Schertler Bluestick

Active

Built in preamp

Martin M-38

I am Beginning to play larger places and needed an amplification system.

This is a new installation in this guitar.

I did have to drill a 1/2 inch hole in the endpin to install the jack.

I find the output quite natural and with even acurate reproduction of my guitar.

It can be played at volume without feedback.

This is played through a Crate Telluride CD125DG.

This sounds better than any other acoustic pickup combo I have used. Plus there are no issues regardless of the volume.

I found it to sound quite natural, with even response and no feedback. I also have to use use very little EQ.

The ad states it needs no visable mods to the guitar but it does require a 1/2 inch hole drilled in the end pin hole.

I would likely replace this with another Bluestick, in fact I bought 2 additional pickups for my Guild F-212XL and my '48 D-28. I would not have put this in the D-28 but there was a already an end pin jack in the guitar.

I have found it to be the most natural sounding pickup I have tried so far.

I see there are a number of complaints and I don't know what to attribute them to except impropper installation.

I have been installing pickups and performing repair work on guitars for over 30 years and found this pick-up to be easy to install. However if the bottom of the saddle slot is not flat and the bottom of the saddle is not flat, there can be a muddy soud and an uneven reponnse by the respective strings.

While true the hole required in the saddle slot is larger than other undersaddle pickups, it is still smaller than the bridge pin holes and has had no effect on my guitar.

The saddle does have to be made accuratly otherwise the pickup will sound like hell with very uneven and weak output.

active

-Martin HD 28
-intrusive set up, compromises natural acoustics of guitar
-
-DYN-G
-

pros = loud output


Cons = sounds like complete poop.
Undersaddle microphone....my arse

the problem with this pick up is the design.
The hole that must be drilled through the top is a large compared to most UST.
The pickup tends to make a concave impression in the saddle slot on the bridgeplate. kind of like a u.... this leads to the unbalance saddle problem. The saddle will never sit flat, it makes contact on the ends of the bluestick, usually one side a lil' heavier than other.
Giving uneven tone. and usually weak mids.
BUYER BEWARE

I'm using the Bluestick with the Schertler pre-amp hoping to get a better tone...didn't work! The pre-amp is quite nice and works well with my Rainsong (element pickup) and Martin (fishman pickup).

Taylor 310. I wanted to put in my own pickup and decided to pass on the standard Expression system. I put in the Schertler based on the recommendations of the guitar store and my guitar tech...they were wrong!

Plenty of gain but incredibly mid-range and dull, at least for strumming. I hear more warmth when finger-picking but there is still a very mid-range kind of dull sound with this pickup. Definitely does NOT sound like a mic. I am very disappointed and have been for the past two years with this instrument.

I'm finally going to pull it out and put in an LR Baggs Imix hoping to get a more natural acoustic sound. No one likes the sound of this Schertler yet!

Under-Saddle "Microphone" pup with onboard Preamp and volume control

Breedlove C22/MH, New Guitar, the BlueStick was recomended by Breedlove. And after a horrible installation locally, it was re-installed by Breedlove. It took lots of time and effort to get a useable installation of this pick-up. Ultimately not worth it.

The sound that I loved in the $4,000.00 "Dream Guitar" went away the moment I had this thing put in the Guitar. After 3 years of not being happy with the sound (either acoustic or plugged) I recently ripped this out the guitar. Now the sweetness of the acoustic sound is back (I saved the original saddle),and I can remember why I paid so much for this instrument. The Bluestick sounded very 1 dimentinal and mid-rangy. It did have a pretty good amount af gain before feedback.It didn't sound quacky like a peizo, but had an un-natural quality all its own. Not horrible. Just not very good either.

IT WAS destroyed when I ripped it out of my guitar. And I would never put one of these in any guitar. I have been playing since I was a kid (I am now 51). I played proffesionally for over a decade. Now I have a home studio. I have other under saddle pups in other guitars, but never noticed the quality of the acoustic sound being altered like this did the Breedlove. It may be that the Breedlove is that much more sensitive to nuance. I have done a lot of recording of this instrument with just a good Mic, so I am in no hurry to put anything else in it that would alter the sound in this guitar.I would like to try a K&K, but with the bridge doctor in the Breedlove it may not be an option. If I had to perform over a PA tomorrow,I would stick an in-hole (temporary) pick-up in it and put a Mic front of the guitar.

Pickup features: Active, Under the saddle
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson J-50
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman
Other pickups on guitar: na
Artists using this pickup: na
You musical style(s): folk, bluegrass
Reason for pickup change: I don't like the piezo sounds. I heard goo things about the Bluestick, and played a couple of guitars that had one, and decided to give it a try.

Perceived output level: Provides a lot of output without any feedback
Tone: Middy
Sonic evaluation: Ran through a Sansamp Acoustech DI into the board. The sound was definately better than the factory installed Fishman.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a great pickup if you need a lot of volume, or want to just plug an dplay. Its better then the piezo pickup I used previously.

Comments: This is a good pickup, and a definite step up from the piezo pickup that came with the guitar. While it does not have the piezo "quack" every pickup has its own wierd sound. The Bluestick has a compressed midrangey sound that may not please all ears. If you need a lot of volume without feedback, or want to be able to plug and play, the Bluestick is a good choice. I spend about 3 years doing noisy bar gigs, so this was perfect for me.
I've recently shifted toward playing in smaller groups, in quieter settings. I no longer need as much volume. Lately, I've ben playing a another guitar with a passive magnetic pickup in it, and enjoying the sound a lot more.

Pickup features: acoustic pickup with preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin J40
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Emmy Lou Harris
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle Jazz/Country
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: It does deliver the requisite volume required to produce a strong clean signal
Tone: middy with strong treble slightly electric... not true acoustic amplification
Sonic evaluation: Trace Elliot TA100R plus Carlsboro pa.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I purchased this pickup in order to amplify the acoustic tone of the guitar, all it does is produce a more electric version of a normally very nice acoustic sounding guitar

Comments: To be perfectly honest I would not recomend anyone buying this pickup. Nor would I personally replace it. I have owned other Martins to which I fitted Martin thin lines perhaps I should have gone down the same road. This pickup was recomended to me by someone who has done a lot of work on guitars for me. He is an extrodinary gifted craftsman, and his work is faultless. He told me that that he had fitted these pickups on a J200 and other guitars, with fantastic results, and so I took his recomenation at face value. Needles to say I can't complain about his work on the guitar, because that as always is first class.
I'm 58 years old and have been playing in excess of forty years. My
other guitars include a Godin multiac nylon string, a 1980 Ibanez AS200 which I must plays and sounds better than any 335 I've ever owned or played. A couple of Strats and a couple of Teles, a customised Joe Pas Emperor, a very old Hofner along with a few other bits and pieces. Amp wise I have an old Vox AC15, an Ashdown peacemaker 60 combo, a Trace elliot TA100R.
I'm afraid I didn't love anything about this pickup. I don't infact hate it, I Just feel terribly dissapointed. It doesn't live up to the
makers description. Foolishly I didn't try it against anything else I wish I had, I purchased it on recomendation.
All that I wish it had is what the makers claim true acoustic response, unfortunately it doesn't.
And so in conclusion I'm not satisfied with this pickup, I will at some time change it, but I certainly don't want to repeat my mistake.
If there's anyone out there who has the time, knowledge and good will
to pass on any information to help me in my quest as it were for true acoustic duplication, please feel more than free to contact me, I will be eternally grateful.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs: 600 Ohm Output

Model of guitar or bass: Lakewood M-1
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman AG / Powerjack
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: Quality of sound.

Perceived output level: Super (+8 dBu)
Tone: very balanced
Sonic evaluation: I use an AER Alpha (superious sound quality, super compact)

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

Comments: This is the best undersaddle system I've heard so far. It is extremly balanced and far away from that twanky piezo sound produced e.g. by a Fishman AG!

Pickup features: Combo
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Breedlove 12 string
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Worship
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Bluestick hot undersadle /Countryman brings on the warmth
Tone: Balance
Sonic evaluation: Use a fishman pocket blender on all guitars and then to the sound borad.

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

Comments: Lets start 1st with My Lowden, I have a EMG bridge pick up and that added a Countryman into a stereo plug. I perform live so I needed some warmth and boldness but not losing the sound of this Lowden. Which I must say that Lowden guitar is the most incredible sounding guitar there is. My 1993 025C that I had George and Andy make for me is so simple but so awesome. Well next thing I want to get was a great 12 string, I have two, to be honest there crap, Taylor and a Ovation. And I mean it there just ok. Its sad for me that God blessed me with to good of an ear and not a good player. So I am forced to find that sound when I play. I go to the NAMM show every year and I seen it all and played them all. And I must say Breedlove makes a 12 string that is better than the rest. Even than the Lowden the Goodall and others of that level and price. I am not a fan how some look or the lighting bolt bridge, but they all have a place and a importance in creating the sound that Breedlove produces. After looking and going to different places in California to play 12 strings I found one that meet my ear and it was just a plane Jane but pretty. Mahogany and spruce top that had a great driving E and A string that gave the warmth and the separation of all strings. Now find a way to keep that sound on stage. Well I went with the Schertler Bluestick and when playing it on stage I found myself liking some of it and not liking other parts. Mids were great and the Highs cut through but I lost the one thing that made me fall in love with the guitar that was its E and A driving warmth notes. I was going to put in the same system as my Lowden but the two guitars have totally two different sounds and I don?t want them to sound the same. After a few months of playing with just the Bluestick I went and got another Countryman internal mic. Had the Breedlove changed to a stereo plug and add the Countryman, and you know what. I heard my guitar?. I hope you read this. I heard my Breedlove the way it was meant to be heard. I was about 60% mic and 40% Bluestick. True it might have worked with any under bridge pick up along with the Countryman. But I can tell you this when you spend this amount on a handmade guitar you better get the sound you paid for. I know its important that it looks so beautiful, but the sound is what makes them close their eyes and say, wow, that sounds great.
And this sure did... Thanks to Westwood Music, Fred and Patrick

Pickup features: active preamp and volume control
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson LC Brazilian
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: this one will be
Other pickups on guitar: K&K Trinity
Artists using this pickup: Emmy lou
You musical style(s): All
Reason for pickup change: Didn't like the schertler

Perceived output level: Plenty of output but no real sounding output
Tone: Pingy more bent towards a mid range high end. Unrealistic and unbalanced
Sonic evaluation: I use a full blown p.a., daedalus speakers, i have a TA100. The pickup sounds better than any undersaddle but undersaddle pickups sound bad. This is just a better bad sounding one. It came with the guitar and is out now

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I can play virtually any style but the pickup doesn't really cut it. It's strong point would be feeedback rejection for a strummer looking to play acoustic at very high SPL's

Comments: It's a step up for gibson but not quite there. All who attend my clinics agree that the K&K woops the daylights out of this thing. It's only redeeming value is that it is easy to de-install. As far as the guy with the dean guitar, you should start by getting a decent instrument, Then you could hear what's really happening.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Dean D24
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Emmy Lou Harris
You musical style(s): Acoustic classic rock, folk & blues
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Plenty of headroom using a Mackie 406 with EV speakers.
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: Direct into a Mackie 406 the guitar sounded balanced, natural and no feedback.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Classic rock, folk, blues. Lots of Clapton, Eagles, Jimmy Buffet, Fleetwood Mac, etc.

Comments: I would install one in my Martin replacing the Fishman undersaddle. I've been playing close to 40 years. I like the overall natural tone. A volume control is a part of the package, mounted inside the soundhole. Sounds best to leave the control almost full open. Decreasinng the volume control also decreases the bass response.
I have read some unflattering reviews on this pickup. I wager these reviews are the product of one of three scenarios. 1. The pickup wasn't properly installed. 2. The reviewer is tone deaf. 3. The reviewer has a crappy sounding guitar to start with. Giving the reviewer the benefit of the doubt, scenario # 1 is the logical choice.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Aria 556
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: No
Other pickups on guitar: No
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Hight
Tone: Muddy and compressed: need a lot of equalization
Sonic evaluation: AER acoustic Cube

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Finger Style, classic music

Comments: Is better of undersaddle piezo but far of mic. I chek for K&K, B-Band AST and Baggs iBeam

Pickup features: Bluestick + on board preamp/vol control
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin 000 longscale
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock Folk
Reason for pickup change: Search a quiet pickup regarding feedback problems on stage.

Perceived output level: Louder than piezo (plug direct in sound system without DI !!)
Tone: Quiet the same as accoustic tone of the guitar
Sonic evaluation: Very impressive compared to piezo systems we used. No feedback on stage use, our sound guy likes it too !
Good sounding. Allow to work from a fullrange sound (free to equalize from a clear sound).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Verry sensitive (when well installed)

Comments: No other acoustic pickup can be compared to this system. A great comfort for the musician. The sound is near the acoustic one.

Pickup features: active preamp with volume control
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: LC2
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: I want to change it

Perceived output level: the gain is standard as with any preamped model, plenty of output
Tone: tone was not really accurate to the pickup a bit pingy and unbalanced
Sonic evaluation: I use a riverra acoustic amplifier

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play fingerstyle jazz and a couple jumps into irish music and some country

Comments: The pickup like all undersaddle pickups is in the wrong place, i went to take the pickup out and see they have drilled a big hole in the center of the bridge which really pisses me off because it's so sad that my nice cedar top and bridge have a hole that i will have to have my luthier fill. I read the review saying that if you flatten the saddle it will be more accurate, This is NOT TRUE!!!, My luthier is a bit falbergasted as he said he just can't make the thing balance out, so removal is the option here. UNDERSADDLES SUCK. but i love the guitar cedar and walnut. Way to go gibson

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: goodall
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): finger style (jazz)
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: the best acoustic pick-up on the market
Tone: very very balanced
Sonic evaluation: sounds exactly like the guitar

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: jazz, blues,classical, rock,

Comments: if u look at all the submissions there either 10 out of 10...or 1 out of ten. THIS IS BECAUSE, TO MANY ASSHOLES THINK THEY NO WHAT THERE DOING,WHEN INSTALLING THIS PICK-UP!!.... the saddle has to be completly flat, or it will be out of balance. to correct this, you need a rotor to smooth flat the saddle slot. make sure they have the tools to do this, if not phone thepodium.com for there advice. people this is a really nice pick-up system.

Pickup features: preamp, volume control
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin 000
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: martin thinline
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): fingerstyle jazz
Reason for pickup change: luthier said this was supposed to be the hot ticket. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perceived output level: output is standard fare
Tone: string balance is again an issue, Undersaddle doesn't work!!!!!!!
Sonic evaluation: This thing is a piece of shit!!! I have a great rig, para D.I. and a p.a. system.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: NONE

Comments: I am having the hole plugged under the saddle and removing this thing. My luthier blushed, he said he won't be installing anymore of these. They have all the same characteristics of undersaddle pickups. It SUCKS!!!!!! My luthier has installed, He says, over 400 pickup systems and is competent and says the thing acts like every other undersaddle pickup and doesn't work well with bone saddles.

Pickup features: Undersaddle subminiature condenser microphone
Impedence or other specs: Low impedance

Model of guitar or bass: Collings, Bourgeois, Henderson
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Jazz, Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a pickup that gave a natural sound, and I didn't want to use blenders and loads of other outboard gear. I listened to all other products, but didn't like any until I heard the Bluestick at a major festival.

Perceived output level: The pickup has more than twice the output level as other pickups I've tried.
Tone: The pickup accurately reproduced the tone of every guitar I've used them in. The rosewood guitars sounded like rosewood guitars. The mahogany guitars sounded like Mahogany guitars. The Bluestick has reproduced the sound of the guitars I've installed them in. The installation is critical for the Bluestick. I've found that if the sound was less than flattering after I installed it, it was the installation's problem and not the pickup. After correcting installation errors, every Bluestick I've installed has sounded like the guitar it was installed in. The Bluestick is extremely sensitive and accurate.
Sonic evaluation: I bought the Bluestick because I wanted to plug straight into a DI and go straight to the board. I didn't want to carry extra outboard gear (blenders, eqs, etc). The Bluestick has sounded like my guitar in every instance (in fact, most of the time people have commented that they thought I was playing into a microphone and not plugged in). When I have used an amp, I just plugged directly into a powered speaker (no eq,) and the Bluestick sounded just like my guitar...I could never do this with any other pickup I tried.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Bluegrass, Folk, Country, Jazz, Rock, Fingerstyle, and Slack Key. The Bluestick works well for all of them. This is the only pickup I've found that would let me compete with loud electric guitar amps.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I would replace it. I've been playing guitar for more than 25 years. I love the fact that it sounds like my guitar, and that I can get to the gig plug in and tell the sound man to set the channel flat, turn it up and go eat lunch. I also like the fact that the Bluestick lets me play my guitar like I would if it were not plugged in..I didn't have to change my style to fit the pickup. I've found the sound and I'm not searching further. This pickup is a fantastic value, not only for the sound, but because it is complete...don't need extra gear to try and dial in the sound because its all there.

Pickup features: under saddle acoustic guitar pickup, a microphone
Impedence or other specs: tiny condenser mic with preamp and volume control

Model of guitar or bass: Martin D-42
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Scott Fore, National Flatpicking Champion (among others)
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle Jazz (Latin, Blues, Funk, Jazz)
Reason for pickup change: Adding a pickup for the first time on this ax, and decided upon the Bluestick after a lot of reasearch. I also decided to have it professionally installed.

Perceived output level: Reproduces the guitar's exact sound. It's as good as the best microphone, but less prone to microphonic feedback, but the low strings will still "tale off" as would be expected with any pickup on a big body guitar.
Tone: Full and well balanced across all strings with rich lows and brilliant highs.
Sonic evaluation: At the luthier's, we put it through a top quality acoustic amp with phase reversal and that helped low string resonance feedback, and made it stay rich in tone while still plenty loud. dono't recall the brand of amp. At home I use two Roland keyboard amps from a Zoom 8080 and because of the rig's requirements to also reproduce suynth sounds, I have the highs boosted on the amps (about 3 o'clock on the trble control) and I needed to roll that off in the Zoom to get a "natural sound from the acoustic guitar. I need to do that overall, for all the guitars and settings I run through this rig. The Bluestick is every bit as rich as anything I use, better than my Takamin CD-132SC with a digital preamp and far better than my Washburn D17CE WR Timber Ridge. I'd compare it favorably to my Godin Multiac Jazz with the RMC bridge pickup for overall fatness and brilliance. It would be nice to have some onboard tone control, but not necessary when setting the stomp box for various applications.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play fingerstyle, mostly jazz, and yet I can see this pickup being just a good overall device where the NATURAL sound of the guitar is desired. You must start with a good sounding guitar, and that's what you'll get.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I'd be devastated, this IS a Martin D-42!!! But yes, I'd replace it. I've been playing about 45 years, and I'm 58. I have 5 guitars currently; Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant, Godin Multiac Jazz, Takamine CD-132SC classical, Wahsburn D17CE WR Timber Ridge, and this new Martin D-42. I've been a professional musician for over 35 years. I have a complete digital recording studio in my home, running Logic Audio Platinum on a Mac beige G3 and two video monitors. I run over 2,000 total watts of audio monitoring if I need it. (I usually listen to 950W just "idling" through Klispch monitor speakers.) I have 2 Roland synths and various outboard gear and a Yamaha O1v with mLAN into the Mac via Firewire and two Mackie SR1530 speakers. The Schertler Bluestick does what they advertise, nothing more, nothing less. I recommend it highly, but it MUST be installed by an experienced professional craftsman. Mine was and that assures it's correctly done. Pay the extra, it's worth it and the shop can get it cheaper than you can. You'll be able to hear it used by me soon at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/305/zeek_duff.html

Pickup features: preamp and volume control
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Dove artist
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Schertler
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): I play folk Rock stuff and needed something a little more balanced
Reason for pickup change: The pickup was harsh and i wanted something a little smoother and more balanced

Perceived output level: The level of the output was dependent on the volume control
Tone: The tone was very harsh to me, i don't like messing much with e.q.
Sonic evaluation: The pickup was not balanced at all and i found that it wasn't allowing some of the strings a voice, not much signal at some of the strings.

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

Comments: No, i would let it go gladly. The Dimarzio Dp139 is a much better choice.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

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

Perceived output level:
Tone: very harsh sounding
Sonic evaluation: when i purchased the guitar, 3 strings were not equal in volume to the others, these were the middle strings. The dealer told me the saddle was not flat, so he flattened it, it was better but the G string is still off the mark and the others are not up to par either. We opted to take the thing out and he gave me a better deal but was blushing.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I had heard good things but my ears aren't lying i wouldn't use this pickup for any reason whatsoever

Comments: I would never buy one

Pickup features: active preamp with volume control
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: L-200
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: K&K Trinity System
Artists using this pickup: Emmy Lou Harris
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, jazz, rock
Reason for pickup change: Pickup doesn't sound remotely like the guitar, no balance to strings and sounds worse than a fishman

Perceived output level: The level was fine as much gain as you would ever need
Tone: Tone was typical undersaddle, pingy and unrealistic
Sonic evaluation: I have an acoustic image amplifier as well as a full blown p.a.
The thing sounds nothing like the guitar it came from the factory and the e and b strings were not audible, they say it doesn't need the same attention as the piezo under saddle because the pickup is in the acoustic chamber and doesn't rely on even pressure, bull crap the thing has all the apparent problems of undersaddle pickups and sounds just as bad.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play fingerstyle and singer songwriter stuff. I think that this pickup is trash

Comments: This pickup is horrible. I took it out and replaced it with the K&K Trinity which blew it away and anyone who has heard the two pickups together came away with the same conclusion, it is just another undersaddle pickup. Gold plating a piece of crap doesn't change anything, it's still crap

Pickup features: active preamp and onboard volume control
Impedence or other specs: i don't know

Model of guitar or bass: L-200
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: emmy lou harris
You musical style(s): country and rock
Reason for pickup change: I am changing the pickup it sucks!!!!!!

Perceived output level: sounds very thin and undersaddlish, when are these companies gonna get a clue
Tone: sounds like any undersaddle pickup, not like the instrument at all
Sonic evaluation: part of the problem is that it is not balanced, neither the high E or B were coming through. I flattened the saddle out and it was a little more balanced but didn't sound at all like the guitar. I am using a P.A. system with mixer, power amp and speaker set up. I wouldn't suggest this pickup, (IT SUCKS!!!!!

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

Comments: This pickup does not flatter my little gibson, it is awful. I am shocked that gibson trades off fishman for a different dog, they all bark the same. I will pull the thing out and find something more suitable for such a fine instrument. I would never buy this nor even try to sell it after i take it out, IT SUCKS!!!!!!

Pickup features: active mic
Impedence or other specs: don't really know

Model of guitar or bass: Lowden Dreadnaught
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: don't remember his name
You musical style(s): i play mostly blue grass with occassional forays into celtic music
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to be able to plug in but the lowden split bridge is hard to find a pickup for

Perceived output level: the level is very good, with the dual volume controls you can really dial in the sets of strings, i am sooooo happy
Tone: the tone is very good, cuts through and doesn't sound quacky at all, very acoustic
Sonic evaluation: i am using a rane preamp and then through a small p.a. system. it sounds great, i am happy happy happy

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: mainly blue grass but i think that it would sound great for anything.

Comments: I would get another one, i am so fortunate to have heard this wonderful guitarist who was touring back here in vermont, told me about the bluestick and for lowdens, i almost dropped dead. I have looked at several of the other pickup systems, but they never really did the guitars they were in, justice that's all i needed to know. I love this thing and hopefully people will get into these things. There is really no intrusion into the guitar except a couple small holes in the bridge and then an endpin hole, i love the fact that i have 2 volume controls and the preamp install is really very clean, kudos to schertler.

Pickup features: undersaddle, mic????
Impedence or other specs: ?????

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ???
You musical style(s): blues, folk fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Very good output level, as much gain as you will need
Tone: sounds like most other undersaddle pickups,
Sonic evaluation: I am using a P.A. The picup is supposed to be a microphone???? It doesn't sound much like the guitar its in but it's not bad if you use a processor and don't really care if the acoustic sounds really acoustic.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: almost all the styles but mainly blues. It works ok

Comments: I don't think i would buy another one but it's ok. I don't feel like i got ripped off but their claims of bein a mic is rediculus. It's an undersaddle pickup.

Pickup features: mic
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Goodall
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: Very Balanced
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: This mic was perfect for amplifying the way my acoustic sounds. I checked out a couple other companies (primarily Highlander) but heard from a friend that this was his favorite. I tried it and am thrilled with the results. The luthier that installed the mic said that he'd only installed one other bluestick and it was the best sound he's ever heard, but did mention he thought the acoustic lost a little volume after installation. My acoustic didn't lose anything and I recommend this mic as a beautiful alternative to fishman and it's kind.