LR BaggsPassive Bridge Plate Transducer including Strapjack for Steel String Guitars

From 2010-2013 I used the lr Baggs iBeam on my Collings D2H-G. It worked & sounded excellent for choir accompaniment in weekly large church performances through Schertler acoustic amps and my Polytone Mini-Brute II combo amp. However, when I tried to install one in my Morgan DM I could not find a pickup location on the bridge plate in 4 different locations that didn’t produce overwhelming bass! (Later I installed the iBeam on three 000/OM body guitars with the great results I got with my Collings D. Perhaps the iBeam works more consistently with smaller bodied acoustics?) I did not experience the volume loss complained about in negative reviews, but feedback required EQ mid cuts when playing at higher volumes with piano & drum kits.

Easy to install. Hard to hear. Even with a preamp, calling this a pickup is like calling a cup a microphone. I mean, technically it amplifies the sound but not in any useful way.

I couldn't help but notice multiple bad reviews. So I felt it necessary to write a short review about one of the best pick-ups I've ever used for steel string guitar. This Pick-up is extremely easy to install. When installed correctly this pick up is very accurate to the sound of your guitar, ideal if you ask me. Full disclosure, I am using a Fishman amplifier and a LA bags DI. With this combination my guitar is loud clear and best of all sounds like an acoustic guitar. Please do not hesitate to buy one of the best pick pups you'll ever buy mileage may vary however if installed correctly and use of proper gain staging results should be fantastic.

I was kind of taken back from the reviews that I'd seen about the L.R. Baggs I beam pickup. It is sure funny that I have installed them and used for nearly 30 years and IMHO L.R. Baggs makes the best acoustic sound re-enforcement in the world. I need another passive Pickup system here very soon and you bet, I will buy another I Beam ! All of their products are top notch !

Don't buy this. Even with a preamp and my amp up fairly loud the speaker output was about the the same or less than that of the acoustic guitar itself. It does have a very accurate tone but it's worthless because you can barely hear it. It was also very percussive and exaggerated the string noise to a very high degree.