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Sooner or later, most acoustic players want to be heard. It might be an open mic, a noisy pub, a church service or a simple recording at home. You could put a microphone in front of the guitar, but on a busy stage that invites feedback and leaves you stuck in one spot. A pickup solves that. The trouble is that acoustic pickups come in several very different types, and the wrong one can make a lovely guitar sound thin, quacky or plastic.

I am a songwriter, and I build FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app, so I think about how gear helps people share the songs they write. This list covers nine acoustic pickups, from simple soundhole units you can fit in a minute to full systems for regular gigging, with UK prices checked on 31 October 2026, mostly at guitarguitar. I have not fitted every pickup here myself, so the notes draw on specifications, owner reports and widely shared demos, and I will say what each one gets wrong.

Top 3: Acoustic Guitar Pickups

Below are all nine picks, followed by a guide to the main pickup types, fitting, preamps and getting a good sound.

9 Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups Right Now

1. LR Baggs Anthem

The LR Baggs Anthem is the pickup I would look at first if you gig regularly and care about natural tone. It was £349 at guitarguitar. It combines a small microphone inside the guitar with an under saddle pickup, and lets you blend the two.

The idea is simple. A microphone captures the real sound of the guitar in the air, but it is prone to feedback on loud stages. An under saddle pickup resists feedback but can sound brittle. Blending them gives you much of the microphone's warmth with more feedback control than a mic alone. LR Baggs built the system around a noise cancelling design to reduce the boxy tone that internal microphones often have.

Fitting needs care, because the under saddle element has to sit correctly, so most players pay a technician. It also needs a battery, and controls are mounted discreetly inside the soundhole.

Fency Music, our sister store, carries the LR Baggs Anthem.

Who should skip this: players who only plug in occasionally, and anyone who wants a removable pickup.

Models Worth Checking Out

2. LR Baggs Element Active VTC

The LR Baggs Element Active VTC was £219 at guitarguitar, and the simpler Element Active System was £179. The Element is a thin under saddle pickup designed to sound less brittle than older piezo systems, and the VTC version adds volume and tone controls just inside the soundhole.

For many gigging players, this is the sensible choice: a reliable, feedback resistant pickup with handy controls and no complicated blending. LR Baggs describes the VTC preamp as adding warmth and a controlled low end, which helps on stage.

As an under saddle pickup, it can still sound a little brighter and less woody than a microphone, and it needs a proper install. But it is proven, and many working players rely on it.

Fency Music also carries the LR Baggs Element VTC.

Who should skip this: players who want the woody sound of a microphone at low volume.

3. Fishman Neo-D

The Fishman Neo-D is the budget hero of the acoustic pickup world. The single coil version was £45 at guitarguitar, and the Fishman Neo-D Humbucker was £69. It clips into the soundhole, needs no battery and comes out in seconds.

For an occasional open mic, it is hard to argue with. You do not need to drill anything or pay a technician, and you can move it between guitars. The sound is more electric than a good under saddle or microphone system, with a slightly magnetic character, but it is warm and feedback resistant.

If you are unsure whether you will gig at all, start here. The humbucking version reduces hum for an extra £24.

Who should skip this: players who want a truly natural acoustic tone.

4. Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker

The Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker was £169 at guitarguitar, and the Fishman Rare Earth Blend, which adds a small microphone, was £209. This is a step up from the Neo-D: an active magnetic soundhole pickup with a fuller, more detailed sound.

It is often recommended for players who want a warm, full tone without routing or drilling, and the Blend version adds more of the guitar's natural air. It still removes easily, though it is usually wired to an endpin jack for a tidier setup.

Who should skip this: anyone who wants something cheap and quick; the Neo-D does that for much less.

5. Fishman Matrix Infinity VT

The Fishman Matrix Infinity VT was £159 at guitarguitar, in narrow or wide formats to suit your saddle. It is one of the most widely used under saddle systems, with volume and tone controls mounted inside the soundhole.

The saddle width matters, so check your guitar before you order. Many players find it clear and strong, which is useful in a band. It is a good value alternative to the Element VTC, though some people prefer the Element's slightly softer top end.

Who should skip this: players who dislike the sharper attack of under saddle pickups.

6. Seymour Duncan Woody

The Seymour Duncan Woody range is another soundhole option, and it comes in several versions. The SA-3SC Single Coil was £75 and the SA-3HC Hum Cancelling was £89 at guitarguitar, with the SA-3XL at £119. Seymour Duncan offers Woody models in black, walnut and maple, which matters if you care about looks.

It is a simple, passive magnetic pickup with a warm tone. The XL version is sold as the step up, with a fuller, larger format.

Who should skip this: players who want active electronics or a wider range of tone.

7. LR Baggs M1

The LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup was £219 and the M1 Active was £249 at guitarguitar. It is a premium magnetic soundhole pickup, and LR Baggs designs it to respond to the guitar's body as well as the strings.

It is well known among fingerstyle players and singer songwriters who want a soundhole pickup with more detail and dynamics than a typical magnetic design. It removes easily and sounds natural for its type, though it is expensive for a pickup that still sits in the soundhole.

Who should skip this: players on a tight budget, for whom the Rare Earth is a cheaper alternative.

8. Fishman PowerTap Earth

The Fishman PowerTap Earth was £299 at guitarguitar, and the PowerTap Earth Pro Jon Gomm was £329. It is aimed at percussive and fingerstyle players, combining a soundhole pickup with a body sensor that captures taps and hits on the top of the guitar.

If you tap, slap or use the body as a drum, an under saddle system alone will miss much of what you are doing. This is the specialist tool for that style.

Who should skip this: anyone who only strums. You would be paying for something you will not use.

9. Taylor ES-Go

The Taylor ES-Go was £89.99 at guitarguitar, and it is designed specifically for the Taylor GS Mini range. It fits into the soundhole of a GS Mini model that has been prepared for it. If you own a GS Mini without a pickup, it is the simplest way to plug in. Our Taylor GS Mini vs Martin LX1E comparison covers it in context.

Who should skip this: anyone without a compatible Taylor. It is not a general purpose pickup.

Honourable Mentions

LR Baggs Lyric. A microphone based system at £249, for players who want the sound of a mic inside the guitar.

DiMarzio The Black Angel. A passive soundhole pickup at £180, with a warm, full character.

Fishman Fluence Acoustic. Active soundhole pickups with several voices at £299.

Fivcil Acoustic Guitar Pickup. Fency Music, our sister store, carries the Fivcil Acoustic Guitar Pickup, a simple system with a mini preamp for volume, EQ and phase, designed for easy installation that does not damage the guitar.

The Four Main Types of Acoustic Pickup

Under saddle (piezo)

A thin strip sits under the saddle and reacts to string pressure. It is strong, feedback resistant and hidden from view. The downside is a brighter, sometimes brittle sound, often called quack. It usually needs professional fitting. Examples: LR Baggs Element, Fishman Matrix Infinity.

Soundhole (magnetic)

A pickup clips across the soundhole and works like an electric guitar pickup. It is easy to fit and very feedback resistant, but it hears only the strings, so it can sound slightly electric. Examples: Fishman Neo-D, Seymour Duncan Woody.

Body sensor (contact)

A small sensor attached to the inside of the top picks up vibration from the wood. It can sound woody and natural and catches percussive playing, but it is more prone to feedback. Example: the body sensor in the Fishman PowerTap.

Internal microphone

A tiny mic inside the guitar picks up the actual air movement. It sounds the most natural, but it is the most prone to feedback, so it is usually blended with another pickup. Example: the LR Baggs Anthem.

How to Choose an Acoustic Pickup

How often will you plug in?

For the occasional open mic, a removable soundhole pickup is enough. For weekly gigs, an installed system is worth the money. For recording at home, you may not need a pickup at all. A microphone almost always sounds better. Our guide to recording guitar at home explains how to mic an acoustic.

How loud is the stage?

Solo sets in small rooms suit microphone blends. Loud bands need the feedback resistance of under saddle or soundhole pickups.

What is your playing style?

Fingerstyle players benefit from dynamics and body sensors. Strummers often do fine with under saddle pickups. Percussive players need a body sensor.

Do you mind modifying your guitar?

Under saddle systems usually need an endpin jack, which means widening the hole for the strap button. On a valuable guitar, think carefully first, or stick with a removable soundhole pickup.

Check your saddle and soundhole

Under saddle pickups come in different widths, and soundhole pickups must fit your soundhole size and string spacing. Small guitars may not suit every model.

Three Sensible Budgets

Under £100. A Fishman Neo-D or Seymour Duncan Woody. Fit it yourself, use it for open mics and take it out afterwards. If you need more, you have lost very little.

£150 to £250. A Fishman Matrix Infinity VT, LR Baggs Element VTC or Fishman Rare Earth. This is the sensible range for regular gigging, as long as you allow for fitting on an under saddle system.

£300 and above. An LR Baggs Anthem or a blended system. This makes sense if you gig every week, or if your guitar is good enough to justify the outlay. Add a preamp if you often play through unfamiliar PA systems. Whichever band you choose, remember to add the cost of fitting and a setup to your budget.

Matching a Pickup to Your Guitar

Large dreadnoughts. These can be boomy through a PA, so a pickup with good low end control helps. An under saddle system with some EQ is a common choice, particularly for strummers in a band.

Small bodied guitars. Parlour and travel guitars often have small soundholes, so check the fit. A thin under saddle pickup can work well, and it keeps the look clean.

Solid wood guitars. These reward natural sounding pickups, because there is more acoustic tone to capture. A microphone blend makes the most of them.

Laminate and budget guitars. A simple soundhole pickup is usually the right choice. Spending more on the pickup than the guitar rarely makes sense.

Nylon string guitars. Magnetic soundhole pickups will not work, because nylon strings do not disturb a magnetic field. Use an under saddle or microphone system designed for nylon.

Twelve string guitars. Check the string spacing and output, because the extra strings can overload some soundhole pickups.

Common Problems and Fixes

One string is louder than the others. On under saddle systems, the saddle may not be sitting flat. On soundhole pickups, adjust the height or position.

It hums. Single coil soundhole pickups can hum near lights and computers. Move away from the source, or use a humbucking model.

It sounds thin and sharp. Roll off some treble and try a little low mid boost. A preamp with EQ helps here.

It booms or feeds back. Cut the low end, flip the phase, or use a soundhole cover. Move away from the speakers.

It crackles. Check the jack and cable first, then the battery. Crackling at the endpin jack is often a loose connection and is usually a simple fix.

The signal fades. Replace the battery in any active system, and carry a spare to every gig.

Do You Need a Preamp?

A preamp shapes your signal before it reaches the PA or amp. Passive pickups, in particular, benefit from one, because their signal is weak and sensitive to long cables. A preamp also gives you EQ to reduce feedback and notches, and a DI output that sends a balanced signal to the mixing desk.

Options. The LR Baggs ParaDI Acoustic Direct Box was £279 at guitarguitar, and the Fishman PreSys+ was £249. Fency Music, our sister store, carries the AMUMU GLORIFIER Acoustic Preamp DI, a pedalboard sized unit with gain, three band EQ and a phase switch to help tame feedback.

If you use pedals, a preamp sits happily on a board; our guide on how to build a pedalboard explains the basics.

Fitting a Pickup

Soundhole pickups take seconds. Clip it in, run the cable and plug in. Check that it sits close to, but not touching, the strings.

Under saddle pickups need the saddle to sit perfectly flat on the pickup. A poor fit gives uneven string volumes. The saddle often needs to be sanded down, and the endpin hole needs widening. Unless you are confident, pay a technician.

Internal mics need careful placement inside the guitar.

Allow for a setup. Removing the saddle changes the action, so ask for a quick setup at the same time. Our guide on how to set up a cheap guitar explains what that involves.

Getting a Good Sound Live

Use the right amp or PA. Acoustic amps and small PA systems sound far more natural than electric guitar amps. Our best practice amps roundup includes acoustic friendly options.

Stay away from speakers. Feedback happens when the guitar picks up its own amplified sound. Stand behind the main speakers, not in front of them, and keep your guitar out of their path.

Cut before you boost. Roll off a little low end and any ringing frequency before you add anything.

Use a phase switch. If you get low feedback, flipping the phase often helps.

Use a soundhole cover. A simple rubber cover reduces feedback on loud stages.

Add a little reverb. Natural reverb makes a plugged in acoustic sound less dry. A small pedal or the desk's reverb is enough.

Check strings and battery. Fresh strings sound better through a pickup, and a dying battery causes distortion. Our guide to the best acoustic guitar strings covers good sets. Always carry a spare battery.

Testing a New Pickup

Before you rely on a new pickup at a gig, try it through a PA or acoustic amp at home or at rehearsal. Play as hard as you will on stage, because a pickup that sounds fine at low volume may behave differently when you dig in. Check that every string is equally loud, walk towards the speakers to see where feedback starts, and note the EQ settings that work. Then take a photo of those settings, so you can set up quickly at the venue.

Recording with a Pickup

A pickup is useful in the studio, even if a microphone sounds better. Many players record both at once and blend them, using the pickup to add definition. If you are recording at home and neighbours are a concern, a pickup into an interface is silent in the room. For a full picture of options, our guide to soundproofing a practice room explains what actually reduces noise at home.

Adding a Pickup or Buying an Electro Acoustic?

If you are buying a new guitar and know you will gig, an electro acoustic is often cheaper than adding a good pickup later. If you already own a guitar you love, a pickup is a much better option than replacing it. And if your guitar is a cheap one, a £350 pickup system may cost more than the guitar is worth. In that case, a simple soundhole pickup is the sensible choice. If you are still choosing a first guitar, our guide to the best acoustic guitars for beginners includes electro acoustic options.

What I Don't Like About Acoustic Pickups

Nothing sounds exactly like the guitar in the room. Every pickup is a compromise between natural tone and feedback resistance.

Under saddle quack. Even good systems can sound slightly brittle without careful EQ.

Fitting costs add up. A professional install adds to the price of an already expensive system.

Batteries fail at the worst moment. Active systems need a fresh battery, and you may not notice one dying until the gig.

Modifying a guitar can reduce resale value. Widening an endpin hole is a permanent change.

Demos can mislead. Online demos are often heavily processed, so they rarely show how a pickup will sound in your guitar.

Who Should Skip an Acoustic Pickup

FAQ

What is the best pickup for an acoustic guitar?

The best pickup for most regular gigging players is the LR Baggs Anthem, because it blends a microphone with an under saddle pickup for natural tone and good feedback control. The LR Baggs Element VTC is a simpler system, and the Fishman Neo-D is the best cheap, removable option.

Can I add a pickup to any acoustic guitar?

You can add a pickup to almost any steel string acoustic guitar. Soundhole pickups fit most guitars without modification. Under saddle systems usually need the endpin hole widened and the saddle adjusted. Check the size of your soundhole and saddle first, because small guitars may not suit every model.

Are soundhole pickups any good?

Yes, soundhole pickups are good, especially for the money. They are easy to fit, very resistant to feedback and removable. Their sound is slightly more electric than an under saddle or microphone system, because they only hear the strings. Better models such as the LR Baggs M1 sound more natural.

Do I need a preamp for an acoustic pickup?

You do not always need a preamp, but it helps, especially with passive pickups. A preamp boosts a weak signal, adds EQ to control feedback, and usually provides a DI output for the mixing desk. Active pickups with built in preamps can often go straight into an amp or PA.

How much does it cost to fit an acoustic pickup?

Fitting a soundhole pickup costs nothing, because you can do it yourself in seconds. Fitting an under saddle system usually needs a technician, and prices vary by shop, so ask for a quote first. Allow extra for a setup, because changing the saddle can change the action.

The Bottom End

The right acoustic pickup depends on how often you play out and how loud the room is. For regular gigging, the LR Baggs Anthem and Element VTC are hard to beat. For open mics and occasional use, a Fishman Neo-D or Seymour Duncan Woody is cheap, removable and good enough for most rooms. And if you are recording at home, you may be better off with a microphone. Whichever you choose, spend time on EQ, stand away from the speakers and keep a spare battery in your case. A well set up pickup should simply let people hear the songs.