ey 6,
I'm planning to install a pickup in my D40, and I'd like to know how/why you chose the Highlander, and how you use it. Do you put it through a preamp, or does it have one on board? What amp do you use?
I started out using the Fishman Matrix pup in several of my acoustics (including my '06 D-55) and am very happy with it. Then the folks at Gryphon told me to try the new Highlander iP-2 for my D-40BJ. I went with it and found it to be even a little closer to true acoustic sound than the Fishman.
Both the Fishman Matrix and Highlander iP-2 are active pickups and mount a 9 volt battery inside the guitar. If you plan on using a cord more than 6 feet in length, you definitely want an active pickup or you'll lose signal. A 9 volt battery seems to last forever!
For four years now I've been gigging with a Fender Acoustasnic Jr DSP amp and I love it. Here's a link to the details:
http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2213200010
I just plug straight into the amp. This amp also sports a GREAT vocal channel for singing and has tilt back legs (a feature I really love for getting my sound to the back of the room). I almost always use my '06 D-55 when gigging.
The Open Mic I frequent has a very good PA system and I find it perfectly fine to just plug my D-40BJ (or any acoustic) straight into the system without using my BAGGS Para DI. There have been lesser systems, however, where it was good to use the BAGGS too.
6
'06 D-55 (Fishman Matrix)
'06 D-40BJ (Highlander iP-2)
'06 F-412 (Highlander iP-2)
'74 D-40 (Fishman Matrix)
'98 Martin D-45V
'09 Martin D-35 Custom (Highlander iP-2)
'98 Collings D-1 (Fishman Matrix)
'03 Taylor 214