When you’re finding ways to make the volume a lot louder, you might hear about Piezo vs Soundhole Pickups. Guitarists may wonder which one is better and which type of pickup is best to do this. Understanding these pickups is essential for any guitarist looking to refine their sound.
In this article, Eguitarmania will help you understand all the features and characteristics of each pickup. We’ll look at how each type works with your guitar to turn your playing into a sound that everyone can hear, how easy they are to use, and what they mean by the sound of your music.
What Are Piezo Pickups?
Piezo (also caled Piezoelectric), using generation of a voltage by detecting variations in pressure, offer a unique approach to sound capture. They are typically made from materials like quartz or ceramic. Piezo pickups, distinct from other pickups offer a unique approach to sound capture.
Overview of Piezo pickups
Technically, a piezo pickup is composed of piezoelectric crystals placed under the bridge of the guitar (or in the bridge saddles, in the case of electric guitars). When the strings vibrate, they cause minute compressions and expansions in these crystals. These mechanical stresses are converted into electrical signals by the piezoelectric effect. This conversion process allows piezo pickups to produce a sound that closely resembles the natural acoustic sound of the guitar. The output is often described as very detailed and precise, capturing the nuances of the guitar’s resonance and the player’s dynamics.
Design and Placement
Soundhole pickups are very easy to install and in most cases are simply slotted in and secured using screws which is a quick process. Unlike ‘traditional’ pickups or microphones, piezo systems uniquely detect vibrations from the wood of your guitar to generate sound, usually from the saddle.
Sound and Tone
In practice, piezos have a distinct sound profile. They tend to emphasize the higher frequencies, offering a bright and clear tone. This is especially beneficial for acoustic guitars, where capturing the body’s natural resonance is crucial. However, this can sometimes lead to a sound that’s perceived as too sharp or brittle, especially in the context of electric guitars. To counteract this, many guitarists and manufacturers blend piezo pickups with magnetic pickups, allowing the warmth of the magnetic pickups to balance the crispness of the piezos.
Piezo’s are widely used in acoustic guitars to amplify their natural sound without significantly altering the tone. They are often preferred for their ability to produce a clean, accurate representation of the guitar’s acoustic qualities. In electric guitars, piezo pickups are sometimes used alongside traditional magnetic pickups. They can be fitted into the bridge to capture the string vibrations directly from the saddle. This setup allows electric guitar players to achieve an acoustic-like tone from their electric instrument, adding versatility to the guitar’s sound palette. Some electric guitars are designed with built-in piezo pickups, offering a switchable option between electric and acoustic tones.
What Are Soundhole Pickups?
Soundhole pickups are mounted onto the guitar, usually placed close to the neck, and detect the string vibrations using magnetic fields.
Overview of Soundhole pickups
A sound hole pickup is temporary and allows an acoustic guitar to be amplified without a microphone and without a potentially expensive and invasive modification to the guitar. It’s also cheaper to buy and use a sound hole pickup than to have a pickup installed in an acoustic.
Design and Placement
Some types of sound hole pickups are designed for a more permanent installation. They require drilling a hole in the tail block of your guitar to install the instrument cable end pin jack. There is a small cable connecting the cable jack to the pickup that stays inside the guitar – so you don’t have a cable running out of your soundhole. To plug into an amp or PA – you simply plug in your instrument cable like on any electric or acoustic/electric guitar.
Many sound hole pickups are magnetic – meaning they detect the strings vibration using magnets that react to the metal strings. Because of this – they will only work with steel strings. Also because of this – standard acoustic strings will not respond as well as electric strings because the brass windings on acoustic strings (in contrast to the nickel windings on electric strings) are non magnetic. So the magnet in the pickup is only able to react to the steel core of the wound strings that is shielded to a large degree by the non magnetic windings.
Sound and Tone
Some sound hole pickups can detect and respond to the vibration of the guitar’s soundboard (top). These will clamp tightly to either side of the soundhole so it can react to the vibration. Other sound hole pickups (such as the LR Baggs Anthem) have internal microphones as their means of amplifying the guitar. The advantage of a microphone based sound hole pickup is that the true sound of the acoustic guitar is amplified without the artifacts often imparted by magnetic pickups. Magnetic pickups can make your acoustic guitar sound more like an electric guitar than an acoustic.
Comparision: Piezo Vs Soundhole Pickups
| Feature | Piezo Pickups | Soundhole Pickups |
| How It Work | Utilize piezoelectric crystals to convert vibrations into signals | Magnetic coils capture string vibrations |
| Placement | Under the saddle or on the body of the guitar (inside) | Mounted in the soundhole (visible) |
| Sound Characteristic | Bright, clear, and very direct | Warmer, more natural acoustic sound |
| Tonal Versatility | Less natural acoustic sound; more EQ may be needed | Closer to the guitar’s natural acoustic sound |
| Requirement | Does not require a pre-amp | Requires a pre-amp |
Soundhole Pickups give me a vibe like they’re capturing the soul of my guitar. They are placed in the soundhole right under the strings and use magnetic coils to pick up the movements of the strings. When boosted, the sound they produce is as close to natural acoustic as you can get. On the other hand, Piezo Pickups translate my guitar’s vibrations into sound with perfection.
Since piezo pickups sense vibration and not disturbances in the magnetic field, a piezo pickup can sense taps on the wood and amplify that exact sound. While the soundhole pickup impresses me with its ability to keep the essence of my guitar’s sound intact, producing a warmer, fuller tone right off the bat.
Real Musicians, Real Choices: Piezo vs Soundhole
John Mayer, known for his blues-infused rock and masterful acoustic performances. He use of high-end acoustic guitars often equipped with sophisticated Piezo systems. His appreciation for authentic tone suggests he values natural warmth.
Ed Sheeran famous for guitar and a loop pedal showcases the power of simplicity. Sheeran often uses guitars equipped with Soundhole pickups, favoring their natural sound and ease of use.
In the world of professional guitarists, the choice between Piezo and Soundhole pickups is more about what suits the artist’s needs, genre, and personal taste.
Final Thought
Nowadays, many brands offer combinations of pickup choices, many Sire acoustic models feature both piezo and soundhole pickups. Artists could use this mixed method to make their songs with even more emotion and accuracy, opening up new ways to express themselves through music.
