Active vs. Passive System
ACTIVE pickups have a electronic circuit that needs battery power. Passive pickups need no additional power.
PASSIVE pickups send a low power, weak signal. Passive systems need an external preamp. Active pickups have the preamp built into the circuit. At a minimum an active systems will have a volume and maybe tone or EQ controls. Passive systems might have a volume and tone control on the instrument but typically do not.
A passive approach gives you the flexibility of using a wide variety of external options for a preamp. The tone controls on your amp, P.A. and any outboard gear will typically perform better than an on-board preamp. Plus, as better solutions become available you are not locking into the on-board preamp. An external preamp converts a “passive” system to an “active” system and greatly enhances tone and volume.
A Soundboard Transducer is a pickup that sticks to the top of the instrument using tape or suction cups. Either on the inside or the outside of the instrument. The K&K pick is a soundboard transducers system. This is the system that Mya-Moe Ukuleles recommended.
An Under Saddle Transducer (UST) pickup is placed under the saddle in the bridge slot between the saddle and the bridge. It is a thin ribbon like element that picks up the string vibrations. A small wire connects the pickup to the end pin jack. This can be used with an active or passive system.
Piezo “Quack”
If your like me and when first introduced to the to term Piezo Quack. You probably thought as I do "What the heck is that?". I ran into a video on the Trace Elliot Acoustic amp site that the very first part of it really shows - (not on purpose) - just what the “quack” is. Trace Elliot TA100 & TA200 Acoustic Amps - In Depth with Paul Stevens
Visit the Amplifying Your Ukulele page for a great video series by Gordon Mayer of Mya-Moe Ukuleles on ukulele pickups.
Curt's Personal Recommendations
- Pono The Pono Passive — A great passive pick that allows you to set EG flat and reproduces a ukes natural sound. The same element that Martin Guitars has used since 1968.
- L. R. Baggs — The L. R. Baggs Element is great for the ukulele and acoustic guitars. I have this installed in one of my Ko'olau CS Tenors ( the newer in training uke ).
- Fishman Transducers, Inc. — Great amps, pedals PA and pickups.
- K & K Sound Systems, Inc. — K & K soundboard transducers are a good alternative to the under the saddle pickups.
Comparison from the Ukulele Site
#1. aNueNue Air Air (2:56) (11:00) - A dual mic and and under-saddle system.
#2. MISI Trio (4:20) (13:00) (16:20) - An active under-saddle element.
#3. Pono Passive (6:15) (23:00) - An passive under-saddle element. (Curt: My favorite passive pickup)
#4. K & K Big Island Spot (7:50) (18:20) - A passive under the soundboard transducer.
#5. LR Baggs Five-0 (9:10) (14:30) - An active under-saddle element.
Ukulele Recommendations
Pono Manufactures
Pono instruments are professionally designed and handcrafted by the Ko'olau Guitar and `Ukulele Company and on the Island of Java , with final adjustments and set-up on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii.
L. R. Baggs Pickups
We started this in a loft in downtown Los Angeles, California, with a hope and a dream, and no business sense whatsoever. The first L.R. Baggs product was our LB6 Series Pickup. We would like to thank Leo Kottke for his early support. Stores would call us and say, "Leo Kottke said he was using your pickup." We could literally track his touring route as the stores would order in his wake. Early endorsers were Steven Sheehan of the Judds, James Taylor and Kathy Mattea. These endorsers gave us the encouragement and support that sustained us when we had more enthusiasm than business sense. They spread the word and gradually our business grew.
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. Pickups
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. (pronounced "My-Sigh") was founded in April 2004 by an experienced team of engineers with a passion and a drive to make music technology better - for both artists and music lovers. Although new to the marketplace, Mi-Si's engineers bring an arsenal of expertise and more than 25 years experience in the amplification field, developing exciting and revolutionary electronics specifically designed for acoustic amplification.
Popular Acoustic Ukulele Pickups
B-Band Ltd Pickups
B-Band is a manufacturer of high quality pickup systems for acoustic guitars, double basses and drums. All B-Band pickups use our proprietary patented electret film technology instead of common piezo materials. Piezo pickups tend to impart a sound of their own, often described as “quacky” or “plastic’, B-Band transducers act in much the same way a condenser microphone does. This results in excellent reproduction of your acoustic instrument’s unique voice. “Hear the Truth”.
Duncan Turner Acoustic Research (D-TAR) Pedals
What makes D-TAR different from other onboard systems? The D-TAR Multi-Source combines the Wave-Length piezoelectric under-saddle pickup with a miniature condenser microphone that is nestled in a special absorptive visco-elastic polymer shock mount for optimal isolation.
KNA Pickups Pickups
KNA Pickups has a full range of pickup solutions, we offer several designs to assure players get the best sound possible for their application. Our piezo, magnetic, passive, and active pickups offer natural sound reproduction tailored specifically for the tonal and dynamic range of each instrument.
L. R. Baggs Pickups
We started this in a loft in downtown Los Angeles, California, with a hope and a dream, and no business sense whatsoever. The first L.R. Baggs product was our LB6 Series Pickup. We would like to thank Leo Kottke for his early support. Stores would call us and say, "Leo Kottke said he was using your pickup." We could literally track his touring route as the stores would order in his wake. Early endorsers were Steven Sheehan of the Judds, James Taylor and Kathy Mattea. These endorsers gave us the encouragement and support that sustained us when we had more enthusiasm than business sense. They spread the word and gradually our business grew.
Meyers Pickups Pickups
Myers Pickups allows your passion to be heard by picking up the natural tone and sound of your instrument. This easily removable pickup will capture your expression without leaving a mark on your instrument. Our most popular models are the "Gooseneck" and "Feather" pickups. The smallest, all-in-one, multi-instrument, preamp pickups on the market today!
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. Pickups
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. (pronounced "My-Sigh") was founded in April 2004 by an experienced team of engineers with a passion and a drive to make music technology better - for both artists and music lovers. Although new to the marketplace, Mi-Si's engineers bring an arsenal of expertise and more than 25 years experience in the amplification field, developing exciting and revolutionary electronics specifically designed for acoustic amplification.
Pono Manufactures
Pono instruments are professionally designed and handcrafted by the Ko'olau Guitar and `Ukulele Company and on the Island of Java , with final adjustments and set-up on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Pick Up The World Pickups
Pick-up the World is dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and to this end, PUTW’s pickups are now built using 100% non-polluting, renewable energy. Additionally, all of PUTW’s pickup packaging is made from United States small farm grown / Non GMO quick composting plant based materials.
Schatten Design Pickups
Schatten Design’s continuing quest to build the finest pickups, preamps, and related accessories in the world has produced some truly fine new products. Newly introduced at the 2010 Los Angeles NAMM show was a series of innovative pickups for Uprighnt Bass and for Steel String Acoustics. Also introduced was a new endpin jack preamp, The Player Preamp. The Dualie for Ukulele Dual Element Acoustic Soundboard Pickup
Shadow Electronics Pickups
Shadow Electronics stands for high quality and absolutely reliable pickup systems - and this since 1971. Shadow was founded by Joe Marinic in 1971 and is one of the most experienced companies in the musical instrument business. Up to the present, musical enthusiasm and recognized electronic knowledge are the interlocking columns of the success of Shadow. We cooperate not only with world known top-musicians but we also have a team of highly qualified engineers and partners on staff.
Popular Electric Ukulele Pickups
These use the same principles as electric guitar pickups but one for four strings.
