Main Forums => Recording, Pickups, Live Sound, etc. => Topic started by: shawnishere on September 24, 2010, 08:19:55 PM

Title: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: shawnishere on September 24, 2010, 08:19:55 PM
Is LR baggs the best pickup for a Larrivee? I had past experience with it and it sounds awesome. Wondering if there's a better pickup system
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Michael T on September 25, 2010, 04:30:47 AM
Personally, I like the simplicity and natural sound of the K&K with a XLR preamp.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: musicrowscott on September 25, 2010, 06:48:36 AM
I have experienced playing Larrivees with Fishman Aura , LR Baggs Imix and LR Baggs Anthem...Love either of the Baggs! The Anthem is brand new, but so far in the 4 venues I've been plugged in, have been very happy with it. Thats in my OM-03 MT, not sure I'd like it as much in my D-10...sometimes I need a little more control over bass and treble depending on the room so I am very happy with the Imix for that one.

Cheers,

S
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Biggs on September 26, 2010, 11:27:01 AM
My favorites are the Baggs Element and/or Fishman Matrix through a Fishman Aura Spectrum.  Without the Spectrum they are decent p/u's but with it, they take on a who new character.  I know a lot of folks don't like UST's but, using them through this simple pedal, has made a noticeable improvement in my overall sound.  Half the fun is experimenting with the EQ, blend and compressor settings. 
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: eded on September 26, 2010, 11:30:14 AM
Quote from: Michael T on September 25, 2010, 04:30:47 AM
Personally, I like the simplicity and natural sound of the K&K with a XLR preamp.

:+1:

I'm a K&K fan.

Ed
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: carruth on September 26, 2010, 03:03:11 PM
I like K & K too.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: kennykoa on October 08, 2010, 07:13:18 PM
Larrivee D-05E with its IMix Notch System dialed to full Element with guitar's output routed through a Fishman Aura pedal--any of them!

Regards,

KennyKoa
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: tuffythepug on October 09, 2010, 12:58:45 AM
The term " best" is, of course subjective.   I think the K & K pure western mini works perfectly in my 000-50.   But I'm reasonably happy with the LR Baggs M-1 passive that I use on my OM-03R.  That's two completely different approaches to acoustic amplification and I like them both for what they are.   The K & K is by far the most natural sounding to my ears.
I run both of these through a Baggs DI pre-amp.   I've never used a Baggs internal pickups but they have many fans here on the forum.      I like either of these systems better than the Fishman UST that I used to use.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Wannabee on October 18, 2010, 09:34:56 PM
   I use an LR Baggs active I-Beam in my L03SP.I don't see how anything could sound any better.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Glennd on October 19, 2010, 06:39:38 AM
I have only tried or heard one system in a Larrivee so the experience is thus limited. I have a Fishman Blend in an LV-10. SOunds great and good deal of flexibility, played straight to a Carvin PA.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: greentrees on October 19, 2010, 07:15:24 PM
My new-to-me C-9 has the Aura pro, and for owning it only 3 weeks, I'm in love with this pickup.  I assume you guys know what it's about.  I called Larrivee yesterday and talked with one of the staff in the California shop, and he had some great things to say about the Aura.  For my guitar, it duplicates these 4 mics:

AKG D790  Close  B-Band UST 
Audio Tech. Pro 35X  Close  B-Band UST 
Carvin MK319  Close  B-Band UST 
Shure SM57  Close  B-Band UST

I did some more tracking with the AKG image today and must say it's incredibly solid.  I'm a fan.  We did one track with a Rode condenser/pre-amp'd mic, and the a 2nd layer with the AKG image through the onboard Aura pickup, they blended very nicely.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: bluesman67 on October 20, 2010, 08:28:52 AM
LR Baggs is real nice but K&K Pure Western Mini would be my preference, IMO...have had both.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: geodr on October 29, 2010, 11:01:08 PM
What's the consensus on the LR Baggs M1A?
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: cohenj on November 20, 2010, 05:08:20 PM
I'm probably breaking from the rest of the gang, but I thought I'd put my two cents in.  My D-50 has a Fishman Matrix III and I run it through a Radial Tonebone Z-Pre, which I find to give me the cleanest most natural sound and the best routing and EQ options.  Not what's typical I guess, but it works well for me.  I use it live and in the studio.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Strings4Him on November 22, 2010, 04:48:55 PM
This is a good post, since I was wondering about the following.

Should I buy the standard Larrivee acoustic-electric with the factory-installed unit?

Or, should I have one installed on one of my acoustics?

It seems from the responses that most of you decided to have one installed.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: rvf263 on December 01, 2010, 07:13:59 PM
Quote from: Wannabee on October 18, 2010, 09:34:56 PM
   I use an LR Baggs active I-Beam in my L03SP.I don't see how anything could sound any better.

I have a L-03SP also and just love this guitar. Even though I have it up for sale right now, I'm really hoping some of my other gear sells so I can keep it and install some type of pickup system.
I'm glad you posted about the LR Baggs active I-Beam
Do you have any recordings available of your L-03SP with the active I-Beam?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Wannabee on December 01, 2010, 10:30:30 PM
     @rvf263,  I will try to post a link for you to hear it.   

http://psalmsixtysix.com/html/tim_edington___friends.html

   This is me singing/playing with my friends Dian and Cristina,and my friend Ronnie playing some lead licks in the background on his Tak.Let me know what you think
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: rvf263 on December 01, 2010, 10:56:45 PM
Quote from: Wannabee on December 01, 2010, 10:30:30 PM
     @rvf263,  I will try to post a link for you to hear it.   

http://psalmsixtysix.com/html/tim_edington___friends.html

   This is me singing/playing with my friends Dian and Cristina,and my friend Ronnie playing some lead licks in the background on his Tak.Let me know what you think

Thanks!
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: maLavvo on December 02, 2010, 01:11:49 PM
I have an L.R. Baggs M1A and tried it on an OM-03, Tak 12 String and on a Taylor GA4.  It sounds pretty natural. Now it stays permanently on the Tak 12.   

I just installed an L.R. baggs iBeam Active (under saddle) on my Taylor, amazing sound as well.  Just decided to do an under-saddle for a cleaner setup not like the M1-A which is a soundhole pick-up.  The advantage of the soundhole pick-up, I can easily move it around from guitar-to-guitar without much hussle.

Now I have left 1 guitar without a pickup, considering my good experience in the LR Baggs models, I might try the anthem one or just go for the K&K who has been a very popular pick-up here in the Forum..
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: canoe65 on December 03, 2010, 03:13:28 PM
Since early this year , I've been using a Dean Markley ProMag Plus XM model soundhole pickup.

I definitely didn't want to drill any holes and I didn't want 15 feet of instrument cable hanging out of the soundhole.

The XM model fits tightly into my L-03 soundhole, but the 'grips' are cushioned and leave no marks on the edge of the soundhole.

The XM has a short (about 18 inches) pre-wired cable that ends in a 1/4" jack housing that attaches to the guitar end strap button.

I only play 'plugged in' when I'm playing with my Church Folk Choir ... and I run my patch chord through a big bass amp ... this amp isn't being used by any other players in the choir ... it sounds pretty good.    :bgrin:
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: GCEA on December 07, 2010, 05:07:31 PM
Thinking about a used L-09E with the Baggs 2 stereo.  I cant find a manual - what do I need to know?  eg can I run it through my Radial DI and then to the mixer? 

Jack
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: mcclurew on December 07, 2010, 05:15:05 PM
Thinking about a used L-09E with the Baggs 2 stereo.  I cant find a manual - what do I need to know?  eg can I run it through my Radial DI and then to the mixer?  

Jack

There is a good discussion on preamps/DI on this thread  LINK (http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=34677.0)

-Billy
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: frankhond on December 08, 2010, 01:49:29 AM
Quote from: Strings4Him on November 22, 2010, 04:48:55 PM
This is a good post, since I was wondering about the following.

Should I buy the standard Larrivee acoustic-electric with the factory-installed unit?

Or, should I have one installed on one of my acoustics?

It seems from the responses that most of you decided to have one installed.

The baggs system in my lv03r was not properly installed by factory. I would recommend to have it done by a local tech, then you can choose the setup and complain if it's not good.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Mr_LV19E on December 08, 2010, 07:23:01 PM
Quote from: frankhond on December 08, 2010, 01:49:29 AM
I would recommend to have it done by a local tech, then you can choose the setup and complain if it's not good.

Very good advice!
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: jared on January 18, 2011, 08:52:39 AM
i put a jjb 330 in my L-03. great natural tone and sounds just like the guitar, only louder. isn't that what we all want? high recommendations to jjb pickups, and a great price too. i run mine through a LR Baggs DI and Boss tuner... Boss gets the ohms matched up when paired.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: OutWithTheBlue on January 18, 2011, 07:59:53 PM
Quote from: Wannabee on October 18, 2010, 09:34:56 PM
   I use an LR Baggs active I-Beam in my L03SP.I don't see how anything could sound any better.
:+1:
also the baggs imix no cuts are AMAZING
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Hogtop on February 04, 2011, 06:09:31 AM
Here is a demo of the Anthem from Acoustic Guitar. How nice it is in a Larrivee. I have one now in my FIII and run it direct into a PA board or into a Crate amp. I like it both ways. I just have the basic Anthem without the balance control, but like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNJwDq3OV6o&feature=feedrec_grec_index

PS: I would love to have one of these guitars in a 12 string version.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Lewguitar on February 17, 2011, 12:18:54 PM
Another vote for the K&K pure mini.  It's my favorite.  I also had the K&K Trinity system in my Taylor 814C but I didn't care for the mini-microphone set-up and always kept it turned off and just used the three mini pickups/sensors.  The K&K microphone did add some "air" to the sound but I had feedback problems and thought my guitar sounded better without it.  The K&K preamp does improve the tone a lot - but I've heard other guitars with just the mini sensors run through a nice mixer and they sounded just fine.  I've also used the Sunrise soundhole pickup and preamp and liked the tone I got...but I don't use it anymore.  It's heavy and I think the top vibrates better without it.  I also gotten good sound with the Fishman undersaddle Matrix Infinity run through the Fishman Aura Acoustic Imaging Pedal.  But all that said, I've gone back to the K&K Pure Mini and K&K Pre-amp. 
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: dieselophile on February 17, 2011, 06:53:40 PM
My D09 and L09 had factory installed UST (Fishman Acoustic Matrix), I have just had K&K Pure Mini installed into my JCL Re-issue and in comparison the K&K sounds a lot more 'acoustic' /natural, its a passive system and does not need the periodic 9v battery change either. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the K&K mini sounded, its also quite a cost effective solution at ~$80. I use it through my Roland AC33 and love it.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Johnny Canso on February 22, 2011, 09:12:37 AM
My vote for ease of installation & plug in & play is the LR Baggs Ibeam w/vol. control. Its real easy to install these pickups & everything is pre-wired & ready to roll. As with any bridgeplate pickup, location is crutical! Directly under the saddle gives a fast response & snap but i've had great sucess with attaching the Ibeam in closer to the ball-ends towards the back side of the saddle. It cuts down the mids a bit & keeps the bass tight & trebs nice & clear. Every guitar is different though so take the time to experiment for the sound your looking for...that's why Baggs includes an extra 2-3 Ibeam strips for re-location.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Garron on April 09, 2011, 08:22:05 AM
i have tried a few fishman rare earth dreadfull, it was single coil so couldnt stop the buzzing, then tried baggs M1 good sound but last year i bought the LR Baggs Anthem microphone/piazio pick up sounds awsome really good, you dont get that treble sound that so many guitars have it sounds like the nearest thing to micing the guitar up. The one i have is a 50/50 slpit and you can't alter the mic and piazio, but for a little more money you can get a fader version. My Larrivee is an 2000 L10.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Legolas on June 22, 2011, 12:58:32 PM
Quote from: Garron on April 09, 2011, 08:22:05 AM
i have tried a few fishman rare earth dreadfull, it was single coil so couldnt stop the buzzing, then tried baggs M1 good sound but last year i bought the LR Baggs Anthem microphone/piazio pick up sounds awsome really good, you dont get that treble sound that so many guitars have it sounds like the nearest thing to micing the guitar up. The one i have is a 50/50 slpit and you can't alter the mic and piazio, but for a little more money you can get a fader version. My Larrivee is an 2000 L10.

I love the Baggs Anthem. I too have the lower priced model but you can still
alter the amount of mic/piezo. There is a very small phillips screw next to the
volume fader and that alters the balance to whatever you like. The more
expensive version just has the control readily available as fader.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Zohn on June 23, 2011, 11:22:39 AM
I don't think any of the "standard" pickups JCL have used over the years are "best pickup for Larrivee" as such, merely good pickups that he used at some period of time for whatever reasons he had at the time. Mostly I guess it is around business economics. I do know that the switch from B-Band to Baggs was an "American content" - thing and not one being "better" than the other.

Fact is both those and the Fishmans are good pickups, and so are K&K, DTar, Sunrise, Highlander and a host of others too.

I think once one makes up your mind around a no-cut or Barn-door design, AST or UST or Mic or Magnetic and/or all the different combo's of those that are available, it is pretty much up to personal preference.

There are fans around here for each brand that was used before and the others mentioned.
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: Zohn on June 23, 2011, 11:56:05 PM
For comparing, this is a very good resource : http://www.dougyoungguitar.com/pickuptests/
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: jwh6f on July 21, 2011, 07:10:11 PM
I prefer the K & K as well.   
Title: Re: Best Pick Up for a Larrivee?
Post by: larriveec10 on July 30, 2011, 04:08:44 PM
K&K trinity western for my C-10.
Installed them myself: piece of cake.
Had K&K in my Hofner HM-83 Classic: very natural sound!
Again installed them myself: piece of cake.

Have a 2004 Taylor 610-CE with ES. Doesn't come close.
Have a Cort CJ10X-12 with Fishman Stereo Blender with UnderSaddlePiezo and mic. Doesn't come close.

I am in for a J09-12 without electronics and will install K&K again without hesitation.
Have a Ricardo Sanchis Carpio 1A: consider K&K again.