L.R. Baggs iBeam

Pickup features: Bridge plate transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha Thin body acoustic
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: factory undersadle and pizeo mic mix system
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Folk, country, blues and rock
Reason for pickup change: Original pickups didn't make it.

Perceived output level:
Tone: Balanced. Sounds real, like the guitar when it's unplugged
Sonic evaluation: Directly through the PA

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

Comments: Been plucking for over 25 years. Never liked the sound of acoustic pickups including the new Tayor Expression system. The Fishman pro was the best I had heard until I tried a Seagull Artist with the LR Baggs iBeam Mix system. Definately the best I had heard. So I put an iBeam in my Yamaha and it sounds a lot better than most very expencive guitars. Highly recomended.

Pickup features: passive internal surface mount for acoustic, no drilling, no internal amp/battery
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 710
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: tons
You musical style(s): easy listening to contemporary to rock. occasional bluegrass when forced
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Clean, natural, well-balanced
Tone: near perfect reproduction of natural Taylor tones
Sonic evaluation: Used with a Baggs Para DI (another $200) to preamp the passive IBeam model. Gives a noise free and very flexible rig for any acoustic. Baggs makes an ACTIVE preamped IBeam, haven't checked it out, though would like to compare against the Para DIs preamp.
As the I-Beam is very evenly balanced, the Para DI provides a 3 (really 4) band parametric EQ with TWO adjustable notch controls. Check it out on the web.
Great for live work, haven't had the opportunity to record with it as yet. Only better combo I could imagine is added internal mic and blender. Still would keep the I-Beam in the mix. Mounting in a full acoustic heel was the challenge (no AE predrilled input jack). I crafted a custom solid brass Switchcraft 1/8" input jack for the Taylor heel that requires 45% less drilling versus the typical 1/4" installed jack. I just can't stand to have a drill bit spit out curly pieces of solid rosewood. Have a luthier do the drilling and install. No internal electronics and battery for the passive IBeam means less weight, stress on internal body components nor interference with the acoustic resonance of fine woods and NO battery changing hassle. As mentioned no drilling, etc for IBeam transducer mounting! The transducer has adhesive and you just prep the underside of the top directly below the saddle, then stick the transducer strip on! Couldn't be easier. Still...have a luthier do the jack mounting, etc. Heshe should mount the transducer for no additional charge.

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

Comments: Definitely would buy and install again. Been playing hit and miss since 1974 and acoustic heavily since mid 90s.
Typical live rig Taylor 710 w/Baggs IBeam->Baggs Para DI (EQ adjusted according to type of music)->George Dennis Stereo Chorus/Flanger/Volume pedal (noiseless) ->EH Black Finger (twin RCA black plate 12AU7s to keep the noise down)again set according to music type-> DI to the board w/EQ set even or into Peavey KB300. Taylors as a rule are very well balanced with more low and low-mids than many acoustics including Martins,Breedlove, Larivee, etc. and some Gibsons.
Love everything about the IBeam, hate nothing (so far). Like to see Baggs and other mic manufacturers create 1/8" small overall diameter input jack kits.
I've compared it to several other types (ribbon, mic and soundhole coil) and brands, Fishman, Dean Markley, Martin ribbon, Alvarez (not in the same league), DID NOT try Schertler, BBand, Seymour Duncan or and other types by Fishman, Baggs, Martin and DMarkley though would like to compare against the Baggs IBeam.
Only improvement might be to add an internal mic through either another Para DI, a Baggs Mixpro or Fishman, other high quality external BLENDER unit in order just to keep the session cargo down. Of course up goes the $$.
~peace~

Pickup features: Acoustic Guitar Bridge Plate Transducer
Impedence or other specs: Ultra-High Impedance

Model of guitar or bass: Sigma DM-18
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Schaller Chrome/Custom Built Preamp
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues/Varoed
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to see if the I-Beam was better than the Schaller system.

Perceived output level: Medium-low output-Needs a High Gain Preamp
Tone: Clear but unbalanced (see details below)
Sonic evaluation: I have 18 years experience repairing guitars and amps. When the local dealer began to carry Baggs I wondered whether this pickup would exceed the tone of my Schaller Chrome transducers with a custom-built outboard preamp I use. The Schallers have been excellent performers, but I wondered if the I-Beam would trump them. I purchased the I-Beam and pulled out the Schallers. The actual install of the pickup is relatively easy, but getting the pickup into a position where the sound is balanced is not. No matter where I placed the pickup (in my guitar there is not a great deal of area to experiment!) I could not get the pickup to produce as balanced a tone as the Schallers. Admittedly, it could have been a problem with placement, but I thought this review might give a heads-up to others contemplating purchase of this unit. I promptly ripped out the unit and replaced it with me Schaller Chromes. For a list price of $45.00 the Schaller Chromes are an outstanding performer with high output (amazingly so for a piezo-based transducer), no hum, and balanced sound. Ah, a fool and his money! For the sound the I-Beam gave, it's probably a pretty fair pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: More important to match to the guitar!

Comments: Actually, I may try to lose it (Ha Ha!)

Pickup features: Active soundboard transducer with soundhole vol. Control.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin D 28
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: No idea. Paid endorsements courtesy of LR Baggs can be found on their website I'm sure.
You musical style(s): With this guitar, folk, blues, rootsy country, bluegrass, country swing in a 6 piece band (The Wanted).
Reason for pickup change: Tired of hassles with mikes and a noisy Dean Markley soundhole pickup. I finally joined a band after playing mostly solo/acoustic duo for 25 years and needed something more permanent and practical.

Perceived output level: Fine, with the built-in preamp. Some soundmen have commented its pretty hot.
Tone: I've listened to it with headphones to isolate sound of the pu and compared it against live sound. Sounds natural - like the guitar - except the built in preamp has set some sort of ideal eq curve which is non adjustable (seems a bit bassy). Its fine and sounds natural when the feed back is notched out. The high end is a little weaker and not quite so natural, its a little more like an undersaddle transducer, crispy or quacky - which is fine for playing live.
Sonic evaluation:
I've had it about 6 months, and after some initial fiddling, I'm now very happy with it, it sounds more natural for flat-picking than saddle transducers I?ve heard or magnetic soundhole (M1 or Fishman Rare Earth). Used it through a PA with Baggs Para-DI (not impressed for the money). Now I have Presonus Acousti-Q which I like better(I will review this later). Have played it at home through a Roland JC 60 for practice and experimentation, and it sounds great through the Presonus with eq set properly. Played it live through a mixer into a Bose PAS which is awesome, even without the eq box. My guitar has a resonant bottom end, and was always prone to feedback even with a mike, unless the bass was eq'd way down. I now use the notch filter at about low F# and then a mid cut around the D string, and that takes care of the feed back, but leaves a nice rich natural tone and a crisp high end. I have used a feed back buster in the sound hole a couple of times and I can really crank it with the band (we are not talking Green Day here kids, calm down!). I play in an acoustic band with electric bass, fiddle/mandolin, dobro, accordion, and 2 female vocals, and can cut through in a club (100+ bodies) without feedback using the Bose PAS and a feedback buster. I play both rhythm and lead work. It is a little weaker on the high end than I would like. I can use the boost switch on the presonus to get a real lift when necessary.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Folk and Blues solo, and with the acoustic band, it has a great natural sound. Open tunings sound great, nice rich bottom end, but not overpowering. If I was playing a lot of lead above the 5th fret I probably would not be as happy. I wouldn't bother trying this if you want to play acoustic with a heavily amplified group, the feedback will probably drive you nuts.

Comments: Played 25 years, folk clubs and open mikes etc. in high school and uni., less so now with family and work, etc. but I'm getting back into it. I read these reviews before buying, so knew it was a gamble as they seem to be 50/50 for and against this pickup. Now that I've had it 6 months I'm very happy with it. I like my sound, like the price (watch the installation cost though!), the fact that you don?t have to alter the guitar, and the sound-hole volume control.
Now for the downside Words of Warning: #1 Installation and the natural tone of your guitar makes a HUGE difference to this thing. I took it home prepared to install it myself. The flimsy jig makes it impossible to do an accurate installation, unless you are professional. I took it back to a great repair guy I know and he played with it for hours before finding the best placement (Close as it can get to the high side and under the saddle, almost touching the end-pins).
#2 IF YOUR GUITAR (LIKE MINE) HAS THE X-BRACE SEATED WAY BACK FROM THE SOUND HOLE AND CLOSE TO THE BRIDGE PLATE, YOU WILL HAVE VERY LITTLE ROOM TO MOVE THE IBEAM AROUND ONCE YOU GET IT IN THERE. (UNLIKE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO SUGGEST!). I had maybe 1-2mm of play either way. The manufacturer's diagrams all make it look like you have tons of room to move it around, to adjust for tonal differences in your guitar, but not me. The less room you have to move it around, I think, the less likely you are to get the sound you want. NOBODY TELLS YOU THIS. Lucky for me, I had a good repairman who took the time to get it right and it paid off.
Word of warning #3 - some places charge you a fortune to install this thing so ask first, when you are comparing prices. The place I bought it wanted $80 to install! My repair guy who is a well-known repairman in the Toronto area did it for $30.
I like this pick-up a lot for the kind of music I'm playing and the price range. I like it a lot better than the more expensive magnetic pick-ups out there(the Rare Earth humbucker- blender did not impress me at all for the money - C$350, and then you still have to eq it anyways). I don?t like magnetic pickups for oldtimey country and bluegrass, they make everything sound like a jazz guitar, which is fine for lead work or blues, if that's what you want. On the other hand, if you want something that doesn?t require a lot of monkeying around with installation and buying a preamp with eq (I needed one anyways, or so I tell myself), this pick-up probably isn?t for you.
I don't really believe in numbers... these things are way too subjective, and every guitar is different, and the pick-up placement is key. If I had to do it again, I would probably get the same thing.

Pickup features: Active, bridgeplate transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Norman B-20
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Worship, picking strumming
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Very good: never had any problem getting enough signal : into amp, P.A. ...
Tone: Bassy (in my guitar) with little high-end treble
Sonic evaluation: I play this now into a Laney LA65C but have used it in many other situations. I find that, despite it being bassy and a little muddy, it has a quality of sound which I greatly prefer to that of a undersaddle piezo pickup, even if I have to eq it significantly and watch carefully for feedback. In fact, in one situation a sound guy almost swore at me because he couldn't get it to sound right (he was sending ith through their Berhinger active direct box). When I unplugged from the box and let the signal go without any help, he couldn't believe the difference and then struggled to get the other guitars to sound decent compared to mine. You really need to take some time to place the pickup well : there is (aparently) a big difference in the optimal location depending on the guitar and some experimentation is necessary. Now that I have a real acoustic guitar amp to play through, I will probably try to move it to find a better location (better control of the bass and low mids). As I said, there is a quality to the sound which I find much more natural than any piezo I've ever heard. Wonderful.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Folky worshipy soft-rocky fingerpickingy lightstrummy stuff.

Comments: I've been playing for 16 years, have tried several Yamahas, Takamines, other Normans. I have had a Dean Markley ZH-1 for this guitar (TERRIBLE) and have had this pickup for about 2 years. I find it can't be compared to anything else. Do you want a natural sounding guitar without that piezo "twang"? This might be good for you.
I'd like to find a way to increase the high treble output (if they're not there, you can't add them with an amp) because the tone can sound a little flat. I would probably buy it again, but I would look at some of the newer stuff out there, including the M1 before. Who knows? I'd give it a ten for the natural sound but I have to take a bit off for the lack of balance and treble response.
I would probably buy the new model with a volume control in the soundhole though.

Pickup features: active transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin D12-20
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: high
Tone: natural
Sonic evaluation: This pickup sounds great. I get compliments on the sound of this instrument all the time, particularly from sound men in clubs. Of course, you must paly through a good amp or PA. Nothing will sound like an acoustic guitar through an electric guitar amp.

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

Comments: This pickup is terrific. One thing, mine was installed several years ago before they developed the iBeam onboard pre-amp, so we used the L.R. Baggs "acoustic timbre" onboard pre-amp. I believe that this product is actually better, as it has a dedicated middle control, and the Baggs iBeam pre-amp does not.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin D-15
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: see Baggs website
You musical style(s): mostly contemporary Christian music, strumming, fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Plenty of power to plug right into the mixer
Tone: boomy on the bottom, extra crispy on top
Sonic evaluation: First of all let me say this about evaluating your acoustic guitar tone. You cannot accurately judge the tone of your guitar through any sound system while you are playing it. Some of the natural acoustic tone reaches you ears and you feel vibrations from the body. You need to make a nearly perfect recording to play back or else let someone else play and put them far away enough from the listening area so you hear only amplified sound.
I use this pickup recording direct to computer and playing live on a very well set up church sound system (yes they do exist!)
I have found that for recording I need to take a big notch out around the top's resonance freq (4th string D, or 147 Hz) boost the upper mids 2k-4k and a narrow notch out around 14k. I assume some of my eq'ing is necessary to undo some overcompensation baggs does for the sake of guitars less blessed with such abundant low end and clear high end.
For the live setup I found my eq settings needed to be pretty much the same as for recording. (I use cakewalk software to eq on computer, Behringer 5 band parametric for live)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: all styles work fine, but best tone seems to come from fingerpicking or flatpicking

Comments: The pickup by itself doesn't sound as natural or great as all the company hype would suggest, but with some careful eq'ing and proper use of effects you can get a good acoustic sound.
If the pickup were lost or stolen I would be happy because it would give me a good excuse to try to find another pickup that will sound great out of the box.
I will probably continue using the ibeam but blend it with the new M1 which seems to have the potential (once you set the pole pieces right) to have great balanced tone right out of the box. Or if I get really brave, I'll superglue a K&K pickup under the bridge and blend that with the M1.
I give it a 8 overall only because with some qualtiy eq work I was able to get a pretty good (but not great) sound. Based on plain naked pickup tone alone I would give it a 6.
One last thought, I've had this pickup for over a year and have changed the battery only once.

Pickup features: passive.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larivee L-01
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Lots of different ones.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Celtic
Reason for pickup change: Like everyone else, I've been searching for that "True Acoustic Sound".

Perceived output level: Not real hot, just right!!!
Tone: Very balanced tone.
Sonic evaluation: Terrific sound and very easy to EQ if needed.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good match for my style of celtic playing.

Comments: I'm an acoustic guitar tech at a small music store in northern California and have installed hundreds of pick-ups (piezo's, sound hole magnetic's and mics of various kinds) in my guitar and customers guitars over the years and have never been completely satisfied with any of them. The best thing I had come up with for myself was a Shure Beta-57 mic. It gave me the sound I was after but as anyone who uses a mic knows, your constricted to that mic. Movement one way or the other changes the sound.
We got a brochure about the L.R. Baggs pick-ups and as I read the description of the I-Beam and thought that maybe this is what I looking for. They described it as having the same responce as a condenser microphone. Wow! That's what I've after all along. I got one from Baggs (they are really great at customer service by the way) and I'm really glad I did. They say it is best used with a pre-amp, (it still sounds good without one, just not as hot) so I used it at my next gig with my DOD 7 band EQ pedal and I couldn't belive the sound. It was perfect. I even got a lot of comments after the gig on how good the guitar sounded.
I am totally sold on this pick-up and would recommend it to anyone.
The installation is very easy. It only takes about 10 minutes at the most. (Providing you already have a endpin jack hole in the end of your guitar. That takes about 20 minutes in itself) and they are not cost prohibitive. Considering the cost of some of the blending systems that are out there, this one beats 'em all.
Thanks to L.R. Baggs for a terrific pick-up!

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Cort Earth 1200
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): James Taylor, Christian
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Hot
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: I bought it as I read that the sound is more natural than UST pickups. Like some of the other reviews mentioned, the feedback problem is serious. Overall, the tone is accetable but not particular fantastic either.

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

Comments: Even if it were not stolen, I'm already thinking of changing it. However, this is my backup guitar so I don't really want to waste any more money on it.

Pickup features: active under bridge plate transducer with microphonic attributes
Impedence or other specs: high - very high

Model of guitar or bass: 1984 Martin D35
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: who cares .. every guitar is different - what a dumb question
You musical style(s): CSN-JT-Van Morrison- Eagles-Clapton-Santana
Reason for pickup change: Wanted something that would capture the natural tone and the hype said this would do it. What they didn't tell you is this is so microphonic it will pickup a dog farting in the back alley. Feedback problems are now being examined for correction.

Perceived output level: Hotter than fire when going thru the Para Acoustic D.I. into a PA !
Tone: Bassy at this point but re-positioning a half-million times might do the trick
Sonic evaluation: At first this pickup sounds great in your home. Live on stage you begin to encounter feedback problems - of course I play in noisey bars & brothels, not in quiet library type settings. The I-Beam is very sensitive and produces low end feedback which I am told can be possibly remedied by repositioning the I-beam away from the bass portion under the bridge plate and closer to the X brace treble side. We'll see. If it works, I'll be impressed. My overall impression of this pickup is if you are playing in typical noisey bars, this ain't the pickup you want.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: acoustic light & classic rock - the stuff we all grew up with that sounded great

Comments: If this were stolen I'd buy something else but then no one in their right mind would steal it. I've been playing 20 years off & on. I own a Para Acoustic DI, Peavey XR600F head with 2 Impulse 10/12's; a 1984 Martin D35 & brand new Taylor Maple 12 string Special 600 with the new expression system that is orgasmic. Baggs sent me the M1 soundhole pickup as an alternative to the I-Beam if it doesn't work out - that speaks highly of Baggs trying to help out. I'll let you know in two weeks if this works or not. Since every guitar is different, what sounds good in one may sound like kaa-kaa in another.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs: Discreet volume knob

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee D-03K
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Phil Keaggy, me, a bunch of other people should be
You musical style(s): Praise music, Christian rock, acoustic rock
Reason for pickup change: No change, installation on new guitar.

Perceived output level: Normal for an active pickup
Tone: very balanced, does not alter the pure sound of the guitar
Sonic evaluation: I first tried the iBeam thought the Baggs Para-acoustic DI box and it sounded great. I was unsure the pickup alone would have enough volume to cut through in a band situation. After testing it without the help of the DI preamp, I found it definitely has the presence and volume to cut through electic and percussion instruments. The sound is the most natural pickup I have ever heard. It amplifies the true sound of the guitar perfectly.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I mostly play rhythm, and the pickup is a great match for this.

Comments: I shopped around for pickups in a variety of ways. I found sites on the internet with sound clips of popular pickups, I asked dealers their opinions, I read the reviews here, and I asked friends of mine who play their opinion. I chose the iBeam after all this research and have not been disappointed. As a kicker the dealer who sold me the guitar prefers to install the iBeam over other under the saddle pickups due to its clean installation. All of the components (pickup, volume knob, battery enclosure) use double-sided tape to adhere to the interior of the guitar.
I highly recommend this pickup for anyone with a high quality guitar looking for a fairly east to install, unobtrusive, natural sounding active pickup. Please be aware that the pickup is quite sensitive and transmits the guitar's true sound and it may not work as well in a lower quality instrument.
I believe, for now, I have found the sound I am looking for.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 815ce
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: fishman piezo
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: check lr baggs site
You musical style(s): folk, rock, fingerstyle...
Reason for pickup change: The fishman piezo I was using was never a long term solution even though I used it regularly for 7 years. I was waiting for just the right ecenomical solution to present itself.

Perceived output level: Hot... almost equal to the active fishman piezo I had been using. Not quite as in your face.
Tone: Quite balanced to my ear, a little nasaly before I pull out some of the offending frequencies. Sounds very good after a very little tweaking.
Sonic evaluation: The iBeam really shines strait into a sound system. I have never been happy chaining all sorts of effects to my guitar to try and make this guitar sound ok through a sound system. I believe that I am finally satisfied with the sound I get strait through a PA. I have played my Taylor 815ce through a Fender Acoustasonic Junior with the ibeam and felt it was passable. I didn't think the sound was great through the Fender amp but it really has been quite good strait into the system.
I wouldn't say the sound is perfect but it is very close, very close to expressing what my guitar sounds like. In this I am very pleased. I have read some reviews that weren't complimentary of the ibeam but I'm almost certain it had to do with placement of the pickup which is very important. I stuck this thing once and was very pleased. As I said, it is not perfect but it is very close. It was such a vast improvement over the piezo I had in there that I was instantly satisfied. I have been satisfied with the sound I get for the past few months.
I have played live regularly for over ten years and I feel the ibeam produces a satisfying tone for those looking for true acoustic sound without the confines of a microphone.
I have heard this played against the fishman blender system (which costs a bit more), piezo pickups and a mic'd guitar. The ibeam does the trick for me.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is the ticket for the kind of playing I do. It doesn't have the punch to cut through a band like a piezo pickup does but it also doesn't sound like junk like a piezo does either.

Comments: I would definitely replace this. I have been playing for 15 years, ten of those in performance situations. I own some recording gear and released an album a few years ago. Sold a grand total of 500 some odd albums. My album went aluminum.:) I give this pickup 4 and 1/2 stars out of 5. I feel that any acoustic guitar player would be happy to own it considering the other not so great options out there.

Pickup features: Active Bridge Plate Transducer System
Impedence or other specs: Do Not Know

Model of guitar or bass: Martin OM28V
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: For There Sake I Hope No One
You musical style(s): Finger Styie , Classical, Contemporary, Blues
Reason for pickup change: Play Live

Perceived output level: Output Level was below Normal to very pour
Tone: Bassy, Muddy, and just plain "Bad"
Sonic evaluation: California Blond Great Amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I tried 4 installations on my guitar. I even had a guitar tech install it Theres Just no hope Its a very bad sounding Pickup

Comments: I would never buy this pickup again
Ive been playing 35 years
I cant believe a company could make such a bad sounding pickup. I mean as bad as it could get!
I compared this pickup to EMG , Hylander, Fishman& more at least 6 different companies
DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PICKUP YOU WILL BE VERY SORRY!
I would give this pickup to my worst enemy because he would laugh so hard we would become freinds again!

Pickup features: passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin D28
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: No Clue
You musical style(s): Folk, Bluegrass, Slide
Reason for pickup change: This is my first acoustic pick-up.

Perceived output level: Transparent, true-to-life. Sounds like the instrument. (see sonic evaluation)
Tone: Balanced, does not color the acoustic properties of the instrument.
Sonic evaluation: Martin D28, ibeam into Para DI into Fender Acoustic Jr. DSP. The
combination of the ibeam/Para DI is the workhorse - unlimited
adjustment for any type of environment.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Have only had it a few months - but it appears balanced and stable anywhere on the neck.

Comments: Installation was a snap - just "follow the directions".......!
It's everything I need - could be my first and last acoustic pickup.

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson L00
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: me, and all the other guys on this page!
You musical style(s): Blues/country
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Not quite loud enough
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Because it's the passive pick-up I run it through a Baggs GigPro pre-amp before it hits the desk/amp/whatever. Otherwise there's literally no output!
I think it gives a very accurate sound of my guitar and for that reason I'm currently keeping it, however, the low output level and a tendency to pick up RF interference and hum is a concern.
I'm loath to move the pickup postion as it gives a good sound and there's not much room in there anyway, and I don't want any battery inside the guitar. I wish these things just worked!

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

Comments:

Pickup features: Contact Pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Guild D55
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: HIGHLANDER IP-1
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Christian Praise and Worship
Reason for pickup change: I left the I-beam for the Highlander because the I-Beam was VERY disappointing.

Perceived output level: Medium Hot
Tone: Muddy, airy, un-crisp....
Sonic evaluation: Very disappointing pickup. A waste of money. Don't believe the hype that Baggs is putting into Acoustic Guitar Magazine! My Guild D55 is a loud, powerful guitar, but this Baggs I-beam did a deep disservice to it by misrepresenting the sound of the actual guitar. What a letdown!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Flatpicking, hard strumming, rock and folk styles.

Comments: DON'T GET THIS PICKUP! Baggs may be a good name in the industry, but this one doesn't do it. In fact, I'm now afraid of the B-Band AST and the K&K Trinity...any kind of contact pickup as a primary pickup source will be a regret...at best, it should be blended or used as a secondary source. I used to own the Fishman onboard blender system on some of my other guitars and I also owned a Fishman Rare Earth Blend sounhole pickup. The undersaddle sound, at least to me, gives the cleanest, crispest sound reproduction around - and the microphones or, in this case, soundboard contact pickups have never matched what I've been looking for. Thus far, the HIGHLANDER IP-1 has been the best investment for my money. I love it for the Guild and I had one placed inside of a Larrivee D10. I haven't been disappointed with Fishman's undersaddle Matrix pickups - but they've given me some feedback issues in the past. But any of these would do as a better choice than the I-Beam. I'm not lying. I'm trying to save you some grief! I'm not against the company at all, it's just that this product doesn't deliver on all of its promises. For my next purchase, I'm looking into the new B-Band A2.2 with a combo of the UST and AST pickups...this looks to be promising in that it also offers a soundhole volume and blend control as well as a mono output so that I can plug it right into my amp and play. No outboard hassles. It will cost a whalop to install, but it looks promising. Even then with the AST contact pickup, I suspect only blending it to 20-25% of the overall sound - reserving the rest for the UST. Well, enough rambling, I'm just wanting this to be of service to prospective I-Beam buyers - STAY AWAY!

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee L-03
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Leo Kottke, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, etc.
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: "Good and solid"...certainly not weak, but not "Searing-my-board-and-ears".
Tone: Gorgeous. Like my guitar. I know it hasn't worked for some, but it did for me.
Sonic evaluation: I record on my Roland VS-2480 and I use that as a live board to record me and couple other guys that play out here and there. I used the active Mackie SRM450 monitors...but I just got them recently, so playing out is a relatively recent thing for me (at least as far as owning my own gear is concerned).
I'm not a tech, but I know a little more than the basics. I put this in myself over Christmas just following the directions included with the thing. It was dummy-proof and it worked great for me. The thing sounds like my guitar...it really, really does. I feel so bad for those folks who haven't been able to enjoy an iBeam in their guitar because I simply cannot believe that this quality and accuracy are coming out of a single, 1/4" jack. It's got all kinds of great "air" without being thin, it's got plenty of authentic palm-mute "thunk" without being overly-boomy, and it gave me the near-perfect middle ground (nothing's truly "perfect") between definition and warmth. I can drum my fingertips over every part of the guitar and the pickup "hears" it. This pickup takes what's going on in MY guitar and lets my translate that as best as I have ever heard through single source. It's not a Neumann; don't get me wrong. However, I'm one very happy customer.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play fingerstyle stuff...nothing "genius", but I like Kottke, Chris Proctor, etc. as well as some more standard stuff...Dave Matthews, Clapton, and a pretty standard list of stuff people like to hear at bars with one guy and an acoustic.

Comments: I would buy it again if it were destroyed or stolen.
I've been playing for 10 years, worked the acoustic department of a Guitar Center a few years ago (not that I'm now all of a sudden legitimized by that) and work part-time for the guy that built Prince's "Cloud" guitar and has an impressive clientele list. Again...not that I'M great...but HE is, and I've been able to learn quite a bit from him.
I obviously like the pickup, but it also (rather obviously) hasn't worked out for others. It's not one that will cut through the mix of a rock band, but that's not what the product claims to be and that's not what I was looking for. It sounds night-and-day when compared to my buddy's Martin w/ Fishman. The Fishman sounds like rubber-bands and mine sounds like a guitar...MY guitar.
I wish I had waited and got it with the new volume knob, but...you live and learn. I certainly don't regret the buy. I'll probably add Baggs' magnetic soundhole pickup (the M1, I belive) just to add "complexity" or whatever you want to call it, but this pickup certainly holds its own in a solo/small acoustic group setting.
I give it an 8 because nothing is a 10 and I'm open-minded enough to believe that there's a slightly better one and/or combo out there.

Pickup features: passive, under bridgeplate pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson J-45 acoustic
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: phil keaggy, sean watkins (nickle creek)
You musical style(s): folk rock, americana, alt. country
Reason for pickup change: didn't have one before

Perceived output level: output level is hot, the active I beam is hotter
Tone: well balanced
Sonic evaluation: this acoustic pickup provides the most faithfull recreation of acoustic guitar sound i have found. blows away ANY piezo under saddle pickup i've heard.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: folk rock, americana, alt. country

Comments: i'll always install the I beam system in my acoustics from now on.... they sound awesome. better than the fishman pickups / eq systems installed on my previously owned Taylors....

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1972 B45 12
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Acoustic
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Sounds like the guitar- balanced and "acoustic"
Tone: Balanced and not boomy.
Sonic evaluation: Into a Para DI into a PA

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Acoustic blues/old time

Comments: I tried a Fishman, Rare Earth, Don Lace and K&K Pure Western. All installed and played in public. Everyone asked me to go back to the Baggs. These are non musicians not gear geeks. As my daughter said it is the one that sounds like your in the living room.

Pickup features: Active Bridge Plate Transducer system
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 2001 Taylor 410 Dreadnaught
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Matrix Natural 1 & 2
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: I'm not sure who uses this pickup. Visit L.R.Baggs web page for details
You musical style(s): Wide Range from finger picking, to flat picking, to rhythmic strumming
Reason for pickup change: desperately wanted to have a pure, rich tone.

Perceived output level: plenty of quiet clean output
Tone: balanced...sounds just like the guitar you put it in
Sonic evaluation: I use a GenzBenz Shennandoah 100 acoustic guitar amplifier with my Taylor 410 Dreadnaught w/ LR BAGGS IBeam. I couldn't be happier!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: pop, Rock, Contemp. Christian, John Mayer, etc,

Comments: I would definately replace it if damaged or stolen. I do not recommend the Fishman products. Yes they are reliable, and some even sound good, but nothing compares to the rich balanced sound of the IBEAM ACTIVE. This pickup has won pickup of the uyear for the past two or three years. Visit L.R. Baggs.com for details.

Pickup features: Passive in conjunction with a L.R. Baggs Para DI
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee L-03R
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation: This pick-up sounds great. I installed it exactly as the manufacturer suggested directly under the saddle but shifted laterally a small 1/8" towards the treble side.I tried it plugged directly into our churches PA system through the LR Baggs para DI.Our church has a pro-level permanently installed system. Even with the EQ controls set on "0" the sound was very good. This indicates that the pick-up itself is good withour radical EQing. I toned the mid-range down a bit as per the manual and the sound became AWESOME. It was like my Larrivee unplugged but louder. Our church band only plays at moderate volume so I don't know how it feeds back at high volume. I tried plugging this into my home stereo through the tape deck mic input and it was very boomy so I just turned down the bass on my stereo amp and lower mids on the Para DI and it sounded fine. But not nearly as good as the church PA. Conclusion: The amplifier used has a huge affect on the sound. If you have some low power portable PA or questionable acoustic amplifier, you may have to spend time EQing it. For this reason, I wouldn't go without a quality pre-amp like the Para DI or at leat a Gigpro. I wouldn't get the iBeam active and use it without a seperate pre-amp.

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

Comments: I am very pleased with this pick-up. Installation was simple IF YOU FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! It sounds great. My only complaint-a small one-is that I have now (with the Para DI $250)invested $430 CDN in an acoustic pick-up system. But my guitar is worth 4 times that so it is a good value. I can also use the Para with my classical.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Seagull S6
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): singer/songwriter, e.g. Ron Sexsmith, Archer Prewitt
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: can't compare it to much, but was getting plenty of signal to run thorugh a PA - I'm sure the 9V helps on that end
Tone: Suprisingly balanced. I was getting "wolf tones" around low D/Db, which were easily tamed with the Para D.I. (more on that later) Pick on string sound very natural with the proper EQing.
Sonic evaluation: First let me say that in general, I hate the sound of amplified acoustic guitars. I've never met a piezo that I enjoyed listening to. I was looking for something that would sound like a microphone that I could turn up loud. Anyway...
I'm running my Seagull directly into a PA through a Para DI. A few things about this pickup: As Baggs plainly states, placement makes a big difference, and you will be rewarded with experimentation. I tired at least five different placements, each 2-3 mm different, and each with a distinct sound. I noted each placement, recorded a sample of it into my computer (or whatever you have), then did a blind comparison. I found placing it parallel to the saddle but slightly towards the pegs gave me the string attack/cut I was looking for, but also enough "body" sound so the character of my guitar shone through on quieter playing.
Another important thing: If I had bought this pickup without also getting Baggs' Para D.I., I wouldn't have dug it nearly as much. Because this pickup gives you such an honest replication of your guitar's particular resonance qualities (not just a generic, squashed, stringy sound), I found that an outboard EQ is a must for shaping it into a sound that can be properly amplified. Here's how mine is set up, and it sounds great: I deemphasized the aformentioned wolf tone/feedback note using the notch filter, took a little bit of mids out at 1kHz for a less nasal tone, added a touch of presence (really helps to get a natural "pick" sound), and but a touch of low end to help my low E resonate. And even though I didn't turn any of the EQ nobs more than 20 degrees, it made a huge difference--turned an average, somewhat nasally tone into a beautiful, almost-can't-tell-it's-not-a-mic acoustic guitar sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I don't bash my guitar, I don't exclusively fingerpick, but do use plenty of palm muting, percussive strumming, etc. From what I can tell, the pickup's a great match for the style -- it amplifies MY acoustic guitar's sound, which is about all you can ask for.

Comments: I would definitely replace it if it were stolen. HOWEVER, I would also replace my Para DI -- some kind of EQ is needed for this pickup, but you'll be rewarded. (BTW -- Blue Star gave me a great deal on both -- $220 for the active pickup AND the DI -- seeing as list for both adds up to $400 or so! plus I saved on installation costs since I could do it myself). I love the fact that I got such a natural sound from it, although it did take a good deal of experimentation and subtle EQing. For now I am very satisfied with the sound of this pickup, and unless a brand new "holy grail" technology comes out, I'm sticking by it.

Pickup features: Active Bridge-Plate Transducer
Impedence or other specs: Low Impedance output (due to preamp)

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor Big Baby 2002
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Dean Markley Pro Mag and various microphones
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Nickel Creek and many, many others
You musical style(s): classical, folk, rock, and pop
Reason for pickup change: I needed the Big Baby to replace my stage guitar, which was stolen, and required more mobility and much better tone than what was available via the Pro Mag.

Perceived output level: It has very high output, comparable to my LR Baggs Dual Source (on my aforementioned stolen guitar). More than enough for a DI Box or straight into the board.
Tone: The iBeam active, as installed, has very balanced tonality with a slight emphasis on the bass due to pickup placement. This was intentional due to the Big Baby's less-than-average bass response.
Sonic evaluation: My normal use of the iBeam Active has been via PAs, through a DI Box (it's been through both passive and active DI boxes). I also play in my home studio plugging it straight into the line inputs of my TASCAM TM-D1000 which routes to a Samson Servo 260 amp and a pair of Tannoy Reveals. I also listen via Sony headphones (MDR-7505 and MDR-7506). I never use any signal or effect processing on acoustic guitar -this pickup included.
The iBeam Active has been very impressive from the first time I plugged it in. The nuances of various playing technique shine through. There is some compression when I play with more aggressive technique but otherwise, the dynamic range is (fortunately) unlike any other piezo-type pickup I have ever played (which, for the record, includes most made by Fishman, Ovation, Baggs, and Markley). The fidelity of the pickup is quite amazing and pretty well approximates proper microphone placement. Prior to installation of this pickup, I'd mic'ed the Big Baby with small and large diaphragm microphones (I am a classical music recordist) and I've found the tonality of the iBeam Active compared to my own microphone placement to be quite impressive.
Just like using microphones, the success of using the iBeam Active in live settings varies. In a singer-songwriter, all-acoustic instrument setting the pickup performs incredibly. In a large, mostly electrified setting, however, the iBeam can be lost amid the other instruments. This is just as LR Baggs advises on their website, though. This is not unlike using microphones, as I have said, and where I suppose I have to lend credit to the quack of undersaddle piezo pickups for their ability to "cut through" (I hate most piezo pickups). Of course, this can be adjusted with EQ and signal and effect processing but, like I said, I don't with acoustic guitar.
It is claimed that this pick-up sounds "just like the guitar it's put in" and I don't think that's 100% true. I've heard guitar recordings that sound strangely like the sound I get out of my pickup and I'm pretty sure that if I do my homework, I will find the same pickup in the guitars they used to record. It's not a bad thing, though, the pickup is indeed good enough to use in the studio without mic'ing the guitar. The iBeam Active does have its own signature sound and the only real way to hear the "true" guitar is to mic it and even micing it is a very subjective thing.
For what it's worth, the only other pickup that I have found that produces the kind of tonality and dynamic range is the Taylor Expression System (Taylor ES). Seeing that it's only available on Taylor guitars and only their more expensive models, I would say that it's not really that fair a comparison. I spend more money on microphones than I do guitars so spending an additional thousand or so dollars for a marginally better amplified acoustic guitar sound is not very practical for me.
I should mention installation as well. The most difficult part is routing a 1/2" hole for the output jack (have this professionally done if you've never done this before). Other than that, the installation jig is a cinch to use. I am fortunate that the Big Baby is a very well constructed guitar to begin with so the tone from the pick-up was right the first time with no need to experiment. The "Battery Bagg" is much better than LR Baggs' previous "Launch Rocket" (which tended to launch the battery when least expected) and tucks away from sight. The weight difference is slightly noticealbe (due mostly to the 9V battery). All in all, pickup installation was a two-hour affair

Comments: I am very glad that I got the iBeam Active and after nearly ten years of playing guitar, I have a pickup that doesn't offend me every time I plug it in. With my previous LR Baggs Dual Source, I had to compromise between the microphone and the Ribbon Transducer (a good undersaddle, but still quacky). The installation is relatively easy and doesn't require a lot of stuff in the guitar (wheras my old guitar looked like the inside of a radio). I liked the Dual Source better than any Fishman, Ovation, or Markley system and since I like the iBeam Active even more than the Dual Source...
The only thing I miss is onboard control of volume.
I was fortunate that the iBeam Active turned out the way it did -I made my purchasing decision based on written reviews and my previous experience with LR Baggs products. A risk, yes, but worth it.
So, let me digress onto some of what others have said...
I run FOH at a Cincinnati-area coffee house (check it out if you're looking for a place to play http://www.rohsstreetcafe.com and tell Matt O that I sent ya!) and play there every now and then. A few weeks ago, I opened for Paul Guerra and after we'd both finished our sets, he complimented my guitar sound. He hadn't noticed that I was playing a Big Baby and told his brother-in-law that my guitar must have cost at least $2500. When I said "not really," he adjusted his estimate to at least $1200. Then, I told him the cost of the Big Baby and he was mortified. He exclaimed that the pickup sound from the guitar was so good that it didn't match the price for the instrument (nor the pickup, for that matter). Coming from a gigging veteran like Paul, that's quite a compliment.
Another time, different venue, my friend Josh and I were playing and he hadn't noticed that I was playing without a mic'ed guitar. Upon noticing the absence of a microphone, he was astonished because my guitar "sounds so good."
The only way I could imagine going above the iBeam Active would be to get a Taylor with an Expression System. I've yet to compare them side-by-side but when I played an ES-equipped Taylor at Guitar Center, the sound was thrilling and expressive but not so much so to justify such an incredible expenditure of money. For the price of an ES-equipped Taylor, I could have two lower-priced Taylors (Baby, Big Baby, 110, or 214) both equipped with iBeam Actives and still be very satisfied with the tone.
To answer the charge of the critics of the iBeam, please remember that not all pickups will work well in all situations or in all guitars. If you think of the iBeam Active in the same way as a fine microphone, it makes more sense. Certain microphones are great while others are grossly inappropriate. Regardless of what iBeam supporters say, the iBeam Active does have its own character, one which a guitarist may or may not like or may find unsuitable for certain situations (and these situations are already noted on the LR Baggs website).
What I can say without reservation is that the pickup is easy to install, has excellent dynamic range, and sounds particularly good on Taylor Big Babies. Your mileage may vary.
Finally, if you are considering this pickup (or any aspect of acoustic amplification/recording) and are in the Cincinnati area, you can contact me and you can try the iBeam-equipped Big Baby at the aforementioned Rohs Street Cafe to hear, for yourself, the pickup that won the MIPA award for guitar pickups TWO consecutive years in a row. Happy picking!

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: maton 625c custom ceder top
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: maton ap-5
Other pickups on guitar: emg undersaddle pizzo
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): acoustic rock country bluegrass and finger style
Reason for pickup change: looking for that holy grail of amplified acoustic sound

Perceived output level: not bad depending on placement of pickup
Tone: hollow and brittle
Sonic evaluation: i am a professional muso and have been for 20 years. Like so many of the musos reviews that i have come across we are all serching for that illusive acoustic sound,so being a WORKING muso and getting frustrated with my acoustic sound over the years i have pretty much tried every sort of pickup combination known to man,so when the good folk over at the baggs factory anounced to the guitar playing population of the world of a , and i quote "A REVOLUTION in acoustic sound" i was to make sure that i would try to get my hands on serial no 000000000001. Well i did get me one and after my friendly guitar tech installed the i beam and i had it back in my hot little hands it was time to give my ears the blessing they had been promised, OPPS!!!. Mr Baggs when you release a statement of such epic proportions do you actually listen to your products this pickup could quite be the biggest peice of S@#T i have had the mispleasure of using.Now maybe some of you reading this may think that i dont know nothin or didnt experiment with placement enough or just that im down right pissed, whatever i can only but warn you ,do not buy this pickup, you would be better of spending your hard earned dollars on something more usefull such as a good quality megaphone it would most definatly sound better and you could abuse the baggs people at a much louder volume

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: acoustic everthing this pickup is suitable for paper weight , fly fishing, and a handy baking utensil pretty much anything but amplifing an acoustic guitar .

Comments: i can only hope that the gobblins come in the middle of the night and steal this pickup but leave the guitar. Allas my search continues

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: santa cruz 000
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ???????
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

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

Comments: I would like to sell it BUT I DONT DARE.....
I got a McIntyre Acoustic Feather for my National and i regret not having one for my Santa Cruz too.
In a few words
If they were not clever enough to provide more than two adhesive strips for the difficult right spot, tell me? why they should be clever enough to make a nice pickup!!!!

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin 00016-SGT
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: n/a
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: Many
You musical style(s): Alt. Country
Reason for pickup change: New Guitar

Perceived output level: Slightly more than Typical under saddel.
Tone: Balanced Perfectly
Sonic evaluation: Going into a Para DI, Then into PA.I have also used a Fender SFX. This pick-up is very easy to dial in a great sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for Alt. Country

Comments: I had Mandolin Bros. install this pick-up when i bought the guitar, they obviously know what they're doing. Alot of reveiwers report trouble in positioning this pick-up. Mine sounds really great, Full, and alive like the guitar itself. When I'm not playing solo, I use a feedback buster and it hardly effects the sound at all. I think the Combo of the I-Beam and the Para DI is just awesome.

Pickup features: Body-sensing Bridgeplate Transducer / Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Tacoma DR38
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: L.R. Baggs LB6 Saddle Piezo
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Funk, Jazz, Rock, some Flatpicking.
Reason for pickup change: Trying to get away from a M\mic but still sound like a mic

Perceived output level: Relatively Low Output compared to Saddle Pickup's
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Running through L.R. Bagg's Mixpro to a PA or a guitar amp. Now i read so many reviews of the iBeam and it seems like either you love it or you hate it. There are many things you have to consider: 1) How does your guitar really sound? Is it well balanced naturally? 2) What kind of sound are you looking for? 3) where did you place the iBeam? The iBeam is slightly more maintanence and requires lots of experimentation. If you are sensing the sound to be slightly muddled and boomy, most likely your ibeam is sittin right below your saddle. You will notice that certain ways of playing it will cause muddiness and bass tones. And certain strums will kinda make your guitar sound like someone dropped a glass cup. Playing it gently is probably how you get the best sound from the ibeam. So you get ticked off and write a bad review. Before you return it, consider experimentation. Positioning is the first key. Now the bridge plate is the part of your body is where it vibrates the most. Now there are different degrees of sound and tonality as you move the ibeam toward/away from the saddle. As the iBeam instruction book claims, the iBeam will pick up more homogenous sounds as you move away from the saddle. At these places you will lose some of the "stringy" sounds and more "body" sounds (most people want that). Problem with these is you lose the "fatness" which is usually helpful in a live situation. 2nd key is EQ. As LR Baggs really pushes their customers to do is to get a D.I. box as a vital supplement to the iBeam. Because of the iBeams large range of sounds, it is best to EQ it as much as possible. Don't combine EQ's but adjust EQ's one chain to the other. The Active iBeams have a set EQ curve on them already. The Passive's don't which requires a preamp to EQ it. So positioning and EQ. Think of recording, where do you place your Mic and how do you EQ it. Same theory.
I combined my ibeam with a Piezo so i can switch back and forth for certain sounds or even combine the two. the Ibeam for me delivered the most natural sound, it's quite amazing. the LB6 basically is really useful for live settings being in the mix without the fear of feedback. Bear in mind the Ibeam is a transducer that acts like a mic, so it may be more susceptible to feedback than a Piezo. I placed a Feedback Buster rubber pad to cover the soundhole and used the iBeam. I notice that the doing so, really muffled the sound picking up by the ibeam. Then i remembered, the soundboard is the only thing the ibeam is picking up. Piezo's capture the sound as the strings vibrate to bridge plate as well as the bridge's vibration. the ibeam captures the sound as the vibrations run through the soundboard. Keep those in mind which adjusting your pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Funk, Jazz, Rock, some Flatpicking.

Comments: Yes i would totally buy it again. It's a great deal for a great pickup. Before gettin a iBeam, consider a good preamp. Plug and play may not work for you depending on your guitar's sound. Personally i am very thrilled to own it, probably the best pickup you can buy for the natural tone before considering mic'ing it up in a recording studio. Also it's probably the easiest pickup to install in the market without the need to drill a hole in your bridge.
So if you're tired of Piezo pickup sound, try the iBeam out, you won't be disappointed (IF you know how to experiment and EQ)

Pickup features: Active contact pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Guild D55
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Rare Earth Blender
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: The guy from Nickel Creek
You musical style(s): Christian Praise and Worship/Rock/Folk
Reason for pickup change: I didn't like the Fishman Rare Earth.

Perceived output level: Very HOT
Tone: Muddy, boxy, sort of like a microphone
Sonic evaluation: I play this through a Baggs Para Acoustic DI into my church's PA system or directly into a Carvin AG100D for smaller venues.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Put the ibeam as close as possible to the pin holes without touching them.

Comments: I bought the ibea, because i didn't want my Guild's bridge rerouted to accomodate a larger under saddle pickup. I regret not doing this because the ibeam doesn't quite cut it. It's nice and all for a smaller, intimate setting - it get's the sound right. But turn up the volume or attempt to play your ibea, equipped guitar with a bassist and drummer, and you're probably going to be getting feedback. The ibeam doesn't quite do it for larger volumes. I'm planning on replacing this ibea, asap with a highlander IP-1 and pay the extra amopunt for the routing job on the bridge - to me, it's worth it given the context I play my guitar in - a live/church/concert style setting.

Pickup features: active
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:

Perceived output level:
Tone: This is a retraction for a review that I submitted about 6 mos. ago. Initially, I thought this pickup sounded good. It does have some nice qualities to it but the cons far outway the pros. First, if you are going to use this pickup be aware that you are going to have to eq the heck out of it. It is extremely boomy and has a lot of mids in it too. If you want a nuetral pickup that you can plug in and get a decent sound quickly then this is not the pickup you want. In addition, you won't be able to play it through an amplifier that is voiced for piezo, which most amps are. It sounds like you are playing inside a paper cup. Granted, I didn't buy the $150.00 parametric eq box that baggs sells but why should I have too. This pickup has an active preamp in the endpin which means it should be eq'd pretty well right? Wrong!. Don't count on getting any great eq from this active endpin. In fact if you do decide you want the I-beam I would just buy the passive for less money and then try one of the other things that baggs sells the gigpro or mixpro. But I can't speak to that either as I have never heard the passive with these products. I just had a LR Baggs Dual Source installed and it sound a ton better than the I-Beam for a little more money. Even the ribbon tranducer alone sounds better than the I-Beam and I think that it's less expensive. This pickup does have some nice qualities to it like the airy microphone sound that it sometimes acheived and I'd say that it can sound good through a decent PA with lots of eq.
Sonic evaluation: As I stated, be prepared to eq the heck out of this thing if you are going to make it work and don't even try to put it through an acoustic amp without a lot of eq are maybe the para di baggs sells. For the money you would have to spend on the pickup and the para di I'd recommend the baggs dual source or a high quality piezo pickup.

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

Comments: N/A

Pickup features: Active bridge-plate transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee OM-05
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Sean Watkins, tested by Phil Keaggy
You musical style(s): fingerstyle, celtic, folk rock
Reason for pickup change: not a change, it's an install from nothing.

Perceived output level: Hot, though not as hot as a fishman Matrix.
Tone: bassy balanced...
Sonic evaluation: through Mackie mixer into yorkville speakers. Firstly, it was super difficult to install. Following what the Baggs instructions say, the sound was too boomy in the bass. Probably had to do with the position of the bridge and bridge plate on the Larrivee OM... When moved towards the soundhole, the pickup effectively runs out of bridge plate to stick to... since the pickup is at the same angle as the saddle, the treble has less bridge plate area than the bass side, which lends to more (too much) bass response. Solution for this problem was to move the pickup to behind the bridge pins, still at the same angle as the saddle: the treble side is right at the edge of the pin hole for the high E string, and the bass side is back away from the hole for the low E string. Now we're talking!... It sounds like my guitar... I plug in headphones and set the level to the same as my guitar, it sounds like my guitar. As the volume increases, it does start to get a bit more boomy, but that's not a bad thing when you have a smaller-bodied guitar like an OM...

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Fingerstyle, celtic, folk rock... if it works for Sean Watkins and Phil Keaggy, it works for me...

Comments: It takes many a try to get the pickup position correct, but once you do, it sounds awesome. It's not "lifeless" like undersaddle piezos... it sounds like your guitar... I guess when I say it sounds awesome, you have to love the sound of your guitar, cuz it truly sounds like your guitar... Not like most undersaddle pickups which make most guitars sound the same. Only thing I wish is that a few more adhesive strips (other than the 2 extra) are supplied, cuz it's so hard to find that sweet spot.

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!

Pickup features: Active Endpin preamp w/extra input 9volt powered
Impedence or other specs: High Impedance

Model of guitar or bass: MARTIN
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Mic
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): PRAISE & WORSHIP, FINGER PICKING AND STRUMMING
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to reproduce the sound of the guitar without the hassel of a Mic. Also did'nt want the Fishman Quacky sound.

Perceived output level: Excellent Reasonably high out put zero distortion
Tone: After I found the right placement It's very balanced and natural sounding
Sonic evaluation: I love it. It sounds like my guitar only louder. It took about 20 minutes to throw it in and another 20 to move it to the sweet spot. (luckily it come with extra adhesive) I bought it with a Baggs Para Di. It let me dial in the sound and places me in control instead of the guy working the board.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Strumming and finger picking playing for over 20 years and finally found somthing that works for me.

Comments: I have a couple other acoustic which I've just ordered Ibeams for.
I haven't found anything to hate about it. I can get it to feedback on the low end if I don't used the Para DI but it did the same thing mic'd has alot of Bass. anyway I've looked for a while and to me this is the one to get.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin D-16GT
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): flatpicking, fingerpicking country-rock, folk
Reason for pickup change: Wanted an alternative to plastic piezo sounds.

Perceived output level: It's at least as hot as the fishman prefix plus I had in another guitar. Plently of output.
Tone: balanced to slightly bassy. The ibeam was not difficult to eq though. A slight cut in bass in and 6 dcb at 1K worked good.
Sonic evaluation: I was reluctant to install the ibeam myself but after reading the instructions was fairly sure I could do it. I did have a guitar tech drill out the strapjack hole as this was something I did not want to take a chance with. I used the provided jig which proved helpful. I am not a wiz with technical stuff but I would say that if you have even modest ability in the this department you could probably do it yourself and save some bucks. I positioned the ibeam toward the bridge pins so the saddle was just on the edge of the pickup. I also offset the ibeam towards the treble side of the guitar about 2mm which was a good thing since the ibeam tends to get a little boomy in my guitar. Upon plugging the guitar into the PA I was quite pleased. It also sounds very good in my Marshall AS 50. The ibeam is much more natural sounding than any piezo pickup I have heard or played through. You will probably need to cut some bass and mids with this pickup but not much. I haven't tried moving the ibeam from where I originally positioned it and probably won't unless I hear another similar guitar with a different placement that sounds better.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: fingerpicking, flatpicking - country/rock/folk

Comments: I'd say the ibeam is a big improvement over any piezo. The sound is very natural and open. L.R. BAggs recommends using one of it's pre-amp systems with it and I imaging it would improve the sound and will probably spring for that sometime down the road. I like the fact that I didn't have to cut up my guitar to install it as the endpin jack has the preamp in it. I would say that a volume control would be very useful and wonder if Baggs could provide that along the lines of their dual source system so it just clamps on the soundhole? The sound is microphonic and will feed back at very high volumes so a notch filter or phase will be helpful if you are playing loud. Bottomline, this is a great pickup and I would recommend it.

Pickup features: I-Beam Active bridgeplate transducer
Impedence or other specs: Not certain

Model of guitar or bass: Lowden Dreadnaught
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Don't know that
You musical style(s): All Styles, blue grass and fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: I needed to amplify my sound and wanted what i thought would be a natural sound. not quite

Perceived output level: the level is very hot
Tone: it depends where you put it, after using up all the adhesive strips i said forget it.!!!!!!!!
Sonic evaluation: The thing requires too much playing around, the jig isn't accurate. It is much too finicky for me. Damn, i just want to play not screw around with this. I use a trace elliot TA100

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Mainly blue grass, but fingerpick too. Doesn't work for me, does not sound like the guitar

Comments: If it were stolen, i would only ask the thief to leave at least half my money there so it wasn't a total loss. I have been playing 30 years. I want to be able to plug in, i would love that if the pickup worked as claimed, i don't like that it is not what it was supposed to be. I am looking at a couple more transducers and will see if their claims are true. I am still searching for a better pickup one that will give me the sound of the guitar.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 710
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: n/a
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rythm, mostly praise and worship
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to add a pickup without piezo weakness
and without mic feedback problems

Perceived output level: Strong output, I have to reduce DI box gain substantially
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: I have a Taylor 710 (spruce) and am running the ibeam through a Baggs paracoustic DI then into the house system. The pickup sounds greaty by itself, but the combination with the Baggs DI is great. Sounds great with settings flat, and you can perfect the tone from there to get almost anything you would want from an acoustic.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play praise and worship at church and the clarity and balance are perfect

Comments: I would definately replace this one. I'm even considering puting the same one in my 12-string. I have been playing for about 15 years and also own a Washburn 12-string. I love the warm accurate sound of this pickup. Our drummer commented on it immediately and others noted the sound difference as well. Other members of our team play an Ovation and a Takamine. Neither one sounds even close. Before this pickup I was using a mic because I didn't like the sound of other methods of amplification. I almost bought a mic/piezo combination, but thought that I didn't like them seperate, so why would I like them blended any more? Now, I would never use a mic again, the ibeam is so accurate and simple. I installed it myself just following the directions.

Pickup features: Active contact microphone
Impedence or other specs: 600 ohm output impedance

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee D-19
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: EMG ACS magnetic soundhole pick-up
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Don't know
You musical style(s): Country/acoustic rock
Reason for pickup change: Better acoustic sound

Perceived output level: Very hot: much hotter than the output of my Steinberger bass passive pick-ups
Tone: Very naturally acoustic
Sonic evaluation: This is a follow-up to my previous Ibeam review. I have purchased a second Ibeam to put in my Larrivee (my first Ibeam went into a Guild JF30). I have used the Ibeam equipped Larrivee with a very good PA system and through an Ibanez acoustic guitar amp.
When the Ibeam was first installed in the Larrivee the sound was extremely bright. It's not that the string balance was incorrect: the Ibeam simply was not picking up the lower frequencies of the guitar. I tried the Ibeam in several locations and settled on a radical relocation from the recommended position: the Ibeam is now placed so that the center of the pick-up is located near the low E bridge pin and oriented in parallel with the bass leg of the main X brace. This makes the Ibeam at a 45 degree angle to the saddle.
In this location the Ibeam output is very representative of the sound of the guitar. I use the same minor equalization as with the Ibeam equipped Guild and get the same accurate picture of the particular guitar sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a variety of acoustic styles including country, blues, and acoustic rock.

Comments: The comments in my previous review are still valid with three additional pieces of information. The first concerns the radical departure from the typical Ibeam location that was necessary to mate with my Larrivee. I was under the impression that the Ibeam should be located within a very small area roughly under the saddle. I understand, after communicating with Baggs, that this is not always true: the location may vary considerably depending on the particular guitar.
The second piece of additional information concerns the lack of sufficient end pin thread to extend through the end block of my Guild. I thought that the end pin and metal circuit board cover cylinder were one piece. It turns out that the circuit board cover is a separate piece and that all I needed to obtain enough end pin thread to extend through the Guild end block was to unscrew the cover several turns.
The third comment concerns a volume control for the Ibeam. This is the one feature that I sorely missed when switching from the EMG magnetic sound-hole pick-up. Baggs is planning to ship a version of the Ibeam with the control module mounted in a big hole in the side of the guitar. The control module includes volume, but cutting a large hole in order to obtain volume control is undesirable or downright unacceptable in many cases. I certainly had no intention of cutting a hole in the side of my Larrivee.
I received a solution from Tim Perkins at Baggs: he attached a diagram of a volume pot addition to the active Ibeam circuit board to his email. While it took some very fine soldering work, I did it! I now have a small 10K pot mounted on a circuit board and attached to the inside edge of the sound hole of my Guild with some double-sided tape. The pot provides the volume control I needed and it works great!
The only serious deficiency of the Ibeam is now fixed with this addition.

Pickup features: Active Endpin preamp w/extra input 9volt powered
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:

Perceived output level: Reasonably loud no distortion
Tone: EQ via preamp balanced very close to the natural sound of the guitar
Sonic evaluation: 70's Martin d-28 w/ Para Di directly into the PA. This is the first pickup that actually reproduced my sound. I can't say enough about it.

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

Comments: I've tried a bunch of different pickups. This is the first one that I feel reproduced the sound of the guitar without changing it. It also did'nt kill the acoustic sound like a saddle transducer does.
No quack little feedback and sounds good!

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Martin 000-R
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: NA
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Finger Style Rock/Blues
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: It is true that this pickup capture the natural sound the the guitar, but the passive model does not have enough output. It needs a preamp!!
Tone: I'm using EQ from the Acoustisonic Junior, but I feel that if there was not EQ available this pickup displays the natural sounds of the guitar. If you guitar sucks then so will your sound.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Fender Acoutisonic Junior. I have to push the amp to 9, or 10 to get some gain out of the pickup.

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

Comments: If it were stolen, or destroyed I would replace it with the active model. I have been playing for about twenty years. I love the natural sound that I get from this pickup. It truly sounds like a good instrument Mic. I'm sure I will love it even more with a preamp.

Pickup features: Active contact pick-up
Impedence or other specs: 600 ohm

Model of guitar or bass: Guild JF30
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: EMG ACS
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: I have no idea.
You musical style(s): Country/Acoustic Rock/Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: I was looking for a more natural acoustic guitar sound.

Perceived output level: Typically hot output with active pre-amp.
Tone: Very naturally balanced acoustic
Sonic evaluation: So far I have played the JF30 (Guild Jumbo maple body) through a very good sound system (Carvin mixer/31 band eq set using spectrum analyzer/Carvin power amp/Yamaha S115 speakers). I am looking forward to trying the guitar through my Ibanez acoustic guitar amp and through the church sound system I plug into on Sundays.
The sound quality is excellent. I have been using acoustic guitar pick-ups of various kinds since 1977 including a Texas Instruments contact pick-up, a Washburn guitar with built-in piezo pick-up which did not last long and was replaced with the Fishman thinline style, Baggs LB6 and LB12 pick-ups with various pre-amps including the duet system, and the Baggs RT (ribbon transducer) system. While I found the RT system to be very good and a significant advance over earlier piezo types, it still had the characteristics typical of piezo pick-ups: an unnaturally fast attack leading to excessive percussion effects and an excessive mid-range (approximately 850 hz) that required a significant reduction (12-15 db) to make the sound reasonably natural.
In recent years I had switched to magnetic sound hole pick-ups including an old DeArmond (surprisingly good sound but very susceptible to hum due to the single coil design) and the EMG ACS. While the sound was not natural, the attack was more natural and the sound could be shaped to be pleasing.
I purchased the iBeam last night and installed it this morning. It is significant to note that this is the first pick-up I have ever been able to use without any extra equalization: I plugged the guitar into my PA system and played. It is likely that I would eventually tweak the sound slightly (there is a slight boominess, an occasional tiny mid-range honk, or a high frequency presence that is a little too noticeable), but these are miniscule compared to the major equalization that was always necessary to get any of the previous pick-up systems (piezo or magnetic) to be acceptable.
Indeed, the iBeam is so good that there are two factors that greatly outweigh the performance of the pick-up.
First, the sound system or amp through which the pick-up is played will undoubtedly color the sound far more than the pick-up. I expect that the majority of my future equalization will be related more to the PA/amp than the iBeam.
Second, the iBeam is sufficiently accurate in reproducing the sound of the guitar that it now becomes possible to make the guitar sound better through the sound system than it does naturally. This is similar to shaping a singers voice (increasing certain frequency areas and decreasing others) until the singer sounds better through the PA system than without amplification.
Several other characteristics are worth noting:
1. There is no indication that the guitar/iBeam system is prone to feedback. I do not typically use a loud amplifier system, but I was using the iBeam with louder than normal volume and sitting directly in front of a speaker without any sign of feedback.
2. The iBeam attack is very natural: it is much like using a microphone. Sometimes my playing technique includes thumping the heel of my right hand on the guitar bridge on the downstroke of a strum: the natural result of this technique is a rhythmic thump. The iBeam accurately produced the same result (similar to a kick drum): it was very nice.
3. The iBeam/pre-amp combination seems to be very quiet. I have not tried the system in a recording environment yet, but there is no noticeable noise through my PA set-up.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Country/acoustic rock/fingerstyle: the iBeam works very well with all of them.

Comments: I am very well satisfied so far and will likely buy another one to put in my Larrivee. I have been playing for 25 years and presently own a Larrivee D19 with EMG ACS magnetic pick-up, a Taylor 555 with Baggs RT system, a Guild X170 hollow body electric guitar, an Ibanez acoustic amp (two 10's/two tweeters: very good amp), a Carvin AG100D acoustic amp (one 12 and a tweeter: very lousy amp), and a PA system.
While it is possible that something better will come along someday, the iBeam is by far the best that I have used so far and it is much better than any piezo or magnetic pick-up that I have heard.
Installation was pretty simple. I did not use the installation jig included with the system: I simply attached two pieces of foam double-sided tape to the side of the iBeam next to the high and low E bridge pins (the tape was nothing more than a spacer to keep the iBeam from touching the bridge pins), placed the high and low E bridge pins into the bridge to use as a stop for positioning the iBeam, and stuck the iBeam to the bridge plate. I shifted the iBeam position off center toward the treble side of the bridge by about .200" which is a little more than the amount recommended by Baggs, but the location seems to work.
I may experiment in the future with different pick-up locations but the present location sounds quite good. Because the Guild bridge pins are so close to the saddle location, the iBeam is positioned essentially under the saddle. I may try a position closer to the sound hole at some time in the future.
I have three minor complaints/suggestions:
1. The thread on the barrel of the end pin jack/pre-amp is not long enough for use with the end block of my Guild guitar. In order to get enough of the jack extending from the guitar I had to omit the inside flat washer and lock washer. An additional .100" of thread would be more than adequate.
2. I wish the active iBeam system had a volume control. I play both guitar and bass in my church worship band and often switch between the during the service. I am sure that the active iBeam output is going to be much hotter than the passive bass output and a volume control would allow me to easily match the volume of the two.
3. The iBeam only includes two spare pads for attaching to the guitar. As a result, you are very limited as to the number of places you can try the iBeam unless you purchase 10 more pads. While most people will probably leave the iBeam in the first place they try it, others will want to experiment. Why not include 4 or 5 spare pads with the pick-up.
These are relatively minor concerns. Overall, I am very well pleased with the iBeam.

Pickup features: Active endpin preamp
Impedence or other specs: Don't know

Model of guitar or bass: 37 Martin 00-18
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: I don't know
You musical style(s): mainly fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: Well i was looking to get away from using a stage mic.

Perceived output level: the output was fine, very hot, although the sound is not real distinguished, it tends to be boomy or thin depending on which angle you put it in at. I tried the jig but was unsatisfied with the sound.
Tone: It is either boomy with thin highs or sort of characterless without eq
Sonic evaluation: i am using the powered mackie speakers and a 1402vlz board. I am not unhappy with the sound but also not really happy with it. I was told how natural is sounded by another fellow who uses them, never heard his rig but thought i would give it a go. I have to really bend the eq to get some stuff happening, there has got to be an easier way. I was apprehensive about drilling the endpin out, it is a 37 Martin 00-18 and is a great instrument, balanced and tingly, a great fingerstyle guitar.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play fingerstyle, altered tunings and such and i am getting tired of using mics, because i also do gigs with a jazz band, and use this guitar as it sounds great chunking chords. I think that the pickup would work best for situations of solo guitar but is not articulate enough in a band setting to really sound distinguished.

Comments: I don't think i would buy another one, and i will probably remove this one and continue the search, i know there has got to be a pickup out there that is simple and works well. I have been playing for 34 years and can get around on the guitar. I like the fact that i can plug in and not use a mic, i hate the fact that it doesn't really sound like my guitar, that's why i shyed away from undersaddles, i got the guitar because i loved it. i have compared it to the bband with a single transducer and it was not as good as the ibeam. I chose the baggs because i have owned his products in the past and always thought they were very high quality. I will probably look at another manufacturers bridgeplate transducer very soon. I am still searching for the pickup of my dream, if anyone reads this and you know of something better, tell me.

Pickup features: passive bridgeplate transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee Om, Webber Om, Gibson L130
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ????
You musical style(s): All styles
Reason for pickup change: Just wanted to see if it was better than what i was using

Perceived output level: It was not real hot passively but through my preamp could get enough gain
Tone: It was good sounding with some serious E.Q. although i noticed it was brittle in the high end, i let the adhesive cure as specified but still was not completely satisfied
Sonic evaluation: I am using a P.A. and also an acoustic image acoustic amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Fingerstyle, classical, jazz, rock, country, it is better than most things out there but not the best

Comments: I wouldn't purchase the ibeam again, although if it was the only bridgeplate transducer i would. It is truly better than any of the undersaddle pickups i have heard. The reality is however, that the pickup doesn't completely do what a pickup should and that is transfer the sound of the guitar to whatever source you are using. I had to use some serious e.q. I am currently using the K&K trinity system but on some gigs, just plug in passively with it and it does what a pickup should, transfers the beautiful sound of my instruments through the Amplified source i am using and i am able to run it completely flat, letting me know that i am hearing from my p.a. what i hear in my guitar. I would imagine that the active I-beam is better than the passive as they can pre set the e.q. to compensate and then let the player do the final adjustments, as i said if it was the only bridge plate transducer i would use it but it is not and so with my experiment finished, i have concluded that the k&k is far superior in every way.

Pickup features: Active Bridgeplate transducer. As below...
Impedence or other specs: See Below...

Model of guitar or bass: Lowden Jumbos, O35 and O32
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: See various reviews below...
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle
Reason for pickup change: No change, multiple iBeams purchased.

Perceived output level: See below
Tone: The tone is unreal -freaky natural, as mentioned below. Very good balance, with a slight tendency towards a 250 to 400hz bit of _boom_, at least in Jumbo guitars.
Sonic evaluation: This is a follow up review to my rather long winded original review (the first one at the bottom of this page). At this point, I have had the fortune of hearing multiple different installations in guitars of varying quality, recording a few tracks for a compilation CD and playing over a hundred shows since my early preliminary review of the active iBeam. I can now feel confident recommending the iBeam enthusiastically. A few comments: As other reviewers have rightly noted, an EQ will help you get the most out of the pickup. In the Lowdens (both of them) The sound is perfectly useable plugged direct into a mackie 1202. I slightly roll up the high and low pots on the board -giving the net effect of a slight dip in the mids and go to town. Both Lowdens are extremely balanced guitars, however. I would not run with ?fluffy? the pet cort jumbo without the Para DI given any choice. Even with the high end instruments, the Para DI adds a lot of control over the shape of the sound. None of my EQ changes with either Lowden are radical, but I do boost very subtly at both ends of the spectrum and cut a bit at 300-400Hz on the more expensive guitars. When I do, I get a sound that I can easily live with live or on disk. That pretty much sums it up. As we split shows with other singer/songwriters -all of whom seem to use under saddle piezos or piezo/mic combos- the general consensus is that they want what I have got in their own instruments. The ibeam kills undersaddle pickups, at least as far as realism is concerned. This pickup does a phenomenal job of amplifying the character and tone of your guitar. When I have amplified an el cheapo, I ended up with a very high fidelity el cheapo sound. When I amplified an Austraillian Blackwood Jumbo, I ended up beyond words. Also, your speakers make a lot of difference in the over all outcome, as expected. Studio monitors, good headphones, AER amps, and bi and triamped PA set ups sound really convincing. Fender Twins much less so...
Other observations: I have been advised (the folks at Baggs actually read these reviews, btw) that the adhesive used on the double sided pads that come with the iBeam will cure over a three to four day period -during which time the sound mellows out and becomes more realistic and less crispy in the trebles. This is definitely my experience with the three guitars that I personally use that I have installed the iBeam in.
Also, the jig that comes with the iBeam is now transparent (to make line-of-sighting the saddle and pickup easier) I mention this to point out that the folks at Baggs are not above improving a product even after it is already successful. To that end, the battery holder is now a pouch that velcros to the side of the guitar rather than the ?launch lock? holder that comes with heel block screws (although, in truth this is a non-issue -velcro works just as well on the ?launch lock? clip -but this way the dim of wit wont be tempted to use the screws on their Guitars...)
This pickup stands up very well to the two and three source rigs that touring pros use in their guitars, and it is easier to dial in and EQ than a stereo or two endpin jack rig. The beam also allows one to use a wireless and still get a decent reproduction for large hall applications if need be. In all, a valuable addition to the effort to get great acoustic sound on disk or out to the public.

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

Comments: Of course, I sit behind the speakers, but my wife -who has sat in front of a lot of great "Name" players over the years- says that it is the best live sound around. Bias? Probably...undoubtably actually, but the iBeam/Lowden O live sound combination is hair raising by any standard.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Takamine F360
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: NO
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): FOLK, ROCK
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Very good output... slightly higher than Fishman's at same amp level
Tone: NATURAL
Sonic evaluation: TAKAMINE F360 (1978 Japanese model, no original electronics)
FENDER ACUSTASONIC 30

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: MOSTLY FOLK, ROCK (60's 70's some current).

Comments: I find the LR Baggs 2001 IBEAM a very natural sounding pickup. I have always been interested in obtaining a pure "ACOUSTIC" sound and find that this pickup very well complements my equation of the nearly perfect "ACOUSTIC" set up. (I am leaving some room for future miraculous products and technologies... or current, but out of reasonable financial reach i.e "expensive", solutions)
The installation was quite simple, except for one very damaging error in drilling the strapjack. I strongly reccomend that you leave it up to a professional installer, even if you think you are very handy. It's not worth taking the chance of damaging your guitar. If you insist in doing it yourself, please save yourself some grief and make sure you 'gradually' increase the size of the strapjack pin hole.

I also have a Takamine F340 with a Schaller passive pickup and the difference between the 2 setups is like night and day. Definitely worth getting the preamp (i.e. active version) model.
I thought my Amp was wimpey (although very natural sounding)... but really it was really due to the passive pick-up combination. Worth considering when justifying the extra cash for the active version of any p/u; after all, you have probably already spent considerable money for the guitar and amp... why not go for the full treatment?
Before purchasing the product, I researched it quite well and compared it to the comparable Fishman active pickup (which I was set on buying first) using 2 Taylors 514s (1 with Baggs and 1 with Fishman) and 2 Larivees D05s. In both cases, and in two different locations (one smaller setting, the other was a larger venue, completely open space) the Baggs pickup just sounded better. In both cases I used primarily the Fender Acoustasonic 30 amp for the test.
One thing worth stating is that when testing under louder volumes, I got some feedback from the Baggs p/u in one of the stores, mostly due to its more microphonic nature, but haven't been able to reproduce that at home, even in close proximity and with the amp volume at 10.
The other point that I would like to make has to do with the amp. When tested against Yorkville's acoustic 100 Watt amp, the Fishman pick-up seems to have fared better than the Baggs. When purchasing the amp, I had earlier dismissed the Yorkville amp and favoured the Fender because of its more natural tone, even if the Yorkville was a more powerful amp, had some effects built in and was comparatively priced. It just did not sound as natural. In any case, I believe that you must also carefully consider the combination p/u amp/pa that you will be using to get the sound you are after before purchasing. (In my case, I think that if I had bought the Yorkville amp instead of the Fender, I most likely would have chosen the Fishman instead).
I must stress that these are subjective reasons for choosing the equipment that I did, but I (and my friends agree) believe that, at least for me, that elusive acoustic "holy grail" just may have been found in the current setup that I have.
I hope this review will be of help to others as I felt it necessary to share it with all as a thanks to the many other reviews that I have used time over time for selecting and evaluating products, especially musical gear.

Pickup features: tried passive and active models
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: tacoma road king, noble mini jumbo
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ???
You musical style(s): most all styles
Reason for pickup change: Was looking to amplify my live sound.

Perceived output level: the active was hot enough but the passive was, ah, not good
Tone: the active was brittle in the high end, no matter where i moved it, it didn't work, the passive was, uh not good
Sonic evaluation: I was using it through my live rig which is stellar, daedalus, hafler amps and allen and heath board. I recorded these pickups into my digital recorder, using same eq settings as that i believe is the truth beyond any visual bias i may have. I don't know, all the other reviewers love theirs and i am competent at the install, it truly sounds better than their under saddle version but man, it doesn't sound like the guitar. The recordings bore that out.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: fingerstyle blues, classical stuff, rock, it didn't work it's mojo, had to eq the heck out of it to get it sounding reasonable and then put the right verb on it to smooth it out.

Comments: I am happy that i didn't have to go through the pain of buying these things and then finding out they were the one legged man in the butt kicking contest. I have been playing nearly 20 years and am able to make good sounds, I also compared it to the b band soundboard transducers and it was better, but i got the K&k pure western passive sound board transducers and OMG!!!! that was it, i took the other stuff back, not finicky about installation, i plugged in passively and recorded the same guitars and have let over 40 people hear it, without telling them which is which, they all picked the k&k. So i wish baggs all the luck in the world but, i wouldn't buy one.

Pickup features: Acoustic Undersaddle transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson CL 35 Deluxe
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Baggs Piezo
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Acoustic - Duh!
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Wanted to udate my previous review with the iBeam in this guitar. I was able to get much better performance from the ibeam when I took the piezo and any shims I had out of the bridge slot and fitted a saddle so it just sat on the wood at the bottom of the slot.
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: Pickup sounds great with the bridge setup this way. Still not quite "natural," but good enough to use without the massive eq treatment I was doing before.

Pickup features: Active Transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Taylor 410
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Singer-songwriter..Folk Rock?
Reason for pickup change: Hate peizo plastic quack

Perceived output level: Seems like plenty. More than enough.
Tone: Might be a little thick with low mids.
Sonic evaluation: I am using a Taylor 410 with the Baggs I Beam pickup, through the Baggs Paracoustic DI into a SWR California Blonde.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I am after a fat acoustic sound that serves well in ensemble or solo. This gear seems like it will do the trick. I feel like it is serving up a full spectrum of tones, and that just remains for me to EQ it competantly.

Comments: So far I am very happy with the pick-up. I would probably replace it without looking further. I have played guitar for 24 years, and have a Les Paul, a Strat and a bunch of amps and stomp boxes. Over the last few years I have spent alot of my playing time on my acoustic. I wanted to get back into playing live, but knew the fishman that I put in a few years ago had the standard "plastic" sound, and I thought there must be some solution. Reviews here and elsewhere pointed to the IBEam/Paracoustic DI combination as being really natural sounding. I went ahead and plunked down the cash and put them in. Wow, what a difference. The new pickup is capturing my sound remarkably well. I sometimes hear some of that peizo sound, and when I play hard and loud to hear myself in an ensemble situation (meaning over the drums) I feel like the tone deteriorates. But I really think that's true even unamplified...my guitar just sounds better when played more softly.
In order to really judge the quality of the pickup alone, before I took out the old pickup I set up my brand new SWR California Blonde Amp and plugged my guitar into the Para Acoustic DI. I then fiddled around for a few hours, trying to get the very best tone I could out of the Fishman pickup. I began to wonder if I had really needed to spend the money on the I Beam, because between the SWR amp and the Baggs DI box I was feeling really happy with the sound. It still sounded plasticky though, so I stopped and put in the I Beam. I don't know if I got it in the right spot or not (I couldn't use the installation jig that came with the pickup because my Taylor doesn't have end pins that go through the body. But when I restrung it and plugged it in, I immediately knew the money had been worth it. I had to fool with all the EQs again, but right away I knew that this was a new class of pickup.

Pickup features: ACTIVE
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee DR03
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: check www.lrbaggs.com
You musical style(s): fingerstyle and using pick
Reason for pickup change: n/a

Perceived output level: Sounds miked. Pretty hot active model.
Tone: crisp, I have a rosewood full body guitar which is bassy and the pickup projects that. EQ is the key.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Fender Blues Deville which is not designed for acoustics,
but suprisingly it sounds great. I plan to buy the LR baggs DI Eq/preamp to complement my rig. It sounds great through at PA or mixing board. It resists feedback faily well.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think it is fine for soloing or strumming with a pick, changing picks drastically changes the tone.

Comments: I'm sold on LR baggs after this unit.I would recommend having it professionaly installed if you have no good wood working skills. I can't imagine it getting much better that the ibeam.

Pickup features: Under bridge contact transducer. Active version.
Impedence or other specs: na

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson CL 35 Deluxe Cutaway (discontinued unfortunately. Great guitar)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Baggs piezo, Dean Markely Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: na
Artists using this pickup: Jackson Brown helped create it but uses something similar but higher quality.
You musical style(s): Fingerpicking Buckingham or Zeppelin to any pop covers to ACDC to my own acoustic based stuff.
Reason for pickup change: Piezo hater. I've been waiting maybe 7 years for a viable affordable alternative. My experiments with small mics did not go well, mics were boomy and I thought too much potential for interference. Dean Markley humbucker was a joke, in my opinion, and then stopped working. Thought about the DM single coil, which I've heard and liked at times, but then there's the hum..

Perceived output level: Not hot. Average? Hard to compare as its the only acoustic pickup I have.
Tone: Tone is hard to peg, because chances are you will have to eq the hell out of it like I did, and I'm not exaggerating. I guess I'd say perhaps a tad tinny compared to the k&k demo mp3s on their website.
Sonic evaluation: With these ibeams, you have this great potential for acoustic reproduction, but you have to have the attitude that you're going to spend a lot of time tweaking, and I think you have to go through a serious eq (preferably multiband parametric and/or notch). Someone looking to just "plug in and go" for open mics or similar venues is not really going to get the benefits. Having said that, I will also say that with the ibeam installed well and optomized through good equipment, it can compete with anything out there, and the difference between the ibeam and the actual sound of the guitar will probably elude most people. Set up right, it's really that good. Other people do make similar products so you may want to shop around.
Installation was difficult, and it took a couple of goes to hit the sweet spot. Also, the foam adhesive pads that come with the pickup make installation smoother, but I don't see how they could help transmit vibrations accurately. I voided the warranty by using removable glue instead. Oh well. Once installed optimally, eq is necessary; first, to notch out frequecies that feedback (I had two bands that needed notching, and even the touted baggs DI didn't quite get it right) and then to boost high mids and trebles for natural overall tone, "airy" acoustic quality, and attack. I used a Lexicon MPX 1 signal processor, which has a four band eq, plugged into a Layla 24/96 into my computer running cool edit 2000 (cool edit has a frequency analysis graph that eliminated much of the guesswork for the feedback notching). I notched up to -12 DB at 125hz and 158hz, and boosted 7dbs at 1250hz and 4dbs at 13khz. The lexicon reverb was kind of the icing on the cake. Sounds a little more glassy and present than the real thing, but still natural, not electric. Occasionally get a faint piezo-like contact noize, but not much.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Still occassionally catch faint glimmers of piezo-like tone on slides and picking when I'm not paying attention. Mostly when my technique is poor. Other than that, same situations where you would play acoustic are all appropriate. Presence and dynamics are great. Sustains well. Thought about adding a mag but no, it's just right.

Comments: I'd try other transducers if I parted ways with this one, Baggs is a latecomer to this technology. But the tone is good, often as I'm sitting here playing it I'm thinking it's better than recordings I've done with a large diaphragm condenser through a tube preamp. Of course, when you throw in the expense of the lexicon unit it's almost as much money. If the sound was this good just plugging straight in, I'd give it a 10.

Pickup features: Active with built in pre-amp
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: James Goodall Rosewood Jumbo
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Acoustic matrix
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, blues, open tunings/Celtic
Reason for pickup change: I wanted something that would be less "nasal" than a piezo and help capture the dynamics of my instrument--without adding a microphone and extra gear.

Perceived output level: Plenty of head room--somewhat more output than the Fishman. Used with the Baggs D.I. box, you will panic your sound person.
Tone: The tone is balanced and clean across the spectrum--needs EQ to reduce strident mids
Sonic evaluation: James Goodall Rosewood Jumbo--Baggs paraEQ D.I. box--Crate CA125D. Though I'm pleased with a warmer, more natural sound, using the Baggs D.I. box really puts the icing on the cake. The bass is tight and round, and I can put a lot of sparkle into the high end. Though I think the pickup stands well on its own, the added ability to shape your sound with the Baggs D.I. box makes this one of the best sounding combinations I've heard. For my taste, I like to hear "treble in the bass" and "bass in the treble"--this setup delivers both.I still beleive that a microphone and bridge pickup blended together is the "holy grail" of acoustic sound, but this is as good as it gets for a stand alone bridge pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think this product is a good match for my style (fingerstyle/blues/open tunings). If you want to cut through the mix with loud, tight bluegrass licks, I recommend the Fishman bridge pickups.

Comments: I definitely would replace the pickup if lost or stolen. I've been playing professionally and for fun for 26 years. I also play a grand concert Goodall, fender strat, and fender tube amp with NOS tubes. I compared the Fishman line--particularly the Rare Earth magnet/mic combo--and chose the Baggs because I don't want to hassle with feedback in higher volume gigs. The Baggs was also less expensive.
For me its a no brainer to add the Baggs D.I. box if you really want control of your sound. Its really worth reading their blurb on setting the gain, and caution is advised for those who plug the D.I. output into an amp. Be sure to turn down your amp's gain so you don't cook your input stage.
Baggs claims that this pickup would be incredible if mixed with a magnetic pickup. I really wish they had manufactured the I Beam so that adding another source to it is easier. I also think that the battery clip was somewhat cheesie compared to what comes with Fishman products. I'm not convinced that owners of high end guitars really want to screw the battery clip to the neck block, (or put any holes for any reason anywhere), or hide the serial number. Otherwise, the installation directions--complete with jig and diagrams--were very well done, and took me about 30 minutes with only a crescent wrench. Finally

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Collings SJ
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fishman Rare Earth Blend Mic
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Jackson Browne
You musical style(s): Folk, Blues, Country, Ragtime, Rock
Reason for pickup change: Looking for natural acoustic sound.

Perceived output level: This pickup being passive needs a preamp to boost output level.
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: This is the pickup I've been waiting for! This is the most natural sounding pickup I,ve ever heard, it sounds like a studio mic. I am using a Fishman Model G preamp which I already had, and it sounds great through my Studiomaster Power House 8-2 PA!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I finger pick and flat pick and I can't conceive of any style this pickup would not be suited for , if your looking for a natural sound.

Comments: I would buy this pickup again in a heart beat! If you're looking for the natural sound of your acoustic guitar, then your search is over in my opinion! I've been playing guitar now for 37 years and have been playing at open mics for several years. Since I started using this pickup, I've had several people comment on how great it sounds. They are thinking about having one installed on their guitars.The installation was easy, but I did not install the strap/jack in the peg hole like most people. Since I personally don't believe in modifying my guitar, I made a small block of wood with a 1/2 inch hole to which I put the strap/ jack into and used double sided adhesive tape to stick it to my pick gaurd. I also installed the pickup directly under the saddle and have not tried to reposition it yet to see if I can improve on the sound.

Pickup features: Active (built-in pre-amp inside end pin)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Larrivee DV-10
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: LR Baggs Dual Source
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Jackson Browne /
You musical style(s): Pop / folk
Reason for pickup change: Looking for true acoustic sound-

Perceived output level: output is hot witht he active model, not at all if you buy the passive model- I tried both
Tone: Phenomenal tone- airy, open, like a sensitive elctret mic, my Larrivee DV-10 has half dead strings- and the tone was still still shimmering
Sonic evaluation: I use a Crate CA 125D, a very good acoustic amp with tons of guitar tailored parametric EQ etc. Note: it is nearly essential to use one of LR Baggs pre-amps or better yet- the LR Baggs Paracoustic Direct Box combo. )I may sound like a Baggs sales person- but I'm not- I just like pro quality gear. I had the passive model installed first and then tried it in the store into the Crate 112 Acoustic amp- it sounded terrible (it neede a clean pre-amp boost etc.) Then I had the active installed- it has plenty of true tone and a hot signal. I took it homw- plugged it into the paracoustic Direct box and marvelled a the ultra pure / airy and compeltely transparent tone. I will make my final judgemetn, when I change to a fresh set of strings- but I did have some boominess centered on the C and D note frequencies. While I am very impressed with the tone and features of this cutting edge pickup- I am considering adding a Sunrise soundhole magnetic pickup to fatten up the sound with a flavor of that mag coil sound. This is an expensive set-up adding the sunrise (another $220 installed) and is not really necessary. I have been trying to get real acoustic sound for 25 years and I'm 90% there. Most people with be blown away with it alone- but for the purists dream, even the installation manual says- that by adding a mag pickup (the active model can receive a low impedance only pickup- read mag only - wired directly into the end pin circuitry) You then use a stereo 1/4" cable that splits to two seperate guitar cords. The manual states- for "pristine" sound add a mag pickup in this way. The sound is fairly pristine already, it is so transparent though, it seems to lack a little punch. All that said- since my playing style is primarily flat-picking / with alternating strumming etc., when you fingerpick using the I-beam alone, the sound is absolutely studio perfect! I've never heard anything like this. Anyway, reminder- consider the PAracoustic pro an essential when using this pick-up. Holy-grail acoustic sound? For finger picking- definitely! For strumming- closer than anything I'ver ever heard. I cna't imagine anyone saying that dosn't sound like a guitar. Highest recommendation!

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

Comments: I am an amateur player, churches, front porches etc. I've been playing for 25 years and have used countless different pick-ups- Shadow Triple Play, LR Baggs Dual Source, Bartolini,Ovation etc.
See my above notes for my long commentary. Phenomenal pickup- does require a good pre-amp /direct box.

Pickup features: Active transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: LoPrinzi M20
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Marley soundhole
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): flat-picking and fingerpicking
Reason for pickup change: Unsatisfied with flat sound, unresponsiveness, noise (hiss) and unreliability of soundhole pickup

Perceived output level: about three times as hot as the Markley
Tone: very sharp, well-balanced, "open"-sounding; required a little eq adjustment (downward) on the bass side to avoid resonant feedback and boominess
Sonic evaluation: Mackey 808S PA; also playing sometimes at home thru my Peavey Special 130 electric guitar amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: folk, country, bluegrass

Comments: I am writing as a representative of those of us out there not too electronically sophisticated, and not so much into the gear, and too scared to cut holes and fuss around too much with a guitar's innards. I just like to play acoustic guitar and want it to sound good. If I could, I would just prefer to use a mike for the best amplified acoustic sound, if only it weren't such a nuisance to stay next to it without banging into it or feeding back.
This pickup appealed to me based on some testimonies from salesmen, plus the fact that it didn't require any holes in the top. I was too impatient to wait for a pro installation and after reading the instructions I was convinced I could install it myself. I found it very easy. I was worried about cutting the tailpiece hole for the strap jack but even that worked out very well- I just drilled successively larger pilot holes with standard drill bits up to about 5/16; then drilled the remainder with a standard flat 1/2" bit. All drilling was done thru a piece of masking tape to minimize splintering- none occurred. The jig worked great, I think. I unfortunately misplaced the sticky tape for the jig and used some standard double-stick tape which I hope held the beam in place while I slipped it underneath the soundhole. If it stayed where I intended, it would have been exactly under the saddle.
The sound is terrific thru the PA. Just a joy to play. I compared it side by side with the old Markey soundhole pickup, which I know most here would say is the low end of pickups. The difference was like night and day, mud and lemonade. Just way brighter, more sensitive, an open, realistic sound. I am real happy with it. I can't wait to debut it in a live setting.
I also tried playing it thru my electric guitar amp and had to do massive adjustment cutting the lows to prevent the bass from getting too boomy. I suspect this is more an incompatibility in the amp than a flaw in the pickup, based on the excellent sound from the PA. I suppose if I was more ambitious I would try unsticking the i-beam and trying another location but I just prefer to leave well enough alone. I'd rather just adjust the EQ.

Pickup features: bridge plate transducer (active)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: om Santa Cruz
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, bluegrass,fingerstyle,
Reason for pickup change: Advice of the guys that sell lots of pickups. They have not personally heard one that had been installed yet. These guys know the sound I've been looking for in an acoustic pickup

Perceived output level: I have the active model and its as hot as most factory installed fishmans
Tone: I installed the pickup myself and though it has a mouting jig , I decided to use a mirror and experiment with different locations . The second try got it where it sounds the best . It has plenty of mids and highs without the piezo effect , very natural. It does have a tendency to get booomy if I had it centered on the saddle so I leaned towards sliding the whole ibeam towards the treble side of the saddle about 1/8-3/16 of an inch off center. That hit what I was looking for without too much boom. I have owned a lot of guitars with onboard pickups which are hard to beat. And I can honestly say this simple to install setup will compete with the best. I never thought I'd sell my alvarez wy1 I used exclusively for stage because it was so clean quiet and really sonic, but its no longer needed 'cause I got my most favoite guitar to sound just as good if not better.
Sonic evaluation: I use a California Blonde and also have a sans-amp,and a boss ge7 eq. depending on what instrument I play determines which preamp I use. With the boss eq and the enhancer on the blonde tweeked at 1/3rd I've got the most natural sounding acoustic guitar suitable to play about any style of music I know and with all the sonic punch needed to fill any noisy cafe or small bar.

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

Comments: I'd rate this a 10 and would replace it in a heartbeat

Pickup features: under saddle transducer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha LS-10
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: This guitar did not have a pickup
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne
You musical style(s): I play in a Gospel Rock band and also for Sunday morning worship
Reason for pickup change: no prior pickup ( I almost bought a dual source but waited for this one to come out after seeing the advertisement. )

Perceived output level:
Tone: Very natural acoustic tone, not too bright
Sonic evaluation: This is very good sounding pickup and I am well pleased so far. Very natural acoustic tone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for close too true acoustic tone. If you are looking for a bright cut through the mix sound, this isn't it.

Comments: I am satisfied with the pickup and I feel that it performs as advertised. I have the active version and installed it myself. I had planned on having a shop do it but after reading the instructions it was fairly simple and the only tough part was drilling the hole for the end jack. The jig worked great and made it very straight foward. I wish it had the peanut volume control like on the dual source so I use my Boss GT-3 as preprocessor for eq and volume. My only complaint would be that it is very sensitive to any vibration of the guitar body. My LS-10 is a 00 sized hand made solid wood guitar is very resonant. When we practice in my band's studio, which is fairly small, I stand in front of one JBL's and it is plenty loud. When I am not playing, the acoustic sits on its stand, I have to shut the volume down on the GT-3 because the bass coming through the monitor mix causes the body to vibrant and start to hum back through the mix. The same thing happens at church when the organ is cranking. I guess this is the price you pay for having such a natural sound.

Pickup features: Active soundboard transducer in the form of a beam (hence the name) adhered to the bridge plate.
Impedence or other specs: The active iBeam is low impedance (around 600 ohms, for what that's worth) and comes with the beam, the battery holder and an endpin jack/preamp. Oh yes, they also include a nifty little jig to position the pickup on the bridge plate, using the enpin holes as a guide. Very clever, although guitars that have pinless bridges (ie: all the lucky Lowden owners...) have to do it the old fashioned way, with mirrors and guide holes.

Model of guitar or bass: Cort NTL 50 Jumbo.
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None, this was an experiment (generally, I prefer the baggs dual source, or for altered reality, the sunrise or rare earth series)
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Particularly Jackson Browne, but also Danny Heines (outrageous!) Janis Ian, Bonnie Rait and other beta testers. Several luthiers Beta testing as well.
You musical style(s): Fingerstyle, with nails and alternate tunings (esp. DADGAD). Also a ton of vocal accompaniment, as I perform around 175 shows a year with my vocalist wife/songwriting partner.
Reason for pickup change: Baggs claimed that the pickup was more dynamic and natural than their stellar dual source. I wanted to see for myself. The early buzz was good and I'm always open to a better live sound, for sure...

Perceived output level: The iBeam that I have is the active version, with a pre eq'd preamp connected to an endpin jack. The pickup also comes in a passive version, designed to mate with various other baggs products. More on that later. Suffice to say that the output of the iBeam active is as hot as any active (battery powered) pickup, for example the Ribbon Transducer, the fishman copolymer and rare earth series and other makers 9 volt under the saddle systems. More than enough for any sane application. The output varies a bit, depending on where one sticks the thing, but again, I can plug right into any mixer, amp or recording deck using any length cable.
Tone: Freakishly microphonic. I had the opportunity to attend the release at this year's NAMM and Lloyd Baggs told me that he was done making pickups. Evidently, he feels that he can concentrate on electronics now that "natural" has been achieved. There is some sonic evidence that he may be right. The sound of the cort jumbo comes through almost exactly as the guitar sounds in the open air. Complete with finger squeaks on the fretboard, and all of the other idiosyncracies of the guitar. It's kind of unreal. As far as terms such as bassy, balanced, muddy or crisp; the answer is a question: What does your guitar really sound like?
Sonic evaluation: Right up front, I need to say that I like the folks at Baggs, and I may be biased. They seem to be pleasant people and I have used a lot of their product, both stage and studio (I'm not paid or anything, but I am a major fan because their stuff has made my life easier over the last several years). Also, please, please consider this a preliminary review -no one besides Danny Heines has had one of these things for long. I know that there must be some folks who have been waiting for an H-C review, so here I go. I may want to expand a bit on this submission in the future. So far I have used this guitar/pickup for a few wine bars, a few coffeehouses, a few solo guitar tracks with a Roland vs-1680 and one show at a mid size (750 seat) theatre. Remember when I said that the operative question is what does your guitar sound like? This pickup is a genuine alternative to a microphone (finally) which can lead us to some philosophical questions. First off, I have gotten a lot of comments on the sound of this pickup. My favorite luthiere/tech guy is buying one to put in his mega-expensive Goodall Claro Walnut/Englemann Concert guitar based on the response of my "Fluffy, the pet jumbo" el cheapo-try everything guitar. (He is, by the way a dealer for Baggs, Fishman, EMF <B-Band> and a bunch of other stuff. for more than half a decade, Rick has been watching and waiting for a pickup to soil his baby with...) "Natural" has finally arrived. The Buzz Feiten/John Bolin modified (every guitar should have this mod done) Cort that I am using to check this thing out is over 16 inches at the lower bout and over 5 inches deep at its widest point. Any time I put a condenser mic (ie: akg 414, AT 4033, or R?de NT-1) on it, I expect to cut at least 6db or so at around 300hz, 3db at 6khz and maybe dink a bit more. My first location was right under the bridge line. The first time I lit into the Roland disc recorder, I was pretty blown away by the sound. Guess what though? the iBeam needed about 6db down at 300 to clean it up and balance out. It was also really agressive in the high end. Interestingly, this guitar is a fairly new sruce top, and a cheap one at that, and can be a bit harsh when I first start playing. After a few hours, the iBeam's recorded sound was more pleasant, much less crisp. Easily noticeable when comparing tracks. This seems to confirm the legend that new guitars can "warm up" when first played every day for the first several months or a year or so. Obviously, at this point, I am beginning to feel that this pickup will faithfully amplify the sonic fingerprint of one's acoustic guitar. Next,

Comments: If this pickup were lost or stolen (aside from being grateful that it was my workhouse guitar that was removed from my life, and not my parker or something) I would get another for sure. Nothing sounds more natural and they are relatively inexpensive. In fact, if you already have a good preamp like the para DI, check out the passive ibeam, which will likely street for around a hundred bucks. That's a lot cheaper than a good condenser mic and easier to dial in live for sure. I have been at this over twenty years, despite my gen-x status, and I have played them all. (Except England's Headway, which Pierre Bensusan makes fabulous sounds with). I have compared this pickup to all of the "name" acoustic, at least in experience, if not back to back. I have a bad habit that way. Ask my wife/vocalist. (vocalists can pick one good high end stage condenser mic and sing through it until they die. In your dreams, guitarists...) I have done "back to back" a lot in the week since the iBeam arrived, however. I have recorded, or recorded with, all of the standard high end pickups from the big two (Baggs & Fishman), and I dig this pickup a lot. The dual source is a damn fine rig, but it is hard to install yourself and it costs way more for no more sound. The Fishman Rare Earth is great if you like the sound of a Jazz box in a flat top. The Sunrise is just plain cool, but nobody ever said it was "natural". I haven't even scratched the surface of the iBeam options, but if the beam alone was as cool as it got, it would be enough to warrant a look. I love the texture and microphonic sound. (If I am facing a bass heavy PA with "Fluffy" and no EQ, I hate the microphonic sound.) It is what you make of it. I forgot to ask Mr. Baggs if you could yank the mic off of the dual source and wire the iBeam to the preamp. THAT would be interesting...I will defininately get a Para DI and keep tweaking, because I think that this pickup might just be cable of the "holy grail" thing with enough TLC. I may as well skip the rating, since every new pickup is a "10", I mean, no one spends their hard earned money on crap if they can help it. That said, this might just be a ten for now...I am thus far impressed.