LR Baggs iBeam Active System with Volume Control for Steel String Guitar

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Price: $139.00 $133.51   

Product Feature

• Includes iBeam Placement Jig
• Natural String-to-String Balance and Dynamics
• Fits Most X-Braced Guitars
• All-Discrete Class A Preamp
• Quick and Easy Installation

Product Description

The iBeam's MIPA award winning design employs a matched pair of virtually weightless film sensors that flex with the soundboard to trace your guitar's voice much like diaphragms in a stereo mic. A key advantage over typical bridge plate sensors is the iBeam's "cardioid" like response pattern that inhibits feedback and string squeak while selectively admitting rich tone producting vibrations. Weighing less than 1/3 of an ounce, the pickup will not alter the guitar's natural acoustics and easily mounts to the bridge plate with peel and stick adhesive.

LR Baggs iBeam Active System with Volume Control for Steel String Guitar Review

Looking to amplify your natural guitar sound? Acoustic guitarists have several options, each with its inherent lauds and limitations. Like many guitarists, I have explored multiple options, from dynamic and condenser mics to sound-hole and under-saddle transducers. However the latest and best that technology has to offer is the under-soundboard transducer, with the L.R. Baggs I-Beam and K&K Pure Western being two of the most popular options. For my money, the I-Beam Active is the way to go. Let me explain why.

1. Sound-This is of course the first consideration. The I-Beam Active has the perfect EQ curve right out of the box.Slightly scooped in the mids, the I-Beam active eliminates that boxy sound without being boomy, while still maintaining high-end sparkle. Whereas my K&K-equipped Martin distorts out on the bass and has to be EQ'd in the mids,the I-Beam faithfully reproduces the sweetness, and even the "growl," of my Larrivee. It just sounds good.

2. Practicality-This dovetails with the section on EQ. Just plug in and go. Yes, the I-Beam does require an on-board 9 volt battery, but remember, it's all right there in your guitar and ready to play. In comparison, the K&K is only OK without an outboard preamp; used passively, it's loud but a little harsh, weak on the bass and heavy on the mids for that "boxy" sound. To maximize the K&K you need a preamp/eq in your sound chain, which I find inconvenient in the extreme. This brings us to the issue of cost: the K&K is initially slightly cheaper, but bear in mind that you will have to pay for a separate preamp and professional installation. I have installed the I-Beam twice but I wouldn't dare touch the K&K. Finally the I-Beam allows you to easily tweak your sound during installation with its custom jig. This is not the case for the K&K because it has three separate tabs, super-glued to the sound board with no jig. Once it's installed it's set--you can't move it to other guitars, like I have with my I-Beam Active. I followed the recommended settings and achieved perfect results the first time, but people who like to adjust to taste will like this flexibility.

3. Service - A little goodwill goes a long way, and when I contacted this company for support, they quickly sent me a reinstallation kit for free. I hope they continue this policy because it really plays to the above strengths of the pickup - specifically the ease of installation and the endless possibilities for sound tweaking and repurposing. This has earned my brand loyalty.

With many manufacturers (Larrivee, Taylor, etc.) offering acoustic guitars pre-drilled for pickups, you have no excuse not to get with the modern age! I saw a legendary luthier at an on-line symposium say that amplification has essentially saved the acoustic guitar from the dustbin of history. If that's the case, then I would call the I-Beam Active the "Mr.Clean" of pickups--clean sound, clean set-up, and the clean choice for under-soundboard transducers. I give it my best recommendation.

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