Double X1 Pro Soundhole Guitar Pickup

 

In my search for a good value soundhole pickup, it came down to Double X1 Pro and Skysonic T-902.

 

Both have similar specs: active dual system: humbucker magnetic pickup + microphone.

 

The lack of online reviews made the decision even harder. So based on community chatter and gut feel, I placed my money on Double X1 Pro.

 

So here is a review the Double X1 Pro.

 

FEATURES

 

- Humbucker double coil magnetic pickup

 

- Dual channel system (only for X1 Pro): additional condenser mic

 

- Active pickup; requires 2xCR2032; easily accessible via side clasp

 

- Cork shims to protect the guitar surface

 

Putting on the pickup was moderately easy.

• Step 1: loosen the low and high E strings.
• Step 2: slide the pickup flat into the soundhole. It slides in more easily by rotating the pickup midway due to the protruding condenser mic.
• Step 3: plug in the output cable jack to the pickup making sure it goes under and out (for non-permanent installation).
• Step 4: sit the pickup until it presses against the top of the soundhole. Secure the pickup by tightening the screws using the tool provided.
• Step 5: slot the endpin jack through the leather and fit it through the endpin.

Test-fitted it on my Maestro Raffles IR-A and Yamaha LS16 (ARE).

 

Due to the forward-shifted X brace on the Maestro, the side arms could not sit perfectly inside the soundhole.

 

 

Fitted perfectly on the Yamaha.

 

 

Now for the most important part! Checking out the sound produced with the magnetic pickup and condenser mic!

 

The operation of the rotary controls was not intuitive without proper labels in the manual. Nonetheless, it is not too difficult to figure out. For ease of reference, I added the '+' and '-' to the illustration provided.

 

 

 

The videos were recorded using a iRig plugged to an iPad Pro (with Filmic Pro app).

 

The thing about many guitar pickups, especially under-saddle piezo-type) is that they make the guitar sound bright and thin.

 

But for the X1 magnetic pickup, the tone packs more body and sounds fuller. Coupled with the condenser mic, there's really not much left to pick on.

 

The only issue with the pickup is that the recordings were very soft. They had to be amplified 400% to reach the typical volumes achieved with the iPad microphone. Not sure if the low volume is due to the pickup itself or caused by the iRig.

 

Verdict: the sound quality is so good I think the money's every bit well-spent.

 

More videos using the combination of magnetic pickup and condenser mic (with a smidge of reverb added):