L.R. Baggs iBeam

Pickup features: active endpin preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Barden duo sonic
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Fishman
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): country music, fingerpicker
Reason for pickup change: was looking for a more natural tone

Perceived output level: it has an ample output signal, no problem there.
Tone: the tone though is devoid of real clarity, it sounds acoustic but is not articulate
Sonic evaluation: I use a pair of daedalus speaker cabinets with a crown amplifier and spirit board

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: already said

Comments: I am a luthier and have installed about 300 pickups in my day. This is not the best pickup i have installed but i have owned lot's of baggs stuff in my day. Although i believe it is a step in the right direction it just doesn't do what they say it will. It just seems as it's reaching for the goal but doesn't quite make it. I have tried it in several different places, let people listen and they all say the same thing, Non descript. It will be taken out and i will install another manufacturers sound board transducer, i'll let you know how that turns out.

Pickup features: Bridge-plate transducer, with active-electronics end-pin preamp, 9V battery powered
Impedence or other specs: Don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Malcolm Tan OM-MC2 and Taylor 310CE
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: LR Baggs Double Barrel
Other pickups on guitar: Nil
Artists using this pickup: (Refer to LR Baggs web site)
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle and Flatpicking
Reason for pickup change: I wanted something closer to the sound of a miked guitar and a pickup that was not prone to string balance problems as a result of saddle geometry. I have experienced string balance problems especially on under-saddle-type transducers when I go into alternative tunings.

Perceived output level: The output is slightly hotter than the Fishman systems I've tried but a little less than the Double Barrel.
Tone: The tone is fantastically balanced, clear and detailed. My guitars sound exactly like themselves except that it is much louder. The iBeam Active preserves the personality of my instruments.
Sonic evaluation: My iBeam Active goes straight into a Trace-Elliot TA100R amp with an Alesis Nanoverb in the effects loop. Nothing fancy. EQ is set almost flat with a slight cut in the 1K frequency range. I've tried it through my home hi-fi set and DI into my four-track recorder and its the best sound I've had. Comparable to a miked guitar using the AKG C1000S condenser microphone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Fingerstyle and flat picking, instrumental solos only and the iBeam seems to suit whatever I play.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I'll probably get another one. I've been playing for over 18 years. I've read other reviews about the iBeam on this site. To those who say that the iBeam sounds like a hunk of junk or sounds muddy etc. I'll say that it was probably installed incorrectly. My response is the same to those who experience the need for excessive EQing. My experience for both guitars is that a flat EQ is close to perfection.
Admittedly, the positioning of the iBeam requires some trial and error. I found that the best position on both guitars is like in Figure 3 of the instruction manual: close to but not touching the ball ends of the strings, saddle side. I've even experimented putting the iBeam way behind the bridge, centre of the lower bout. It does not sound unplesant but lacks the detail and "immediacy" of the string sound as clearly stated in the installation guide. I did not need the installation jig supplied in the kit: I just eyeballed the alignment through the bridge pin holes.
The beauty about the iBeam is that string balance problems due to saddle geometry and varying string tension is now a thing of the past. I seldom play in standard tuning and used to have a few headaches with the under-saddle-transducers when I went from standard to altered. This is the closest thing one can get to a miked guitar and the demo in the Baggs website (iBeam vs. Neummans) is no farce. So far this system has preserved the personality and tonal detail of both my acoustics with no compromise.
My advice to first time users is that some trial and error is inevitable: on my first guitar, it took me three attempts to get the ideal spot. If excessive EQing is needed, the placement is probably not ideal; follow the installation guide closely: like what they said, closer to the saddle more aggressive sounding, further away you get a more homogeneous and warmer sound. The results are well worth the effort though because I've never heard anything more detailed and crisp, at least not from USTs.
For the moment, I think I've found that ideal sound and will not look further until something better is offered on the market. Give it a go if you haven't and if you have but are disappointed, keep experimenting with placement. If yours is a passive iBeam use an outboard pre-amp such as the ParaAcoustic DI, Gigpro, Mixpro or what ever as recommended by Baggs.
Good luck!

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass:
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:
This is an active acoustic guitar pickup system that is user installable (as long as the user has stable hands). It includes an
endpin jack, the 9v battery plug & holder, & the transducer. The package includes a mounting jig to help the user get it in
the best place possible.

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation: This is probably the best sounding pickup for an acoustic guitar that I have ever played through. I installed it in a 1970s
Takamine dreadnought & it sounds killer. My other acoustic (2001 Dean Exotica FM) doesn't even come close. It's got a
great mix of the characteristics of a mic & a piezo.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: This is an awesome add on for just about any guitar. It sounds killer, just about anyone could install it, & the price is
pretty reasonable.

Pickup features: passive contact pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson, J-200
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Schertler
Other pickups on guitar: Schertler
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Bensusan, hedges style
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to get rid of the undersaddle mess.

Perceived output level: It doesn't have much gain on it's own but with my Raven labs preamp it was fine
Tone: a little thin sounding, non descript actually. Without much identity
Sonic evaluation: I use a custom made franco acoustic amplifier, he's a friend who builds hi fi stuff. I am also using some EAW speakers and Hafler amps. Great gear. The pickup is not a great pickup and in some instances doesn't really sound as good as the schertler which doesn't sound great either.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: If it were lost or stolen i wouldn't replace it with another. I have listened to all the different popular companies pickups, nobody seems to have anything interesting at all. I will keep searching for something much better. I think the pickup is over represented as far as sonic quality goes. It makes an attempt to gather a pure tone but falls completely short of its goal.

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Bourgeois OM Cutaway, Mahogony
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Mostly fingure style, Keaggy, Bensusan kind of stuff
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to amplify my beautiful new guitar

Perceived output level: Definitely needs an external pre-amp
Tone: A bit too much low-end; not much overtones; muddy when compared to a good mic
Sonic evaluation: I play through a variety of P/A systems. I started playing through a Fishman Pro EQ preamp, then switched to a Baggs Gig pro. I recommend the Gig pro highly over the Fishman for this pickup. I mostly agree with other people's comments that this is a much better choice than under-the-saddle piezo-type pickup, but it really does not do a perfect job reproducing the acoustic tone of the guitar. The Bourgeois is a wonderful instrument, perfect tone/feel; and the iBeam is not a bad choice for an inexpensive pickup, especially when playing with a group. But for solo applications, re-enforcing the guitar sound with a good condenser mic will go a long way to improve the tone. If you really want to get a good idea of the sonic qualities of this pickup, go to lrbaggs.com and download the A/B Keaggy mp3's. There is no question: a high-end mic will reproduce your guitar's sound far better than the iBeam, as these sound files show. But use this excellent demo that LR Baggs has made available and your own ears to decide whether the iBeam's sound will suite your application.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: If it were destroyed/stolen, I would probably look around for an upgrade to the iBeam (maybe spending twice what I did on it). But if I had to spend the same amount on a pickup again, I think I would probably go with this one. It is not perfect, but it is also much better than what has come before (piezo's)

Pickup features: active preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Collings OM2H
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): All
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Plenty of gain with the pickup
Tone: It is a pickup that needs lot's of e.q. very muddy and lacking in guitars sound replication
Sonic evaluation: I am using a p.a. system with sub woofer. They thing does not make the grade. I used several different e.q's and came away scratching my head. The boasts they make and some of the artists playing these things are not completely true. I want a pickup that is more user friendly and not so much in need of aid from external sources. If the thing needs that much e.q. it should lead baggs to a conclusion that the thing isn't very accurate. In the recording world they say if you need to move e.q. plus or minus 3 then the mics in the wrong place and you need to reposition. Neutral is what you are hoping for. This thing is too muddy

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play all styles from bluegrass to classical to country, rock, fingerstyle.

Comments: I would not buy this again. In all my years of playing, i have owned nearly every pickup out there and people flock and talk as it is. I have heard great boasts from people about this pickup and they are untrue, Heard the clips on baggs website with keaggy. Even ran through all that high end gear it doesn't really sound that great. I should have heard these clips before i bought one used, better yet, i should have asked why the guy didn't use the pickup in the first place. Its not good

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Lowden O12c/12string, Lowden O32/12string
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Matrix Natural 1
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Celtic, Contemporary Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: Was not happy with the quacky sound of the fishman.

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: Using in conjunction with the Para-Acoustic DI direct into the house system.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Celtic, Contemporary Fingerstyle/Good match

Comments: This pick-up took a fair amount of tweaking to get a good sound and to find the so-called "sweet spot". And it is not in the exact same location in both guitars in spite of being the same body style.
With a guitar like the Lowden with it's split saddle and pinless bridge, you are pretty much on your own as far as installation goes. The mounting jig is usless. But the advantage is that the pick-up is adjustable, unlike the UST which is a take it or leave it proposition as far as the sound you get.

Pickup features: Active endpin preamp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: James Goodall Grand concer
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: this pickup came with the guitar
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Phil Keaggy
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: I love goodalls guitars but to choose such a sucky pickup, wow.
Tone: All bass, none of the rest of the spectrum
Sonic evaluation: i recorded it direct to digital and ran it through my software, pro tools all that was showing up was bass, no real mids or highs. I heard the Keaggy clips and he's great. But the pickup sounds like shit, their Neuman demo is a farce as it seems no one is hearing that the pickup has missed about 40% of the frequency spectrum

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i play fingerstyle and this pickup is not really suitable for anything. I hate it

Comments: i am taking this one out of my goodall and saying goodall get a friggin clue these are Crap, stop putting them in fine guitars, it is the gold ring in a pigs nose scenario

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: taylor acoustic 410E
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: trying to replace taylor fishman piezo
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: andrew Kerr
You musical style(s): singer/songwriter folk-rock
Reason for pickup change: trying to improve on the unrealistic sound of fishman

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: didn't think much of this pickup. installed in what should be the "sweet spot". It sounds like a good soundboard mounted pickup. A bit warmer than a peizo under saddle pickup but muddy and poor balance...didn't do much for me. I thought I could get that live mike blended sound wtihout the mic, but was wrong...

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 355 12 string/ Takamine solid koa/spruce 6 string
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): strum rock/ flat picking/singer songwriter
Reason for pickup change: ?

Perceived output level: very usable output level
Tone: balanced but has a mid to low range honk,,,no quack though!
Sonic evaluation: Genz Benz Shanendoa 85 watt.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: didn't I answer this?

Comments: Would not buy one again unless they address the honk. I thought it could be the 12 string so I installed it in my Takamine dread and I got the same mid and low range hong. I tried all sorts of eq toys but finally gave up. I did try the pick up in many different positions too!