Pickup for A25C

[humblesheep]

I'm about to purchase this awesome looking guitar. Unfortunately, I will not be able to play with it before hand. Buying on the blind. Maybe, not to smart? Just love the look of Red Cedar...I just hope it works out.....

I strum about 80%-90% of the time. I don't play aggressively, since it's plugged into the PA. I use a light gauge pick. I was wondering what pickup would allow me to get the most natural sound and still blend nicely with my worship band (consisting of: drums, elec guitar, bass,and keys...and of course acoustic guit)....

Since the bridge is two piece on this A25C, any special p/up required?

thanks....

[JB]

We use Fishman systems as standard ... the reason ? ... they sound great and are extremely reliable

There are a few options to choose from and all are available from Fishman with the Split pick-up.

Matrix 1 + Narrow Split 2.3mm (MAT-NA1 + MAN-LPU) internal with on controls

Ellipse VT + Narrow Split 2.3mm (MAL-EL3 + MAN-LPU) new system with control in the soundhole.

Ellipse Blender + Narrow Split 2.3mm (MAL-EL1 + MAN-LPU) same as above but with a goose-neck mic as well for that 'live' sound.

All of these and complete details at http://www.fishman.com/products/acoustic-guitar-pickups.asp

*note .. the codes I've used are what we use to identify the products with Fishman ... retail codes might differ slightly so always describe what you want clearly !

Hope this helps

[humblesheep]

I am unable to play these guitars for no store nearby has in stock. They are all out of state. I mainly play rythm guitar. I just love the looks and like the idea of a warm cedar sounding guitar. I am torn between three models....Jacques Stotzem Signature Model, S201, and A25C. I use a light gauge pick and always plugged into a PA. i read a lot that cedar woods are best suited for alternate tuning fingerstyle and the longevity of quality is in question. I understand that it marks easily. But how does it soundfor those who play these? any other comments? thanks....

by the way...the A25C is Redwood and not Cedar....

please help....

[dence77]

Hey. Fear not - I bought an A25C in March this year and it is an awesome guitar. Light strumming, heavy strumming, fingerpicking - it is outstanding. Top is red cedar and there are no marks on mine (I play twice a week in church, once a week in house fellowship, and practice on my own pretty much every night). The translucent scratchplate is a great move. Protection for the precious top without one of those hideous black things. If you're careful with it then it won't get marked and if you pay that amount of money for something then you're going to be pretty careful with it!
Regarding amplification I am in a dilemma. This guitar sounds incredible unplugged. When I plug in it still sounds good but not as good as I want it to! That's because at the minute I have just got the Fishman pickup under the bridge and I am still toying with the alternatives about what else to do. I reckon I'll end up with some sort of mic in the soundhole on a gooseneck - I can't cut a hole in the side of such a stunning instrument. Worried about feedback but I reckon that can be sorted with the right setting on the blender in different circumstances. I was looking at the Fishman Pocket Blend system and I think you can get it with a Crown GLM-200 mic to go in the soundhole (try music123.com). From my limited research into this little mic it seems that you can 'clip' it onto the bracing under the soundboard, do a little bit of wiring (or ask a pro to do it [for me that will mean a trip back to the good men of Newtownards!]) and attach a stereo cable for a true mic/pickup blend. Your controls are on a little unit that can sit on the floor or on a stand (or be clipped to your belt!) and then you go into the PA.
I think this is the least permanent and potentially best sounding (and probably most expensive!) option. Check it out at the Fishman and Crown websites.
Hope this is helpful. With respect to the guitar itself (without ampification concerns) can I reiterate it is a simply spectacular, warm, loud, full-sounding acoustic guitar! (And it smells great!).