I don't play with pick-up on my guitar, but I have quite a bit of experience with providing sound amplification for those that do.

To my way of thinking, the blending of an internal mike and an under the bridge pick up is best, but you probably can't do that for under $200.

It is important to consider why you want/need a pick-up. The advantages of pick-ups include more ability to move around the stage while playing, a more consistent sound, better blend when you are dealing with a group where other instruments have direct inputs, and perhaps less problems with feedback.

The newest pickups can provide a very "acoustic" amplified sound. The worst can turn your acoustic into a bad electric guitar with no acoustic warmth at all. Adding pickups, blenders, and wires increases the chances of "ground hum." This is the biggest drawback for the sound person. And finally, many amplification devices require some physical modification of the guitar.

Tiger's pick-up is very workmanlike and will provide a good amplified sound, but it will have some "electric guitar" feel to it and will not sound the same as your guitar played into a mike.

I would encourage you to haunt open mics, sessions, etc. and talk to people who have "electrified" their guitars. You will learn much about different brands this way and get a chance to hear how the "device" alters the tone of the guitar.

I have not amplified any of my guitars. One, I don't think I'd be satisfied with anything short of a blend of internal mike and pickup. Two, I can be a cheap old coot at times and I'm not willing to put 350 bucks into the process. Three, I am wary of making physical changes to my guitars, two of them have reached the "vintage" age. Four, I don't like having "extra" problems at a gig. I have become pretty familiar with what I need to do to utilize a mike on my guitar and sound people seldom have hums in their mike cords or mikes. Finally, I am a solo act, so I am only competing with my voice, so I keep it simple, see?

Good luck, K-Zoo!

Roger in Baltimore