L.R. Baggs Acoustic Reference Amplifier

I've worked as a Tech./repairman in the music field since 1975. I've installed many pickups in acoustic guitars over the years, and when I discovered LR Baggs in the early 1990's I was impressed by their commitment to quality and their passion for sound. Everything said re. Baggs by the previous two reviewers is true. They are the best company I've ever worked with in terms of support and product development.

The amp has 2 channels with full EQ based around the original Para DI. The VU meters are wonderful when used with the mute switch for setting the gain level of each channel. The EQ section is very flexible with notch, bass, sweepable low mid, hi mid, and treble controls. If you can't dial in a great tone from any pickup with this unit you may want to find another gig. Low or Hi-Z for each channel. 200 watts of dead quiet power. There is a third channel accessible in the back that has both 1/4" and RCA connectors. It can be used to play an iPod through between sets, or if you have a separate preamp you can use it as another instrumental input.

A good friend of mine was one of the testers of the original Core Amplifier. He brought it over to my home and we played several instruments through it. I was really knocked out with its performance, and lusted for one ever since. I sold my Mackie board and JBL Eon's to get this and I'm not going back.

The flat panel speaker and its 140 degree dispersion is for real. There is no time alignment issues with the speaker so everything the instrument produces is there in glorious detail. Crisp, clean and lush sounding all at once.

I'm using it with a Baggs M-1 pickup in a Tacoma Parlor guitar. I switched to the M-1 when I had my old cumbersome, heavy sound system that I drug around. I'm now wondering about some of the other Baggs pickups and how they would sound through the amp.

I play mostly rhythm style Irish music in DADGAD tuning. I play some fingerstyle arrangemnets as well. I've noticed one thing when playing through the Acoustic Reference; I'm going to have to clean up my technique! It's very, very clean and true to what you are putting into it.

My friend has put his original through the wringer for the better part of a year and its performed flawlessly. I've only had mine a week but I'm certain it will be fine.

As stated by the others and my experience, Baggs is the best at customer service. I've had very few of their products go wrong, and they've never given me a runaround. They replace it or repair it. You're in good hands with LR Baggs.

I've played guitar for 48 years ( man, how time flies ). I own a James Goodall Grand Concert and three Tacoma Guitars, as well as a few other's.

If this were stolen or lost I'd get another in a heart beat.

I love it's versatility and sound, as well as its low weight and ease of transport. There's nothing to dislike about it. It's amazing.

What Ken said....

I was waiting for someone else to review this before I jumped in.
Lots of connections, the LR Baggs preamp, and the speaker is amazing.... believe the hype!

What Ken said:

I use it with a Flamenco guitar with PUTW pickups (with a 1 Megohm resistor between the tip and ground inside the guitar at the jack, which removed a bass emphasis that I spent a good 10 years trying to get rid of. Brian at LR Baggs told me about this, so not only did I fix my fundamental guitar sound, I got one hell of an acoustic amp).

The LR Baggs is gorgeous in sounding the articulations of the individual strings - the sound is clear, transparent, and detailed (those are words; you have to hear it to believe it). I really like the side-looking aspect of the speaker system - I hear my guitar clearly even when the speaker is directly beside me.

In addition, I use it with MFX in the send/return loop, and with the GT-10, I have a sound that exceeds every expectation and fantasy I ever had.....

What Ken said...

What Ken said; LR Baggs is one of the great companies for customer support and ethical responses.

I have been playing for at least 35 years now, and this is BY FAR the best amp I have played for nylon string acoustic guitar with film transducer pickups. Rasgueados (flamenco strums) are very clear, and the reverb is very smooth; but still has a spring reverb flavor I find very appealing.

The Baggs Acoustic Reference Amplifier is a two channel amp with 200 watts of power. Both channels have combination Neutrik XLR/1/4" inputs, with 4 bands of semi-parametric EQ and a Garrett Null anti-feedback notch filter.


The back panel is chock full of connections which include effects send & return for each channel, aux in, and post & pre DI output.

This amp is powerful and incredibly flexible. I've used this in two very difficult sonic situations, and it pulled through like a champ.

And all this in a 28 pound package, makes this my go to choice for everything from coffe house gigs, to house concerts, to big stages. I've only had this for a couple of weeks, but I can't imagine gigging without it.

Lloyd Baggs is known for making audiophile acoustic guitar pick-ups and his entry into the acoustic guitar amp market is no different.

It's stone dead quite, and if you have any clue on how to use EQ, you'll dial in a great guitar sound very quickly.

I play solo, instrumental, fingerstyle guitar, so guitar tone is paramount to me. In the past I've been known to carry around a 12 space rack to get the sounds I wanted.

I use Baggs Hex Pick-ups in my custom Alan Carruth guitars and this amp allows me to use my lowest tunings on my baritone guitar. This amp has bottom end for days, yet the highs are sweet and natural.

I've only had it for a couple of weeks, but for all it's good looks it's built road tough, they've recessed the top controls so they're out of harms way, and the included amp cover does a great job of protecting the amp from dust, shoes, and other potential hazards.

I've dealt with Baggs for over 10 years and they've answered every question I've ever had. Once when I was on the road they replaced a Para Acoustic DI for me, no questions asked, and even sent it overnight to my next gig.

I couldn't ask for better support!

In the past I've owned a Carvin acoustic guitar amp and a Roland Keyboard amp. I've gigged with SWR, AER, and many others, and this is without question the finest sounding and lightest amp I've used.