Lakewood Sonic System

Sonic System -- Classic System -- Mini Sonic

The Lakewood Sonic System is a new kind of pickup system that has been developed through the last year together by Lakewood Guitars and Shadow pickups. Martin Seeliger and Joe Marinic (Shadow) have been friends for a long time and always kept each other informed on new developments and progress of the products in their companies in the last years. In 2005 they had the (for some obvious) idea to make a pickup system exclusively for Lakewood Guitars.
Like for all new developments there’s a high goal and challenges to be quested, especially if all previous transducer systems that have been in Lakewood guitars used to satisfy the highest needs and expectations.
Now the approach had two new aspects. First of all, one was searching for a smart way to dispense with the routing in the sides of the guitar for fitting the pre-amp and controls. The second thought was on all the sophisticated Lakewood players that (definitely authorised!) claim a natural sounding instrument with a pickup system that offers a variety of sound shades without disregarding the origin of sound.

Sonic System
The result of Shadow Pickups and Lakewood Guitars teamworking is the Lakewood Sonic System that combines two pickups, a bridge pickup with nanoflex technology and a magnetic one in the fingerboard.
The recently by Shadow developed transducer "Nanoflex" picks up the sound of the strings from the bridge, underneath the saddle. It works absolutely silent, very differentiated and particularly dynamically. Additionally it senses the vibration of the soundboard, thus makes the sound even closer to the acoustic tone. You will benefit from that in any style of music, particularly if you do things like Flamenco or very percussive spanish music.
A second transducer is located in the fingerboard (routed from underneath before the neck is fitted). The exclusive "Nanomag" is a magnetic pickup. This component possesses extraordinary audiophile qualities that transmit the sound of the guitar very natural and warm, almost in a yet unfamiliar way. The over-all configuration has got a quite high resistance against feedback which avoids problems when on stage or at high noise level.
The signals of both transducers feed the compact electronics  that sit in the sound hole, nicely hidden but still very well accessible for the player. Like on a high-end high-fi amplifier you will find only what you really need. Volume and upper frequency filter are pots. In the middle is the main control, the heart of the electronic. It is a fader that chooses either pickup in the end positions and gives you a variety of sounds in between when you mix the signals by moving it. A transparent acoustic sound can morph to a jazzy and warm tone. There’s actually no unpleasantly sounding setup or adjustments, because the system always respects the acoustic sound of the guitar in any situation. By launching this new system, cutting or routing into the sides of the guitar has become a matter of the past.

The following models are now standard-equipped with the Lakewood Sonic System

Natural Series - all CP-Models (M-14 CP, D-14 CP, A-14 CP, J-14 CP, M-18 CP, D-18 CP, J-14 CP Bass)

Deluxe Series - all CP-Models (M-32 CP, D-32 CP, A-32 CP, J-32 CP, J-32 Baritone)

Premium Series - all CP-Models (A-24 CP, A-36 CP, M-45 CP, D-48 CP, J-50 CP, M-52 CP, D-53 CP, J-56 CP)

The Lakewood Sonic System is of course available for any of our models through the custom shop!

Classic System
At the same time the Lakewood Classic System has been developed, which is particularly adapted to the needs of a nylon string guitar. Since it is not possible to pick up a nylon string magnetically, the system works with the "Nanoflex" transducer only. The controls are positioned in the sound hole as well. The pre-amp offers a volume control and two sound controls, which act in a high and a low frequency range. The result is an impressing nylon sound that possesses a remarkable transparency and awesome dynamics. Especially lovers of the Latin-American style will appreciate that uncomplicated system.
As well as the Sonic System, the Classic System offers a simple battery change. The batteries are replaced just in a wink of an eye and the guitar is ready to go.
The Lakewood Classic System fulfils the wishes that many guitarists have, a discreet but still efficiently working pickup system, that captures the original tone of the guitar and meets high quality expectations.

The following models are now standard-equipped with the Lakewood Classic System

Natural Series - M-14 CCP

Deluxe Series - M-32 CCP

The Lakewood Sonic System is of course available for any of our models through the custom shop!

Mini Sonic System

The Mini Sonic System is the simplified solution of the Lakewood Sonic System or the Classis System. It works with only one pickup, the Nanoflex under-saddle transducer. It is a great pickup for subsequent installing into the guitar, since there are no constructional steps neccessary.
The control unit sits, as well as on the other systems, within the soundhole. It is slightly slimmer than the Lakewood Sonic System, though. Since there is only one lithium cell required, the "batterie drawer" is slimmer and thus enables the smaller case of the unit. That, of course, compliments the overall design.
The adjustments are reduced to volume and tone control. The Mini Sonic System hasn't got a battery led and no phase switch. That makes it possible to offer this system at a good price. (Please look up the customshop section in our price list.)
The pickup system is suitable for steel string and nylon string guitars.

The following models are now standard-equipped with the Mini Sonic System

None. The Mini Sonic System is an option for customshop guitars and models that haven't been fitted with a pickup system, yet.

Find information towards older pickup systems that have been installed into Lakewood guitars.