A NanoMAGician Among Pickups!

Magicians and wizards have it in them to accomplish wondrous things that no one else is capable of.  The same goes for innovative NanoMAG technology by Shadow, which has significantly revolutionized the world of pickups for acoustic and electric instruments.

As if that were not enough, collaboration with renowned guitar maker Gibson/Epiphone has yielded an entirely new concept in hybrid guitars. Shadow’s patented NanoMAG pickup augments the electric guitar’s classic humbucker sound by lending it the crystal clear sound of an acoustic. 

1.     The Structure of the NanoMAG Pickup

NanoMAG combines various, high-quality Samarium Cobalt magnets with an air coil and active electronics, all encased within the smallest of packages.  The small size of the NanoMAG pickup allows for installation inside the instrument or at the end of the fingerboard.

Because of its subtle construction, the NanoMAG mounts nearly invisibly and without detracting from an instrument’s aesthetic appearance.  Moreover, epoxy resin and a special, highly conductive silver-platinum plating provide a shield that, in combination with active electronics, helps transmit a hum-free, low impedance output signal.

2.    Sound Characteristics of the NanoMAG Pickup

The NanoMAG’s low impedance output, responsible for an utterly noise-free signal with excellent dynamics, also maintains perfect balance among strings.  Low impedance signals, in contrast to high impedance, have the advantage of much greater power capacity, which makes them less sensitive to disturbances. In other words, low impedance signals deliver more power, less noise and, as a result, simply sound far and away superior to the rest.  The NanoMAG’s open sound thus carries over what is so essential to an acoustic feel:  overtones and harmonics of a completely natural sounding character. Pure acoustic!

3.     Uses for the NanoMAG Pickup 

3.1    NanoMAG for Western-style guitars

The installation of the NanoMAG pickup on a Western-style guitar is relatively simple and completely non-invasive; it is not necessary to drill a single hole. 

The NanoMAG simply sticks onto the end of the fingerboard by means of a special self-adhesive foam strip, which comes already attached to the pickup itself. Resting comfortably at the end of the fingerboard, the small and dark-colored casing of the NanoMAG is virtually invisible and entirely unobtrusive.  

    3.2     NanoMAG for Electric Guitars

1.1  NanoMAG for Electric Guitars

Installing a NanoMAG on an electric guitar enriches the classic electric guitar sound with extraordinary acoustic dimensions.  The first model to be fitted with a NanoMAG was the Gibson/Epiphone Les Paul Ultra II. 

This unusual instrument is a truly one-of-a-kind guitar with TWO different sound qualities and COUNTLESS sound possibilities, thanks to the NanoMAG pre-installed on its fingerboard.

A NanoMAG on the fingerboard of the Les Paul enriches its traditional Alnico-Humbucker pickup sound with additional acoustic dimensions.  In contrast to other magnetic pickups, the NanoMAG works over an extraordinary range of frequencies, and picks up all of the guitar’s overtones and harmonics.   Given that the NanoMAG can function by itself or mix together seamlessly with the humbuckers, an enormous spectrum of sound possibilities lies open to the player.  Naturally acoustic, crystal clear and clean, dynamic and crunchy, white-hot and heavy  – all kinds of nuanced sounds become possible with this magical ‘axe.’

Because of the NanoMAG’s fantastic array of sound options, anyone preparing to have an electric guitar built should, while they’re at it, seriously consider integrating natural acoustic sound.  Of course, it is well worth retrofitting an existing electric guitar with the NanoMAG as well.

Due to a high level of interest in the Les Paul Ultra II NanoMAG pickup, this item is now available to the public under the order number: SH NMG LPU 2

Please take a look at the product test video produced by the renowned US guitar magazine Guitar World:

Additional demo videos and sound samples can be found in our Video-Archiv.

It doesn’t take a prophet to predict that this innovative hybrid concept has a great future ahead of it.  Musicians and the press have, with good reason, praised the NanoMAG on the Les Paul Ultra-II, calling it “a marvel that breathes new life into one of the oldest and most cherished electric guitar designs” (Source: Guitar World Magazine, USA). 

It seemed a logical consequence that the innovative concept underlying the NanoMAG-equipped Les Paul Ultra-II would, in addition, receive the coveted “Guitar World Platinum Award.”

4.      Praise for the NanoMAG (Les Paul Ultra-II):

Nancy Wilson (Heart):

“I am extremely happy about the new Ultra-II. I’ve never liked a lot of complex sound choices, especially on stage, but this guitar is just versatile without being confusing. There are 5 or 6 sounds I can switch between in the course of one song and it really bridges the gap between acoustic and electric. That is especially great for me, as I usually have to choose between one or the other on a song-by-song basis. This guitar is awesome!”

Eric Kirkland – Guitar World magazine:

“The NanoMAG acoustic pickup, specifically, is a marvel that breathes new life into one of the oldest and most cherished electric guitar designs. It integrates so well that I’d like to see it as a standard option on all Les Pauls.”

Jimmy Jackson – Indie Producer and guitarist for Lacy J. Dalton, Jo-El Sonnier, Michael Nesmith’s video Band:

“The Ultra-II’s chambered body with NanoMAG / Humbucker pickup combination can get you sounds you’ve heard before…but only in your dreams!”

5.     NanoMAG Pickups available for acoustic and electric instruments

NanoMAG systems are currently available for both Western-style and electric guitars.  NanoMAG pickups for other instruments will follow in short order. 

Need help finding the NanoMAG pickup in our online catalog? Simply look item numbers with the letters “NMG.”

6.      Product Recommendaton: SH Sonic Doubleplay