Dean Markley Vs. Seymour Duncan Woody

[pes_laul]

So I've been playing my Seagull for a while now and I have a show in a month my band is playing and I play an acoustic on a handful. While I could get mic'd, that would be a huge pain because we're supplying everything but the PA. I'm looking at these two and I'd like to know which you prefer. My dad has the Dean markley for his 12 string which sounds good but harsh at times.

If you know of any other ones to consider in this price range let me know.

Thanks,
-Kris

[deeaa*]

I also had the Dean Markley for my 12-string and it was OK but hardly very acoustic-sounding. It works much better in a friend's 6-string now, but it's a compromise, not quite semiacoustic-feeling but not purely like an acoustic either. Nice for blues, though.

I put a Fishman transducer on my guitar (under the bridge bone) and it was rather easy to install after all with very basic tools, almost just a knife, a couple of drill bits/battery drill and some sandpaper - just need to work carefully - and it worked very well for acoustic tone. The only drawback is you really need to watch your right hand slapping the bridge with these piezo things. Plus attaching the preamp was difficult/can require a lot more work and cutting depending on the model.

[wingsdad]

Pes,
Which Markley and which Duncan Woody? I'm pretty familiar with them.

I'm guessing you're asking about one of Markley's ProMags, since they look a lot like the Duncan Woody? Dean Markley ProMag Series
Maybe your dad has the single coil model...the 'harsh' sound coul be its natural tendency to be glassy in the high-mids and high end without compensating the eq of the preamp (even if only a pa or amp channnel) it's going into.

Regardless, I find all the Markley's can be shrill or glassy and hard to compensate for compared to the Duncans. There's less tendency for that glassiness with one of the Duncan woody's...
Duncan Acoustic PUPS

I opted years ago to go with this Duncan instead of the Woody in my Guild D40; it's a humbucker soundhole pup with a volume control...actually handy to cut the signal back some, kinda like coil-tapping (not really, but kinda) and 'thin' it out vs. working it as a volume control:
Duncan Acoustitube

With any of these: know your Seagull's soundhole diameter first and note the spacing suggested on the mfr's websites, or bring your guitar with you to the store you're looking to score from. My Guild's got a relatively narrow soundhole, and it's not that easy to be taking the Acoustitube in & out; I put it in and leave it for....months. If the soundhole were bigger, it would be less of an issue.

Also, I've always used an outboard preamp eq of some sort. You really need this kind of control at your fingertips in a live setting. Relying on the soundman to fix your tone is asking for a stick in the eye. The more eq control the better. It can be as simple as something like a Boss 7-band eq pedal, to the best & most versatile I've found, $ for $, an LR Baggs ParaAcoustic DI.

[Kazz]

Great post WD.....I had one of the Woody's when I had the Washburn D10S back in 2005/2006 before I stupidly sold it.....man that was a great dread.

I did not care for the woody so I took it back to GC under the 30 days no questions asked return policy. It could have been my crappy playing...but it just did not sound acoustic to my ears....it sounded very tinny and artificial....could also have been that I was using the clean channel on the Peavey Bandit 112 with volume down low.....but I did find that the next couple of acoustic electrics I played through it sounded very good.

Worst thing worse Pes.....take your guitar and amp with you to a GC and try it out in their Acoustic room......just make sure you do so before your gig.

I would probably go the mic'd route myself.

[hubberjub***]

I've only had the Dean Markley. It is cheap and does an alright job. I think it would work well in a band setup since it isn't the only instrument playing. I'd say that the Duncan is a better pickup just due to it's reputation. But if you've already got a Dean Markley I'd just stick with it and spend a little extra time during sound check adjusting the EQ to get the best sound out of it.

[evenkeel]

I have a Dean Markely Tahoe mounted in my Dean 00R. I have only played it out a few times, but was pretty pleased with the sound the few times I did. I have also used a Duncan woody in my Guild and was not so thrilled. I agree with Wings assesment. A bit shrill, glassy and thin sounding.

If you are open to another option I'd suggest at least considering a K&K western. I have installed these in several guitars and am a big fan.

I'll also second the EQ comment from Wings. A preamp/E.Q. will make a very big difference.

[Duff]

I have a permanently mounted Dean Markley Promag Grand with tail pin jack on my Seagull w spruce top and flammed maple sides and back. It is an awesome pickup, humbucking and it sounds great thru a regular guitar amp, which is something I have not found other acoustic pickups to do, especially thru my Fender SCXD.

Highly recommended.

Duffy