#61
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I've just plugged my LR Baggs HiFi/Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special rig into my VOX AGA150 acoustic amp and the combo sounds really decent. The distortion from my aggressive flat pick strumming that I'm hearing through headphones on the bass strings isn't as grating on my ears when played through the amp at 5 feet away. I'm on the fence with the LR Baggs Hifi as to whether to send it back for a refund or exchange it for another one just in case mine isn't quite right.
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-20-2023 at 02:23 PM. |
#62
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As mentioned, I've gotten my Hifi installation sounding decent in my Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass but keep thinking that I should've waited a while to get a HiFi so as to have Baggs sell off their first-made batch and possibly make some improvements to the next run of HiFi's. I think LR Baggs makes their own pickups in Nipomo, California, so it's not like they've contracted with a Chinese maker to run off tens of thousands of these things and are stuck with a mountain of them. LR Baggs could likely be quite nimble in making any changes to the design and its manufactured result if they think the company could improve the amplified tone. At present, I could probably live with my HiFi/Larrivee rig as although I can still hear some distortion when listening to it directly through my FELiX 2 with earphones, the rig sounds good through my VOX AGA150. I'm thinking some of the distortion is coming from the strings not seating quite properly in the nut and from the saddle that's a tad narrow for the saddle slot and its bottom is tilted a bit away from the saddle-slot bottom. I have 1/8-inch Bob Colosi and TUSQ saddles that I got years ago that'll fit a Larrivee or Taylor so I just have to fit one of these saddles to my Larrivee.
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-21-2023 at 09:06 AM. |
#63
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Today, I made this quick second demo which is DIRECT-TO-COMPUTER, ALL EQ FLAT (except the system's Tone Wheel for its positional effect on tone), NO EFFECTS, NO MICROPHONES ANYWHERE IN OR NEAR THE SIGNAL CHAIN:
This second demo was made after checking my initial installation of the LR Baggs HiFi. The first half of the demo is moderately-aggressive flat pick strumming with a Guitar Moose .65 mm Classic Pick which has a lighter and more flexible touch than the Charmed Life .75 mm Vespel used in the first demo. The first section with the flat pick is with the HIfi Tone Wheel at its Detent position and the second section with the flat pick and the Tone Wheel at its full Treble position. Similarly, the second half of the demo is fingerpicking, the first section is with the Tone Wheel at its Detent position and the second part is with it at its full Treble position. My updated thoughts on the LR Baggs HiFi will soon follow. Thanks For Looking In & Your Thoughts Are Welcome!
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-21-2023 at 12:58 PM. |
#64
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Whether recorded or through an amp, I prefer the Detent Tone Wheel position of the LR Baggs HiFi. Be aware that going from Detent to full-Treble on the Tone Wheel adds a few decibels to the signal strength. This can be good when going from a flat-picking to a fingerpicking song as the extra treble tone and volume can be a boon in a live-playing situation when switching to fingerpicking without reaching for your sound system's controls. Just leave the HiFi's Volume on Full and let the Tone Wheel dial you in as you go back and forth between flat-picking and fingerpicking.
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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 |
#65
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Another fingerpicked LR Baggs/Larrivee D40R Blue Grass JCL Special demo. This time the track is the vocal backing for a verse of "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" with the LR Baggs HiFi Tone Wheel at Detent. DIRECT-TO-COMPUTER, FLAT EQ, NO EFFECTS, NO MICS:
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-21-2023 at 03:09 PM. |
#66
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For anyone who may care as it may relate to your upcoming LR Baggs HiFi installation, I made a neck-relief adjustment to the Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass and that cleaned up some of the distortion I've heard in the LR Baggs HiFi's output signal, and as a consequence, a saddle height adjustment will be next. The rig is sounding better through headphones which means it's also sounding better through my amp. I firmly believe that being the first stage in a signal chain, the combination of the pickup/preamp and the guitar's setup better sound good up front through headphones with which you can hear in detail what's going on prior to being played through a PA or acoustic amp. Otherwise, if not adjusted for, a player could be losing better tone, clarity, and dynamic range when playing soft or aggressively. I may do more demos but that's up to any demand. If I can offer any experience-related information to help with your upcoming LR Baggs HiFi installation, please let me know.
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-27-2023 at 02:37 PM. |
#67
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Thanks Ken, I plan to order one when they come in stock. Assuming anyone gets any stock. [emoji23]
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
#68
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That's a very pleasing direct tone, IMO.
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14-day Return Period -No restocking fee Maury's Music PODCASTS View actual pics of ALL in-stock guitars Martin Guitar Certified Online Dealer Martin Blueridge Martins & More Podcast |
#69
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This sounds really good Ken. Nice playing and thank you so much for doing these demos!
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#70
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Quote:
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-28-2023 at 12:23 PM. |
#71
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LATEST DEMO
Today's LR Baggs/Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass JCL Special recording is as usual rendered DIRECT-TO-COMPUTER, FLAT EQ, NO EFFECTS, NO MICS. Folks, this was my tenth take on something I've done many times but if you hear any slight muffling of tones, it's my old-guy hands. This demo was played with a Charmed Life .75 mm Vespel flat pick and demonstrates the LR Baggs HiFi's ability to render quick and heavy back-and-forth notes and chords. The recording is done with the LR Baggs HiFi's Tone Wheel on FULL TREBLE. Given what I'm now hearing from my directly recorded and amped listenings, I'm happy with my LR Baggs HiFi installation and will be keeping the system. I know I can improve upon it with guitar-related attention to the bridge saddle. The below recording is John Hiatt's "Crossing Muddy Waters." Thanks For Looking In & Your Comments Are Welcomed!
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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 Last edited by SpruceTop; 05-28-2023 at 02:19 PM. |
#72
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[QUOTE=SpruceTop;7258270]Today's LR Baggs/Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass JCL Special recording is as usual rendered DIRECT-TO-COMPUTER, FLAT EQ, NO EFFECTS, NO MICS. Folks, this was my tenth take on something I've done many times but if you hear any slight muffling of tones, it's my old-guy hands. This demo was played with a Charmed Life .75 mm Vespel flat pick and demonstrates the LR Baggs HiFi's ability to render quick and heavy back-and-forth notes and chords. The recording is done with the LR Baggs HiFi's Tone Wheel on FULL TREBLE. Given what I'm now hearing from my directly recorded and amped listenings, I'm happy with my LR Baggs HiFi installation and will be keeping the system. I know I can improve upon it with guitar-related attention to the bridge saddle. The below recording is John Hiatt's "Crossing Muddy Waters." Thanks For Looking In & Your Comments Are Welcomed!]
Sounds good spruce. Bet it would sound good through the felix into an amp or board. Billy |
#73
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https://youtu.be/hoH4iDVX9FM
I stumbled across this demo as well. Honestly, the early demos I heard were not great but they seem to be getting better. I am more curious about trying this now. I just don’t have a guitar that needs a pickup. |
#74
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Quote:
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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 |
#75
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I agree with the others that this is a very pleasing directly recorded fingerpicking tone. I can imagine using this rig if I was trying to get some isolation of a fingerstyle guitar accompaniment when I’m directly recording guitar and vocal simultaneously. (I’d use my very tight patterned Audix OM7 dynamic mic to isolate the vocal from the guitar sound.) Last edited by guitaniac; 05-29-2023 at 06:44 AM. |