10 Best Soundhole Pickups 2025 in the United States

This acoustic guitar pickup is a passive magnetic soundhole pickup designed to enhance your guitar's sound without the need for batteries. One of its standout features is the ease of installation and removal, making it user-friendly for beginners. It fits well within a sound hole diameter of 85-100mm and is suitable for 39-41 inch acoustic guitars, but not classical guitars.

The rosewood color and smart design make it an attractive addition to your instrument. The double adjustment knobs allow for customization of both volume and timbre, catering to individual preferences, which is a great advantage for fingerstyle players seeking warm and balanced tones. However, being a passive pickup, it may not provide the same level of sound amplification as active pickups, possibly requiring external amplification for larger venues.

Feedback resistance is not explicitly discussed, so it may require additional testing or use in various settings to ensure reliability. Priced competitively, it's a good option for beginners or intermediate players looking for a cost-effective way to amplify their acoustic sound.

The Fishman Neo-D Dark Brown Single Coil Soundhole Pickup is designed for acoustic guitar players who desire an easy-to-install, battery-free solution. Its passive single-coil design offers good sound quality with excellent string-to-string balance and acoustic clarity, thanks to high-quality neodymium magnets. This pickup is particularly compelling for those who prioritize natural acoustic sound, as it captures sparkling clarity and is specially voiced for bronze and phosphor bronze strings.

Ease of use is a major advantage, as it requires no permanent modifications to your guitar. The installation is straightforward, involving gentle cork-lined clamps that securely hold the pickup in place within the soundhole, making it a plug-and-play device right out of the box. The Neo-D is compatible with a wide range of acoustic guitars and does not require an external power source.

However, being a single-coil pickup, it may be more susceptible to unwanted electromagnetic interference, which could result in some feedback issues in high-volume settings. This makes it less suitable for live performances in electrically noisy environments. Additionally, while the pickup provides good sound quality, the lack of a preamp might mean the output level might be lower compared to active alternatives, requiring adjustment on your amplifier or mixing console. In terms of pricing, the Neo-D offers a cost-effective solution, making it an attractive choice for those on a budget or looking for a secondary pickup. Despite its affordability, it maintains a respectable performance level. Still, those seeking the highest feedback resistance might consider exploring other options.

The AMUMU SP30 Woody Magnetic Soundhole Pickup is a solid choice for steel-string acoustic guitar players wanting a simple, battery-free way to amplify their instrument. Its use of a rare earth neodymium magnet combined with a hand-wound oxygen-free copper coil delivers a clear and balanced tone with low noise, which means your guitar’s natural sound will come through nicely without unwanted buzzing or distortion. The wooden housing made from solid beech wood helps enhance vibration transmission, giving the amplified sound a more natural acoustic feel compared to many plastic pickups. Installing the pickup is straightforward and guitar-friendly since it requires no drilling — it simply fits into your guitar’s soundhole and connects using the included detachable 10-foot cable with a standard 1/4-inch plug. Being a passive pickup, it doesn’t need any batteries, so there’s no worry about power running out during a performance.

This pickup is limited to steel-string guitars with soundholes between about 3.8 and 4.3 inches in diameter, so it won’t work with nylon-string guitars or smaller models like Taylor Baby or Little Martin guitars. While it generally provides clear sound, some users might find it more prone to feedback in loud or high-volume settings compared to more advanced piezo or active pickups. The price is reasonable for the quality and features offered, making it a good budget-friendly option if you want a natural, plug-and-play acoustic tone without extra fuss. The AMUMU SP30 is best suited for steel-string guitar players who want an easy-to-use, natural-sounding, and affordable magnetic soundhole pickup without the hassle of batteries or complex installation.