LR Baggs M1 pickup for acoustic lap steel

Fred Kinbom · Post by **Fred Kinbom** » 18 May 2006 2:21 am

Hi!

Steinar recently recommeded the LR Baggs M1 soundhole pickup, and I'm thinking of getting one (I'm a bit disappointed with the Fishman Rare Earth humbucker - the output is quite low and I think the unwound strings come out much louder than the wound ones).

Does anyone know if the LR Baggs M1 is small enough to fit into the soundhole of an Oahu acoustic lap steel (parlour size)? The soundhole on my Oahu measures 3 1/2" (or 88mm) at its widest.

(Also, I think I'll get a LR Baggs iBeam active for my nylon string "Spanish" acoustic - has anyone tried this one out?).

Many thanks!

Fred.[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 18 May 2006 at 06:17 AM.]

Cris Linscott · Post by **Cris Linscott** » 18 May 2006 12:01 pm

Fred

I don't have experience of the LR Baggs M1 but a similar pickup is the Sunrise pickup ( http://www.sunrisepickups.com ). I've used one in a Taylor flat top converted for lap style; good detailed sound.

As to the ibeam; I use a passive one in a Larrivee parlour guitar feeding an LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI box for fingerstyle. Really happy with the sound; none of that over compressed sound.

Cris

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 18 May 2006 12:08 pm

Fred, the Baggs M1 (passive model) is 95mm at it's widest, that should be something like 3,74".

Steinar

------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 18 May 2006 12:19 pm

Oops, I just realized that the M1 will be too wide for your Oahu..
One alternative is the K&K Pure Western bridgeplate transducer (you would probably need the "mini" model),- I just installed it in my Lazy River weissenborn, and it's the most natural sounding system I've tried so far. So unless you plan to use your Oahu in very loud band settings, the K&K would be a good alternative.

Steinar

------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

Fred Kinbom · Post by **Fred Kinbom** » 19 May 2006 1:46 am

Thanks Cris and Steinar!

Steinar, I was fearing that the M1 might be too big for my Oahu.

Do you think I might get it to fit with a bit of "good will"?

Even if it means that the pickup sits at the centre of the soundhole rather than near the fretboard?

When I installed the Rare Earth pickup, I took one of the clamps off and wiggled it into place, and then re-attached the clamp and tightened the screw. May this work with the M1 as well? What is the distance between the outer edge on one side of the M1 and the "inner" edge on the opposite side (I wish I could make a drawing but I hope you know what I mean)?

I'm really interested in the M1 and would love to try it on the Oahu.

The K&K Pure Western seems very nice too. Have you replaced the M1 with the K&K on your Lazy River? The problem here with the Oahu is the solid aluminium bridge. There is no way to get reference points for the installation of the pickup.

Rick Batey · Post by **Rick Batey** » 19 May 2006 4:48 am

Fred, I measure my Baggs M1 at 89mm between the mounting screw sleeves, so it might just go, and you can insert the 'ears' from beneath with a little fiddling.

On the other hand the M1 is body-sensitive by design, and since mine picks up more handling noise than I like, I tend to 'centre' the pickup away from the soundhole edge and use bits of foam for extra isolation. On your guitar, it sounds like there might not be room for that option. Hope this helps...
[This message was edited by Rick Batey on 19 May 2006 at 05:58 AM.]

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 19 May 2006 7:10 am

Hi Fred, good to see you in Brighton the other night where you would have heard my M1 fitted to my Gibson Jumbo, pitty its too wide for the oahu, cant think of anything of the top of my head

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 19 May 2006 7:17 am

Have you replaced the M1 with the K&K on your Lazy River?

Yes, I decided to give it a try after hearing how well it sounded in my nephew's acoustic guitar. I don't use the Lazy River in loud settings anymore, and there's something about the sight of a soundhole pickup in such a classic instrument that just isn't right,- but that's just me...

I really like the Baggs M1, and compared to the two other soundhole pickups I've tried - a Sunrise and a Duncan MagMic - it's definitely the one I've liked the most, so I wouldn't hesitate about installing it in a guitar for "loud band" use.
I can see how it would be difficult to get a K&K to work well in your Oahu,- too bad...

Steinar

------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

Bill Blacklock · Post by **Bill Blacklock** » 19 May 2006 8:31 am

Hi Fred,

I just ordered a Baggs M1 yesterday for my soon to be finished Celtic Cross "Kona". I can stick it in my Oahu for you and let you know how it fits and sounds if you like?

It will take a couple of weeks to get here from the states.

Oahu's have a metal bridge plate that can be removed by taking off two nuts. The plate could be removed for fitting a K&K standard or mini western.

K&K sells seconds(scratched or minor cosmetic problem)on e-bay, they come with a full warranty. They go for around $50 or $60 bucks U.S. There's four on e-bay now with about five days left on the bidding

Fred Kinbom · Post by **Fred Kinbom** » 19 May 2006 9:04 am

Thanks everyone!

Bill - cheers for that info! It would be most appreciated if you could check if the M1/Oahu combination would be possible. Many thanks for that!

Also, thanks for the info about the metal bridgeplate. I have a second Oahu (40s squareneck) due for delivery next week, and I might order a cheap "seconds" K&K system for that.

The only thing is - I don't want to drill in these old guitars.

But I guess I'll have to.

Bill Blacklock · Post by **Bill Blacklock** » 27 May 2006 10:02 am

Hi Fred,

My Baggs M1 sound hole pickup arrived yesterday and it will fit in a Oahu with a bit of fiddling. One clamp has to be removed to make the fit, not a big deal.

How does it sound? Absolutely horrible!!

My SansAmp Para Driver Di cleaned it up a bit but the sound was not even a good as the cheap (which I like) Fishman Neo-D pickup that I use with the Oahu.

I was very disappointed wth Baggs M1 but when I installed it in my 25" Celtic Cross it had the opposite effect. It sounds wonderful in the weissenborn, I even like it better then my Sunrise pickup. Very natural sounding. The smaller size and weight on the sound board makes the guitar sound better unplugged. (thanks again for the advise Steinar)

I don't know but I would guess that the metal nut, bridge and bridge plate have somthing to do with the horrible metalic sound the M1 spit out. Im sure I had it installed properly

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 27 May 2006 10:27 am

That's interesting Bill, I would guess it may have been the 'acoustic censor' thing in the M1 that picked up some weird frequencies from the Oahu's top or something...

Steinar

------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

Arthur Herrmann · Post by **Arthur Herrmann** » 27 May 2006 11:54 am

I installed a McIntyre feather pick up in my Lazy River Weissenborn, the pick up recommended by Rance White of Lazy River. Using it with an L.R Baggs preamp and I am blown away with the sound quality. It's an under saddle pick up but may be an option for you.