How to Choose a Pick-up for Ukulele

Hello everybody! This is Tezuka from Sales.
Today’s topic is pickups for ukulele.

1. What is a Pickup for Ukulele?

Ukulele pickups, like classical guitar pickups, convert the vibration from the nylon strings into an electrical signal to amplify the sound. By converting the sound into an electrical signal, the sound can be output at a high volume from the speaker without the need to pick up the sound with a fixed microphone on stage, not to mention for recording too.
*Classical guitar and ukulele strings are made from materials that do not react to magnets, such as nylon, fluorocarbon, gut and nylon strings, so magnetic pickups used on acoustic and electric guitars cannot be used. Please watch out for that.
Now, let's take a look at the pickups recommended for the ukulele.

2. Types of Ukulele Pickups

There are two types of pickups for the ukulele: piezo pickups and contact pickups.

【 Piezo Pickups. 】
A piezo pickup uses a sensor called a piezo or piezoelectric element to convert external vibrations into voltage through what’s known as the piezoelectric effect. While magnetic pickups use the force of a magnet, piezo pickups can convert string vibrations directly into an electrical signal, making them relatively resistant to feedback and features a fast raise in sound.

■FISHMAN / AG-UKE Narrow (2.3mm) ukulele PRO-AG0-UKE
A standard pickup with a rod-shaped piezo element put under the saddle. The characteristic sound of this pickup is a crisp, piezoelectric sound. This is a passive pickup that does not require batteries, so it is recommended to use it with an external pre-amplifier.

■SHADOW “SH NFX-UK”
Very lightweight system with integrated piezo pickup, preamp and jack. Can be easily installed without drilling holes in the body of the ukulele!

The standard piezo pickup has a rod-shaped piezo element under the bridge saddle, but the L.R. BAGGS Element pickup is different from that. It has a slightly special structure, so let's take a look at what kind of pickup this is!

■L.R.BAGGS “Five.O Ukulele Pickup”
The L.R.BAGGS “Five.O Ukulele Pickup” has a very thin and flexible film sensor called the ‘Element’, which is about 0.01 mm thick and is built into the mesh structure of the pickup. By bringing the piezo element into an even contact with the bottom of the saddle, a well-balanced and pleasant sound is obtained from the low to high frequencies.

【 Contact pickup (transducer) 】
A type of pickup that is attached to the body. These pickups are mainly installed on the front or back side to the surface of the body. It picks up not only the vibration of the strings, but also the vibration of the top material, making it easy to express a sense of attack and air.
If set up carefully, it can output a sound similar to that of a microphone recording. Suitable for high-end users who are familiar with acoustic instruments.

■FISHMAN “SBT-C for Classical Guitar”
Can be fitted to ukuleles and acoustic guitars as well as classical guitars. Features a natural and clear tone. It can easily be installed by fixing the jack to the body without having to modify the ukulele body.

3. How to Install Pickups

Normally, end-pin jacks and piezo pickups require some woodworking like drilling holes.
If you have experience, this shouldn’t be difficult, but it does require a certain amount of expertise, so we recommend that you ask a specialist at a music shop or repair shop to do the work for you.

【 Related articles 】How to Install Pickups and How to Choose the Right One
・How to Install FISHMAN NEO-D Series Pickups for Acoustic Guitars
・How to Select a Pickup for Classical Guitar