.

Pickup features: Under the Saddle
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha FG-300A
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: N/A
You musical style(s): Acoutic
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a pickup that would keep the orginal sound of the
guitar without damaging it.

Perceived output level: Keeps the origanal sound
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Various Amps

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Acoutic, this pickup works perfectly.

Comments: I like how it keeps the orginal sound. The guitar was made be played
without a pickup, so it has a great sound. With the pickup I still
keep the natural sound. It also has simple installation.

Pickup features: Under bridge - passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: None
You musical style(s): Contemporary Christian
Reason for pickup change: Needed to run through a sound system and acoustic mic'ing caused problems (I couldn't hold the guitar at a constant distance from the mic).

Perceived output level: This is the third guitar I have installed this pickup on (previous were Yamaha and Epiphone). I chose this pickup because it is easy to install (if you have the right equipment!) and produces very closely the natural tone of the instrument. It's also less expensive than some other pickups I have seen!!
Tone: It depends on which end of the bridge you install. I found out that if you drill near the 6th string you get more treble but if you drill near the 1st string you get more bass. The difference is slight, but if you need more of either, it's nice to have a little extra of what you want instead of too much of the wrong end!
Sonic evaluation: I run the pickup through 3 effects; Compress/Sustain (emphasizing Sustain), 7 band EQ (pushing Bass), and Stereo Chorus (to give a fuller sound) then to a passive Direct Box which runs the sound to the mixer board. I have a friend who let me plug into his 1962 Fender Bandmaster and found that I really had to re-tweek all the effects, so for those buyers who plan on running through a guitar amp, check out the natural sound of the pickup thru the amp before buying any effects.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Contemporary Christian music which is similar in style to Pop and Folk. The pickup is a really good match because it can produce the natural sound of your guitar. The pickup does loose some quality if you play up high on the neck (after the 16-17 fret) but I am rarely up that high!

Comments: If I trade guitars again, I will definitely consider this pickup. The price/sound value is really good. I have been playing for approx. 10 years and have tried other soundhole, bridge pickups but have not been as satisfied. Even though you may have heard this in previous comments, I would like to emphasize that if you have never installed a bridge transducer pickup before, get a professional to do it and see if you can watch! It's worth every penny!!!

Pickup features: Transducer acoustic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Reiser R10-N
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Self
You musical style(s): No style, just a beginner
Reason for pickup change: Sometimes I jam with semi-professionals plugged in.

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Installed it in a cheaper 'learner's' guitar which lacks a little
bass response and is a little to resonant. The pickup accurately
reproduces the sound produced by the guitar itself, and adds a little
bit of treble. I have to add a little EQ bass and subtract a small
amount of treble for a balanced sound.

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

Comments: It's easy to install, tools needed are a small drill bit for the the
pickup itself and 1/2 inch bit for the phono plug/strap button and
pliers. I accidently gouged the bottom of my guitar while putting in
the plug, so if you're not handy with tools, let your dealer do the
work!
An excellent value for the money.