Let's see..... I've tried pickups by Barcus Berry, Fishman, Martin, Baggs, Pickup the World, and many others.

I've tried preamps by Baggs, Fishman, Martin, and others.

I've tried mic/preamp "blender" systems by Fishman and Rane.

I've spent thousands of dollors (really) on amplifing my instruments.

I've yet to find anything (other than an external mic) that makes either my Martin or Taylor guitars sound close to what they sound like acoustically.

Even the "acceptable" pickup systems only make outstanding guitars sound like they came straight out of your local Walmart.

If you need to move on stage, or need to be very loud, use a pickup system but don't try to convince me that the sound is "great", my ears tell me otherwise.

Mike