I have been playing with a group and they have done a couple outside gigs. Mostly a country/bluegrass group, but Bob Dylan seems to sneak a song or two into the mix once in a while. I really need to be able to plug in. I have a 50w acoustic amp. I'm playing a D-20. I'm looking at the L.R. Baggs M1 active pickup. Does anyone have experience with this pickup? I really really want to keep things simple. I just want to plug and play.
L.R. Baggs M1?
- Thread starter Roland
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Neal
Senior Member
I have used the M-1 with some success. I prefer the passive version, sounds more natural to me.
Make sure you properly secure the cord to your guitar strap. There have been instances in which people have damaged their sound hole from an unexpected tug on the cord that failed to dislodge the 1/8” plug.
Make sure you properly secure the cord to your guitar strap. There have been instances in which people have damaged their sound hole from an unexpected tug on the cord that failed to dislodge the 1/8” plug.
GuildyAsHell
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I have one in my Gibson LG-0 and I like it. I’m probably going to put one in my D-25.
@Roland I've heard great things about the Anthem system, but wondering why you'd want to use a magnetic one? Is feedback a big issue for you in the band setting? Just curious. I think the Anthem has some noise cancelling tech in it that might help a microphonic system work better these days, but honestly I have no real knowledge other than the fact that the systems with a microphone seem to have a very nice acoustic sound.
Best of luck picking the right system!
Best of luck picking the right system!
Honestly, I see guitar players with the magnetic humbucker pickups at bluegrass and old time music festivals. I've heard that they don't have as much feedback problems. I really like the action on my D-20 and I don't want to mess with it. I could probably install the M1 myself. I think they look kind of retro. Those are the reasons off the top of my head. Several people have suggested the Anthem. I could probably be persuaded, but it doesn't really speak to me right now for some reason.
I don't know anyone personally who has one or I would have asked them if I did. I'm just seeing what people who have used one have to say about them..
I will second @Neal's opinion on the passive vs active M!, and it's better still if you run it through the a Para DI. I have one in my Bourgeois Slope D-140, and while I'm not crazy about the aesthetics of a soundhole mounted pickup, they do seem to be a bit more feedback resistant.
If I go with the passive then I need to have a DI box for the preamp, right? Another component that I need to have with me wherever I go.
Well, you don't need to, but it is a very worthwhile thing to do. I managed to score mine over at AGF in unopened condition for what I thought was a great price, and I find it to be very versatile. I am a big fan of LR Baggs as a rule.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
I installed this myself in about 30 minutes. A piece of cake. I did have the manufacturer drill the 1/2" hole at the endpin, and I didn't want to punch that 1/2" hole at the endpin on a brand new guitar, but I did drill the hole under the saddle. The Anthem is a great pickup, however it did take some tweaking to adjust to my ear. With both the under saddle and the internal microphone, and the ability to mix the two, I've found the internal mic to give the most accurate acoustic sound. I just turn the under saddle down and turn up the internal mic.
West
West
Last edited:
Great job, Jim!I installed this myself in about 30 minutes. A piece of cake. I did have the manufacturer drill the 1/2" hole at the endpin. The Anthem is a great pickup, however it did take some tweaking to adjust to my ear. With both the under saddle and the internal microphone, and the ability to mix the two, I've found the internal mic to give the most accurate acoustic sound.
West
West R Lee
Venerated Member
Thanks Charlie. I should qualify that by also stating that I did a bunch of reading and watched several installation videos. I also was sure to acquire and had all the needed tools on hand when the guitar arrived. From there, it's just about being careful.
West
Br1ck
Senior Member
Magnetic pickups do not have the same issues as piezo do as far as impedance goes. I would however avoid the on the guitar, off the guitar scenario as you are bound to get scratches. If you wish not to have a pre amp on the floor, you could get something like the new Baggs HiFI. You'd be plug and play, but you'd have a battery in your guitar.
If I even get one, I don't plan to take it off and put it on. It will stay there. I'll check out the Baggs HiFi. Thanks.
Neal
Senior Member
Drilling out the endpin is tricky business. I screwed it up once. Now, if I want to add a 1/4” plug, I get my luthier to do the honors.
If you decide to DIY, spring for the special reaming bit from Stewmac. A regular 7/16” bit has a tendency to catch in the existing 1/4” hole, and can make a real mess of things if you aren‘t extremely careful.
If you decide to DIY, spring for the special reaming bit from Stewmac. A regular 7/16” bit has a tendency to catch in the existing 1/4” hole, and can make a real mess of things if you aren‘t extremely careful.
Rich Cohen
Senior Member
I think us LTGers need to lean on Mr. Neal who posted just above to me. Neal and I live in good ol' Charlottesville, VA and frequent the open mic on Mondays, at The Local, a nice restaurant with an open mic (no covers of songs) every Monday night, hosted by Mike Clem of "Eddie From Ohio" fame. Mike is a true jewel around our parts, promoting the music of anyone who cares to show up at events. He is an accomplished singer-songwriter and MC of open mic nights. He has a number of CDs. Check him out. Neal, on the other hand, is a low life that I've know for about 6-7 years, who shows, occasionally to inflict his corny songs on the open mic crowd (just kidding!). Neal is a true blue LTGer and Guild fanatic, although he's gone over to the dark side with Gretsch axes, convinced that if Chet Atkins played them, they can't be all that bad. Oh well, what ya gonna do?
This is very sound advice! I let my luthier do stuff like this for the nominal fee he charges.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
Precisely why I asked Collings to do that for me. I could just see myself hanging a bit up down there and pealing finish. They got it tight enough I had to just bump the hole with a sandpaper bit on the Dremel. The Anthem also takes a hole under the saddle as well, but no problem drilling that one. It goes in at a 45 degree angle, and through the bridge plate on the bass end.
West
plaidseason
Senior Member
I too have done this not terribly well before. I do a lot of my own setup-ish stuff, strap buttons, install tuners, etc., but I leave the real drilling/reaming to my tech.
As far as the M1 goes, I think it's a stellar pickup. I prefer the Fishman Rare Earth, but I've heard some great sounding M1s.
Br1ck
Senior Member
A step drill bit is the ticket, but they cost about as much as a luthier would charge.
Neal
Senior Member
A Gretsch Country Gentleman is a beautiful thing, and comes equipped with pickups and a 1/4” plug! Ready to go.