<\/span>Premium vs. Entry-level Classical Guitar Pickups<\/span><\/h2>\nThe truth is that all entry-level classical guitar pickups sound the same. Yes, I said it. That\u2019s a truth we all must accept either by the wisdom of others or through bitter experience. Cost-effective pickups have too little depth and add color that is very hard to dial out.<\/p>\n
I’ll go one step further and square up with you. If you get cheap classical guitar pickups, expect a direct signal with one-trick flavoring. In simple words, it will help you amplify a classical guitar \u2013 more volume. Will it sound life-like or jaw-dropping? I highly doubt it.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the bottleneck when it comes to classical guitar pickups. They will squeeze or squash the tone of your instrument. That’s why it’s crucial to get a high-quality pickup. That\u2019s why I have avoided many more “budget” options in this selection.<\/p>\n
Seymour Duncan, LR Baggs, K & K, and others may cost more, but you also get what you pay for in this case. As for goose-mics, they refer to a tiny microphone mounted on the guitar. The problem with microphones is that they lead to too much feedback.<\/p>\n
You can make it work in the studio because of the soundproofing and top-notch equipment. But it’s may not be the most practical solution for live performance if you have no control over the environment and venue. The feedback will drive you up a wall in poorly designed sonic spaces.<\/p>\n
Among the given choices, I recommend the best you can afford as a semi-pro or gigging musician. Conversely, you could accept the limitations and make peace with the fact that some boxy-ness is inherent to the task of amplifying nylon-string instruments.<\/p>\n
<\/span>In Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\nThe choices in our selection vary in uses and cost, so you should find something in the list that is in tune with your needs. The delicate and earthy nylon-string sounds are hard to capture for most pickups. There will be some loss of warmth compared to mic\u2019d recordings in the studio. My objective was to acquaint you with the best you can buy for the money, and I hope you will be able to achieve that through this post.<\/p>\n