Strings For An Acoustic With Passive Pickup? - Volume Issues...

RocknRollDave

So,

I have a cheap workhorse acoustic - Yamaha F310.
I have fitted an L.R. Baggs M! passive magnetic pickup (bought used on this here forum) which sounds great, and into a passive DI box I get a perfectly useable sound...however, it needs a LOT of level out of the desk and I don't really have the headroom I need - It's not quite loud enough.

I have raised the pole pieces, which as you would imagine has helped.
However, a recent @ICBM thread where he talked about different levels of magnetic attraction to different strings, it got me thinking. I currently have Martin 80/20 Bronze strings on the guitar.
I swapped out one of the wound strings for an Ernie Ball Slinky from a set of electric strings.There is a noticeable hike in volume from that string compared to the others.

So...

Recommendations please on what I need to get for this Yammy to make it sing loud enough through a PA.
I don't want to be buying additional kit , so "get an acoustic amp" is not an option


EDIT: Currently using 13's, so wondered if Ernie Ball Not Even Slinkys would do it...? They are, of course, designed for electric (downtuning electric, at that) and I'd prefer a wound G but....are they likely to sound OK on an acoustic?

ICBM

DR Zebras. Purpose-designed for acoustic guitar with magnetic pickups.

AliGorie

made for ‘Electro Acoustics’ !

http://www.drstrings.com/zebra

ah ya beet me to it IC

RocknRollDave

oooh super. I did try a Google but you put in things like acoustic and steel strings and you just get a load of steel string acoustic guitars in the results. Cheers chaps, appreciated.

RocknRollDave

Order placed, will let you know how I get on

bbill335

 I think Martin retro strings are more magnetic than phosphor bronze. I have a set but never tried them. 

ICBM said:

DR Zebras. Purpose-designed for acoustic guitar with magnetic pickup 

JJW1

I had the same problem with soundhole passive pickups. I bought a Behringer Tube ultrgain preamp and that gives the necessary boost and warmth to the pickup.

RocknRollDave

ICBM said:

DR Zebras. Purpose-designed for acoustic guitar with magnetic pickups.

Did the trick, perfect. Thanks @ICBM