m
a smart solution in many cases, but not the best tone available
Lr Baggs M1A is a standard in terms of soundhole pickups for acoustic guitars. As usual with their products quality is second to none. The pickup moreover is able to add some resonance from the soundboard to the bare magnetic tone got from strings, making it to sound more realistic than similar choices. It's the best solution available in three scenarios: 1. you don't want to mod your guitar in any way. 2. you want a single pickup than can be moved between different guitars. 3. you play in a live rock band and you don't want any feedback issue whatsoever.
Many pros, but there's a big con. The tone is too similar to an electric guitar. There are better choices to have a more realistic acoustic tone, but the involve different cost, a preamp, feedback etc.
I consider it as a product aimed to specific needs. I know have only a Martin D18 equipped with a K&K pure western mini, but I won't sell my M1A. It'll be useful again.
Many pros, but there's a big con. The tone is too similar to an electric guitar. There are better choices to have a more realistic acoustic tone, but the involve different cost, a preamp, feedback etc.
I consider it as a product aimed to specific needs. I know have only a Martin D18 equipped with a K&K pure western mini, but I won't sell my M1A. It'll be useful again.
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M
Sensitive stuff
I have mixed feelings about this pickup. I use it on my D28, and it does give a lovely sound, with a real clarity to it. But it's quite a different sound to the unamplified tone of the guitar - much brighter, but in a pleasant way, not overpoweringly so.
But where I really struggle is with the physical sensitivity. It is designed to just not pick up the electromagnetic effect of the string motion, but also the physical movement of the soundboard, so as to capture Newton Faulkner-style body taps and the like. Personally I don't need this, and it means that I get some clicking sounds coming through the pickup while I'm strumming, as a result (I think) of my plectrum either hitting the edge of the pickup, or the edge of the soundhole.
So I've had to adjust my technique to strum further down the strings towards the bridge, which obviously leads to a slightly different sound as well as a slightly less natural playing position.
It's now workable, so I can enjoy the sound of the pickup without the clicks. But I'd rather have something that gave me that sound without requiring me to change my style.
But where I really struggle is with the physical sensitivity. It is designed to just not pick up the electromagnetic effect of the string motion, but also the physical movement of the soundboard, so as to capture Newton Faulkner-style body taps and the like. Personally I don't need this, and it means that I get some clicking sounds coming through the pickup while I'm strumming, as a result (I think) of my plectrum either hitting the edge of the pickup, or the edge of the soundhole.
So I've had to adjust my technique to strum further down the strings towards the bridge, which obviously leads to a slightly different sound as well as a slightly less natural playing position.
It's now workable, so I can enjoy the sound of the pickup without the clicks. But I'd rather have something that gave me that sound without requiring me to change my style.
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A
Reliable and trouble free
Its easy to dial up a passable acoustic sound, the batteries last for a very long time and the pickup is very feedback resistant which is a bonus for gigging musicians.i used mine on an epiphone dove , replacing the on board fishman under saddle with good results.easy to instal and remove without damaging your guitar.
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A
LR Baggs M! Active
I was very pleased with the sound of this pickup but irritated by the lack of soundhole access to the plug/socket for the lead. The pickup is easy to install but once you have it installed it is almost impossible to remove the plug from the socket when the strings are at full tension. This means that you have to leave the hook up lead in situ all the time. Very poor design.
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J
Good - as far as magnetic pickups go
This pickup is probably the best compromise for fitting to guitars with movable or full-length, vintage-style saddles. I fitted mine to an old J-45 with the adjustable, ceramic saddle. Works very well in this (though the output is noticeably lower than the L,R Baggs Element I have fitted to another guitar.
I think all magnetic acoustic pickups suffer from that mid-range, nasal 'honk', but this is better than others I have tried.
I think all magnetic acoustic pickups suffer from that mid-range, nasal 'honk', but this is better than others I have tried.
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