What is the best pickup for full band scenario?

[fatboyrik]

I am new to this forum but not LR Baggs products. I am currently using an Ibeam system in an old Alvarez 12-string that has the sweetest tone. That guitar is used in more quiet acoustic setting and it truly sounds like my guitar only louder. My main acoustic is a Carvin with the Fishman Prefix system and it is not very pleasing to the ears at higher volumes. I mostly play in a praise band at church which is full electric except for me. My idea of the ultimate acoustic sound for the classic rock vibe that we have is the same as the tone from Zakk Wylde's guitar on "The Blessed Hellride." It just so happens that I have an Alvarez AD80SSB that mimics this tone perfectly. My question is, and I know that it is usually a matter of opinion, which pickup works best in a very LOUD full band setting? Being able to cut through without feedback and still maintaining the nice percussive tone of that guitar is important. I know my choice will be an LR Baggs system because I am so impressed with the Ibeam but which one will fit my needs is the big question. Thanks in advance for the opinions that any of you might have.

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey fatboyrik,
If you want something that will give you a classic-rock-vibe that will cut through a loud band mix, without major feedback issues, the M1A is probably the way to go.

The M1A has a really great "vibey" tone that really sits well in a band mix, especially with electric guitars. As a soundhole magnetic pickup, it has great feedback resistance too.

It will sound pretty different than the iBeam, but it sounds like that's exactly what you're looking for.

[fatboyrik]

Thanks for the advice Caleb. I believe you are right. From listening to all of the reviews of various pickups and mic or transducer systems, in my mind I had pretty much narrowed it down to the M80 or M1a. I have been playing for a long time and remember the infamous "Woody" pickup and how terrible that sounded. These two sound hole pickups are so advanced and just sound like they have been given a nice dose of acoustic "mojo" that I am definitely going to give the M1a a try. I think it will do nicely. Thanks for your help and I will let you know how it turns out.

[MisterH]

Thanks for the advice Caleb. I believe you are right. From listening to all of the reviews of various pickups and mic or transducer systems, in my mind I had pretty much narrowed it down to the M80 or M1a. I have been playing for a long time and remember the infamous "Woody" pickup and how terrible that sounded. These two sound hole pickups are so advanced and just sound like they have been given a nice dose of acoustic "mojo" that I am definitely going to give the M1a a try. I think it will do nicely. Thanks for your help and I will let you know how it turns out.

The M1A is a good soundhole pickup but do not be surprised if you find you need an outboard preamp to shape the sound to your liking. The Mia has a pronounced bump at about 300-400 Hz. Because I couldn't afford to buy the Para DI I opted for a very cheap and surprisingly effective acoustic preamp pedal- the Behringer ADI21 acoustic driver. Behringer does not have a very good rep but the darn thing was only $30 so I figured it was a small risk. It turned out to be perfect, Nice controls and nice notch filter control. If you go that route be sure to buy the dc adapter. It eats 9v batteries quickly.