Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

Andrew Lamprecht

Andrew Lamprecht

Minion of One
Hey guys, it's been a while. Hope you're all healthy and what not.

I realize this is a majority electric players forum but I was hoping some people would have experience with one (or both!) of these pickups or if they could just give me recommendations for amplifying an acoustic guitar in general.

The LR Baggs Anthem seems to get the best reviews but there is just something about putting in a pickup, microphone, mini control panel, and bunch of wires into my expensive Martin that seems unappealing. I would do it if this is the simplest and best sounding way however. I like the looks of the K&K Pure Mini. It has 3 mini pickups if I understand the design correctly but it's fairly small and I won't have a bunch of stuff in my guitar. I know I'll need a power source but that's not too big a deal.

Any experience with either of these anyone can share?

I am also open to other suggestions. I've never had to amplify an acoustic so it's all new to me.

Thanks!
 
Re: Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

I have the Anthem SL in my Martin DM and Lyric in my Stonebridge GA-23. The installation is fairly involved but within the capabilities of an amateur guitar tech.

Fortunately, the part that I was dreading on the Martin turned out to be a doddle. At one end of the bridge saddle slot, Martin had already routed the beginnings of the hole for an under saddle transducer output cable. Keeping my existing bridge saddle intact, I modified a second saddle to the required height to preserve the action whilst accommodating the transducer.

L. R. Baggs claims that the adhesive on their cable guide clips will not damage the wood inside the host guitar. I am, thus far, inclined to believe them.

My only regret with either of these systems is that I did not go to the expense of the full-on Anthem system. The microphone can be unforgiving. The under saddle transducer helps to fill out the sound of my cheaper guitar. A balance of the two would cover most situations. I would not care to use the transducer alone.

"Microphone inside the guitar" is a pretty good description of how the Baggs Anthem sounds. Plenty of soundboard detail. (Tommy Emmanuel soundalikes, take note!) I have found that external sounds tend to leak into the guitar signal. Shirt buttons, distant drums, nearby acoustic guitars and bad cases of R 'n' B foot are all lovingly rendering into the recording medium. Any player who mumbles along to the music à la Keith Jarrett or Garth Hudson would be wise to wear a full-face motorcycle crash helmet whilst recording.

Yes, the Baggs Anthem is expensive but so is a serious microphone and a bunch of proper room treatment. Best of all, it is no longer necessary to keep still so as to remain on mic.

I cannot comment on the K&K product as I have never tried it.

I have tried the Fishman Aura model with the built-in gooseneck mic. I did not keep it. The system was biased in favour of the magnetic soundhole pickup and I could never find a good spot for the mic.
 
Re: Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

I have several Martins, including an HD-28E Retro and a DC AURA. The AURA system is fantastic, especially the F1+ in the Retro.

I would take a LONG look at the Fishman Ellipse Blend which has the UST and the gooseneck mic. It is a fine system on it's own, but combine it with a Fishman Spectrum AURA DI, and you have a terrific system for both live sound and recording. To use THE AURA DI, set the Ellipse' blend control to use only the UST and blend in the appropriate AURA image from the DI. The DI has tone conrols, a tuner, anti-feedback, compression and the DI OUT. Easy to use and it sounds great. I have Standard Series D-28 with the Ellipse, and the AURA DI takes it to a whole new level. It even makes my Taylor 710CE with a Fishman Stereo Prefix Blend sound better, and offers more control with an easier setup.

I liked the K&K, but I'm glad I went with the Fishman.

Bill
 
Re: Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

I'm pleased to hear that the Fishman Aura imaging process yields good results. I know a retailer who needs to shift one of those pedals.
 
Re: Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input. Anyone else? I like the sound clips of the LR Baggs M1 on YouTube also.
 
Re: Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

its pretty amazing what you can do just with mics live:
 
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Re: Acoustic Pickup Question: K&K Pure Mini vs LR Baggs Anthem vs ?

Although i saw peter rowan last week and he combined an undersaddle with the dynamic and condenser you see in this video. Sounded great.
 
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