Fishman Neo-D Dark Brown Single Coil Soundhole Acoustic Pickup

There are many great pickup options for acoustic guitars these days. My absolute favorite pickup, all things considered is the K&K soundboard line of pickups. No battery, no ugly and superfluous controls added to the guitar, just pure perfect sound. However, the quality of sound produced by the K&K is highly dependent on the installation. Since my hands are way too large to enter the soundhole and accurately place the pickups, I have to rely on someone else to do it. One installer did a great job but said never again. A second installer (2nd guitar) did not spend the necessary time to properly locate the pickups so the sound is not as great as it could be. So... Lately I have gone the soundhole route. I own the M1 LR Baggs soundhole pu, and it is great. I like that it is designed (strap jack feature) to connect to the amp cable through the strap button at the rear of the guitar. But, it is a bit pricey ($130+) and is rather bulky. Sounds good though. This time around I decided to try the Fishman Neo-D and I am about to order another one. It sounds amazing. I have tried it direct to the mixer, to the mixer through a DI box (UltraSound DI+), and direct to a guitar amp. Either way it sounds great. What is amazing is that it retains the character of the guitar, not just picking up the strings. I know, that is impossible right? I tested it using headphones thus blocking out the natural sound of the guitar, and I could hear the nuances of the guitar acoustics. It is well made, I appreciate the cork pads on the clamp surfaces. My only gripe, and I knew this going in, the cable extends outside the soundhole and down the front. I route around and past my strap to kind of get it out of the way, but I prefer the LR Baggs M1 method (strapjack). Also, and maybe it is just the guitar I am using, the pickup is a bit narrow for the soundhole, I had to position it at the very top of the soundhole. Regardless of the incredible price ($40), this is an excellent pickup and I plan to order a second for another guitar. PS: After writing this I forgot to mention that I purchased the single coil version. I have not experienced hum and it is perfectly quiet,

Bright, crisp, but mellow where you want it. Very well balanced sound. Installation could not possibly be easier, and the price is great. This is a no-brainer.

Fischman quality assured, and the tone is excellent. That is, if you are not experiencing the predictable hum which can arise with single coils. At a house party I found my homemade acoustic bass (a conversion of a regular guitar) to be unusable due to hum which even turning off the flourescent light did not fix. My other bass, with a humbucker, performed well. If you are playing outdoors or in a venue where you have control or prior experience, however, you can expect this pickup to deliver excellent tone at all frequency ranges. This was the case even with the low bass notes, which as far as I am concerned makes this pickup usable for bass as well as treble clef instruments. The other drawback, which some people might regard as a plus, is the very long cord. Although it spares you from having to carry a separate cable, it is kind of annoying to have to coil it up when putting the guitar in its case, or if the axe is on a rack or leaning in a corner. This is however a very minor inconvenience one can easily get used to, or, for the more adventurous, you can simply cut the cord and install a jack. Another plus is that you don't need to worry about batteries. Batteries do tend to last quite a long time in the instruments that use them but man oh man it is really just an unwanted bummer when they go out on you while performing live. So, overall, I like having this good-sounding pickup in my arsenal, and it is child's play to simply switch it out onto other guitars, requiring only the proper sized phillips head screw driver. Note that on some guitars, perhaps parlor guitars or concert size, you might have to file down either the side of the soundhole or, more likely, the sides of the pick up in order to get it to fit in. But on a regular dobro I don't think you will have any problem. And, it's a Fishman, so you can expect long life, good engineering and reasonable resale value. Why scrimp and buy cheap junk when you can get something solid?

Great sound and good value. Installs easy with two screws. Attached cable.

Thought I was getting a cheap Fishman knock off, but I’m pleasantly surprised! Sounds great through my amp, and through the sound system at my church. Thanks for quality!

The pickup sounds great, but it had a terrible grounding noise that got worse when moving the guitar. I tested it in my home studio where the electricity is prefectly balanced and I use Furman power controllers . I get no grounding or electrical noises from any other instrument, not even cheap guitars with terrible single coils. I submitted a claim to Amazon and they are sending me a replacement. Hopefully the new one works fine.

Easily mounted and only takes about a minute, works and sounds great.

I knew very little about pickups, and got this single coil because my Strat has single coils. But I didn't think about active versus passive pickups. This one is passive, meaning there's no power and it doesn't amplify the signals. It sounded good but the signal I got from it is at instrument level, not line level, and I had to compensate in my DAW to the point that it gave a hum. I'm probably misusing it, but I ended up returning it and getting an active Fisher humbucker pickup. Same manufacturer, but it's got batteries to power a preamp that raises the gain before it gets to my audio interface. I'm much happier now. There's no hum (duh, humbucker) and I like the warm sound, particularly the bass.

As an acoustic guitarist constantly seeking to amplify my sound without sacrificing the natural tone and resonance of my instrument, the Fishman Neo D Single Coil Magnetic Soundhole Pickup has proven to be a game-changer in my musical journey. Here's why I highly recommend this pickup to fellow musicians: First and foremost, the sound quality delivered by the Fishman Neo D pickup is nothing short of exceptional. Its single-coil design captures the rich, warm tones of my acoustic guitar with remarkable clarity and precision. Whether I'm strumming gentle chords or picking intricate melodies, the pickup faithfully reproduces the nuances of my playing, allowing my instrument's true character to shine through. Installation is a breeze, thanks to the pickup's easy-to-use design. Simply slide it into the soundhole of your guitar, adjust the height to your preference, and you're ready to go. No need for drilling, soldering, or extensive modifications to your instrument – the Fishman Neo D pickup seamlessly integrates into any acoustic guitar setup with minimal fuss. Versatility is another standout feature of this pickup. Its passive design means that it requires no external power source or batteries to operate, making it ideal for both stage and studio use. Whether you're performing live on stage, recording in the studio, or practicing at home, the Fishman Neo D pickup delivers consistent and reliable performance in any setting. Durability is key when it comes to musical equipment, and the Fishman Neo D pickup does not disappoint in this regard. Constructed from high-quality materials and built to withstand the rigors of regular use, this pickup is designed to go the distance, ensuring years of reliable performance without compromising on sound quality. In summary, the Fishman Neo D Single Coil Magnetic Soundhole Pickup is a must-have accessory for acoustic guitarists looking to enhance their sound with ease and efficiency. Its exceptional sound quality, user-friendly design, versatility, and durability make it a top choice for musicians of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a beginner exploring the world of amplified acoustic sound, this pickup is sure to elevate your playing experience to new heights.

Had to return it as it didn't fit my Maton 808 sound hold.

I originally ordered this because it was cheap and I had nothing to lose! I was impressed at how easy it was to install, the chord does not get int he way of my playing. I will say don't expect this to capture the full tone of your acoustic, it sounds good (no buzz as in other reviews) but it sounds closer to an ovation than an acoustic electric, this is not a bad thing. It is a bit on the quite side but I ran it through an amp and pa system and I could get enough volume fairly easily to make it work live.

I've got 30 years gigging and recording experience and have used many different after-market pickups in that time. This is one of the best, I have a lovely fully acoustic with crisp clear tones that I needed to electrify for small gigs. I didn't want anything that would require permanent mods. This fitted in easily, no need to slacken the strings, and it clamps into place tightly but without damaging the finish. The cable is long enough that it can reach my pedalboard and give me freedom to move around. I'm fine with it being a male jack rather than female so unlike others I have no intention of chopping and replacing the terminal. It's passive, which means 2 things - it requires no batteries but will also have lower output as a result. Those reviewers who are expecting the same volume output as an active / amplified pickup are just being unrealistic. You just need a decent pre-amp for live use. I run this through the excellent and inexpensive SONICAKE A Factory Acoustic Analog Preamp. This helps boost the signal but also gives some control over EQ shaping and it sounds awesome through my PA. The only reason I've given 4 starts not 5 for the sound it because you can get pickups that faithfully represent the exact tone and nuance of your guitar, but these cost a fortune and are generally only needed by the pro's who's tone is their signature. This gives me everything I need. Unlike some other pickups I've had it's also quiet and doesn't pickup unwanted handling noise from the guitar body. This is a very capable and solid bit of kit.

Very niče tone