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Fingerpickin
Lokahi
117 Posts |
 Posted - 06/17/2010 : 5:41:04 PM
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Fellow TPers,
About 3 years ago, I bought my "dream" guitar, a Martin sunburst D-28 Marquis. I had been seriously jonesing for a Martin for many, many years. When I got it, I was blown away by the tone, playability, and beauty of this instrument.
However, as I intended to gig with it, I needed a pickup of some kind to amplify it. I (unfortunately) installed a Fishman Ellipse in the guitar, put in by a professional luthier. I often do my own work but not on this guitar! The Fishman had both an undersaddle pickup and a microphone in the body of the guitar. It was an unmitigated disaster. Prone to MASSIVE feedback, the fishman system sounded horrid at best and at worst, the feedback made the audience cringe and flee.
After a lot of research, I finally this week had the fishman removed and put in an LR Baggs element. This is an undersaddle pickup only, with built in pre-amp. Last night, I had the opportunity to play my Martin through a PA system and was blown away. Not only was there NO feedback, even without any kind of soundhole cover, but the instrument sounded tremendous--solid bass, clear treble---almost magical.
I don't often rave about musical gear, but this LR Baggs system gets great reviews by many guitarists, and my luthier said it is the best system that he routinely installs. I can't say enough good things about it; finally my Martin sounds as good amplified as it does unplugged.
Well thanks for listening and I hope someone avoids making the mistake I did by reading this post.
Mahalo and happy playing,
-Lance
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"Hey Lance, try watch." -Ozzie |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 07:44:59 AM
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| I have been using the baggs "element active" under-saddle and I like them too. Get a baggs parra acoustic DI (the small brown one) and it gets even better. |
Bob |
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Fingerpickin
Lokahi
117 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 4:57:48 PM
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Haole boy,
Thanks for the tip. Any info on the LR Baggs Venue? It's the newer version of the Para acoustic, includes a tuner, kill switch and volume boost...but it is VERY pricey at $299 so I'm not sure its worth the extra money.
-Lance |
"Hey Lance, try watch." -Ozzie |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2010 : 01:47:23 AM
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Generally I have found that adding a preamp improves the "acoustic" realism of an under saddle pickup (removes quack)even if it is active.
The Venue:
I read in a very recent topic that one of the members did not care it. Search for it and ask that memeber. Anyway, even if there is something with a few more bells & whistles, the PADI is good enough and many of the members here like it.
After I finally got one I know why it is popular. Why? because it controls exactly what you need to deal with problem tone issues like: tinny, brittle, boomy, muddy, and feedback.
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Bob |
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2010 : 9:25:56 PM
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| The Venue looks good. There is a video review by Acoustic Guitar you could check out. The box is kinda big in size but LR Baggs makes good stuff. The video demo had a guitar with a K&K pickup in it. Of course like anything one needs to check stuff out in person and choose accordingly. One man's treasure is another man's trash. The venue also list for 299.00 so it is expensive for some people. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
Edited by - noeau on 06/24/2010 9:28:40 PM |
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Darin
Lokahi
USA
294 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2010 : 07:51:40 AM
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Hey Lance,
One (unsolicited) comment on the Element, when you change strings, do it one at a time. The Element requires pressure on it from the saddle, and the contact between the guitar, Element and saddle can be very finicky, especially in terms of balance between the strings.
On the Venue, try one side-by-side with the Para DI before buying. I have been using a Para DI for many years and was really excited about the Venue. When I tried the Venue, however, I could not get it to sound good. Also, the tone controls on the Venue are not as intuitive as the Para DI. For example, for low frequency feedback, the Para DI has letters that correspond with notes on the guitar. If one note is giving feedback, you just turn the knob to the letter that corresponds with the note, and then turn down the gain for that note. The Venue eliminated that feature. |
Darin
http://www.hawaiiguitar.com/ |
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sm80808
Lokahi
347 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2010 : 08:29:39 AM
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| I like the ParaDI as well. Another bonus, you can find used ones in good shape for around $100 easily. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2183 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2010 : 3:20:38 PM
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| I have a Fishman Thinline in my D-18. Good sound, helps the trebel an no need change batt'ries. I also use a Fishman pre-amp if I go into a board. More stuffs to carry, but that's what pockets are for. |
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Fingerpickin
Lokahi
117 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 3:41:22 PM
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Thanks everyone,
Great tips and feedback. (actually now no more feedback with the LR Baggs  !)
I'll be sure to A/B the two preamps and change my strings one at a time...
Aloha,
-Lance |
"Hey Lance, try watch." -Ozzie |
Edited by - Fingerpickin on 07/01/2010 6:07:11 PM |
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Unbelieveable
