Pickup recommendations for Authentic 1939
 

I'm looking for pickup recommendations for a Martin D18 Authentic 1939. I have a LR Baggs Anthem in my sinker mahogany D18 and it's fine. But the glued saddle on the Authentic 1939 was a problem for the Anthem. The dealer installed an Anthem SL but frankly it sounds like crap. Very thin and treble.

Martin recommended a K&K Pure Mini, but the superglue installation gives me a little pause. Suppose I don't like it either. I know K&K says it can be uninstalled without damage to the guitar, but...

So, I'm looking for suggestions. I prefer not to use a sound-hole pickup on that guitar, but I'm willing to listen.

Thanks for your help.

K&K is super commonly used on Martins of all kinds. I wouldn't think twice about it. After all, Martin recommended it as well. My vote is K&K.

Another vote for the K&K mini.. I have it in my custom D41 and wouldn't think twice about doing it again.

Check out a Schatten HFN pickup. Sounds as good as a K&K, there is a passive version so no batteries inside your guitar and the best thing, you can install it with a double-sided tape (provided with the pickup) - no superglue required.

Don't use too much glue with the K and K.
Just follow the instructions and enjoy your guitar.

Even if by chance you don't like it the pickup can stay in the guitar and not be in the way.

The K&K would have done less damage to the guitar than the installaiton of the Anthem SL. Are you sure you don't have the Lyric mic? Martin employees often recommend a passive K&K and a pedal based preamp when you talk to their customer service. I also recommend a K&K with internal prephase preamp.

I used K&Ks for years in many Martins and liked them. Now I found that the Dazzo is superior.

Depending on venue and chosen songs for gigs or busking, I might grab any of my of my 7 acoustics.
Imagine the price of 7 good pickups after installation. :cry:
That's one reason my DPA was a steal at $619.
It's a Danish Professional Audio (aka DPA) d:vote 4099G.
The sound is so clear and honest that I'd still buy it if I had only one guitar.

Watch the video in this link.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...-mounting-clip

It takes seconds to move it between guitars.
No holes to drill or installations to pay for.
No dead batteries to ruin your performance or leaky ones to muck up your guitar.
No worry about tone compromise from putting an UST between your saddle and bridge.

I'd describe its sound as invisible ... no sound at all ... just your acoustic's natural sound, only louder.
None of that artificial bass boost so common in many pickups.
It's like gigging with a high-end studio condenser (actually, that's what it is) without being handcuffed to a mic stand.
To a degree I can equalize and mitigate feedback my simply repointing the tiny shotgun element on its tiny gooseneck in a different direction.

Three caveats:
It requires 48v phantom power.
If my hand bumps the clip it may fall off, so I use a couple inches of gaffer tape to secure the clip to the side of the guitar.
If you play in a large band with no sound man in a high-volume venue (I don't) other pickups may have better resistance to feedback.

What do you like better about the dazzo? More natural tone? I haven’t heard better acoustic pickup tone than the k&k but am always looking for “better” :-)

The Schatten HFN is the best pickup I have used. It's a very easy install/removal also.

You could try one of the variants of the Trance Audio Amulet M system if the two Amulets SBTs will fit properly on the bridge plate.

I had a k&k in my 000-15 that sounded decent. Tried one in my j45 adj and it was microphonic because of the bridge bolts. Then had a heck of a time getting it off because of the glue (finally did, luckily no damage done) I won't ever go that route again.

https://i.imgur.com/TFet4Xy.jpg

I use K&ks and have for years. I use this one in my Authentic. Same good sound, no glue. http://www.acousticon.com/mcintyre.htm

Why would you spend the coin for an Authentic Martin and put something as unauthentic as a pickup in it?

I’m not trying to diss you, but I honestly don’t get it.

I appreciate all the recommendations. I've looked at the all of them and they all have something to recommend them. Still, I think I'll swallow hard about my installation concerns and go with the K&K Pure Mini. There seems to be a lot of love for that one in this and other threads, and I also put stock in the fact that Martin recommended it as the best choice.

Thanks to all.