L. R. Baggs HiFi system

[chazmo]

Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone has installed / tried the recently-introduced L. R. Baggs system. This has bridge plate attachments (rather than under-saddle or soundhole magnetic).

It looks and sounds pretty neat (at least from the demo). The electronics are enclosed in the endpin jack attachment, which I think is very cool. The battery pack is external (unlike the much-maligned D-TAR load 'n lock that Guild used years ago). Also, I love the way Baggs does their internal connections with headphone jacks. That's how it should be (IMO).

A HiFi "Duet" system is due this summer which adds a brand new microphone mounted on the bridge plate (never seen that before). Can't wait to hear how this plays out.

Edit: It looks like this system is already available out there (despite what the website says).

 

[davenumber2]

microphone mounted on the bridge plate (never seen that before).

Isn’t that what the Lyric pickup is?

 

[chazmo]

sn’t that what the Lyric pickup is?

Well, they call it the "Silo" mic, and it's not the same part that's used in the Lyric, Dave, which Baggs describes as "TRU-MIC technology." Perhaps the internals are similar, but they don't look at all alike. The Lyric wouldn't fit on the bridge plate with the transducers from the HiFi system. Have a look here:

HiFi Duet High-Fidelity Pickup + Microphone Mixing System — LR Baggs

Introducing HiFi Duet – a high-fidelity pickup + microphone mixing system that embodies the pinnacle of multi-source technology, combining our award-winning HiFi pickups with the groundbreaking Silo Microphone. This marks a new era in acoustic guitar amplification, delivering unparalleled sonic exce

www.lrbaggs.com

The Duet system looks like it's already available out there... Not sure what I'm seeing, but at nearly $500 I don't expect a lot of folks will install it right away.

 

[HeyMikey]

Looks nice. I love the concept. It does sound quite warmer than the standalone mic in their demo. At $500 it’s not for me. For a really good solo player it may be a contender.

 

[jeffcoop]

Pity about the price, if that's right. Otherwise I'd seriously contemplate it for my Oxnard F40.

I'm very curious about the Silo mic. I have a Baggs Lyric in my F47R, and it sounds wonderful but does feed back easily.

 

[chazmo]

Pity about the price, if that's right. Otherwise I'd seriously contemplate it for my Oxnard F40.

I'm very curious about the Silo mic. I have a Baggs Lyric in my F47R, and it sounds wonderful but does feed back easily.

Agreed on the price, Jeff. I think adoption will take quite a while if it stays that expensive. The Baggs Lyric is easily $150 less.

And, yes, the Lyric Anthem seems to be a great system and highly regarded. Their TRU-MIC blended with their Element UST is a similar approach to what D-TAR did with the multi-source -- which of course is 20-year old tech that was wonderful. Anyway Lyric is a great choice!

This recent HiFi system from Baggs uses fairly new bridge plate-mounted transducers (kind of like K&K) with more recent electronics. I'm excited to hear what the introduction of that Silo microphone does for the Duet system.

A system that @Christopher Cozad has recommended is the Ultra Tonic from James May. That has some very interesting sensor/electonics to cut feedback. That's a unique concept, and I'd like to try that some day too. That's a $400 system, so no break there. But if feedback is a major issue, it may help. I remember struggling with feedback big time when I used my F-512 on stage. Anyway, https://jamesmayengineering.com/

 

[Christopher Cozad]

For what it’s worth, here are my current favorites:

Passive (no power requirements)
1. Ultra Tonic v2 - Think K&K with onboard feedback resistance, more even string output, and a volume control. Like the K&K, it is glued in place. Unlike a K&K, it is super feedback resistant. This is my “go to” recommendation for most of my own customers. If you add the ToneDexter II (made by the same fellow) to the signal chain, the amplified sound is frighteningly close to a mic’d guitar, at nearly any volume level in any venue you can imagine.
2. Barbera Soloist - The saddle is the pickup, resulting in a very even and accurate representation. Because the saddle is directly transmitting the string energy, there is little to no body noise. And you don’t get that compressed, “squeezed” sound of an under saddle transducer. Upside? Very, very low feedback potential. Downside? Percussive effects are not reproduced. It is slightly more “piezo” sounding than the Ultra Tonic but that is typically modified by an outboard preamp. It is an easy pickup to recommend to technically accurate players who need the high gain, low feedback output.

Active
1. Trance Amulet M-VT Phantom - Two small rectangular blocks that attach via a special double-stick tape, includes a volume and tone wheel, and is phantom-powered - meaning no battery. Installation is easily reversible, for those who care about such things. The Amulet is incredibly feedback resistant! And it is perhaps the most accurate representation of “my guitar, only louder” that I have encountered, right out of the box. I have installed several of these, and I can highly recommend them.
2. MojoTone Quiet Coil NC-2 - Magnetic soundhole pickup “voiced” after a condenser mic (so it already sounds pretty nice) with the addition of a condenser mic (that makes it sound stupidly nice)! Technically, it never needs to be “permanently” installed, unless you want to. You can move it from guitar to guitar. I like this pickup so much that, if I could afford it, I would purchase one for everybody on the forum, just so you have a sweet sounding and quick way to amplify your guitar - no technician required.

The Amulet is the system I expect more and more people will try to compare the LR Baggs HiFi pickup to. The HiFi is less expensive, but it needs a 9v battery and it sounds very “thin,” when compared with the Amulet.

I am more interested in the HiFi Duet, which adds the “Silo” mic. The combined system produces a warm sound, similar to what Baggs achieved with their Anthem. I do not have one, yet, to directly compare. Now, if Baggs would add the phantom-powered feature...

 

[Br1ck]

For what it's worth, I have a Lyric somewhere in a drawer. No low end at all. It would make a good combos with the Element which is also in a drawer. That would be an Anthem if combined. But I have quit this rathole for money in favor of my Dazzos and a SunnAudio pre combo.

I understand you can get a Cole Clark pickup system now. A friend's Cole Clark is the best plugged in tone I've heard. When you think pickup plus preamp, you are going to be in the $500 range for any of the better systems.

A lot of K&Ks are sold to folks unaware that it needs a good preamp too.

 

[hearth_man]

The Ultra Tonic system is new to me. After checking out the James May Engineering web site, thanks chazmo and chris, I'm very interested. I have been working on installing a Lyric (TRU MIC) system in one of my 1980s FS46-CE guitars. I like the idea of onboard mics as opposed to the standard under saddle pickup systems. These guitars have a one piece chambered solid mahogany body construction with a spruce top. The bridge area of the top is open underneath with a bridge plate like a standard acoustic guitar. But I think the Ultra Tonic system would be better yet. I'm going to have to re-think this one.

 

[chazmo]

A lot of K&Ks are sold to folks unaware that it needs a good preamp too.

FYI, the Ultra Tonic product can be combined with K&K... That might be of some interest to you, Br1ck....

That would be an Anthem if combined. But I have quit this rathole for money in favor of my Dazzos and a SunnAudio pre combo.

But Dazzos and SunnAudio preamp are (another) great suggestion, Br1ck! Thanks!

 

[twocorgis]

Looks nice. I love the concept. It does sound quite warmer than the standalone mic in their demo. At $500 it’s not for me. For a really good solo player it may be a contender.

Where are you getting this $500 number Mike? Everywhere I look, I see $200.

LR Baggs HiFi High-fidelity Bridge Plate Pickup System

Bridge Plate Acoustic Guitar Pickup System with 2 Bridge Sensors, Preamp, and Installation Jig

www.sweetwater.com

 

[HeyMikey]

Where are you getting this $500 number Mike? Everywhere I look, I see $200.

LR Baggs HiFi High-fidelity Bridge Plate Pickup System

Bridge Plate Acoustic Guitar Pickup System with 2 Bridge Sensors, Preamp, and Installation Jig

www.sweetwater.com

From Chazmo’s post before mine.
Edit: It is for the new “Duet” Hifi system. The existing Hifi in your link at $200 is a different unit.

 

[twocorgis]

From Chazmo’s post before mine.
Edit: It is for the new “Duet” Hifi system. The existing Hifi in your link at $200 is a different unit.

Thanks. A short search doesn't show any Duets for sale yet, even on Baggs' website. @chazmo Where did you see them for sale?

 

[chazmo]

Sweetwater, I think, @twocorgis

Did I make a mistake?

 

[chazmo]

Hmm. I didn't catch that this was a "preorder" situation... Maybe it's true that the Duet system is not available yet. I didn't search around much further @twocorgis

LR Baggs HiFi Duet High-fidelity Pickup and Microphone Mixing System

HiFi Bridge Plate Acoustic Guitar Pickups with Silo Mic and Studio-grade Preamp

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Curlington]

I've recently settled on the K&K with the Sunnaudio DI-2 preamp. For me, the best mix of simplicity, feedback rejection, and tone. In my experience, it works much better with the XLR output, and using phantom power, and asking for XLR instead of 1/4" causes problems in some circumstances. It is cost effective as it can be the solution for more than one of your acoustics. It even fits in the guitar case pocket if needs be.

 

[twocorgis]

Hmm. I didn't catch that this was a "preorder" situation... Maybe it's true that the Duet system is not available yet. I didn't search around much further @twocorgis

LR Baggs HiFi Duet High-fidelity Pickup and Microphone Mixing System

HiFi Bridge Plate Acoustic Guitar Pickups with Silo Mic and Studio-grade Preamp

www.sweetwater.com

Yes, looks like just pre-orders. And that's a large upcharge from the "regular" HiFi.It's funny, when I searched Sweetwater for "HiFi Duet", nothing came up.

 

[Br1ck]

FYI, the Ultra Tonic product can be combined with K&K... That might be of some interest to you, Br1ck....


But Dazzos and SunnAudio preamp are (another) great suggestion, Br1ck! Thanks!

I have had Teddy himself install Dazzos in seven guitars. I may have 70s in two of them. The rest were from 60 to 100 depending on guitar. Anyone can put them in and Teddy will talk to anyone. I happen to be in close proximity to Dazzo and SunnAudio. Imagine setting your EQ flat and getting balanced tone every time. Both units sound great too. Unfortunately $500 seems to be the buy in. I'm beyond trying anything new. It's like chasing guitar tone if something you have works you don't need another guitar except as indulgence, a concept I'm well versed in.