Conference napalm::guitar

    I use a Dean Markley (wood finish, their only 'portable' model?)
    which sounds about as good as any of that genre, but they can't
    match most pin-style (under the bridge) models.  -jn-

    For about $65 you can get a DeArmond 260... it fits in a standard
    soundhole and has a lead with standard phono plug.  If'n you don't want
    a permanent mounting, check this one out too.
    \Gary

    	What you're looking for the a Fishman transducer that mounts under
    the saddle in the bridge. EMG also makes one that includes a preamp.
    This type of pickup generally requires a preamp to prevent impedance   
    mismatch. The installation is best left to a pro. 
    
    
    	FJE

    thanks for the replies ... I've tried what Gary (.2) suggested but
    found the sound to be more electricish than acoustic... It would
    appear that the other transducer bridge type or the old barcus berry
    I had all require some sort of pre-amp. Maybe if I just got the
    pre-amp for the barcus berry it maybe as good as any !!
    	Does anyone know anything about the barcus berry pickup ?
    	Any other suggestions still welocme.
    
    Ray
    

I put a Fishman (Natural) in my Yari, and it's been the best pickup
for my ears, that is availble in the transducer pickups..  I
 
Cleary a much better pickup component than what comes as stock in most average 
guitars that are equipped with a stock pickup.

By the way, This Fishman is probably the same one that comes in most new
Guilds with the pickup option installed at the factory.  Cost to modify 
your current guitar is around $125  w/installation..  

These pickups require a 9 volt battery, which is usually installed inside 
the sound hole, up near the heel of the neck.  So it's easy to get to..  
There's no knobs or EQ filters, so you need to provide your own external EQ..  
Which is really ok for me, because these extrenal EQs  Like the Boss 7 band 
Guitar EQ (for example) is really a better equalizer than what you'd get if
your bought a guitar with the standard three band EQ.

There's also a Fishman "Hot" that's available, and I think a new one called 
(possibly) "Super Hot"  Can't comment on performance, never heard one of the 
hot ones.

There's also a Seymore Duncan that fits into the sound hole, that sounds
nice, but for this particular model, I would recommend some kind of external
EQ for optimum sound.  Don't know the model but, It's black and colour and looks
like a slide...  It's pretty easy to put in, and take out, but it requires
the cable just kinda hangs from the sound hole, with the female end of
the jack that can be wrapped around the back strap button.  A little
quirky, but functional.  I think these are aound 70 / 80 bucks mail order.

There's also a newer version of this pickup available but the
cost (I thought) was staggering, (approx $150 and that's mail order!)


I prefer the Fishman however.  It's a permanet thing..  Well hidden and
uses a strap button jack... you never know it's in there till ya plug it in..

   I have a 18 year old Guild that I decided needed a pickup.  I ordered one
   of the Martin thinlines (under-the-bridge-saddle type), but when it came
   time to do the installation (or have it done) I just couldn't bring myself
   to cut into the top and bridge of my guitar to accomodate the wire.  (My
   wife and another good friend also helped talk me out of it.)  Since the
   guitar had aged so well I really couldn't see putting a hole in it.

   So I traded the Martin to a ::GUITAR noter for a Dean Markley soundhole
   pickup.  Works great, sounds good, doesn't require a preamp, and doesn't
   feed back very easily.  I'm very impressed with it.  Then again, I use it
   fairly infrequently, so I don't "need" the permanent installation anyway.

   If I were buying a new acoustic or had one that was relatively new  I'd go
   ahead and have the bridge pickup installed.  But not on an older, "aged"
   instrument.

   -- Sam

	My Guild came with a Fishman Transducer and Preamp system. The
	transducer is under the bridge. The preamp is mounted inside the 
	guitar on the near the neck joint, there is a volume knob and 
	concentric bass and treble knobs that come thru the top side. 
	It's a nice setup - unobtrusive and easy to use and it sounds 
	great, too. The jack is in the rear strap button. The preamp powers
	up by plugging in a cable. It sounds great and has lots of
	tonal flexibility.

    Thanks for all your replies....
    I went out and bought a Fishman with pre-amp (Natural model) the other
    day ... haven't done the installation yet... but will have a go this
    week....
    
    Ray