Bran Sonny's Guitar WorldGuitar Music World, for musicians, music lovers and everyone interested in guitars, accessories and gear.

Adding electronics to an acoustic guitar?

Hi, I’m seriously considering buying a Fender CD-100, but it has no electronics. I need the electronics. So I was wondering if it is dangerous or less than desirable to have someone cut a hole and add a pick up or transducer.
Also, I have a Martin pickup that you place in the soundhole, but I hear from many that it does not accurately pick up the full sound.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
sorry, it’s a Dean Markley pickup, not a Martin

The Martin pickup is most likely a “magnetic” pickup…similar in operation to the ones on electric guitars. It will work, but won’t capture the subtle sounds that make your guitar sound acoustic. There are transducer pickups that can be non-invasively mounted in a guitar. The cable runs out the tail of the guitar through a special plug that doubles as a strap peg. These pickups will more accurately capture the acoustic sound. So you don’t have to cut holes in the guitar to electrify it.

Having said all that, Fender CD-100 is a cheap guitar and isn’t going to have the greatest sound to begin with. The kind of pickups I mentioned are expensive. It would be more cost effective for you to purchase a guitar with the electronics already on board. If the Fender is all you can afford, use the Martin pickup. It’ll work okay until you can afford a better guitar.

Shadow Soundhole Pickups Review

Fishman Neo-D02 Humbucker Soundhole Pickup $89.95 Fishman Neo-D02 Humbucker Soundhole Pickup

Duncan Performer Maverick Soundhole Pickup $29.99 Duncan Performer Maverick Soundhole Pickup

Lace Acoustic Bronze Soundhole Pickup $82.64 Lace Acoustic Bronze Soundhole Pickup

LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup $139.29 LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup

DiMarzio Elemental DP134 Acoustic Soundhole Pickup $64.95 DiMarzio Elemental DP134 Acoustic Soundhole Pickup

Bill Lawrence A245C Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup $49.95 Bill Lawrence A245C Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup

Lace California Acoustic Soundhole Pickup with Endpin Jack $80.99 Lace California Acoustic Soundhole Pickup with Endpin Jack

Fishman Rare Earth Blend Soundhole Pickup $130.18 Fishman Rare Earth Blend Soundhole Pickup

DiMarzio The Angel Acoustic Active Soundhole Humbucker Pickup $189.99 DiMarzio The Angel Acoustic Active Soundhole Humbucker Pickup

DiMarzio The Angel Acoustic Soundhole Humbucker Pickup $159.99 DiMarzio The Angel Acoustic Soundhole Humbucker Pickup

LR Baggs M1A Active Soundhole Magnetic Pickup $147.03 LR Baggs M1A Active Soundhole Magnetic Pickup

Fishman Pro-Neo-D01 Magnetic Soundhole Pickup $49.95 Fishman Pro-Neo-D01 Magnetic Soundhole Pickup

Fishman Blackstack Passive Soundhole Pickup $249.95 Be heard in even the loudest rock band with Fishman’s new Blackstack passive soundhole pickup. Now, that vintage sound of a double-stacked humbucking magnetic pickup is available in a modern, battery-free design.

Used Fishman Rare Earth Blend Soundhole Pickup $269.66 The Fishman Rare Earth Blend Soundhole Pickup blends a humbucking pickup with an electret condenser microphone for capturing both the initial attack and sound chamber resonance for true acoustic tone plus power and projection. The pickup is easy to install.

Seymour Duncan Woody HC Hum-Canceling Soundhole Pickup $49.99 Seymour Duncan Woody HC Hum-Canceling Soundhole Pickup

Seymour Duncan Woody XL Adjustable Pole Pieces Soundhole Pickup $59.99 Seymour Duncan Woody XL Adjustable Pole Pieces Soundhole Pickup

DiMarzio DP136 Super Natural Plus Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup $64.95 DiMarzio DP136 Super Natural Plus Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup

Fishman Rare Earth Pro-Rep-102 Humbucking Soundhole Pickup $159.95 Fishman Rare Earth Pro-Rep-102 Humbucking Soundhole Pickup