L.R. Baggs Anthem Acoustic Guitar Pickup and Microphone

Product Information

Percussive playing - tapping and the like - has become all the rage over the last decade or so, forcing players to re-evaluate what they want to hear over the PA. Once upon a time we would have settled for a close to authentic guitar tone, the experience of delightfully sonorous notes drifting artfully from speaker to audience as we play. When we compare the sound of Anthem with Anthem SL, it is easy to say that the latter has a brighter sound. It doesn’t matter whether the style of music is Spanish or classical acoustic; it can excel in both of them. The quality of output is no less than the studio quality. Still, in some cases, they differ from each other and the difference between them that we are going to bring about today will make the concept clear to you. So, without further ado let’s get started with our main topic. Take any top-end acoustic and it's a similar story. We want to see every angel step, bee's wing, cat's paw, flame, pommele and ribble. Aesthetics is really important.

I have been playing acoustic guitar for 45 years as professional in clubs. As such I have been through almost every system that has been available since that time, always searching for "the acoustic sound of the guitar". In the 1970's I started with the Barcus Berry hot dots and up to the Fishman Blender System, and everything else in between.Just like the external mic options they sound more authentic, sweeter, more soulful and less strident than piezo transducers. To benefit from the best of both worlds, high-end solutions will include a piezo transducer – undersaddle or bridge plate – and an internal mic, together with a sophisticated preamp. EQ sliders and a blend control enable you to find the best tone possible. Noise cancelling microphone technology eliminates any annoying honky or boxy qualities from the inside of the guitar

Another advantage of using these instrument mics is cost. They're not cheap but they can easily be moved between any guitar in your collection without a messy, potentially damaging install/uninstall. A bridge plate transducer comprises three or four piezo transducers, typically the size of small coins, that sit inside your guitar on the bridge plate, usually positioned directly under the saddle. Once again, they make for a very neat, completely covert install. A preamp does much more than just boost your signal. Available as either onboard or external units, most will boast basic tone and volume controls at the very least. More sophisticated units will feature three- or four-band EQ and, if you have a dual mic and piezo transducer setup, a blend control. This enables you to dial in clarity from the piezo or fullness and warmth from the mic to taste. Likewise, cutting a sizable hole in the side of your precious guitar to fit a preamp control panel isn't a job to be taken lightly, so unless you really know what you're doing we'd recommend leaving that job to your local luthier or experienced guitar tech.On the other hand, LR Baggs Anthem SL is a model of true technology as it fits easily without any hassle of using adhesive. Besides, it takes less time to be installed. On top of that, it is a compact device that you can carry easily anywhere to perform your live performance 4) Control Module: When the comparison between Anthem and Anthem SL is set on the basis of the control module, Anthem SL wins. The presence of a small screwdriver makes it easy for the users to make adjustments to any range of their favorite sound. It is a discussion about whether your device is budget-friendly or not. However, LR Baggs Anthem SL seems to be low in cost while Anthem is higher. The difference in their cost is also remarkable. Because LR Baggs Anthem is expensive, most people peak through the door of LR Baggs Anthem SL. Though both are individually expensive, if we go through the point of comparison then LR Baggs Anthem SL with its high-end features is less costly. Final Decision: The second J200 was better, no static, but after about 6 months, the blend and volume wheels started sympathetic rattling when I'd play certain notes. It's always preferable to EQ your sound as close to the beginning of the signal chain as you can, rather than try to fix tonal issues using your amp or a mixing desk. With a skilful touch, the EQ controls on a preamp can absolutely transform a piezo transducer, replacing that characteristic thin, tinny, synthetic sound with a tone that's both rich and full.

Most bridge plate transducers come with detailed instructions telling you exactly where to fit them, but you will need to identify the sweet spot for soundboard transducers yourself. Just be patient and use double-sided tape to explore likely positions before committing to a final placement. You don’t have to bother about any missing good sounds of the studio microphone because LR Baggs Anthem is very good at its job. It is going to capture all the good sounds while canceling out unnecessary noise. Soundboard transducers work in a very similar way but usually comprise just one transducer that can sit anywhere on the soundboard inside the guitar. Most sound best glued or taped close to the bridge. All these solutions have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages, so let's run through the pros and cons.The adjustment of the microphone is in your hands as well. The installation of LR Baggs Anthem SL is very simple. Its compact structure is easy to handle. On the other, you don’t have to bother with the adhesives while installing the Anthem SL, thanks to the advanced technology used in its manufacturing. If you want to have a grim and dark effect in the sound, you can take a look at the manual and follow the instructions to fix it accordingly. There is no controlling module in LR Baggs Anthem, but that doesn’t affect its efficiency in improving the tune of the guitars.