Best Preamps for Acoustic Guitars 2025

Top-rated preamps for acoustic guitars 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Impedance Matching For Signal Boost For Tonal Shaping For Professional Recording For Live Performance

Trace Elliot Multipedal TRANSIT-A - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Trace Elliot Multipedal TRANSIT-A

by Trace Elliot

Signal Boost Tonal Shaping Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Can include useful features like tuners

✓ PROS

• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems
• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✗ CONS

• Requires battery power in most cases
• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard

Trace Elliot Multipedal TRANSIT-AMulti PedalBacklit controlsPiezo-Boost switch for passive piezosystemsBuilt-in...

⭐ 4.4/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 410649

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine CT4-DX Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Takamine CT4-DX Preamp

by Takamine

Tonal Shaping Professional Recording Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Reduces noise and signal degradation

✓ PROS

• Usually includes EQ and volume controls
• Can include useful features like tuners

✗ CONS

• May color tone in unwanted ways
• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase

Takamine CT4-DX Preamp2-Channel PreampConnection for second pickup5-Band EQ2 Notch filtersBuilt-in tunerWithout...

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 293877

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ovation OP Pro Studio - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Ovation OP Pro Studio

by Ovation

Signal Boost Tonal Shaping Professional Recording

Key Feature:

• Can include useful features like tuners

✓ PROS

• Can include useful features like tuners
• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✗ CONS

• May color tone in unwanted ways
• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase

Ovation OP Pro StudioPreampFor installation in Ovation guitars3 Band EQDriveGainMin Expression controlsBuilt-in tuner...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 230128

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ovation Preamp-System 708935-A SKM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Ovation Preamp-System 708935-A SKM

by Ovation

Impedance Matching Tonal Shaping Professional Recording

Key Feature:

• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✓ PROS

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength
• Usually includes EQ and volume controls

✗ CONS

• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard
• May color tone in unwanted ways

Ovation Preamp-System 708935-A SKMComplete preamp system for OvationOriginal Ovation spare partWith volume and tone...

⭐ 4.4/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 498708

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

Headway EDB-2 H.E. - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Headway EDB-2 H.E.

by Headway

Signal Boost Live Performance Professional Recording

Key Feature:

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✓ PROS

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength
• Can include useful features like tuners

✗ CONS

• Requires battery power in most cases
• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard

Headway EDB-2 H.E.Multifunctional Acoustic PreampEqualiser Direct Blender2-channel harmonic amplifieracoustic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 499129

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hanika PPA-SLV Volume-Pedal Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Hanika PPA-SLV Volume-Pedal Preamp

by Hanika

Professional Recording Signal Boost Tonal Shaping

Key Feature:

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✓ PROS

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength
• Reduces noise and signal degradation

✗ CONS

• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard
• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase

Hanika PPA-SLV Volume-Pedal Preamp, Preamp with Volume Pedal, The resistance of the pedal can be easily adjusted using...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 588224

$824

Buy at Thomann View Details

Headway EDB-2 VAP - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Headway EDB-2 VAP

by Headway

Tonal Shaping Impedance Matching Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Reduces noise and signal degradation

✓ PROS

• Can include useful features like tuners
• Usually includes EQ and volume controls

✗ CONS

• Requires battery power in most cases
• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase

Headway EDB-2 VAPMulti-Functional Acoustic PreampEqualiser direct blender2-channel preamplifier and harmonic...

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 579466

$659

Buy at Thomann View Details

Palmer MI Pocket Amp Acoustic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Palmer MI Pocket Amp Acoustic

by Palmer

Live Performance Impedance Matching Signal Boost

Key Feature:

• Usually includes EQ and volume controls

✓ PROS

• Can include useful features like tuners
• Reduces noise and signal degradation

✗ CONS

• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase
• May color tone in unwanted ways

Palmer MI Pocket Amp AcousticPortable PreampFor acoustic string instruments with piezo and magnetic pickupsThree...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 438008

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine CT4BII - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Takamine CT4BII

by Takamine

Signal Boost Tonal Shaping Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✓ PROS

• Can include useful features like tuners
• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✗ CONS

• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard
• May color tone in unwanted ways

Takamine CT4BIIPreamp for Steel-string Guitars3-Band EQChromatic tunerDelivery without installation framesWithout...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 158413

$131

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ovation OP-PRO Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Ovation OP-PRO Preamp

by Ovation

Live Performance Professional Recording Impedance Matching

Key Feature:

• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✓ PROS

• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems
• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✗ CONS

• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard
• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase

Ovation OP-PRO Preamp, Preamp, Built-in preamplifier for Ovation guitars, With Gain - Low EQ - MID EQ - High EQ - PRE...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 239107

$215

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine TP-4TD Preamp for G-Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

10/10

Takamine TP-4TD Preamp for G-Series

by Takamine

Signal Boost Professional Recording Impedance Matching

Key Feature:

• Usually includes EQ and volume controls

✓ PROS

• Reduces noise and signal degradation
• Can include useful features like tuners

✗ CONS

• Requires battery power in most cases
• Another component that can fail

Takamine TP-4TD Preamp for G-SeriesPreampFor Takamine G-SeriesFor two-piece saddles (two connections for piezo)Volume...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 585036

$78

Buy at Thomann View Details

K&K Trinity Pro Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 5.0/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

K&K Trinity Pro Preamp

by K&K

Signal Boost Live Performance Professional Recording

Key Feature:

• Can include useful features like tuners

✓ PROS

• Reduces noise and signal degradation
• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✗ CONS

• May color tone in unwanted ways
• Another component that can fail

K&K Trinity Pro PreampTwo-channel preamplifierFor amplifying a combination of piezo pickup and condenser...

⭐ 5.0/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 378716

$218

Buy at Thomann View Details

Artec ETN-4 Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Artec ETN-4 Preamp

by Artec

Live Performance Professional Recording Tonal Shaping

Key Feature:

• Reduces noise and signal degradation

✓ PROS

• Usually includes EQ and volume controls
• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✗ CONS

• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard
• May color tone in unwanted ways

Artec ETN-4 PreampPreamp for acoustic guitars4-Band EQPresence controlMaster volume controlBuilt-in chromatic tunerSlim...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 278252

$36

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ortega MAGUSX/U - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Ortega MAGUSX/U

by Ortega

Tonal Shaping Signal Boost Impedance Matching

Key Feature:

• Usually includes EQ and volume controls

✓ PROS

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength
• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✗ CONS

• Takes up space on guitar or pedalboard
• May color tone in unwanted ways

Ortega MAGUSX/UPreamplifier and Pickup System for UkuleleFor the frameBuilt-in tuner (mutes the output signal during...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 558318

$77

Buy at Thomann View Details

Artec FTE-3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Artec FTE-3

by Artec

Live Performance Signal Boost Impedance Matching

Key Feature:

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength

✓ PROS

• Improves pickup signal quality and strength
• Better impedance matching for amps/PA systems

✗ CONS

• Requires battery power in most cases
• Additional cost beyond pickup purchase

Artec FTE-3Preamp for Acoustic GuitarsUpper Bout Version 3 Band EQVolume knobBattary status indicatorVoltage over 9 V...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 432277

$25

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Preamps for Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced preamps for acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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Best Preamps for Acoustic Guitars 2025

Trace Elliot Multipedal TRANSIT-A

Takamine CT4-DX Preamp

Ovation OP Pro Studio

Ovation Preamp-System 708935-A SKM

Headway EDB-2 H.E.

Hanika PPA-SLV Volume-Pedal Preamp

Headway EDB-2 VAP

Palmer MI Pocket Amp Acoustic

Takamine CT4BII

Ovation OP-PRO Preamp

Takamine TP-4TD Preamp for G-Series

K&K Trinity Pro Preamp

Artec ETN-4 Preamp

Ortega MAGUSX/U

Artec FTE-3

How to Choose the Best Preamps for Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying preamps for acoustic guitars?

How much should I spend on preamps for acoustic guitars?

Are expensive preamps for acoustic guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for preamps for acoustic guitars?

Should I buy preamps for acoustic guitars online or in-store?

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