#1
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Finding the right pickup for my OM-35 MFG - LR Baggs iBeam content
My brain works in bullet points, so here we go
Brief history:
My findings so far:
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#2
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Let me save you a lot of hassle get a Schatten HFN passive pickup. Probably the easiest pickup out there to install/remove, it's a SBT, and it sounds amazing. Oh I forgot to mention it's way cheaper than all those other pickups that you mentioned. If you want more info there's a couple of recent threads going on the Schatten HFN with audio samples and vids you should check them out. I did a video upon request from another member comparing the Schatten to the Baggs Anthem SL. There were several people in those threads who hopped on board when they heard it. If you want anymore info let me know.
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#3
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Quote:
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#4
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I haven't either up until a month ago. Than I bought one, than I was amazed how this one eluded me all these years after going through pickups like they're going out of style!
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#5
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The price isn’t bad. Still a bit more than K&K. I’d probably go with the HFN VT if I do get one.
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#6
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Just to provide closure. I bought a used full Anthem system and installed it in. I was pleasantly surprised that sanding down a TUSQ saddle was easier than I thought.
Used it for live yesterday and I'm quite happy with it. It turns out that I still have a soft spot for that quacky UST sound, so having the option to go all piezo is good. |
#7
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#8
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Upon installing the piezo I found a plugged up piezo hole where a piezo pickup must've been inserted through previously (unless Martin preps the bridges with these holes?). And the material that plugs the hole was spilling out and went between the saddle and bridge slot base. So relatively speaking, the guitar now sounds acoustically better If I get bored with the Anthem, the Schatten will be the next one to try. |
#9
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Yeah, I had a passive iBeam in my Guild and it sounded nice for recording but didn’t have much power live. With a little EQ through a Para DI or Tonebone PZ, it sounded nice but just didn’t really have any “balls.” I replaced it with a M1A, which isn’t as natural sounding but far more effective for a variety of settings. I’m sure power isn’t as much of an issue with the active iBeam but, despite its sound quality, it’s never succeeded to become a “tried and true” pickup amongst players.
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Alvarez MC90 Guild GAD-50 w/Seymour Duncan Mag Mic Taylor 352ce Taylor 514ce Zoom AC3 https://linktr.ee/erikjmusic |
#10
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The iBeam in my old D28 is too feedback prone for bare-fingered picking in a noisy setting, but its very nice for strumming. I expect to be blending it with a mag at some point. (UST systems haven't worked well in that guitar because there isn't enough saddle extending above the bridge to apply proper pressure on the transducer.) |
#11
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Trance Audio Amulet M. I've gotten consistently good results with every installation I've done with this system. It's an active system but the only alteration necessary is reaming the endpin hole for the jack, which you've already done.
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#12
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When I had my M1A installed, the tech asked if I wanted to wire the iBeam to its ring connector. I said "sure" as I'd rather not throw it out and that would probably sound nice as they would augment each other nicely. That said, I received the guitar back without the iBeam wired to the ring nor the new strings I included on the guitar.
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Alvarez MC90 Guild GAD-50 w/Seymour Duncan Mag Mic Taylor 352ce Taylor 514ce Zoom AC3 https://linktr.ee/erikjmusic |