Eko acoustic. Ideas for pickup?

[mikbass]

I have an acoustic Eko just like the one in the clip
and I would like to put a pickup in/on it.

All ideas are welcome!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

You can use either a sound hole magnetic pickup, assuming the strings have steel cores, and most do, or you can use a piezo pickup. Since that has a floating bridge you will need to get one for an archtop. Might have to be custom made if you can't find one to work with the bass.

You can also get piezo pickups that stick inside the body under the bridge. That might be the easiest way. Keep in mind that piezo pickups need a preamp. Otherwise you will get a clacky thin tone.

 

[mikbass]

Ok, thanks! I'm leaning towards a soundhole option since
I think it might reproduce the "actual" acoustic sound, rather than the sound of the vibrating body/bridge.
I don't reallt have the terminology right since I was never interested in electronics before, but I guess you understand.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

A sound hole pickup will reproduce the strings, but the body has a big influence on how they vibrate.

A piezo pickup will reproduce more of the acoustic tone because it's sensing the motion of the bridge, and not just the strings.

That's why piezo bridges on solid body guitars sound more like an acoustic guitar. But sound hole pickups can sound good as well if you get one made for acoustic guitars.

 

[lsabina]

With a floating bridge, this is what you want:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[abarson]

I was thinking that the Lace USAB pickup might work well, as you don't need to modify the bass to install it. The Eko ABGs are kind of rare, and might have collector value over time.