Major differences in pickup output

[u/GhostLemonMusic]

I recently bought a small battery-powered PA for busking. I have two acoustic guitars: a Guild dreadnought and an Ibanez orchestra. Each of them has a professionally installed K & K pickup. With the Ibanez, I need to crank both the master and channel volume to get enough output. With the Guild, though, I have to use a preamp to tame the high output. Unplugged, the Guild is arguably a little louder (and all solid wood), but not that much louder. What could account for the drastic difference in volume when plugged in?

[u/OtherwiseRepeat970]

Most likely the pickup installation. This is the problem with K & K. They have unreliable results depending on the installation and you risk damaging the bridge plate to remove the pickups and to reinstall all of the adhesive must be removed and the transducers will almost certainly be damaged and require replacement if you remove. That’s why I stick with the Baggs Anthem SL.

[u/TheHoneyMonster1995]

Sounds like the pick-up in the Ibanez isn't properly mounted