Easy Ways to Improve Your Plugged-In Acoustic Guitar Tone
If your plugged-in acoustic tone leaves you wanting more, we’ve compiled a list of easy improvements you can make with your existing guitar and pickup system. Check out these tips and find out how easy it is to enhance your plugged-in acoustic tone.
Use a Humidifier System to Optimize Your Instrument
The first place you can begin improving your plugged-in acoustic tone is by keeping your guitar at the proper humidity level. Wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity, and it affects your sound. I like the D'Addario Humidipak system, which keeps the humidity level inside your guitar case at the optimum 45%. Humidity control is especially important over the life of the instrument, as big changes in humidity can warp or damage your instrument.
Improve Your Plugged-In Tone with Better Strings (and Clean Them!)
One of the easiest ways to experiment with your acoustic tone is to try different strings. It is absolutely worth the time and money spent on trying four or five different sets of strings to find what works best for your music and play style. If you're looking for a tip, I recommend DR Strings Veritas phosphor bronze strings. I like them because DR Strings includes two different types of plain strings in the pack: one set of "PowerPlain" strings with higher output and stronger projection, and a "standard" set of plain strings for mellower acoustic tone.
Whichever strings you decide are best for you, you'll enjoy better tone and longer string life if you keep them clean. I'm a big fan of the MusicNomad StringFuel string cleaner system: you can clean all six strings with a couple passes along the fretboard, and it keeps your strings feeling and sounding fresh.
Upgrade Your Acoustic Tone with Premium Nut, Saddle, and Bridge Pins
You can improve your plugged-in acoustic tone by upgrading your nut, saddle, and bridge pins, especially if your acoustic guitar is equipped with plastic components. Some players swear by real bone for its tonal and self-lubricating properties, but many players choose Graph Tech's TUSQ material as a premium alternative to bone. TUSQ is designed to have even less friction than graphite (no string binding), with exceptionally balanced tonal response. With a TUSQ nut, TUSQ saddle, and TUSQ bridge pins you'll hear the full character your acoustic has to offer, and that will definitely translate to your plugged-in tone too.
Enhance Woody Acoustic Resonance with TC BodyRez
The TC Electronic BodyRez acoustic guitar enhancer pedal was first introduced in 2015, and it still remains one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your plugged-in acoustic tone. Just one control labeled "Body" adjusts multiple parameters to re-introduce the woody midrange frequencies that piezo pickup systems can minimize. To be clear, BodyRez does not employ modeling or introduce artificial frequencies: just turn the knob up until your guitar sounds more like its acoustic self. As a bonus, BodyRez also features feedback suppression, which is very handy on stage.
Plug Into a Better Acoustic Preamp
Once you've connected an instrument cable, your acoustic tone is highly dependent on whatever preamp you're plugged into. Even if your acoustic-electric pickup system has an integrated in-line preamp, you can make a big improvement to your sound by plugging into a premium acoustic preamp like the Fishman Platinum Pro. A quality acoustic preamp will maximize your dynamic range for low-noise performance even when you're playing delicately, allowing the full character of your instrument to come through. On top of that, a quality preamp like the Platinum Pro will give you powerful tone shaping via EQ and compression, plus handy conveniences like tuning and a Mute footswitch.
If you're active on stage and don't want to be tethered to a preamp pedal or equipment rack, the Fishman Platinum Stage acoustic preamp delivers the same sonic experience in a compact belt-worn format. Paired with a wireless system, you can enjoy complete freedom on stage without compromising your tone one bit.
Plug Into a Better Direct Box
You may not need all of the functionality that an acoustic preamp offers, especially if your guitar's built-in electronics package has everything you want. However, you'll still always need to plug into a direct box to balance your signal for long cable runs to the mixing board. Use a high-quality direct box like the Radial JDI and rest assured that your signal is being delivered with maximum integrity.
Improving Plugged-In Acoustic Tone FAQs
How do I fix "piezo quack"?
The "quacky" or "plastic-like" sound that players associate with piezo pickups can be tamed with EQ in the 1kHz–3kHz range. Use an EQ with sweepable mids to target that range, starting with a mild cut of -3dB to -5dB.
Why is my guitar feeding back, and how do I prevent feedback?
Acoustic feedback happens when your guitar resonates with its amplified sound. Reduce input gain, change your position on stage, or use feedback suppression features available on your preamp, amplifier, or mixer.
Should I get a DI box, an acoustic preamp, or an acoustic amplifier?
An acoustic amplifier is best for standalone performance. An acoustic preamp provides advanced tone shaping for live and studio use. A quality DI box is the simplest solution when you only need a clean balanced signal.
Why do some strings sound louder than others when I'm plugged in?
Uneven volume usually means the saddle isn't making even contact with the pickup. A guitar technician can level or replace the saddle.
How should I EQ my acoustic guitar for a live mix?
- Apply a low-cut filter around 80Hz.
- Cut 400Hz–700Hz to reduce boxiness.
- Boost or cut 700Hz–900Hz depending on the mix.
- Cut 1kHz–3kHz to reduce piezo quack.
- Add a slight boost around 6kHz–7kHz for sparkle.
- Keep EQ boosts minimal for the most natural tone.
It's Easy to Improve Your Plugged-In Tone
This is just a short list of easy improvements you can make for your plugged-in acoustic tone. Simply controlling the humidity in your guitar case will reap big sonic benefits. Take the time to try out some different strings and you'll soon find your ideal set. Use string cleaner and they'll last a long time.
Your nut, saddle, and bridge pins are crucial contact points between your strings and your instrument, and premium materials offer better tone than plastic components. When you're ready to plug in, take full control over your tone with a comprehensive acoustic preamp. Even just one of these tips can be a huge improvement for your plugged-in acoustic tone, so what are you waiting for?
WANT A BETTER EXPERIENCE ON STAGE? REMEMBER TO BRING THESE FOR A STRESS-FREE PERFORMANCE!
- Introduction
- Use a Humidifier System to Optimize Your Instrument
- Improve Your Plugged-In Tone with Better Strings (and Clean Them!)
- Upgrade Your Acoustic Tone with Premium Nut, Saddle, and Bridge Pins
- Enhance Woody Acoustic Resonance with TC BodyRez
- Plug Into a Better Acoustic Preamp
- Plug Into a Better Direct Box
- Improving Plugged-In Acoustic Tone FAQs
- How do I fix "piezo quack"?
- Why is my guitar feeding back, and how do I prevent feedback?
- Should I get a DI box, an acoustic preamp, or an acoustic amplifier?
- Why do some strings sound louder than others when I'm plugged in?
- How should I EQ my acoustic guitar for a live mix?
- It's Easy to Improve Your Plugged-In Tone
