#1
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LR BAGGS ELEMENT. Opinions?
Hi All. I was thinking about trying a LR Baggs Active Element UST pickup/preamp in one of my overly-bassy dreads. There are 2 models (one with a single volume control and the other VTC which adds a tone control). Any thoughts? Likes, Dislikes, comparisons vs. other UST's etc...... I've seen some decent reviews mentioning it sounding fairly natural for a UST. Who has tried it or uses it?
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#2
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Aloha 66strummer!
Aloha Strummer!
I used the Element almost nightly for a couple of years. For an undersaddlle pickup, it's among the best. I think the Highlander, and especially the DTAR Wavelength sound better (I just checked them out again this week). Of course, it can't hold a candle in terms of more natural acoustic sound to a K&K or PUTW #54 pickup and mic combo, But I can't say I didn't like many things about it. I'd check out the Wavelength. I tested one last week for many hours and think it's the best of the undersaddle pickups. Of course, you know that a single pickup alone, even in a boomy dreadnaught, is not going to satisfy you. You need a dual source for the sound and control options you need, right. You could try the Element with a Sunrise dynamic. or an internal mic, a K&K SBT or even a Scherlter DYN-G which is very mic like. Good Luck, alohachris |
#3
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Correct me if I'm wrong. The basic version of the wavelength doesnt have a volume control (thumbwheel)? You have to buy that separately?
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#4
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That is correct. But it does have tone controls. I had a guitar that had too much bass and I backed off the bass on the preamp that comes with the wavelength. It worked perfectly.
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“Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all.” ― G.K. Chesterton |
#5
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Bummer that there aren't MP3 samples of this D-tar pickup recorded on that acoustic pickup comparison page.
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#6
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Quote:
http://www.maurysmusic.com/d_tar_wav..._pickup_review |
#7
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th element is the only undersaddle i use in my acoustics. I have tried bband, fishman, and highlander, and the element was the most natural sounding of them all.
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#8
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Quote:
I actually have used the B-band A1.2 UST and thought it was pretty natural sounding. If the Baggs is comparable that's good news. Thanks........ Do you use the tone control version? |
#9
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A Baggs Imix came with my CA X and this is both the Element and the Ibeam with a preamp and volume and mix comtrols. It really is a very good sound. I however find myself using the Element 100% most of the time which speaks to how good it is. I am getting back a Gibson J-100 today that I am having installed the new Fishman Infinity USP that has volume and tone controls. It will be interesting to compare the the difference. But two very different guitars.
Steve |
#10
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It would be interesting to compare the Infinity and Element in similar guitars. Hope you like the Infinity in your J-100. Let me know how it is...... That's a nice guitar.
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#11
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Can't speak on how it compares to the Wavelength since I have never heard one. In my Rainsong I switched out the Fishman Blender that came with it for the ELement onboard and was very pleased. The ELement by itself sounded better and more dynamic than the Fishman / mic combo. I have heard many reviews of people who had the Element and liked it but like the D-tar even more so like a previous poster said, I would seriously consider the wavelength. MOst likely, if I ever decide to put a pickup in my GUild JF55 Rosewood jumbo it would be a Wavelength. Although the volume control that comes with the Element is handy. I think the Wavelength has an optional volume/tone control available.
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Mike Takamine EAN15C w/ Palathetic pickup system and CT4B onboard preamp Takamine GN93CE w/ TK-40 preamp RainSong DR1000 w/ Element Onboard pickup system Rainsong JM3000 12 string jumbo w/ Element Onboard pickup system Yamaha FG345 w/ Fishman Matrix II www.donohoeandgrimes.com |
#12
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Quote:
Hi Steve, I'd be interested in what you think of the Infinity vs the Imix. I'd also be interested in hearing that amplified CA X in a live setting. You playing any local venues? I'm in Dover, not far away from Wooster. Gary |
#13
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I've used both in the same guitar. They are both very good for undersaddle pickups, but I think the the D-Tar has a more natural sound. The shop that installed it for me also agreed, and preferred the D-Tar Wavelength, and even has begun looking into becoming a dealer of the D-Tar products based on that pickup I had them put in.
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#14
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Last year, I replaced the Baggs i-Mix with a D-TAR WaveLength. I wanted to go single source as I was using almost all Element all the time. I use a Yamaha AG Stomp to add a little mic modeling which evens things out nicely (it also has a semi-parametric 4-band EQ, chorus, delay, three reverbs, auto feedback reduction x5, and a limiter which is quite useful for strumming - all settings can be stored in presets). I think it's an underestimated and overlooked preamp option.
I had the volume and blend wheels with the i-Mix, but the WaveLength Load 'n Lock has volume and tone wheels. I LOVE having the tone wheel because it allows me to cut crispiness or add shimmer when necessary. I think both the Element and the WaveLength sound great. You can't go wrong either way IMHO.
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Larrivee LV-09BW Gibson J-15 Martin Custom D Rosewood Eastman E10SS Washburn Solo DeLuxe RSG100 Enya X4 Pro Carbon Fiber Guild Aristocrat M-75 Reverend Jetstream FM-HB Ibanez AS103 Ibanez AFJ95 Songbird Warbler Hammered Dulcimer |
#15
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A BIG Thanks to ALL for the very helpful input............
Ryan |