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Bring Your Guitar to Life with the Best 18 Fishman Pickups

Explore the best Fishman pickups on the market, offering unparalleled sound quality and versatility for guitarists and bassists alike, in this comprehensive roundup article.

Explore the best Fishman pickups on the market, offering unparalleled sound quality and versatility for guitarists and bassists alike, in this comprehensive roundup article.

Looking to upgrade your guitar’s sound? We’ve got just the thing for you! In this roundup, we’ll be diving into some of the finest fishman pickups available on the market. These pickups are designed to deliver exceptional tone and versatility, making them a must-have for any guitarist looking to give their instrument a much-needed kick.

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Fishman Neo-Buster Humbucking Pickup: Eliminate Feedback and Elevate Audio

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Experience crystal-clear, feedback-free sound with the Fishman Neo-Buster Humbucking pickup. This innovative solution combines a high-quality humbucking pickup with a soundhole cover, eliminating the need for internal electronics and ensuring a warm, full tone while reducing hum interference. Neodymium magnets offer exceptional string balance and acoustic clarity, making it perfect for loud performances. Easy to install, the Neo-Buster fits most flat-top guitars with a 3-7/8? or 4? diameter soundhole without any modifications, offering a hassle-free solution for those looking to improve their sound.

Fishman Bajo Quinto Pickup: Elevate Your Earth Guitar Experience

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Experience the warm, full humbucking sound of the Fishman Rare Bajo Quinto Soundhole Pickup Earth. Elevate the music with its state-of-the-art neodymium magnet structure, offering exceptional accuracy and increased musicality to your Bajo Quinto guitar. This robust pickup boasts stacked coils for noise elimination and a volume control wheel for easy adjustments, making it a must-have for any guitar enthusiast.

Fishman Tim Henson Signature Series White Pickups Set

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The Fishman Fluence Signature Series Tim Henson Pickup Set - White offers a unique blend of distinct voices, allowing musicians to explore new territories in their sound. With its rechargeable feature, the pickup set makes it convenient to use on the go. Perfect for guitar enthusiasts who value innovation and timeless quality, this timeless masterpiece is a game-changer for your instrument’s performance.

Fishman Fluence Killswitch Engage Modern Humbucking Pickups

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Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel, both of Killswitch Engage, are finally able to use the same set of pickups for their live performances. The Fishman Fluence Killswitch Engage model offers a perfect blend of modern humbucking tones, making it ideal for a wide range of playing styles. With its unique voice selector, this pickup set allows you to easily switch between various tones right under your fingertips. Whether you prefer a tight bass for accurate note definition or a crisp and smooth sound for intricate melodies, this set has got you covered. It’s versatility, performance, and exceptional sound make it the perfect choice for any guitar enthusiast.

Fishman Fluence Single Width Strat Pickups - Set of 3

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The Fishman Fluence Single Width Pickup for Strat Set of 3 brings a revolution to electric guitar pickups. With its ability to provide two classic, full-bodied single coil sounds in one pickup, players can enjoy the bright and cutting tone of vintage single coils without the hum that plagued traditional single-coils. The voice options, Vintage Single Coil (Vintage grain, clear and present) and Hot Texas Single Coil (Powerful, Full, Typical grain of a “over-Wiled” Mic), offer players versatility in their sound. The pickups are powered by a 9-volt battery or an optional rechargeable battery pack, providing weeks of playing time.

Fishman Neo-D Woodgrain Pickup

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Experience the brilliance of the Fishman Neo-D Single Coil Woodgrain pickup, giving your guitar a rich and articulate sound. Its low-profile design allows for seamless installation without the need for batteries, and its easy, temporary installation means you can quickly get back to playing your music. With a natural string balance and clear acoustic sound, this pickup sets the standard for soundhole pickups.

Fishman Pro-Neo-D01 Magnetic Soundhole Pickup - Exceptional String Balance and Easy Installation

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Introducing the Fishman Pro-Neo-D01 Magnetic Soundhole Pickup, a sleek and versatile option for amplifying your acoustic guitar. Inspired by the acclaimed Rare Earth pickup, this passive pickup boasts neodymium magnets and coil technology for exceptional sound quality. The low-profile design ensures no battery is required, and the easy “plug & play” installation makes it a breeze to use. Fitted with a 10’ cable and cork-lined clamps, this pickup is perfect for guitarists seeking a convenient and effective solution to enhance their playing experience.

Fishman Saddle Acoustic Guitar Pickup - Passive Undersaddle Piezo Crystal Pickup for Steel and Nylon Strings

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Experience the vibrant tones of your acoustic guitar with the Fishman Saddle Acoustic Guitar Pickup. This innovative and practical pickup is designed for installation under the bridge on a variety of widths and string spacings, making it suitable for steel and nylon stringed guitars. Thanks to its passive electronic components, there’s no need for batteries, but a well-matched preamplifier is recommended for the best performance. Available in a selection of sizes to cater to different guitar designs, this Fishman pickup will transform your acoustic into an electric powerhouse, enhancing the sound you’ve always enjoyed.

Fishman Blackstack Passive Soundhole Pickup for Steel String Acoustic Guitars

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Experience pure amplified sound without the fuss of batteries with the Fishman Blackstack pickup. This passive design fits most steel string, flat-top guitars and delivers a vintage roadhouse sound that’s sure to impress. Adjustable pole pieces provide the perfect balance of string adjustment, making it a versatile choice for any guitar. And with proudly handmade USA components, you can expect nothing but the best.

Fishman Powerchip: High-Quality Electric Guitar Pickups

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The Fishman Powerchip is a potentiometer designed for guitars equipped with the Fishman Powerbridge. It enables the mixing of signals from both the Powerbridge and magnetic pickups. The Powerchip is compatible with Fishman’s Smart Switch circuit, which automatically splits signals into stereo or sums them to mono based on the cable type. It’s powered by a 9V battery or a Fluence rechargeable battery pack (sold separately) and lasts up to 200 hours with one charge. Despite its ability to mix pickup signals, some users find the Powerchip difficult to install due to its challenging solder points and the need for a battery route. To ensure successful use, consider consulting Fishman’s installation guide and seeking professional help if needed.

Fishman AG-125 Guitar Pickups - Premium Tone Solution

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Experience the versatility of the Fishman AG-125 guitar pickup, designed for 6-string guitars with a 1/8 (3.2mm) saddle width and 2.125 (54mm) E to E string spacing. This passive piezo crystal pickup comes with an optional Powerjack Active Endpin Jack Preamp or Powerjack Onboard Preamp for that extra touch. Professional installation is recommended to fully enjoy the potential of this pickup system.

Fishman Fluence Matt Heafy Custom 6-String Pickup Set

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Experience the versatile sounds of the Fishman Fluence 6-string Matt Heafy Custom pickup set. This set includes three distinct voicings, providing you with a crisp, clean neck humbucker tone, a modern passive attack tone with superb distortion characteristics, and a true, crystal-clear single coil tone. Recommended by Matt Heafy of influential heavy metal band Trivium, these pickups are perfect for delivering powerful and diverse sounds on your trusted instrument.

Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi 6-String Pickup Set: Revolutionary Sound and Versatility

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Experience the perfect fusion of sound with the Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi 6-String Pickup Set. This high-quality pickup set offers the allure of Alnico in the neck position paired with the Ceramic attack of the bridge position, providing full-bodied chords and fluid solos. The unique design of the Fishman Fluence pickups, a first in pickup systems design over the last 80 years, delivers clean, hum-free idealized guitar sounds. The multi-voice feature allows you to switch between two selectable, complementary voices, making this pickup set a game-changer for electric guitar players.

Fishman Rare Earth Blend Pickup: Versatile Guitar Pickup System

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Upgrade your acoustic sound with the Fishman Rare Earth Blend Pickup. This innovative device combines a flexible cardioid microphone and a humbucker pickup in one unit, providing exceptional sound quality and adaptability. With its user-friendly controls, you can easily manipulate the blend between the mic and pickup, giving you ultimate control over your sound. With active electronics, neodymium magnets, and a pre-wired output socket, this pickup is versatile and ready for installation on various instruments without requiring any modifications. Additionally, the included miniature batteries provide up to 100 hours of playtime, ensuring you can enjoy your enriched sound for extended periods.

Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker Soundhole Pickup for Steel-String Guitars

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Experience rich, full-bodied sound with the Fishman Rare Earth Pro-Rep-102 Humbucking Soundhole Pickup. Designed for steel-string guitars, this pickup utilizes neodymium magnets and a humbucker design to deliver warm, rich tones. The mini-batteries provide up to 300 hours of operation and the built-in volume control ensures easy adjustment. Fit for soundholes with a diameter of approximately 92mm, this pickup can be connected directly to an amplifier or provided with an endpin socket. With its simple installation and no alteration required, the Rare Earth Pro-Rep-102 is a high-quality pickup perfect for amplifying your acoustic guitar sound.

Fishman SBT-E Soundboard Transducer: Expand Your Pickup’s Range

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The Fishman SBT-E Soundboard Transducer is a must-have for those looking to add a transparent tone to their instrument. With a built-in impedance matching preamp, it’s perfect for professional installations, though not necessary. This pickup is the go-to choice for many pro solo guitarists and attaches seamlessly to your instrument’s top, sensing the micro vibrations of the soundboard to reproduce the full, natural response. The package includes a pickup, three double-sided adhesive pads, and a 1/4” Fishman Switchjack stereo endpin jack.

Fishman Banjo Pickup: Enhance Your Banjo Sound

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Impress your bandmates and amplify your banjo’s sound with the Fishman Rare Earth Series banjo pickup. Carefully crafted for a natural yet powerful sound, this pickup utilizes a humbucking coil, a neodymium magnet assembly, and an integrated preamp. With its easy-to-mount coordinator rod system and switchable jack socket, it’s perfect for your banjo. Its long-lasting 9V battery provides over 5000 hours of playtime between battery changes. Experience the perfect blend of volume and clarity with this high-quality pickup.

Will Adler Signature Fishman Fluence Pickup Set

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The Fishman Fluence Will Adler Signature Pickup Set brings the innovative spirit of the Fluence Series to electric guitar pickups. Fishman has perfected unwound pickups, offering a pure, uncorrupted, and musical tone without the hum, noise, and frustrating inductance issues found in wire-wound pickups. This set features the signature sound of Lamb of God’s rhythm guitarist with a blend of classic passive attack and dynamics, as well as Modern Active responses. The set includes a Classic neck pickup and a crushing Ceramic bridge pickup hybrid, with the Vintage Gold finish matching Will Adler’s aged hardware.

Buyer’s Guide

Welcome to the buyer’s guide for Fishman pickups. This section will provide you with valuable information on important features, considerations, and general advice about Fishman pickups to help you make an informed decision when selecting the right pickups for your instrument.

Types of Fishman Pickups

Fishman offers a wide range of pickup types to suit different instruments and playing styles. Some popular options include:

  1. Acoustic pickups, such as the Sonicore and the Matrix Infinity;
  2. Electric pickups, like the Fluence and the PowerBridge; and 3) Bass pickups, including the B-1 and the BP-2000.
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Pickup Features

When considering Fishman pickups, consider the following features:

  1. Sound quality: Fishman pickups are known for their natural and clear sound, but different models may have varying degrees of noise cancellation and frequency response;
  2. Installer-friendly: Some pickups are easier to install than others, with plug-and-play options available;
  3. Power options: Fishman offers both passive and active pickups, which can affect the sound quality and control options; and 4) Tone shaping: Some pickups have built-in tone shaping options, allowing greater control over the sound produced.

Considerations Before Purchasing

Before purchasing Fishman pickups, take into account the following considerations:

  1. Instrument type: Different instruments may require specific pickup types, so make sure you’re selecting the right pickup for your instrument;
  2. Playing style: If you’re primarily an acoustic or electric guitar player, the type of pickup you’ll need will vary; and 3) Budget: Fishman pickups can range in price, so be sure to consider your budget when making a selection.
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General Advice

When choosing Fishman pickups, keep the following advice in mind:

  1. Listen to demos: Many online retailers offer demos of Fishman pickups, so listen to these demos to get a better idea of the sound quality and performance of the pickup;
  2. Read reviews: Online reviews from other guitarists can provide valuable insight into the pros and cons of different Fishman pickups; and 3) Consult a professional: If you’re unsure about the best pickup for your instrument or playing style, consider seeking advice from a professional guitar technician or music store employee.

FAQ

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What sets Fishman pickups apart?

Fishman is a brand known for crafting top-notch pickups tailored for a myriad of musical tools, most notably guitars. These pickups boast an impressive reputation for delivering exceptional tonal quality, clarity, and dynamic range. Consequently, they are the go-to choice for professionals and amateurs alike in the world of music. Fishman offers a vast array of pickup models to appeal to diverse musical genres and playing styles.

Established in the 1940s, Fishman initially manufactured pickups specifically for banjos. Over time, their repertoire expanded to include models for electric and acoustic guitars, mandolins, and ukuleles. Renowned for their superior quality, durability, and cutting-edge technological advancements, their pickups have become the industry’s gold standard.

Why choose Fishman pickups?

Fishman pickups garner significant attention for several reasons. They are meticulously designed to offer a superior tone and clarity while catering to an extensive range of dynamic response. This enables musicians to produce true-to-life, emotive performances, capturing the essence of their musical expressions. Moreover, Fishman’s pickups utilize the latest technology, ensuring their sound stays contemporary and adaptable to various playing styles and genres.

In addition to top-tier quality and innovation, Fishman standouts for its commitment to producing robust, enduring pickups. Their dedication to ongoing research and technological updates positions them at the forefront of pickup technology, guaranteeing their products remain relevant, and superior in today’s fast-evolving music scene.

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What pickups does Fishman have?

Fishman boasts a diverse array of pickups to cater to numerous musical instruments and playing styles. Some of their prominent pickup series include the Fluence Series for guitars, the Sonicone Series for banjos, and the PowerBridge Series for acoustic guitars. Their pickups are available in single-coil, humbucker, and piezo configurations, allowing musicians the flexibility to choose according to their unique needs and preferences.

Fishman is renowned for enabling customization options to cater to individualistic needs. This includes choices for customized colors, finishes, and pickguard patterns, enabling players to create a distinctive and personalized look for their instrument. Furthermore, Fishman offers a pickup selector tool on their website making it easier for customers to find the most fitting pickups for their unique requirements.

What are the advantages of using Fishman pickups?

By opting for Fishman pickups, one benefits from a host of features including enhanced tone and clarity, extended dynamic range, and increased versatility. Fishman pickups are known for their natural, balanced sound, making them an ideal choice for various music styles and genres. Moreover, they are appreciated for their durability and reliability, ensuring musicians can consistently deliver outstanding performances.

Fishman’s ongoing investment in innovation and research ensures their pickups stay at the cutting edge of technology. Therefore, musicians can enjoy the latest features and improvements, enabling them to optimize their sound in any situation. Lastly, Fishman’s customer-centric approach, with their pickup selector tool and customization options, provides musicians with the opportunity to create tailored setups that match their unique style and preferences.

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How do I install Fishman pickups on my guitar?

A basic understanding of electronics and soldering is typically required to install Fishman pickups on a guitar. However, if one is uncomfortable with this process or lacks the necessary tools, engaging a professional guitar technician or luthier is highly recommended. Their expertise can guarantee correct installation without inflicting potential harm to the guitar.

If one chooses self-installation, Fishman provides comprehensive installation instructions for different pickup models on their website. These guidelines will guide one through removing old pickups, installing the new ones, and connecting the necessary wiring. It’s vital to follow these instructions meticulously to ensure flawless installation and optimal performance.

Can Fishman pickups be used on other instruments besides guitars?

Yes, Fishman pickups are not confined to guitars; they are compatible with a variety of musical tools. They manufacture pickups specifically for banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles, ensuring that each instrument has a pickup suited to its unique characteristics. Additionally, their versatile pickup models can be adapted and customized according to the distinct requirements of different instruments, providing an array of sound options and possibilities.

For instance, their Sonicore and Marquis Series pickups are popular choices among banjo players. Conversely, their Fluence and PowerBridge Series pickups are highly sought after by guitarists. Their product range can also be modified and tuned to suit instruments like dobros, autoharps, and resonator guitars, among others. By providing a broad spectrum of pickup models and customization alternatives, Fishman guarantees that their products remain adaptable to the nuances of various musical instruments and styles.

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