Playing at church, an open mic, or a gig with a band? An acoustic pickup lets you plug straight into a PA or acoustic amp without fighting with a microphone. TuneUp Guitar in Redding installs acoustic pickups in guitars, basses, and mandolins.
Pickup types we install
- Undersaddle pickups. Sit under the bridge saddle. Clear, feedback resistant, and popular for live playing.
- Soundhole pickups. Magnetic pickups that clip into the soundhole. Easy to install and often no drilling needed.
- Internal body sensors and mics. Add warmth and body sound, often blended with an undersaddle pickup.
- Preamp systems. Onboard volume, tone, and tuner controls, either inside the soundhole or mounted on the side.
What an install includes
- Fitting the pickup and making sure the saddle seats evenly so every string is balanced
- Installing the endpin jack and routing wires cleanly inside the body
- Mounting the battery box or preamp if needed
- Testing through an amp and adjusting for even string volume
- A quick check of action and string height
Already have a pickup?
If your acoustic-electric sounds thin, uneven, crackly, or cuts out, we can troubleshoot it. Common causes are a worn jack, a dying battery, or a saddle that isn’t sitting flat. See pots, switches, and jack repair for more on intermittent jacks.
Get it playing right too
A plugged in guitar shows every buzz and every out of tune note. Pairing a pickup install with an acoustic guitar setup is a smart move, especially if the guitar hasn’t been looked at in a while.
Bring it in
Most installs are done in a day or two at our shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Bring your guitar in or call to talk through options. Players come in from all over the Redding area.
Acoustic Guitar Pickup Installation questions
Do you have to drill my guitar?
Most installs need the end pin hole enlarged for an output jack. Soundhole pickups can often be installed with no drilling at all. We'll go over your options first.
Which pickup should I get?
It depends on how you play and where. We'll ask a few questions and recommend something that fits your guitar and your budget.
My acoustic-electric already has a pickup but sounds bad. Can you fix it?
Often, yes. Weak strings, a bad battery, a poorly seated saddle, or a loose jack can all make an existing pickup sound bad.