Acoustic Pickup recommendations...

L. R. Baggs M1 or M1A.  For $139-169 pretty good--not as good as a good mic, but good for a pickup.

C2

Zuma:  Yes a combined mic/pu combination like the Fishman Eclipse or the Baggs Anthem would probably be more balanced and you could dial in the tone better. 

Sorry, I do not use a dedicated preamp for my Baggs M1A Pickup (only my MOTU 828 or my GAP Pre-73) .  I make EQ adjustments via VST plugins like Sonnitus or TRacks singles.  I usually use my Sterling Audio ST-77 LDC for my acoustic and blend in the M1-A, but I have been surprised at how good the M1-A sounds by itself.

As to your query about Zoom or Fishman preamps, I suspect that the Fishman would be better than the Zoom, but that is just my guess based upon the Fishman brand's reputation in general.  Let us know what you decide and what it sounds like.  Hopefully some others here will chime in on your question.

Good Luck!

C2

I suggest you go do  search on thegearpage.com

It is what I would do, just to be sure.
There are some mighty fine players over at the guitardiner.com too and it is a small forum, nice people.. know a lot about this stuff.

Julien

 
The Fishman will look like this,  it's a thin foil and needs a perfectly flat setting to work. Then you also have to work the saddle into the correct shape and even pressure.


I mention this as you don;t sound like your into setting up your fretboard action so I take it your not a guitar tech.
The money you are throwing at the Ibanez would have gone a ways towards a nice guitar and mike.

Cactus Music


 
The Fishman will look like this,  it's a thin foil and needs a perfectly flat setting to work. Then you also have to work the saddle into the correct shape and even pressure.


I mention this as you don;t sound like your into setting up your fretboard action so I take it your not a guitar tech.
The money you are throwing at the Ibanez would have gone a ways towards a nice guitar and mike.

I'm not throwing any money into the Ibanez. It's a junk 3/4 size thinline that was given to me. It was junk when it was brand new. The pickup is going into an Yamaha that is surprisingly a very nice sounding acoustic for it's modest price. I am tech minded but have just picked up the guitar again in the last year or so. I played when I was kid... then sold my Strat to get Grateful tickets at giant stadium... aww impetuous, foolish youth. Everythings starting to come back now, slowly but surely and I've been bitten by the bug. My main talents though are singing/writing and I can play the keys a bit. My next acoustic will be a Wechter... oh, and i will have a new Strat by Christmas... midnight wine.
 
Edit: I pick up too much noise right now amidst the chaos in my building. that's why I need to bypass the mic and record direct into my interface. Eventually when I move and can properly treat and soundproof a dedicated room, I'll spend the money for a nice condenser. The Dragonfly and KSM 44 and a few others are on the list.

Cactus old boy here is the Fishman Ellipse Matrix. Well, the easy part anyway hehe. I'll manage and conquer in the end.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMatrixBN/%3C/a%3E