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#1
08-14-2014, 01:57 PM
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Any comments on the LR Baggs Element pickup system?
Only my Hummingbird has this and I haven't tried it live yet. Can anyone comment on the quality of the sound of that pickup, good, bad or indifferent? A lot of you seem to be relatively unhappy with most guitar pickup systems or so it seems, I was just wondering how this one stacks up to the rest. Here's what it looks like - it's the under saddle system:
LR Baggs Active Element
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Disclaimer: All my statements are my opinion. I know nothing about everything. 
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#2
08-14-2014, 02:25 PM
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I've used many different pickups over the years and the Element is, well... let's just say not my favorite...or even close. My J-35 came with the Element system and I'm looking forward to getting it out and replaced with a K&K. I play in a Celtic band, do many gigs from small to very large venues with either our band's 1200W system or large FOH systems, and the Element is a pain to EQ. It's a very thin-sounding pickup that accents the high end, requiring some serious EQ to balance. To me and the band members, it just sounds tinny. To get it to sound usable, I have to run it through a preamp and literally turn the high EQ off on both the preamp and channel EQ, and cut the mids. This helps the balance but still doesn't sound good, with a noticeable piezo sound. I also don't like a volume wheel mounted at the sound hole. So, I don't use the J-35 for live performances until I can get the pickup changed out. On the flip-side, the K&Ks in my other guitars require very little EQ and the guitars sound incredibly natural and balanced. Prior to buying a J-35, I contacted Gibson to see if I could get one without the Element but was told I couldn't. But that's okay. It's a great guitar that will soon have a K&K.
Hey....you asked!  DC
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2005 Martin OM-16 1972 Guild F-30R 2014 Taylor GS Mini Mahogany 2010 Trinity College TM375 Irish Bouzouki ___________________________________ 2010 Martin D-41 (recently sold) 2013 Gibson J-35 (recently sold) 2011 Wechter TO8418 (recently sold) 2011 Guild F-130R (recently traded for GS Mini hog)
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#3
08-14-2014, 03:19 PM
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I'll agree - the Element is a very "eh" pickup IMO. It's not terrible by any means - and in the hands of a competent sound man can sound very decent. But it won't ever be great sounding.
I used the one that came in my J35 for awhile before replacing it with a Lyric - I like the Lyric way better. -Mike
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For sale: Mint Condition Guild D125-12 All Mahogany 12 string 2009 Martin 000-18 Golden Era 1937
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#4
08-15-2014, 05:46 AM
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Quote:
For a dissenting opinion, I like the Element a lot. I just bought a second one to try in my Taylor. Two of the best sounding amplified acoustic sounds I've ever heard where factory installed Elements, one in a Larrivee and one in a Gibson (though not a Hummingbird). Try it out and if possible, let someone else play your guitar so you can listen through the PA. Make up your own mind. Good luck.
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Taylor GA3 Taylor 150e Taylor 224ce-K
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#5
08-15-2014, 05:52 AM
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Both my Gibsons came with the Element system installed. I gigged with both guitars for a while with the Element, but eventually replaced the Baggs pickups with K&K Pure Minis. The Element was fine, and I know some people prefer them, but to my ears, the K&Ks just sound better.
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Martin D-18 Gibson J-15 Walnut Burst https://facebook.com/philipmarinomusic http://sptfy.com/94Ue
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#6
08-15-2014, 06:00 AM
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I have it in my J-45 Standard. It works well enough but I prefer soundboard pickups. All of my guitars but the J-45 have either the active LR Baggs Lyric (soundboard mic) or McIntyre Feather (GF-30) passive soundboard transducers. Either of these two systems sound more "natural" to me? It's all about the plugged in sound you're looking for. I want my guitars to be a louder version of what I hear unplugged with as little coloration as possible. Both of the soundboard pickups I use give me that...to the extent that they can.
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Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated!
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#7
08-15-2014, 07:50 AM
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I really like the sound of the element in my J45. I know people diss it but I get postive comments from players quite a bit about my plugged in sound
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#9
08-15-2014, 08:49 AM
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I have just installed the Baggs Lyric and like it !!
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Alvarez AP-70 Squire Contemporary Jaguar Kustom Amp (acoustic) Gamma G-25 Amp (electric)
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#10
08-15-2014, 09:28 AM
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I found the Element that came in my J-35 to exhibit the worst characteristics of UST pickups: it was quacky and plastic-sounding. I pulled it out and replaced it with a K&K mini, and the improvement was immediate and profound.
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#11
08-15-2014, 10:30 AM
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I like the one in my J45 fine. I gig with it all the time and it is reliable and I have not experienced any quack. I think it sounds pretty decent. Not too many feedback issues. If I have a gripe, it's the larger size of the endpin jack.
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#12
08-15-2014, 10:51 AM
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I have the Element installed in my Yamaha LL500 and it sounds great. I also have a Baggs Imix in my Larrivee JCL Reissue which also sounds fine. I use both of these guitars in a worship band running through my Baggs Para DI to the house PA. I think the Para DI helps tame the quack others are talking about.
The K&K may be better for a solo gig, but doesn't handle a large stage band venue as well.
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1972 Yamaha FG200 My 1st guitar 2003 Yamaha LL500 2007 Larrivee JCL 40th Anniversary Edition 1998 Larrivee OM05-MT All Mahogany 1998 Larrivee D09 Brazilian “Flying Eagle” 1998 Larrivee D10 Brazilian "Flying Eagle" 1990 Goodall Rosewood Standard https://soundcloud.com/247hoopsfan
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#13
08-15-2014, 11:37 AM
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Quote:
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#14
08-15-2014, 11:56 AM
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Quote:
Gibson uses these stock in all their dreads (J-15, J-35, J-45, J-29, Hummingbird, etc...). These are a good under saddle transducer, but I'm one of those who think all USTs sound alike. The positives: Decent tone for a full band mix with focus on the mids and highs, easy on the sound man as USTs are pretty much immune to feedback (or at least much better at dealing with it than putting a instrument mic in front of the guitar or using some in-guitar mic. If you're looking for an upgrade consider the LR Baggs Anthem. The LR Baggs Anthem is a combination of a UST Element (what you have now) combined with a bridge-plate mounted microphone. There's a crossover circuit with blend controls made available to the player though a control panel that's mounted in the sound hole. Blending the UST and the Athem's mic will give you a really great tone and since your guitar has an LR Baggs Element that was factory installed, this should be a very gentle operation on your guitar. You can listen to samples here. http://www.lrbaggs.com/pickups/anthe...and-microphone Also Josh Ritter is using an LR Baggs Anthem in his Gibson J-45 TV in his tiny desk concert.
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Wayne J-45 song of the day archive https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis..._Zmxz51NAwG1UJ My music https://soundcloud.com/waynedeats76 https://www.facebook.com/waynedeatsmusic My guitars Gibson, Martin, Blueridge, Alvarez, Takamine
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#15
08-15-2014, 04:23 PM
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It isn't really a fair comparison to put any UST up against a sound-board Transducer (SBT) like the K&K. It's apples to oranges. So my opinion is if you already have it installed, try it out, get your EQ and stuff in order and see what you think. If you don't like it, just don't replace it with another UST. Go another direction.
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