Converting Acoustic Guitar to Electric

Who else wants to know about converting acoustic guitar to electric?

Converting an acoustic guitar to electric can be a confusing task.

The process can range from an expensive and complicated procedure that involves woodwork to very simple and cheap.

Plus, different types of pickups will produce different types of sounds, and it’s often hard to know which one is the right one for you.

Today we’ll de-mystify the process, and give you a few basic recommendations.

There are 4 different types of guitar pickups available for acoustic guitars:

• Soundhole Pickups
• Soundboard Transducer Pickups
• Undersaddle Pickups
• Microphone Pickups

Additionally, “blended” systems include 2 or more of the 4 basic types of acoustic guitar pickups.

They’re a way to try and balance the good and bad of each type of pickup.

We’ll cover these in each section.

Check it out!

Converting Acoustic Guitar to Electric: Soundhole Pickups

Soundhole pickups are usually simple to install and require no modification of your guitar.

They use a magnet to detect string vibrations just like the pickups on an electric guitar.

Installation usually involves simply attaching the pickup to the soundhole.

They can be very versatile since they come in active and passive configurations and single-coil or humbucker designs.

As far as tone, soundhole pickups tend to have a warm tone and can have a sound reminiscent of an electric guitar.

They can be susceptible to feedback and can tend to sound dull compared to what your acoustic guitar sounds like unplugged.

Soundhole Pickup Recommendations:

Best Overall

L.R. Baggs M1 Active Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup

The L.R. Baggs M1 Active Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup is a stacked humbucker pickup designed to capture higher frequency resonances, and add presence to your sound.

It includes a preamp and volume control to deliver a more natural tone and give you finer control over your sound.

Plus, it includes adjustable pole pieces so you can easily fine-tune the response of each string and find a good balance.

We think you’ll find that the L.R. Baggs M1 Active Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup has received many positive reviews and successfully creates a very organic acoustic tone.

Why wait another day? Click here and get yours now.

Best Budget

Fishman Neo D Single Coil Magnetic Soundhole Pickup

The Fishman Neo D Single Coil Magnetic Soundhole Pickup features a neodymium magnet that delivers a crisp, clear sound with exceptional string balance.

Its high-impedance design delivers a clear signal without needing a battery so you’re always ready to play.

Plus, with a generous 10′ cable and a low profile design, this soundhole pickup requires no permanent alteration to your guitar and also comes in a woodgrain finish to better match the looks of your guitar.

We think you’ll find the Fishman Neo D Single Coil Magnetic Soundhole Pickup is a very affordable option that’s easy to install and delivers a bright and tight acoustic sound.

Act now! Click here and get yours today.

Converting Acoustic Guitar to Electric: Soundboard Transducer Pickups

Transducer pickups use a piezo crystal to detect vibrations on the soundboard of your guitar.

They can be attached almost anywhere inside or outside of the guitar’s body.

Most often they are installed by using an adhesive to attach them under the bridge inside the body of the guitar.

A hole is then drilled through the body to allow the input jack to be attached.

Detachable ones are also available that connect to the outside of the guitar body.

This eliminates the hassles of install and allows you to leave your guitar in its original condition.

Tone-wise, these pickups tend to have a very natural and full sound and do a better job of translating the natural sound of your guitar than a soundhole pickup.

Soundboard Transducer Recommendations:

Best Overall

KNA AP-1 Universal Stick-on Piezo Acoustic Instrument Pickup

The KNA AP-1 Universal Stick-on Piezo Acoustic Instrument Pickup has a convenient design and very simple installation.

It has a laminated birch and maple housing that’s lightweight and doesn’t detract from the finish of your guitar.

With a passive design, this pickup easily reproduces the natural acoustic sounds of your guitar.

Installation is simple and involves attaching the pickup onto your guitar using either a double-stick dot or adhesive putty both of which are included.

Plus, the 9′ detachable cable means you can keep this pickup attached to your guitar while it’s in its case.

We think you’ll find the KNA AP-1 Universal Stick-on Piezo Acoustic Instrument Pickup natural sounding as well as easy and convenient to use.

Decide for yourself! Click here and get yours now.

Best Budget

Self-adhesive Pickups Piezo Transducer

The Self-adhesive Pickups Piezo Transducer is a very budget-friendly way to convert your acoustic guitar to electric.

It’s a 3 transducer setup that creates a natural, clear acoustic tone.

Installation is straightforward and involves attaching the transducers to the inside of your guitar under your bridge and then drilling a hole for the strapjack.

Included is a self-adhesive block and tie to easily mount the wire inside of your guitar.

Since it’s a passive pickup, no battery is required.

We think you’ll find the Self-adhesive Pickups Piezo Transducer produces a great tone, especially considering the low price.

You be the judge. Click here and get yours now.

Converting Acoustic Guitar to Electric: Undersaddle Pickups

Undersaddle pickups are placed under the saddle and use a piezo crystal to detect the vibration of the strings.

These pickups tend to have a very bright tone and produce a lot of volume.

They are great for high-volume playing since they produce very minimal feedback.

Tonally, they tend to have a more brittle sound and, since they are mainly in contract with the strings, they don’t reproduce the full acoustic qualities of your guitar.

Oftentimes, undersaddle pickups require a preamp to boost their signal, although some systems do not require the use of a preamp.

Undersaddle Pickup Recommendations:

Best Overall

Fishman AG Acoustic Pickup

The Fishman AG Acoustic Pickup is an Under saddle pickup that provides a rich tone with full highs and lows.

It’s available in a variety of widths and strings spacings so it’s perfect for 12 string and nylon string guitars.

There’s no battery required although Fishman recommends a preamp for maximum performance.

Lastly, installation requires drilling holes in your guitar and shaving down the saddle, so you might want to look into a professional installation.

We think you’ll find the Fishman AG Acoustic Pickup delivers a warm tone that’s well balanced.

Why wait? Click here and get yours now.

Best Budget

Small Black Passive Tone Volume EQ Kit And Pickup for Guitar PS900

The Small Black Passive Tone Volume EQ Kit and Pickup for Guitar PS900 is a very budget-friendly undersaddle pickup.

It comes with a preamp that has tone and volume controls so it requires a battery.

It is pre-wired for easier assembly, so no soldering is required.

Installation requires cutting a space for the preamp control and drilling into the bridge, so you may want to have this installed by a professional.

The Small Black Passive Tone Volume EQ Kit and Pickup for Guitar PS900 will let you convert your acoustic guitar to electric very inexpensively.

Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours today.

Converting Acoustic Guitar to Electric: Microphone Pickups

Microphone pickups probably do the best job of reproducing your guitar’s natural sound.

However, they are prone to feedback, sensitive to placement, and often require a preamp.

Plus, they are often expensive and difficult to install.

Microphone pickups are often the choice of professionals since their main concern is accurately reproducing the sound of their guitar.

Microphone Pickup Recommendations:

Best Overall

L.R. Baggs Lyric Acoustic Guitar Microphone

The L.R. Baggs Lyric Acoustic Guitar Microphone uses TRUMIC technology to achieve a balanced and natural sound.

To avoid the boxy sound microphone pickups sometimes have, it uses noise-canceling technology and circuits designed to give you a superior sound with a punchier attack and natural dynamics.

It includes an internal microphone, a high-fidelity preamp, and soundhole controls that include volume and presence.

The adjustable “presence” control lets you dial in your high-frequency response allowing for finer control over your sound.

Finally, the microphone mounts to the underside of the bridge using a peel-and-stick adhesive as do the soundhole controls.

The L.R. Baggs Lyric Acoustic Guitar Microphone has been well-reviewed online and really shines at capturing the true sound of your guitar.

You’ve waited long enough. Click here and get yours now.

Converting Acoustic Guitar to Electric: Conclusion / FAQ

Converting your acoustic guitar to electric can run the gamut from easy and cheap, to complicated and expensive.

If you’re experimenting or just curious, the fastest way to scratch that itch is going to be a soundhole pickup.

If you’re playing in a band and need more volume, you’ll probably be better off with an undersaddle pickup.

If you’re playing on stage, solo, you’re probably going to benefit most from a microphone pickup.

At the end of the day, it may be easier(and less expensive) to purchase an acoustic-electric guitar. Please see this post, this post, and this one for some acoustic-electric guitar recommendations.

• What’s the easiest way to convert an acoustic guitar to electric?
  • Soundhole pickups are inexpensive and straightforward ways to convert acoustic guitars to electric.
• Do I need a preamp to convert an acoustic guitar to electric?
  • The answer is: Maybe. It really depends on what type of pickup you’re using, and what environment you’re playing in.
• Is converting an acoustic guitar to electric permanent?
  • Not necessarily. If you have to drill a hole for the strapjack or cut a space in the body for a preamp, you’ve permanently altered your guitar. If it’s a soundhole pickup or a soundboard transducer pickup, they aren’t designed to permanently alter your guitar.
• How expensive is it to convert an acoustic guitar to electric?
  • The cost can range from under $50 to hundreds of dollars. It really depends on what you’re comfortable spending and what you’re trying to achieve tonally.
• What are “Blended” acoustic guitar pickups?
  • Blended, or hybrid pickups use 2 or more types of pickups to “blend” the benefits of each one. For instance, it could be an undersaddle/microphone pickup system that then allows you to dial in your own sound.