In our tabletop video reviews, The Pickup Test guys discuss the ease of use, usability of the accompanying manual, build quality, mounting issues, and overall user experience behind every pickup and mic in our test.  This is a must listen when considering any of these devices for purchase.

The latest from David Gage is a completely fresh take on the Soundclip concept (The cello and Bass version are reviewed on the site as well)

The Pickup Test guys review this extremely popular pickup series from David Gage.

We are so excited to introduce our full review for Pick Up The World!  PUTW has been around for a long time now, and we can't wait to share these awesome pickups with you!  If you are looking for an inexpensive well made pickup that is easy to use and remove, you need to check out our review and have a listen and be sure to shoot it out against your current pickup on the media player!

The Pickup Test Guys review the first ever REMOVEABLE magnetic system and the first ever microphone-magnet combination system for strings.

RM just massively updated their hardware.  Here is a video of the new model which is much simpler, cleaner and easier to remove.  Thanks to Riga at RM for this video.

The British Invasion continues with this body wrap pickup from the UK.

This unique system from Denmark is one of the only magnetic pickup systems available for bowed strings.... what does that mean for you? Have a listen as The Pickup Test Guys explain.

Paraphrased from Michael (Founder and Inventor):

At its core, StringAmp works on the simplest and most fundamental principle of electric generation, the same one used in any utility-scale generator.

Any electrically conducting string moving within a magnetic field generates an electric current.
That’s it. Nothing exotic.

The alternating current produced is a direct electrical representation of the string’s motion in the magnetic field. Because nothing is placed between the vibrating string and the electrical output, this makes StringAmp an ideal electric transducer: the string motion is converted straight into an electrical signal, ready for amplification, without intermediate mechanical or piezoelectric elements imposing their own behavior on the sound.

String requirements

The only requirement is that the string must be electrically conductive:

via a metal core,

a metal winding,

or both.

A steel core often works very well, but steel is not required for StringAmp to function. Several very common synthetic-core strings (including Dominant-type strings) also work extremely well.

Gut-core strings are not recommended, as they are unlikely to provide sufficient conductivity for reliable operation.

It is important to note that not all strings are suitable for StringAmp. For example, the Helicore D string used on Jesus’s 5-string instrument is not compatible. However, the string survey on the website lists several common, readily available alternatives that can replace it successfully.

Electrical connection

All strings are electrically connected through a single conductive wire running beneath the fingerboard, which terminates at a brass insert in the nut.
Each string makes contact at this point, providing a common electrical reference for signal collection.

Shadow's entry into the Piezzo bridge market.  This model sports a unique preamp jack design.

This unique series from the Swiss manufacturer uses a unique contact mic system which is applied with putty to the body of the instrument.  What do The Pickup Guys think of it?

Canada's favorite pickup manufacturer's entry into the Piezzo Bridge market.  The Pickup Guys weigh in on the make, overall quality and jack design.

This bridge has been a favorite of country fiddlers for years, but does it pass the Pickup Guys' test?

After years of offering their removable wingslit based designs, the pickup giant has recently moved into the Piezo bridge market for violin and cello. The Pickup Guys will discuss this new entry into the market and see if it's right for you!

This pickup has become a favorite for gigging musicians and students due to its versatility, removability, and incredibly simple design. The Pickup Test Guys will help you decide if it's a good investment for you!

The bridge based piezo system from famed violin maker Eric Aceto at Ithaca Stringed Instruments (ISI).  This bridge is only available by direct order but is a favorite of Jazz and Bluegrass players so we decided to check it out!

The venerable old standard has been around as long as any of the pickups on the market. Check it out!

These are the newest versions that Kremona released early 2023.  We test all three models.

We are so excited to introduce our full review for Pick Up The World!  PUTW has been around for a long time now, and we can't wait to share these awesome pickups with you! If you are looking for an inexpensive well-made pickup that is easy to use and remove, you need to check out our review and have a listen. Be sure to compare it against your current pickup on the media player!

During the first pickup test, Kremona was in the middle of a major redesign so we decided to wait until now to test their new line.  The cello pickup now fits in the wingslit of the bridge and is even easier to remove, while coming in at a very attractive price point.

NS Design and David Gage have released a new entry into their line of cello (and bass pickups) and it's removable! This unique design features a volume know and mini weights that can be added or removed. The Pickup Guys Dive into the pros and cons of this cool new entry into the cello market.

Schatten's Cello Pickup is a thin piezo element strip which mounts to the bridge with putty and comes with a well thought out jack mounting system, with upright bass. The Pickup Guys dig in.

Schertler's stat line for cello/viola/and violin are encased in cork and come with a unique mounting system as well as a class A preamp.

Shadow's flagship cello pickup has unique everything - look, mounting system and built in preamp design. The Pickup Test Guys help you break down some of its features.

In this review, we go in-depth with the new Neumann MCM 114 Mini Condenser Microphone for violin, viola, cello, and bass players including a shootout with its competitor, the venerable DPA 4099. If you are a bowed string player and you work with bands or in loud situations, you have to check out this detailed review, which includes:

• Sound examples for violin and cello using arco, double stops and pizzicato
• Tabletop review on build, ease of use and sound from players and engineers perspective
• Sound isolation shootout with DPA 4099 for both cello and violin

These microphones, suited to violin, cello, and bass, pack some very useful features. We are so excited to finally have these popular practical microphones in our library.

Dubbed by DPA as the "World's first miniature shotgun condenser mic."  Check out this video to hear what that means for you.

The smallest capsuled mic in our test.  Jacob and Luis both have a lot of experience with this mic and dish on it's strengths and weaknesses.

A favorite of Scott Fraser (engineer for the Kronos Quartet).  Countryman markets this as somewhat of a Swiss Army knife for all instruments and even voice.

This newcomer from North Carolina offers separate capsules for violin/viola and cello and has been adopted by The Turtle Island Quartet. The mics are quite reasonably priced and made a great impression... check it out!

This reasonably priced, multi-purpose mic is a "War Horse" for bowed string players for years. What do the Pickup Test Guys think?

Note: This is the "Live version" of the REMIC which also offer a studio microphone.

Note: This is the "Live" version of the REMIC which also offer a studio microphone.
Retraction: The Portland Cello Project uses the Studio version of these mics and NOT the live version we tested!

We tested REMIC's noise reduction claims in a special test designed by our engineer Scott Fraser. We even went a step further - we also tested the DPA 4099 and compared both. Click here to go to the test page and hear the results for yourself!
Note:  The Portland Cello Project uses the Studio version of these mics and NOT the live version we tested!
Retraction: Despite the Remic's extreme noise rejection, the microphones we tested are angled bi-directional (similar to a figure 8) pattern and not HyperCardiod (as we incorrectly stated in the video).

The new REMIC microphones have several significant upgrades which we cover, and this interview also covers the studio capsules which represent a real breakthrough in string specific studio mics. If you are a serious live player or home recordist, you'll want to check out this review!

YourHeaven Audio mics are a truly revolutionary new concept in microphone design! If you haven't heard of YourHeaven microphone systems before, check out our video review and shootout/compare the sound results in our library to find out if this new mic system is right for you!

Excited to bring you our newest review and a quick playthrough of Cloudvocal’s second-generation, dual microphone, wireless pick-up system for violin!

We tested the first version when it came out in 2021 and were really impressed with the functionality and all of the unique features it had, which at that time filled a niche for busking violinists.

The new version includes a host of improvements from the EQ section, 4 more built-in effects, improved Bluetooth range and performance, and a new pick-up co- designed with K&K.  

As a quick note, because Luis (our pick-up tester) was away on an extended European tour and we wanted to get you the sounds as soon as possible, we had Megan play through both the pickup and microphone system. We'll be adding this unit to our official library very soon.

The Pickup Guys Review the new CORE versions of the popular 4099 and 4063.  How much better are they and should you consider upgrading?

The guys deep dive into the amazing dual source mic/bridge pickup system by master luthier Eric Aceto. A SERIOUS piece of gear for acoustic tone junkies!

This is the first ever review of the Helix for bowed strings.  In this in-depth review, Jacob explains what makes Helix such a game changer for electric string players!

Bonus Content:  Tonebone Preamp Shootout

As we mentioned in the review, Zoom has cloned most of the popular acoustic preamps in it's EQ section... but how well?  Check out our direct comparison of The Radial Tonebone PZ Pre with the Zoom clone.  

As we mentioned in the Zoom A1X Four review, Zoom has cloned most of the popular acoustic preamps into its EQ section... but how well?  Check out our direct comparison of The Radial Tonebone PZ Pre with the Zoom clone.