Hi folks,
Am I right in thinking that the various 'passive' tonematch acoustic pickup options would be used when an undersaddle transducer such as a Fishman or Baggs is used without any preamping? Is this the same as using an 'offboard' preamp?
Does the Tonematch automatically
preamp the transducer?
I have always felt that a straight passive undersaddle pickup is a more pure sound,so by avoiding offboard preamps makes sense to me! I may not be in the ideal forum for this, but I would be glad to hear some opinions on this.
Many thanks all

This message has been edited. Last edited by: workshop05,

I see no answer for you. How about sending your question to the Bose Help folks in this forum? I'm not sure on the Tonematch question and I'm curious now too. Are you using a T1? I wonder if the T1 satisfies the preamp need?

Most "active" pickups have eq circuits built in, and are called active because they have a preamp. Passive pickups have neither.

I assume the distinction in the "T1 preset name" is because two pickups of the same type, one passive and one active will deliver different sound (EQ) to the front end of the T1, thus the preset is different to compensate for this.

ToneMatch is the trade name for the predetermined EQ curves we know as presets. The "preamp" is at the input of the T1 and gain in that stage is controlled by the trim knob.

While presets were made with the named instrument / pickup in mind, that doesn't mean one cannot use them for something else, or that a different one won't sound better to your ears.

While a passive pickup might provide a pure sound, I guess the real question is, does it sound like the guitar? or does it sound like you want your guitar to sound like?

I have favorite presets that I then tweak with zEQ and para EQ to suit my ears with the various guitars / pickups that I play.

I encourage you to use the "preset names" as a guideline, and your ears as the determining factor.

Does this help?

O..

O, I know your vocal mic but how do you amplify your guitar (a Martin I think)?

My primary instrument is a Martin D-18GE with Baggs ibeam active.

I have other instruments with LR Baggs ribbon transducer, and some with the Baggs element. All active

I set up a rosewood, Blueridge 000 size guitar with the element and use it plugged in direct to the Compact. Works very well.

With the Model II I use the T1, on occasions when I use my Classic I go direct with preset 49.

O..