#1
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Putting an Anthem in my guitar -- talk me out of it!
Well, "talk me out of it" might be overstating the case. But after carefully reviewing everything I've read here and elsewhere, and checking out web audio samples, I'm about 90% convinced that a Baggs Anthem is the right choice for my new Eastman E10OM. But I know the Anthem is not a popular choice on this forum at the moment. So I wanted to lay out my reasons and see what people think.
1. I will be using this guitar for a wide range of gigs, from solo open mics to full-tilt rock bands. So sonic versatility and feedback resistance are key. 2. I will often be using the guitar for gigs where I will be switching back and forth between multiple instruments. This makes passive systems seem like a bit of a liability--I may sometimes need to use a longish cable, and belt clip preamps are definitely right out, as Brother Maynard would say. 3. Eastman actually offers the Anthem as a factory option for this guitar, and when I contacted the company to inquire if they've heard from users who experienced tonal degradation after installing the Anthem, their response described this risk as "negligible". 4. As for the usual alternatives--I've listened to many clips of the K&K Pure Mini, and the sound I'm hearing is way too honky and midrangey for me. I don't quite understand why people call this sound "natural". I've never heard a guitar sound like that, except maybe a dobro. 5. The Schatten HFN samples online sound much better to me --quite good, in fact -- but it seems like the only version that would work for me, for a couple of reasons, is the active. That might be an alternative, but is it as feedback-proof as the Anthem? Grateful as always for any thoughts. |
#2
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I won't try to talk you out of it, it's a decent pickup and should serve you well according to your stated needs.
I do suggest NOT getting the SL version, as it has issues playing well with a ToneDexter, should you decide to go that route in the future.
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James May Audio Sprockets maker of ToneDexter James May Engineering maker of the Ultra Tonic Pickup |
#3
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I'm in the same boat - strongly considering this for all the same reasons you are, and with the same concerns...don't like the K&K sound (at all!), not interested in buying a mic and tonedexter, etc.
I can't imagine the Schatten is more feedback-resistant than any other soundboard transducer - that is, not resistant at all. I'd love to hear people's experiences to confirm or refute this. The Anthem systems should be solid - dial back the mic as much as you need to. Have you considered the new Fishman blend system? Matrix infinity blend. It's similar in concept to the full Anthem.
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enough instruments to be mediocre at all of them |
#4
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Let us know how it works w/ a full tilt rock band. A soundhole pickup would be my first choice for that application.
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#5
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I had an Anthem in my J200
(note the word "had")... here's what I can offer.. pros: The overall sound is good, the mic/ust blend gives you a really good natural sound. I was impressed with that. cons: Eats 9 volts. About half the life span of other Acoustic pickups. Very Low output. Compared to my acoustics with Fishman Infinity pickup systems, the output is close to half of those Unwanted noise. The control module is pretty big. 2.5 x 3 inches roughly, if my memory serves me right. The problem with the one I had in my J200 was on certain notes, it would vibrate, loudly.. Found out that the volume and blend wheels were the culprit, and because there's a mic in there, take a guess where that rattling sound goes? you got it, right to what ever you're plugged into. -- Trust me, this was NOT good. And just playing unplugged, it was still audible. Along with what ever your playing, you hear this sympathetic rattled/vibration along with your notes. (NICE!) The longer I tried to live with it, the louder it got (that could have been me) but this was VERY distracting. I replaced it with another Fishman Infinity (Matrix, not the Blend, They'd not come out with those yet). I am used to those, know what they do, and the best part is, a very small foot print inside your instrument, and - NO rattling. LR Baggs did replace the module for me, but 'd already moved on. I sold it on E-bay and I was shocked with how fast it went. So did I just get a bogus module the first time? Ah -- but wait,, there's more to the story.. This J200 in question was the SECOND one.. I had already needed it to be replaced within DAYS of receiving the first one I had ordered. The first J200 / Anthem, the pickup had a defective ground. Any movement with your clothing against the body, (like your arm on the side or your body on the back) would create static pops,, so as you were playing along with your body movement on the guitar,, you'd get these static pops to go along with what ever your playing.. (this was not pleasant) I have a you tube vid I posted to the merchant (sweetwater) to show them what was going on. It was pretty wild, they never saw anything like it, and the people I worked with at SW I've been working with for well over 10 years.. They sent me another one the same day overnight. as much as I appreciated the natural sound the pickup produced, you can imagine my disappointment with them when the second one started to make these ridiculous rattling sounds. At that point, me and the LR Baggs Anthem parted ways. The fishman does not sound quite as good straight in, but compensation with an Eq solved that, but the better part of that trade off is,, no more rattles coming out of my sound hole. These were my experiences with The Anthem, I was 2 for 2, on the loss column. I've been playing over 50 years, and have had MANY guitars with many different setups/electronics, acoustic/electric mandolins/ukes.... in other words,, not my first rodeo.. There is something just not quite right with this system imho.. Last edited by rmp; 03-26-2019 at 01:13 PM. |
#6
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From the demos I did on my YouTube channel the Anthem is by far the best and easiest third party pickup there is. With the mic gain set correctly it works great into ANY system, there is no comparison.
The downside is the obvious weight that it adds to the guitar (not a real problem) and the system seems to headed the unplugged for me. This was the real deal breaker and the reason I love and hate it. But YMMV!
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Please SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel |
#7
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However, if a ToneDexter is not in your future, I have had the best amplified acoustic sound from my Larrivee L03 with the Anthem SL installed. This is compared to other instruments with K & K mini and several models of Taylor's Expression system. I tend to be a 'set it and forget it' player, so if you want more flexibility on the fly, perhaps the full on Anthem is best for you. I hope this helps (though not to your stated goal of talking you out of it!)
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#8
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I "installed" a Seymour Duncan Magmic in my E1OM and it rejects feedback pretty well. I have to work hard to get it to feedback. I love the tone. I put soundclups up on a thread a few weeks ago. I almost got the Anthem for it, but wanted something a little easier to install. What I like about the Magmic is I can get percussive tones from blending in the mic, and the mag pickup provides great low end thump.
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As my username suggests, huge fan of Yamaha products. Own many acoustic-electric models from 2009-present and a couple electric. Lots of PA too. |
#9
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If you wanted to try out the Anthem for cheaper I have both the full anthem and the SL and I'm selling both. If you're interested PM me but I really can't lie about it or sugar coat it I'm not a fan of the Anthem. It had a negative impact on the unplugged tone of the 2 guitars I had them in. I was also never satisfied with how it sounded plugged in either. I spent more time fiddling with the settings and EQ etc and just gave up on it. All my acoustics will eventually have Schatten HFNs.
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#10
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I have an Anthem installed in my Emerald X20. I am very happy with the install and amplified sound. If there is a difference in the acoustic sound I can’t hear it.
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Taylor V-Class 814ce, 717e BE WHB, 520ce, 454ce, 420 Cedar\Maple, T5z Classic Martin D18E Retro Cordoba C10 Crossover Emerald X20 Rainsong H-OM1000N2 Voyage-Air VAD-04 Custom Les Paul Hot Rod Deville 410, Fishman Loudbox Performer |
#11
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I've been running the Anthem SL in both my Mark Angus 6 and 12 string guitars... the pickup sounds very good when amplified, and these are my "stage" guitars.
i did notice a fairly demonstrative loss of volume, as well as a shift in the tonal response, with the 6 string Angus... but I have had that guitar since Mark built it for me in 1979, so I REALLY know the sounds it makes. The volume loss "came back", mostly, after about 6-9 months. Can't comment on the tone returning to normal, as I had some neck work done to the guitar (new frets, new fingerboard, REALLY high saddle now, by comparison). I have said before that, if you play out a lot, the Anthem is a good choice, unless you want to spend several times the cost. The full Anthem system has a lot of ways to adjust the balance and sound of the two components... and it can be tricky; tricky enough that, in my case, I opted for the simplicity of the SL, as I had no need for "full feedback resistance"... this guitar does not get played with a full Rock band! I would strongly suggest that you spend a bit of time on the phone with one of the Baggs techs, and have him go through the system with you, so you understand it fully. The SL system is fairly straightforward, just an indented set-screw to adjust between the UST and the Tru Mic portions, yet I have been consistently amazed at how many players get it installed and then can't quite seem to get a good sound of it! For my part, I actually adjust the balance with MORE of the UST than the True-Mic (contrary to what I originally thought I would want). Very solid, workable pickups for the money... they've been good for me for 8 years or so, now, with only a gaffe or two - which Baggs immediately took care of for me, without cost.
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"Home is where I hang my hat, but home is so much more than that. Home is where the ones and the things I hold dear are near... And I always find my way back home." "Home" (working title) J.S, Sherman |
#12
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Quote:
Besides the Anthem these are the pickups I've fought with... Element-always had balance problems with high E string (these came factory installed in two of my Gibsons) Lyric-weird compression artifact and serious eq needed I-beam- needed excessive EQ ON THE BRIGHT SIDE... I do have a LR Baggs radius pickup in both of my mandolins though, and they've worked out fine Last edited by rockabilly69; 03-26-2019 at 03:44 PM. |
#13
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I've tried it - I don't like it. You live and learn and move on.....
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Martin Custom Shop Deep Body OM42 (Guatemalan Rosewood / Adirondack) Ernie Ball Aluminium Bronze 12-54's Dazzo 70's & SunnAudio Stage DI |
#14
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Quote:
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#15
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What didn't you like about it?
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