Fishman Ellipse swapped out for Baggs I-Beam (Martin guitar)

[Will Fly]

My Martin XC1T was factory-fitted with a Fishman Ellipse blended under-saddle piezo & internal mic system when I bought it. On several occasions I was getting a crackling from the piezo, which was accentuated if I tapped the bridge on the guitar. Regular checks told me it wasn't the battery.

Eventually, I got fed up with this and took if to  a new, local guitar store where I knew that a reliable techie did repairs on Fridays (this techie - Graham Wheeler - used to do setups for Clapton and Andy Summers, so he knows his stuff). Graham took the lot out and pronounced it to be cheap and cheerful - poor quality piezo fitting on two pins, cheap motherboard and ineffective stalk mic. In short, not one of Fishman's better models. After some consultation about a replacement, I plumped for a Baggs I-Beam. It was fitted last Friday, and I gigged it at a ceilidh (wedding reception) on Saturday evening. What a great sound. Without EQ it gives the natural acoustic tone of the guitar, and it is powerful - a gigasquillion dB if I want it.

Anyway - just my experience of these two systems if anyone is interested...

[Zohn]

I bought my Walden with the same Fishman Ellipse-blend system fitted standard, and that's my main gigging axe. I have never had problems with it, in fact, I've had numerous compliments on its sound - mind you it takes 2 to tango - its a pretty good guitar as well!!  I recommended it on this forum before, and I still do. The pre-Amp design is quite clever and very useful inside the sound-hole and also non-intrusive. Another interesting point worth mentioning, is that the very same Matrix element is currently employed with the Aura system available on selected L-09- and L-10-models.
I had however also an I-mix (including the I-beam) fitted on my SD-50, and I'm a devoted fan of LR Baggs, if I had to buy a pick-up for a guitar, and they both cost the same, I'd probably go for the I-beam.
It must be mentioned though that they're different by design, the one being an UST, and the other an AST, and offer different characteristics. The I-mix uses them as a combination for that very reason.
My conclusion is they both work for me, and they work rather well.

[obe-wan]

Just put my iBeam back in the OM-03R after a horrible sounding gig with a Fishman Matrix in it. I'm happy again.......

Although I am considering a Para DI to take the EQing out of the sound guys hands...........

Cheers, Scott.

[Zohn]

Just put my iBeam back in the OM-03R after a horrible sounding gig with a Fishman Matrix in it. I'm happy again.......

Although I am considering a Para DI to take the EQing out of the sound guys hands...........

Cheers, Scott.

I'm truly happy for you Scott!

[danerada]

Just put my iBeam back in the OM-03R after a horrible sounding gig with a Fishman Matrix in it. I'm happy again.......

Although I am considering a Para DI to take the EQing out of the sound guys hands...........

Cheers, Scott.

Scott - What was the issue with the Matrix? I have the Matrix Infinity in both of my Larris and I love the sound. I had to do a little fine tuning to get the sound just right, but now I just plug her in and go. Of course I do my own EQing because our sound guy is very new.

Thanks - Dane.

[willguitar]

Great sound from the Fishman Elipse Blend in my Martin HD-28. Dittos for the K&K Pure Westerns in the Larrivee L's.

[drathbun]

I love my I-beams! :) Best acoustic pickup I've heard.

[obe-wan]

Scott - What was the issue with the Matrix?
Thanks - Dane.

Hi there Dane. I got lots of top end brashness out of it, had to ask the sound guy to knock back the trebles and mids at the PA, but it still sounded a little harsh and 'Electric" The iBeam just sounds more natural to my ears, and responds better to my way of acoustic fingerstyle blues than the Matrix. Smoother comes to mind. I did like the Matrix at first and was happy with the sound I was getting at home with my little PA, but at higher (much) volumes I found the sweetness had gone and I found myself missing the iBeam. Just my opinion of course, Ive seen and heard lots of folks with matrix and Martin Gold + (same pickup) pickups that sound great.

Cheers, Scott.