Editing Steel-string acoustic guitar (section)

== Amplification ==
A steel-string guitar can be {{em|amplified}} using any of three techniques:
* a [[microphone]], possibly clipped to the guitar body;
* a detachable [[Pickup (music technology)|pickup]], often straddling the soundhole and using the same magnetic principle as a traditional electric guitar; or
* a [[transducer]] built into the body.

The last type of guitar is commonly called an ''[[acoustic-electric guitar]]'' as it can be played either "[[Acoustic music|unplugged]]" as an acoustic, or plugged in as an electric. The most common type is a [[piezoelectric pickup]], which is composed of a thin sandwich of quartz crystal. When compressed, the crystal produces a small electric current, so when placed under the bridge saddle, the vibrations of the strings through the saddle, and of the body of the instrument, are converted to a weak electrical signal. This signal is often sent to a [[pre-amplifier]], which increases the signal strength and normally incorporates an [[Equalization (audio)|equalizer]]. The output of the preamplifier then goes to a separate amplifier system similar to that for an electric guitar.

Several manufacturers produce specialised [[acoustic guitar amplifier]]s, which are designed to give undistorted and full-range reproduction.