1) Does adding a pickup to an acoustic guitar affect the tone adversely?

2)Does it affect the value of a guitar? I have a mid 80’s Martin D35 which probably won’t be collectable in my lifetime. How about for a really expensive guitar (new or old)?

3)Under the bridge vs. installed in the body? – Cost vs. sound

4)Any recommendations for mid priced ($800- $1500) guitars with factory-installed pickups?

All opinions welcomed.

Thanks

The professional addition of a pickup to an acoustic guitar does NOT affect the tone adversely.

It can affect the value of a guitar: however your mid 80’s Martin D35 is not too dear to add a pickup to... I would not add a pickup to a really expensive old guitar, but I had one installed on my new (and expensive)Goodall.

Under the bridge vs. installed in the body: Installed in the body (?) may mean an internal mike. Best natural sound, more feedback at high volume. A mixed system (bridge and mike) is nice, but a bit costly. I would strongly consider a Highlander system, either just the bridge or the combo. Expensive, but sounds very nice, and of course Bob is an IGS sponsor. There's a guy in the same area as Bob and National that does great installations, I am told. Contact Jeffrey Sipress for more info on this.

Cost vs. sound: Cheap pickups usually sound cheap. I have a mid-range Fishman Rare Earth in my Goodall, sounds okay. Just okay. I had a B-Band in my Bourgeois, it sounded a bit better. My wife has a very expensive Countryman mike in her Martin, sounds really good but feeds back at high volume.

Any recommendations for mid priced ($800- $1500) guitars with factory-installed pickups? Yep, I think you might be able to grab a National Radio Tone Bendaway with a Highlander for that... Taylor have decent pickup systems and have models in this range, as does Martin. It depends on what you plan to play, where, etc.

Now take two aspirin and call me in the morning, unless I'm out on the links.