The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

I purchased a neat little pickup on eBay which I've just tested in my Vantage VW150, and I'm really impressed!
It's made by ARTEC and is not only well made but beautiful as well! You can look it up on eBay or check the seller's web site for pix and options: http://guitarfuel.com/Sound_Hole_Pickups.php

In a nutshell, this Korean made product is an actual humbucker not a piezo or single coil, and it's potted, available in two versions, with and without pole pieces, and in a variety of gorgeous woods and several pin connectors. I got one in Bubinga with an outside connector but you can get an end pin replacement if you want to install it more permanently. My original thought was to swap it between my Vantage and the el Degas Dove. But it took a bit more fiddling to get it in than I was prepared for so it may end up staying in awhile.

This thing is terrific (not that I have anything similar to compare it to) but to my ears it's way more natural sounding than my 3 piezo equipped guitars in the stable. Honestly, the sound is warm and natural and doesn't seem to add any colouration, and, it's dead quiet! You don't even know it's there. As I say, I'm very impressed! I put the meter on it before soldering her up and it tested at a respectable 6.25 K.

I'm also impressed with the price of USD$34.95, but I happened to get them when they had a sale so I got it for $29.95 which nicely covered the shipping of $5! Worth checking out, and it won't break the bank!

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Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
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About 4 years ago I used to play my 1980 Yamaha FG dreadnought on stage. For amplification I've had assembled the following soundhole pickup:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_markley_pro_mag_sc1.htm
After 1 1/2 years the pickup started to fall out from time to time and I had to mount a new one, this time a Schaller:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_10-43_pickup.htm

The sound of both magnetic pickups has been o.k., but playing live I've missed the possibility of tone and volume control.
The pickups ended up in a shelf, and I switched back to my piezo stage acoustic (1997 Takamine EN10). Preamp and EQ give more variety and better control, but NEVER, NEVER forget to check the battery before the gig !

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All vantage-branded guitars were lower-priced instruments aimed at the beginner-to-intermediate market. It has no interest to collectors and very little demand among players! (www.allexperts.com)

It's very early days with this pup but I think I would tend to still go with one of the Ovations in a band/stage performance for the reasons you stated.
But the sound from this is impressive, and would be perfect for a solo gig, duet/trio, etc. where you need a bit more volume.

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Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com