Which Electric Guitar has the BEST Acoustic Tone? - PIEZO SHOOTOUT!!

What's the best Piezo pickups for an electric guitar?
Follow along as I do a shootout between Fishman, L.R. Baggs, and Graphtech Ghost!
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[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Which Piezo pickups did you guys like the best? Enjoy the comparison :)

[@JasminaFun]

Love the Schecter, sound blew me away, didnt sound fake acoustic...

[@tobiastheowl]

Was this at all inspired by the question that I had asked? Great video!

[@MJHemmer]

I thought the “ghost” was the most identify-able as a piezo. The PRS sounded pretty good but strangely the schecter was my fav, too. Not an acoustic (I’m a Martin guy) but good for quick fix or wood shedding, I guess.

[@oldmantwofour5561]

Yeeaaahh, that's an easy one. The Schecter. I wanted to love the L.R. Baggs but the Schecter sounds fantastic, has more tonal options and it's under a grand...$500 less than the PRS. The Ghost is a big no.

[@dumpsterjam2043]

Of these 3 the Schechter is most acoustic-ish. However...I would like to know what you think of the Godin xtSA... RMC transducer saddles with built in pre amp and three band EQ. Mixable with the two humbuckers, single coil and outboard synth in pretty much any way you could imagine....

[@TheEowli]

I HAVE WANTED A VIDEO LIKE THIS FOR AGES, thank you dude! no one has made a vid like this so this is hugely helpful

[@RC32Smiths01]

I enjoyed them all frankly. You always seem to have the best tones for this videos! I think again it all comes down to preference!

[@MikeColeVocals]

Well once again the Schecter surprises me! I was really interested in the PRS but hearing this shootout, I like the sound of the Schecter better. Thanks for another great video Darrell...and for making my gear choices harder again!

[@joelinpa185]

I have this Schecter whose purchase was based on Darrell's video review of it. I sold a MIM Strat and an Epi Les Paul to get it, and I haven't regretted this purchase for a second.

[@Daviddd10]

Darrell! I swear you are a mind reader. Almost right before all your videos are uploaded I'm thinking "Hmm I hope Darrel makes a video on this" Thanks for this and all your other videos!!

[@brianwhite7686]

Personally, I was most impressed with the Schecter, which really surprised me. I am a huge PRS fan, and thought I would "bias" myself into leaning towards the L.R. Baggs just because it's a PRS. However, there was a noticeable difference in richness and clarity with the Schecter/Fishman setup that I did not expect. This is why I love your channel. Keep up the great presentations! God Bless!

[@GriffinsTale1142]

Ive been looking into getting my first electric and have been wanting to see more of the schecter so this is perfect timing!

[@rustydodge6167]

Bought the Schecter after your review. Very pleased with this purchase. Gotta say, you’ve been my Go to info source for a lot of my purchases of Guitars, amps, and Gear DARRELL! Thank you for always honest and thorough advice and reviews.👍⭐️👍⭐️👍⭐️

[@pops71]

The Power Bridge in the Schecter and the LR Baggs in the PRS CE were close with the Schecter sounding better to me. The Relish was meh at best. Interesting the least expensive guitar was the best.

[@garymcaleer6112]

No.2 is the one I could hear all day, brother Darrell. Couldn't afford any of them, but I always adore your posts. Whenever I hear a quality in my budget that comes close to your comparisons, I'll scarf that boy up in a heartbeat.

[@rayschoch5882]

Always interested in a review featuring piezo pickups, as I have a Parker P38 with its own piezo setup. Of the three, I like the Schecter the best, and I think you've nailed it, Darrell - it's the most balanced in terms of tone.

[@jumpkeys]

Schecter from the start had my attention. After hearing them all the way through, I didn’t change my mind. It remained the champ. Considering a purchase. I have all custom guitars and this may be my first stock for a particular function. Great video.

[@jimriley4319]

Thanks for this video, Darrell. This review, plus the review you did a few years ago on the Schecter C-1 A/E, sold me on the guitar recently. I got mine just yesterday from Sweetwater. I had the guitar set up, and I'm glad I did. Out of the box, it was absolutely perfect. Overall, I love the tones you can get from the guitar, and the piezo sounds especially nice. Thanks for your videos. I will continue to watch them!

[@budgetguitaristcom]

Awesome!!! I've been looking at piezo systems lately - this video is perfect timing. THANKS!

[@budgetguitaristcom]

They're all in the same ballpark. I could live with any of them. I'm thinking maybe the GraphTech would be good for my Strat. I wonder if having a longer scale sounds better?

[@waynecribb4922]

They all sound good but overall the PRS SE gets my $$$. Awesome review. Perfect timing for me as I'm in the market for this type axe. Thank you Mr. Braun !

[@lincolnfromct34]

All 3 guitars sound great. Plus your playing makes every guitar sound incredible.

[@rickc2102]

Always nice when the most budget-friendly is tops in tone and looks. Another fine Schecter!

[@jamesbolton77]

I'm having an LR Baggs installed on my Gibson LP. Fortunate to have owned both Core and SE HBIIs with the Baggs. In a gigging electric guitars-bass-drums format, my personal bias is for the warm lows and mids of an acoustic tone to really stand out from hum pups. I've returned to your video numerous times to re-vett my bias. I love all three piezos in your demo -- and have reconfirmed the Baggs meets my needs. Cheers

[@lokihammer4516]

Huge PRS fan here, that Schecter, for being the least expensive, sure sounded great. Great comparison video.

[@cavemanzach9475]

the schecter and the relish made the PRS sound surprisingly fuzzy

[@skarfie123]

I actually thought those two were too harsh

[@vonicrimson3619]

Those two were sparkly and had a lot of high end and what not

[@edwardmena4915]

I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while and I finally pulled the trigger on the schecter. As much as I love my Breedlove acoustic, I have always wanted an acoustic that played like an electric. Unfortunately with covid slowing everything down, I may not get it for up to 9 months. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@st.g]

Nice comparison - almost glad I didn’t see this one before today! I got the PRS yesterday partially based on your review. Love it. I think I like the Schecter sounds a bit better, and wish the PRS had that tone knob. But… I really appreciate the simplicity of the system on the PRS and very much enjoy the sound coming from that one, too. I’m really happy with the decision.

[@criticalmass04]

Hope you weren't as cheated as I was. I replied to this message and lost my money. It's a SCAM !!!

[@kiereluurs1243]

Interestingly this made me aware of the purpose of piezo-elements. I had only recently ever heard of them in one of your other reviews. Nice concept.

[@claudiajay8291]

I’m really liking the Schector guitars. Great value and good prices.

[@diobrando5896]

Shecter is solid so is their parent company LTD

[@Darkhalo314]

Schecter has always been fantastic!

[@jayp6990]

I have the C-1 E/A, love it!

[@AnthonyPitt]

Love the channel and appreciate this vid. I just bought the se hollowbody ii. Still waiting for it to arrive since it’s in back order. Appreciate ya 👍🙌

[@thejesusfreakkid]

Wow, I was literally looking into getting a piezo roller bridge!!! Great video

[@curtjunky]

I liked the Fishman Schecter! Thanks for the comparison, great work as always.

[@averydeadhorse]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for a shoot out like this for over a year. I just can’t seem to find any

[@biometr1c]

Thanks for the great comparison Darrell! A lot of very good acoustics have a bridge piezo transducer pickup with almost no tone processing to the jack. Using one of those as well in only piezo mode would have rounded out the comparison and given a good baseline. Otherwise a lot of folk are using a mental mindset of an acoustic as a foundation instead of an acoustic's piezo pickup.

[@GeorgeSh77]

Gosh, thank for this video! It really helped me choose my first electric guitar with a piezo. I chose Schecter. Agree with you that the Fishman piezo sounds the most balanced and hence the most universal if you play a wide range of styles.

[@michelwander7220]

Just on a personal level, I felt the PRS sounded more like an acoustic on a mic, but then again, I'm listening on my cell phone/tablet and not on a real sound system. Thanks for the amazing content.

[@mrdeer5585]

Great video. The only piezo shootout on the internet, Finally. I would have loved to see a cheap Chinese under saddle pickup in the comparison.

[@averydeadhorse]

Ok so now that I’ve finished the video, I think I agree that over all the Fishman sounds the best. The first examples I liked both the Graphtech and Fishman and didn’t care as much for the LR Baggs. However when you went up the neck I actually preferred the LR Baggs to the other two (Fishman was close second). The other examples I would say were more of a “That might sound good with this mix” type of deal. So I’m gonna load the Fishman in my strat then... which also has Fishman Fluence Single Width single coils lol.

[@northland..]

that old school melody was nice. ♡ it

[@Lance37a]

Nobody knows you when you're down and out. Clapton did it on his unplugged album.

[@mikeg9b]

I'm at 7:22 before listening to Darrell's final thoughts. The Schecter won, hands down. It's nice when the cheapest guitar sounds the best. The PRS sounded pretty good, but not as good as the Schecter. The Relish sounded weird, not in a good way.

[@pupu6oi74]

exactly what i was looking for!

[@clarkbabin9799]

I tried closing my eyes and at the last looking to see which you were playing . I think the Fishman filled the spectrum in tone low to high best. I believe my opinion on the three pickups mirrors your opinion. I've looked into different setups for acoustic and have tried a few bit I've always gone back to Fishman for the same reason you said you favor them. Although I bought a wood tone system that I installed in my 69 Yamaha acoustic. That guitar aged beautifully. The WT amp sounds great just had a little more projection in volume not porting out.

[@leester9487]

I'm impressed with the Schecter and didn't like the Relish at all. It sounded almost like it had too much compresssion.

[@kenlee5015]

Wow, best piezo sound examples I've heard. Like you, Schecter then PRS.

[@Thomas-pq4ys]

I've a Fender Power Tele, Fishman bridge, stereo output. I can separate the piezo and mag signals, and blend them from the instrument. I plug the piezo into a Fishman Aura preamp, then into the PA. Guitar amps suck at making acoustic sounds. They just aren't designed and made for it. Just plug any regular acoustic into an amp, and you'll get equallly sucky sound.... I STRONGLY suggest this. Don't screw around. Do this. Piezo/preamp/PA. It will eliminate that "rubber band" flabby noise all the instruments made in your test. Love your channel Daryl.

[@mboyer68]

The PRS is my favorite, I like the Schecter the best and the relish would be my first choice. Huh? Darrell...you're by far THE BEST KZbin guitar based review guy. And your playing skills are superb. You've attained a level of mastery I can only dream of. I'm jealous..But in a healthy way! Damn...those are 3 extremely beautiful guitars! I have an Epiphone LP Ultra II and absolutely love having the extra tone options. But damn...those 3 guitars blow mine away!

[@JohnnyBurdick]

Thanks for the this. I think the Fishman and Baggs are close with the Graph Tech lagging way behind. If I had to choose one, I am thinking the Fishman Powerbridge is, as you say, the most balanced.

[@pinktacoluvr]

Fishman for the photo finish! Would've been nice to hear the tones without reverb though. Great shootout! 👍🏻

[@OscarBenben]

Very nice review thank’s Darryl

[@bldallas]

They all three sound awesome, but my pick would be the Schecter. Sounds very clean and, to my ear, has a bit more low end loud. It’s also a beautiful instrument. Now on the true acoustic side, I love my Martin D-18E Retro. It’s built to pre-War specs and the Fishman electronics are minimalistic to look at (2 small low profile knobs and a small round LED screen) but have several options for tone. It would be fun to see you do a review of that guitar, in the future.

[@benrosow7997]

Best comparison of these 3 piezo bridges. I can hear and compare in several contexts. You did this for the viewer, not for yourself. WELL DONE. Baggs was my 3rd choice. Tie between fish and Grapht for my 1st choice. I will never use it for fake acoustic. I might use it live for an acoustic type strumming part, but I am under no illusions that it comes close to the real thing. I am most likely to blend it in with the coil pups. A good example is the rhythm part on All is Fair in Love and War by Ronnie Milsap. Piezo have an annoying upper mid pop because...they're right at the bridge. So for me, it's primarily a clean color to be added tastefully as needed for definition.

[@MarkBadia]

I agree the Schecter with the Fishman setup was the most interesting and the one I would go for in I were looking for an all in one kind of setup.

[@pobinr]

Very good vid as you play the same thing with each PU for comparison. I noticed the ghost has more bite. I bought one 9yrs ago to fit to my carvin HF2 allan holdsworth. About time i fitted it !

[@steveschenker1380]

That was super useful! I think the LR Baggs sounded a little nicer, but the Fishman comes in tons of different bridge styles... hard to choose...

[@bryanrios146]

Honestly they all sound good.. it sounds amazing over all .

[@charliew9515]

First, let me say I really appreciate the quality of your DBG videos. Focused on the important stuff, and great audio/video quality; I very much relate to what you are doing here. I am definitely interested in a Piezo/electric guitar given my current band. Unfortunately, these guitars are very hard to find on the shelf - and I consider playability very important. My decision is between the PRS and the Schecter. I did find a PRS and the action was OK, but was not good enough that I bought it. I don't see a C-1 E/A in a store anywhere near me - frustrating. Based on your videos, we have similar tastes in necks/actions/setup. With regard to playability, do you see much difference between the two? Hope to get a reply - again, thanks for the all good stuff.

[@michaelshelton8802]

The PRS was decent, the Relish I didn't care for at all, but that Schecter was amazing! Just a fantastic balance and super clean tone!

[@alanwalker1698]

The schecter sounded best to me with the PRS in second.

[@larrymcneeley9193]

My thoughts as well

[@ThePapaphaedrus]

Agreed.

[@AhmadAmar]

Fishman everybody 👏

[@dominiqueguegandomsongs5014]

I liked the Fishman best - Great demo thanks

[@curthoffman980]

I always liked the necks on Schecter guitars and the piezo sounded pretty good on this one, especially given that you have separate volume and tone on the piezo. That's awesome! I've been looking at a Michael Kelly Hybrid 55, as well. A telecaster copy with acoustic piezo. I'll have to search and see if you've done any reviews on that one. I had a beautiful spalted maple Michael Kelly Hybrid Special but there's no way to set the intonation, if needed. That one was more acoustic in my opinion, with an option for electric.

[@Ad_Hoc124]

Great video!! To my ears, the Fishman was the best, followed in close second by the Ghostech. The LR Baggs sounded a bit off/dull to me. Would’ve been interesting to get a blind run at these 3

[@johnjacks5599]

Fishman was the best by far. Not crazy about electric/acoustic guitars, so I didn’t think I would enjoy this video. But I did! I enjoyed every minute. Thanks for the great content!

[@georgeformulauno555]

I installed two graphtech ghosts on two guitars and I must say that it is the most spectacular sound I have ever tried in piezo systems, it is like having an electro-acoustic guitar, not even a PRS comes close to it since I see everyone leaning more towards the Fishman or the PRS, which are the most popular, would need to mount a graphtech ghost piezo so you know what I'm talking about!

[@jonahcombs451]

Crazy they sound so real. If i hear this on a song i would have no idea

[@rajamandaman]

great acoustic sound on the piezo shechter !

[@chrispease6939]

I just got a carvin custom with a synth midi and a piezo used and it sounds simply amazing!!!

[@cbrunhaver]

Rick turner really figured out piezo systems for acoustic/electric instruments. Awesome sounding options for bass and guitar

[@PetraKann]

For strumming techniques I think the SCHECTER C-1 E/A sounded the most acoustically realistic. For finger style playing all three guitars sounded great (perhaps the PRS sounded cleaner) Great comparison and choice of guitars.

[@cueoneful]

LOVE....LOVE....LOVE My Schecter C1 - EA. Plays Great...& Sounds Incredible...!!

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

My money is on the PRS. But I don't think that the pickup makes the big difference - I'd blame the true hollowbody for sounding most "acoustic". (Duh...)

[@ronzinale]

the PRS P22 have the same acoustic sound and it's a solid body guitar

[@jeremynollen3569]

From a piezo? No way.

[@donald-parker]

The LR.R. Baggs had the most natural acoustic sound to my ears. But given that none are giving you a true acoustic sound (i.e. you might use them for a section of a song here and there but you would never do an entire acoustic set with one of these) my vote goes to the Schecter. They have good guitars for the price. I have a Schecter 12 string that looks almost the same as yours. I would love to have the piezo on that guitar. BTW - one cool feature of the 12 string I have - each string can be intonated separately. Most low end 12 string electrics have the 2 string courses sharing the same saddle. Not the Schecter.

[@LJN71]

A good thing about the GraphTech system is that they offer a wide variety of bridges and saddles so you’re very likely to find something that will suit your needs. Worth mentioning, I thought.

[@cynicalart7686]

Yep, fishman don't do Floyd roses or hardtails with them in, but graphtech has saddles for both

[@dafud77]

Definitely the PRS or Schecter. PRS was better to my ears, but that could be down to Full Hollow vs Semi Hollow.

[@jlepre752]

Thanks to your videos on the Schecter vs the PRS SE (which I already own and is my main gigging guitar), I just got the Schecter. It's pretty nice and I'll be gigging it this weekend. I play solo with backing tracks and switch alot from acoustic to electric.

[@ranuiarapari4777]

So how do you like it compared to the prs

[@jlepre752]

@@ranuiarapari4777 I think the PRS has a more natural acoustic sound, but the Schecter is more well rounded. The straight electric mode beats the PRS. I use both but mainly the Schecter for its versatility.

[@barrywebber100]

Good review thanks.

[@zakkoehler6820]

I am addicted to this channel

[@tractordirt]

Nice demo! To my ears the LR Baggs stole the show, no contest. But I wonder how much EQ could make a difference. I think it’s also possible that the deeper full-hollow on the PRS made a difference. Either way, all workable solutions.

[@juzzie]

Schecter ... soundwise was comfortably better. Love to hear what a build and feel comparison comes back like! 🤘👍

[@christophercloudstrider5877]

While I found them all pleasant to my ears, none of them really sound like an acoustic. My pick of the three was the schecter. I’m not a fan of schecter, neither am I opposed to them but in this demonstration schecter wins me over. Thanks for the video Darrell.

[@harryharris1619]

I have listened and used a lot of pickups for my D35 and not one of them really sounded like the D35 acoustically and there was always lots of issues with the balance. Like Darrell said nothing beats an acoustic paired with a good condenser mic. However in a band situation that can be problematic. There really is not much need for an acoustic to sound like an electric guitar so an electric with a decent acoustic simulation could be useful in certain situations. I thought the PRS and the Schecter sounded fairly close with maybe the Schecter a bit more clear. They both had the piezo sound but on the whole were better than I would have thought. Would be very useful in a looping setup with a modeler, thus having lots of sound options without having to change guitars. Great demo.

[@davidgluskie8620]

The schecter sounds great!!

[@geneschulp8598]

Great job, thanks

[@PeterSlovakia.]

Hi Darrell..great video, you play perfectly! The PRS SE HOLLOWBODY II PIEZO has the most beautiful sound, powerful bass and mids, and when connected to the PA, it plays even better in the highs. The SCHECTER C-1 E/A lacks deep tones, in my opinion they are not well balanced with mids and highs.. OK, thanks for the comparison. I ordered PRS! Peter, Slovakia

[@GenesisMuseum]

Piezos are very unique and very underused pickups. I installed one in each of my electrics to allow for very unique tones.

[@alexledford4747]

Can you do a shootout of the piezo Strat-style bridges? I'm looking to build a hybrid acousto-lectric Super-Strat later this year and I would love a side-by-side comparison of those piezo bridges on an S-style guitar!

[@DotFromOz]

I liked the Fishman. I wonder if it has anything to do with the semi-hollow body as well as to why it sounded good to me.

[@cgavin1]

They all sound pretty good. I liked the LR Baggs the most. I'd take any on the road though tbh. I'm stunned by the prices .. got to admit. They seem RIDICULOUS.

[@demantoid418]

The Fishman is my favorite. Thanks 🙂

[@charlesreohr6236]

I think with the right amp setup you can make all of them sound almost identical. So I would recommend the you get the one you like to play. It will always sound the best. Just get a really good amp that will bring out the perfect sound.

[@russellharris5072]

I liked all of them and particularly the fact that none of them "quacked",Hopefully one day acoustic pickups can be as good...........

[@natlparkdude]

The PRS with the LR Baggs, followed by the Schecter. But I'm used to the sound of a Martin J-40 with LR Baggs (piezo + mic), which has lots of bass and mids.

[@chrisggoodwin777]

To my ears, I liked the Baggs best overall, which surprised me because I'm not generally a Baggs fan. I thought the Fishman was at its best with the blues and high note samples. Sadly, the GraphTech didn't do anything for me at all. It was too bright for me. Thanks for another great video!

[@Vlad-ts4qd]

woah, I'm here early, nice video

[@texrex4580]

The Line 6 Variax James Tyler guitars have the best reproduction using a piezo pick, in my opinion. None of the guitars in the shootout really managed much more that a rough simulation. For live use, the Variax is by far the most versatile, cost effective and convincing option that I've played.

[@teerexness]

This is what I've used for the last 10 years. Combined with a POD HD or a Helix VDI, there's nothing more versatile. switching guitars, amps, effects, etc. by hitting a single footswitch is unbeatable!

[@dennisapplegate7553]

Your right

[@DMSProduktions]

@@dennisapplegate7553 You're.

[@Guitar6ty]

Only problem with the variax is it weighs a ton.

[@jameswatts6512]

I love your videos i would love a review on a National 1960s Westwood 75 and a Silvertone 1960s 1457 With Amp-in-Case.

[@colinricgmailcom]

I bought the Fishman/Wilkinson vibrato bridge with the (Power Chip)!

[@haymoribeiro]

(Português/Brasil) gosto muito do acoustic phonic ghost tenho em uma prs se, mas pelos seu testes soa muito bem o lr baggs, muito bom o teste ! Beautiful.....tranks !

[@jeremynollen3569]

Great video! I've wanted to see one like this. I wanted to like the Ghost the most, but didn't. Its what I feel I can best put on my tele. Curious, does the Relish use the same Acoustiphonic preamp?

[@TechMyLifeVideo]

Listen with quality headphones and not watching, the PRS made me turn my head multiple times, as I though “wow, that sounds acoustic rather that an electric trying to sound acoustic”. I assume the full hollow help there. The Schecter was similar, but it still sounded more electric to me. I bought the right guitar. PRS also has dual outputs which puts it miles ahead in term of versatility and overrides the lack of an on guitar tone knob. This was a key element that influenced my buying decision.

[@GuitardedAndBroke]

Just an opinion obviously but I feel the Schecter took the cake. The tone was richer, clearer and more close to a true amplified acoustic guitar. Good comparison vid Darrell!!

[@nazmoking3171]

Schechter seems by far to be the best value here and holds its own with the way more expensive guitars!! However, this makes sense because Fishman are the kings of the acoustic world and that's what they use at Schecter. Many other guitars use the Fishman piezo as well. Wonder how the battery lives of these all compare?

[@fredericadda]

I found the PRS to be the most convincing, with the Schecter a close second. The Relish sounded like an electric guitar to me.

[@wolfgangheinrich7019]

Hey, they are all good! And easy to use. The Amp setting will make much more difference than these 3 piezos do.

[@markkennedy9102]

A guitar that you may wanna add to this test or at least check out is the Michael Kelly Hybrid 55. A friend has one and it's very impressive.