L.R. Baggs Micro EQ/Preamp System

Pickup features: Undersaddle ribbon transducer with preamp unit
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor Big Baby
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None, included on guitar when purchased
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, pop, blues, folk
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: I don't have anything acoustic to compare it to, but it comes in a little lower than the Dragon II pickups on my PRS Std 22
Tone: Clear, nice balance
Sonic evaluation: I don't have an acoustic amp, but I don't really play at the volumes where feedback from my Marshall G50RCD becomes an issue. I play it either straight through the Marshall, or directly into my sound card - SB Live Platinum. The sound I get is really impressive considering the price of the Micro EQ unit, in both cases. I mainly use it for recording and the bass/treble controls on the preamp allow me to go from a mellow rounded sound to a clear, biting attack which is quite handy especially if you're recording something with multiple acoustic guitar parts. Apparently there's a kind of mid-sweep effect, built into the preamp, which is adjusted automatically when you fiddle with the bass and treble knobs. I don't use (or rather haven't yet used) any effects with it, haven't found the need.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Mostly folk-type fingerpicking stuff, have used it to record one or two blues rhythm parts.

Comments: I've been playing for about 20 years, on and off, recently got back into playing the guitar seriously, but only really for my own enjoyment. I have a PRS Std 22, Cort GB44 bass, Peavey Microbass, Marshall G50RCD, some pedals, cables, mikes, etc. The Micro EQ came fitted with the Big Baby when I bought it, and I got both at an old stock price. For that reason, I didn't really have the opportunity to compare it to anything, but I'm really pleased with it. The ribbon, the actual transducer, broke, but the shop replaced it and it's great to have it back, I really missed it. The Big Baby has a beautiful sound of its own, and this unit does a fantastic job of staying true to the sound. With the bass and treble controls all the way down, i.e. having no effect on the sound put out, it's very, very close. And then you fiddle a bit and you get pretty much any sound you want out of it. I'd definitely consider the Micro EQ again. Talk about bang for the buck, this comes in at near-nuclear blast levels. There are probably better ones out there, and if I was in a higher price range, maybe I'd go there. For now, this is perfect.

Pickup features: Preamp & undersaddle transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Takamine 332
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Martin Thinline 332 which I originally installed myself. L.R. Baggs does not warranty "home or hobbyist installations" - a risk I was willing to take since I do know how to handle a soldering iron.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: I needed a preamp that I could install in my guitar. I had the Martin pickup already so had the holes and endpin jack already installed. I was looking for an inexpensive pickup that had long battery life (1500 hours with the Baggs). Ease of installation was also important.

Perceived output level: Not as strong an output level as my electric (even at max). I plug the acoustic into my multi-effects pedal and then to a 4-track so I could see the output was not as strong as my normal settiings when either a Strat or humbucking guitart pickup was used. With volume adjustment on the multieffects settings the level is easily adjusted.
Tone: Wow! Once I had it installed properly and the EQ on my effects pedal set to zero with a clean setting I was amazed at the tone produced by this pickup. With the bass and treble of the preamp at about zero the sound is incredibly balanced. Once I had it setup properly I couldn't put my guitar down - it had never sounded so clear before. I used to use the Marting Pickup straight to the Crate preamp for feedback control and EQ but now my guitar needs neither and the tone is simply amazing.
Sonic evaluation: Again, my setup is to swap my electric with the acoustic and still use my multi-effects pedal for chorus, reverb or delays. I usually go straight to a mixer and then to a PA. I do use a Crate acoustic amp but mostly now just for a monitor with the line out going straight to the PA.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, and classic rock fingerpicking.

Comments: This pickup ends my quest for a good acoustic tone from what essentially is an extremely reasonably priced acoustic. At the time of installation I also added a battery holder from Stew-Mac because installing a batery to the preamp in the guitar is really difficult - I thought for sure I was going to break something. I also installed a Graph Tech Tusq saddle to replace the original plastic saddle - I like these and have used them before.
The installation was incredibly easy. 3 mounting holes and 3 holes for the volume, bass and treble controls. Less wood was drilled for the preamp than for the battery holder! I looked at the Fishman Prefix but Guitar Center wanted more for the preamp than I paid for the guitar.
If you do install yourself be careful when using the attached copper shielding tape to cover the soldered pickup lead. In my installation the pickup lead poked through the shield tape and essentially shorted out the pickup until I corrected this.

Pickup features: Active with preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha LS500
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: unsure
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, and light stumming
Reason for pickup change: needed on-board tone and volume control.

Perceived output level: The output is pretty hot
Tone: Very well balanced, good string balance
Sonic evaluation: I use this with a small bodied rosewood Yamaha. The guitar does not come with any amplification, so the unit had to be installed by a local luthier.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Fingerstyle, light strumming- worship music. The match for this guitar is quite good. I think the balance is excellent and it does not seem to have a harsh sound that typifies many under saddle pickups. Also, the on-board preamp section gives you volume, base and treble, which is of course pretty basic, but at least you don't need to run to the board and constantly make colume adjustments every time you need to change the output dynamics.

Comments: Overall, I think the price, after install is fair, but not a tremendous value. The quality of the Baggs stuff seems very good, and one nice feature is that the preamp (mounted near the upper bout) is copper or at leat copper colored brass? (not plastic, which to me looks chincy on a nice ax). I agree with another reviewer of this unit that the major drawback is replacing the battery! You have to reach inside, and CAREFULLY do this; however, due to the modest tone controls and efficiency of the design, the battery life is quite good, compared to other manufacturer's similar models. There is no way around this though die to the preamp design- it is not a flip-out compartment, like those made by fishman.

Pickup features: ribbon transducer(built in to Seagull & Godin guitars)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass:
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: n/a
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: too many to name
You musical style(s): acoustic rock/blues/alternative
Reason for pickup change: n/a

Perceived output level: good output level for an acoustic (no pre-amp needed)
Tone: very natural, balanced tone...best acoustic/electric sound I've found
Sonic evaluation: I am a professional guitarist w/20+ years experience...
I've played many different acoustic/electric guitars, with a wide
variety of pickup systems, and in my opinion, the L.R.Baggs system
(factory-installed in my Seagull S-6EQ) is the best value for the
money on the market!!! Great natural tone, easy controls...if I
had any complaint, it would be with the placement of the 9-volt
battery, which is a bitch to replace.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I use this pickup to play just about anything.

Comments: Rating: 95 out of 100 points
Would I buy it again? Yes, absolutely!
What do I hate about it? the placement of the battery (inside the
guitar...real pain to change it)
I think the combination of this pickup system with Seagull instruments
is possibly the best value in the guitar world...blows away anything
else except a high-end instrument like a Martin or a Taylor, which
cost two-to-three times more $$$.

Pickup features: Piezo
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Seagull S6+ 12-string
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: Most artists using Seagull guitars
You musical style(s): Various
Reason for pickup change: N/A

Perceived output level: This pickup provides a rich full-body acoustic sound. Unlike many piezo pickups, this one sounds very natural.
Tone: Very balanced acoustic sound. The controls on the preamp include volume, high, low and mid with a sweepable mid-frequency control
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is good for any acoustic playing.

Comments: I really like this pickup with this guitar. It was a $270 option on this guitar, but it was worth every penny.