Best Bouzouki Pickup
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The Bouzouki is one of the most popular musical instruments in Europe. It is said to originate in Turkey however it is widely used in Greek Music. Greeks use it to create both traditional and modern music. One thing that enhances the experience of playing bouzoukis is the pickup. If you are a regular bouzouki player then you know how important the bouzouki pickups are in creating that perfect piece of music.
Read Also: Bouzouki String
What are the Best Bouzouki Pickups to Buy?
Bouzouki pickups can not only help in amplifying the intensity of music create but they can also enhance the quality of music. You can remove all sorts of mechanical distortion with the help of a pickup. In addition to that, it offers an ideal balance between all the strings which can help you create amazing and top quality music.
So, after you have purchased your bouzouki, it is pertinent to buy a pickup that produces great sound and a pleasant tone even if set to a lower level. You can find different brands offering their own unique versions of Bouzouki pickups with slightly different features.
However, their main purpose remains the same and that is to enhance the quality of music created with the bouzouki. Different musicians have different needs and preferences, so you can choose a pickup that is according to your needs and preferences. Bouzouki pickups can be easily found in music stores especially those that sell a high number of bouzoukis.
If you are confused about what bouzouki pickup you should invest in, then listed down below are the reviews of 5 bouzouki pickups along with their features.
5 Best Bouzouki Pickup Reviews
1. GOSONO Clip-On Bouzouki Pickup
The clip-on pickup by Gosono is a classic pickup, which can be clipped on to various other instruments that are acoustic, such as bouzouki, guitar, violin, ukulele, mandola, etc. The outer layer of the clip-on pickup is black and made of plastic. It is very small in size, so that makes it easy to adjust its tune or set according to the player’s preference.
Typically designed for acoustic instruments, it produces a very resonant sound without altering the actual sound of any instruments. It is easy to clip on and replace when you are not using it. It is important to have a good quality amplifier, because the better the quality of the amplifier, the better sound the pickup will pick up.
Gosono Clip-on Pickup's main feature is the fact that it can be clipped on to any instrument and does not alter the actual sound even if there is any background commotion happening.
2. Schatten BM-1 Pro Passive Bouzouki Pickup
Perhaps, the BM-1 range is one of the more traditional and specially designed Bouzouki pickups with extended sensor functions to work effectively on the bases of Bouzouki's, Citterns, and Mandolin with a flat top, usually with a spaced string configuration, instead of a regular mandolin.
The base of the bouzouki is where the sound is created. So, this pickup series work well on acoustic instruments without changing any onboard electrics or modifying the bridge. This pickup by Schatten design is easier to install in the endpin or tailpiece which already exists.
The sound produced by the pickup is great, and it is relatively easier to install without the need for any preamp. But, the sound produced by the pickup can be amplified by using a preamp on the outboard using a stereo lead.
The BM-1 Pro Passive pickup comes with a 2-year warranty and doesn’t require any battery. It is relatively smaller in size and requires less space to be adjusted on the base of the instrument.
3. EMG-5870 Magnetic Bouzouki Pickup
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EMG B pickup is famous for its active magnetic design, which is easier to use and remains a top favorite. Because it works well for Bouzouki, which has a pear-like shape, with a long neck and 8 strings. Bouzouki is widely used in Greece to play traditional Greek music, but it has also been adapted in the Modern Greek and Irish music.
The EMG B pickup has an added feature of FT, which adds a whole new dimension and clarity to the sound produced by the Bouzouki. It includes a direct battery mount and a bracket, so it can be easily installed on top of the bridge of the bouzouki. It can also be installed on an instrument like Mandola.
The whole package comes with an external jack, and the brand’s special quick connecting cable. The sound produced by the EMG B pickup doesn’t alter the original sound in any way, and the output jack allows the player to attach it into a soundboard directly.
4. Schatten BM-1 STD Passive Pickup
The Schatten BM-1 STD passive pickup features an extended sensor function to work effectively on the bases of Bouzouki's, Mandolin, and other acoustic instruments. The BM-1 STD passive pickup helps in creating an amplified, transparent sound. It is easy to install on the bridge of any acoustic instrument.
Unlike other pickups, it requires no replacement of the bridge before installment. Even if it is connected to a normal amp, say guitar, or a bass amp, it functions effectively and produces a transparent sound. But if you need to enhance the sound of the pickup any further, you can equalize it with a preamp on the outboard. This can be added when you are placing your order for the passive pickup online.
For the sensor to properly pick the sound, the Schatten range is adjusted on the base as it needs only a very small surface area. Therefore, it comes with a two-year warranty and requires no battery.
5. Flexible Micro-Gooseneck by Myers Pickups
The powerhouse introduced by Myers Pickups is lightweight, so that is what makes this pick up all the more unique, and the brand named it as The Feather. So it is so light in weight and small in size, which could be installed without alteration or any definitive adjustment on a variety of acoustic instruments. But the sound produced is amplified and transparent, and no change occurs in the original sound produced from the original instrument.
It is easily adjustable, with an internal preamp, takes no outer space, and helps create an authentic sound with full clarity from your instrument. Before the package is delivered to the buyer, every pickup is checked beforehand, to provide the best quality product.
The source of power is installed already in the pickup. It amplifies the sound produced by your instrument to a much greater extent. The design of the pickup is very compact, which makes it even more versatile to use.
Choosing The Best Bouzouki Pickups
Bouzouki is a major part of Greece culture. Their similarity to mandolin can often confuse the buyer into differentiating the two. To find a bouzouki online has become easier nowadays. There is a wide variety of bouzouki available in the online market from which to choose from.
A multitude of manufacturers is producing the instrument in different designs, quality, etc. Only because of the distinctive sharp sound produced by it. So, in order to preserve that sound and further amplify it, pickups are mounted on the bridges of the bouzouki or any other acoustic instrument. They are also manufactured by a multitude of brands, offering different features, sizes, designs.
Bouzouki pickup only works to amplify the sound, make it more transparent, louder, and hardly ever change the original sound produced by the instrument. What varies is the reason for which you require a bouzouki pickup, it can be for personal practice or professional use.