L.R. Baggs Anthem Acoustic Guitar Pickup and Microphone

In the realm of acoustic sound amplification, the pursuit of a natural, authentic tone has driven musicians to explore innovative technologies. The L.R. Baggs Anthem Acoustic Guitar Pickup, a remarkable collaboration between technology and craftsmanship, has emerged as a transformative addition to my musical arsenal. As an avid user of the Anthem model, I am thrilled to share my experience and insights on how it has elevated my acoustic playing to new heights. Here's my comprehensive review of the L.R. Baggs Anthem Acoustic Guitar Pickup, spotlighting its superior performance, installation process, and its impact on my sonic journey.From the moment I integrated the L.R. Baggs Anthem Pickup into my acoustic instrument, its elegant design and meticulous engineering were immediately evident. This acoustic pickup, aptly named "Anthem," showcases a harmonious blend of technology and craftsmanship that preserves the integrity of the guitar's sound while providing a seamless amplification experience. Its unobtrusive appearance ensures that it doesn't interfere with the guitar's aesthetics, allowing me to maintain the instrument's visual charm.The standout feature of the L.R. Baggs Anthem Pickup is its ability to capture the essence of an acoustic guitar's tonal character. The pickup combines an innovative Element undersaddle pickup with a TRU•MIC microphone, allowing it to capture both the vibration of the strings and the resonant body of the guitar. This dual-source approach results in a rich, complex sound that remains faithful to the instrument's true acoustic voice, whether played gently or strummed vigorously.The Anthem model's compatibility with various playing styles and techniques is a testament to its versatility. Whether I'm fingerpicking delicate melodies or strumming with fervor, the pickup accurately translates the guitar's nuances into a captivating amplified sound. This adaptability makes the Anthem model suitable for a wide range of musical genres and performance scenarios.The installation process of the L.R. Baggs Anthem Pickup reflects the brand's commitment to user-friendly design. The Anthem's all-in-one preamp and control unit streamline the installation process, resulting in a clean and professional setup. This integration minimizes the need for extensive modifications to the guitar, making it an attractive option for musicians who value simplicity and non-invasive adjustments.Moreover, the brand's reputation for excellence in acoustic amplification technology shines through in the Anthem's amplified sound. Whether I'm performing live on stage or recording in the studio, the Anthem consistently delivers a true-to-life acoustic representation that captures the guitar's natural resonance and harmonics.In conclusion, the L.R. Baggs Anthem Acoustic Guitar Pickup exemplifies a seamless blend of innovation and artistry that transcends traditional amplification solutions. Its dual-source approach, versatile performance, and user-friendly installation process underscore its commitment to preserving the authentic acoustic experience. With the Anthem model, L.R. Baggs has succeeded in creating a partnership between technology and musical expression, enhancing the sonic journey of musicians seeking an amplified voice that remains true to the heart of their acoustic sound.

There is so much hyperbole about products by manufacturers that I was skeptical about L.R. Baggs claims about the Anthem acoustic pickup, that is until I plugged in for our first set. WOW! Not only does it meet what the manufacturer (and postings on Amazon / You Tube) said about it, it EXCEEDS the claims. FINALLY, I have the sound I'm looking for from my Taylor 714CE. Previous attempts installing different pickups (two others) left me doubting that anybody could make a pickup that didn't have the aweful peizo "quack, ping" sound, or the other extreme of too much "boominess" coming from the guitar body.The Anthem solves this by not magnifying the sound from the body, but by being pointed at the bottom of the top of the guitar on the inside and ignoring the sound bouncing around the guitar's interior. Then, in a stroke of more genius, Baggs under-saddle pickup emphasizes the mid-range and bass strings. By ignoring the trebles (G,B,E) they get around the ugly sounds that most peizo pickups naturally generate in those frequencies.. High frequencies are captured (and amplified) by the microphone. The end result is a system that you can easily tailor to your guitar.It also delivers good amplification and I'm finally able to cut through the mix of the rest of the band (even the drums). Better still the amplification is wonderfully proportional to how heavy, or light, I strum or pluck the strings. I found I could leave the volume fairly high (about 3/4 of full) and easily play without having to change the volume, even though I ranged from heavy/fast strumming to fingerpicking on the high strings. The really great thing is that once the mic is adjusted to eliminate feedback, it does just that; eliminates all feedback! I cranked the volume up incrementally because I didn't want our sound guys to get alarmed, but finally I was at full volume, with my monitor on the floor to my left-rear, which is the position I use with all my acoustics to reduce the chance of feedback. No matter how loudly I played...NO FEEDBACK.The extremely annoying aspect of the Taylor's included Fishman Prefix, was that to avoid feedback on stage, I had to turn the mic off completely and rely on the under-saddle pickup. Problem is that it did not have enough sensitivity to capture the high strings without "booming" the low strings. I tried every conceivable combination of switches, sliders, notch, contour and could never get the natural sound of my guitar unplugged, but amplified. When I needed to drop in an acoustic lead riff it was lost in the mix. Now I can add trills and hammer-ons, pull-offs and they are heard, and it's as simple and beautiful as that.Y ou know you have something when the other guitarists come up to you asking how you're getting that nice sound.Is it perfect? No, it comes very close to reproducing the sound of my unplugged Taylor, but doesn't do so exactly. There is a bit more brightness when the amplification goes up, and it amplifies artifacts like finger movements and body sounds, but there is no way to get rid of that with any pickup; the only way is to be cleaner with your technique and less sloppy about where and when you contact the body.I also wish that Baggs would put center-detents on the mix and volume switches as they are hidden under the sound-hole and you have to adjust by feel, especially when on stage when there is little time to inspect the settings while playing. But, those adjustments become second-nature, just like the rest of guitar playing, where practice allows your hands to assume the correct chort-shapes without thinking about it. It's a minor thing really, because the proportional sensitivity of the pickups means there is very little need to adjust the volume, just adjust your playing and it will sound great. Indeed, with my other guitars I usually do all my adjustments at the pedal board anyway.Installation was straightforward per Baggs online instructions, but you will have to drill holes in your bridge, which some folks find uncomfortable to consider; don't worry it will work out great. The adhesive strips used to hold the amplifier in place weren't thick enough to allow it to clear one of the interior braces, but Baggs includes additional strips and when doubled over the ones already installed the amp cleared the braces and fits perfectly in the four-inch sound hole. If you already have an end-pin jack installation only takes about an hour, which will be quickly forgotten once you hear what your guitar sounds like afterwards.Five stars are well deserved.and Baggs has me wondering what would the sound would be like if I installed this system on my archtop jazz guitar. Kudos to L.R. Baggs!

The controls are too big for the Martin 00015M. Purchased this for my Martin 00015M. The problem is the bracing in the guitar, the 00015M has the "A" bracing style. This means they are taller braces. One of the small cross braces is too tall and it won't allow you to glue the controls flush with the top of the guitar. I was able to place the pickup system and hold it up with lots of masking tape. I played one set (45 mins) and it sounded amazing! I ran the guitar through a LR Baggs Venue DI. I didn't really have to tweak much. Just added a little more presence and help brighten the sound.I did end up removing the Anthem swapping it out for the Anthem SL. The reason was because I didn't like the idea of the bigger unit being held in place by masking tape. The Anthem SL is the perfect solution, it fits with no problem. I have also played live with the SL, and I didn't have to change anything on my eq settings from the Anthem. They are basically the same thing, minus the presence adjustment on the SL unit.So, if you are looking at this pickup, make sure you look at your bracing and make sure that they are not too tall for the Anthems control unit. I tried fitting in the unit to my Taylor 816 & 414, and it fists great.Giving this a 5 Star because the pickup is amazing! I may have to get one to keep and use it in one of my Taylor Guitars. Tone is a lot more true to the body of the guitar. You get a nice full rich lows and when switching out to finger style, the highs are still there so you can cut through the mix. This is the pickup to use to project the true tone of your guitar.If you already own a LR Baggs Di system, then you can't go wrong with the pick up either.