First of all, any kindergartner can use it...just pop a battery in it and go. I spent $200 to install a passive pick up in my Alvarez acoustic guitar. It was really weak at first and I was very sad. But then I hooked it up to this Fishman pre-amp. Man, what a difference. The guitar sounds like I am playing at Carnegie Hall. I cheated and ran the pre-amp through my Mackie mixer to add some cathedral effects, but still, either way, the sound is beautiful. Even if you use a Dean Markely pick up through the Fishman, you will not believe the gain you will hear. I think the pricing is a little high for this device...it is not worth $69, but there is no other substitute for this quality that I know of...don't buy a cheaper one!