I was wondering if we had left a quality preamp out of this discussion. Chris/Darwin seems to be the first mention of a preamp. If we are using a piezo pickup or any transducer type equipment I was under the impression that a preamp was a requirement, no matter how much equalization your board has. And the archtop sound would be the result without one.

My Guild F-30 has a Fishman on board and I use a Barcus Barry pre amp. Pretty minimal but OK. I use the same rig on my Banjo and it is just plain flukey, sometimes great, sometimes truly dreadful.

AS to the microphones, add me to the Shure list of appreciative users.

Don