LR Baggs Technical Support On The Forum

Hi everybody and welcome to the LR Baggs fan site forum!

I am the technical support guy at LR Baggs.

If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding application, installation or use of LR Baggs products, you can reach us here or at [email protected].

I have an iMix system in my acoustic and the battery compartment came loose and will not latch anymore. It looks like there may be a small pin or screw of some sort missing, which is supposed to latch the compartment in place when you change out batteries. Is this an easy fix or will I need to order a new part? If so, is it possible to order such a minor part?

Hi CAguitarplayer,

sometimes the pin will brake loose. Please e-mail your address to [email protected] and I will send you one as soon as I am back in the office. We have been at the NAMM show for about a week.

Thanks,
Michael Newsom
Marketing Director

I bought a Venue last summer and it works fine except in one situation: when it's powered by a power-supply. When I use a power-supply, there's a noticeable hum. I tried everything: ground-lift, different power-supply, different outlet, different house.

My unit is still under warranty. Is there something I'm doing wrong or should I turn it in for repairs?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hecube

I bought a Venue last summer and it works fine except in one situation: when it's powered by a power-supply. When I use a power-supply, there's a noticeable hum. I tried everything: ground-lift, different power-supply, different outlet, different house.

My unit is still under warranty. Is there something I'm doing wrong or should I turn it in for repairs?

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It depends on the power supply. The Venue's DC input is filtered to prevent noise from a wide variety of power supplies but there are still many that can induce a hum or buzz in the signal. Power supplies designed specifically for analog signal path devices are most compatible with the Venue DI.

We strongly recommend the 1-Spot power supply made by Visual Sound.

Power supplies designed or provided for use with digital signal processors or effects are most likely to cause a noise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bryan McManus

It depends on the power supply. The Venue's DC input is filtered to prevent noise from a wide variety of power supplies but there are still many that can induce a hum or buzz in the signal. Power supplies designed specifically for analog signal path devices are most compatible with the Venue DI.

We strongly recommend the 1-Spot power supply made by Visual Sound.

Power supplies designed or provided for use with digital signal processors or effects are most likely to cause a noise.

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Thanks. I'll be sure to try that. I'll keep you informed...

Hi, I have a Para Di. I have had trouble finding a y cable to use for the effects loop (I'm in the uk). I would want to have a tuner, eq/boost, a looper and perhaps a chorus in the effect loop. As i can't find a cable, my questions are
1 Is it ok to put the effects in a chain in front of the DI?
2 Can you recommend where I can order, in the UK, a Y cable that would be suitable for the effects loop.
Thanks

Hi - Gibson SJ-150 in for repairs with a DOA Element. Saddle issues resolved and pickup is now working albeit with excessive handling noise. I wire clamped the pickup at the exit hole under the bridge and still the handling noise is excessive. To give you an example - playing a Dsus4 chord you actually HEAR your pinky finger hitting the fingerboard through the amp. This is a factory install and I did not see a black dot to indicate correct orientation of the element. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Hello I have a simon and patrick with a lrbaggs duet pickup my input jack was pulled out and the wires unhooked can anyone tell me which goes where. Its a TRS jack and the wires are blue / whiteish see through / red / black / bare . any helps is greatly appriciated. Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gps

Hi, I have a Para Di. I have had trouble finding a y cable to use for the effects loop (I'm in the uk). I would want to have a tuner, eq/boost, a looper and perhaps a chorus in the effect loop. As i can't find a cable, my questions are
1 Is it ok to put the effects in a chain in front of the DI?
2 Can you recommend where I can order, in the UK, a Y cable that would be suitable for the effects loop.
Thanks

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The optimum search term is "Insert Cable." If you google, go there, click shopping, type insert cable in the search bar and you should get a host of online sellers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brooks A Hood

Hi - Gibson SJ-150 in for repairs with a DOA Element. Saddle issues resolved and pickup is now working albeit with excessive handling noise. I wire clamped the pickup at the exit hole under the bridge and still the handling noise is excessive. To give you an example - playing a Dsus4 chord you actually HEAR your pinky finger hitting the fingerboard through the amp. This is a factory install and I did not see a black dot to indicate correct orientation of the element. Thanks for any help you can provide.

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If you live in an area with good guitar store options, it may serve you to have the nearest Gibson dealer, or a farther one if they're better, have a look at the pickup installation. If you're inclined to trace the problem yourself, I would assess how close to or far from the hole your wire clamp is, whether it is holding the wire tightly or loosely. If the clip is too close to the hole, it can have less effect on wire microphonics. If it's too far or holds the wire too loosely, about the same.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garett89

Hello I have a simon and patrick with a lrbaggs duet pickup my input jack was pulled out and the wires unhooked can anyone tell me which goes where. Its a TRS jack and the wires are blue / whiteish see through / red / black / bare . any helps is greatly appriciated. Thanks

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Did you send an email to [email protected]? If so, sorry for the delay.

If not, the answer for connecting to a 3-conductor jack is:

RED to TIP
BLACK to RING
BARE to GROUND

The blue and the clear-ish wires go unused as they were for an optional 5-conductor jack with splitter box that was briefly available as an accessory for the original Duet system.

Bryan - thanks for the reply. I am a luthier and was repairing the guitar for the owner. Something seemed fishy with it though since all the wires were in a knot hanging in the middle of the guitar when I first got it. The wire clip is as close as possible to the hole as I could get it with respect to the bracing. Clamped tightly. After that, the rest of the pickup had no real place to be attached since it would not reach the location where I clamped the volume control and battery wires. I wire clamped it to the top and tried to have it as tight as possible. I am considering clamping the pickup in a small piece of foam to isolate it.

Again, thanks for any insight.

Hi Brooks,

In the next to last sentence in your paragraph, you mentioned clamping the wire to the top. Is that a second anchor to the top or the one close to the hole leading to the saddle slot? If it is a second point at which the pickup wire is anchored to the top, it should be moved to either the side or back of the inside of the body. Aside from the one anchor point for the pickup(which is crucial, to be sure), it should not be wire clipped to the soundboard at any other location.

Thanks again Bryan - Yes, I did clamp it again to the top. My bad. I will get it clamped to the side after I get in touch with the owner. If that doesn´t get rid of the handling noise (really strong - even when everything was just dangling in the middle of the guitar) is it possible to use foam or something to isolate it better ? Unfortunately we have not had any active distribution of Baggs products here for several years and the Element is not a system that I have seen too much of. I have encouraged the dealer to order several Anthem pickups (which he has done @ NAMM).

Thanks again.

Hi Brooks,

Making sure the Element wire is anchored to the top at approximately 1-1.5" from the hole, and that being the only soundboard anchor, should eliminate the handling noise or at least reduce it greatly.

If it persists, contact us directly for more info or to arrange for testing and repair or replacement.

Ok Brian - I will get it taken care of - thanks again.

Bryan, I'm looking for a pdf of a document that used to be included with either your LB-6 pickup, or the old TRS input mixer preamp which was discontinued long ago. The document related to wiring up various types of mic capsules such as the Joe Mills or Crown GLM200E.

Specifically, I would like to add a Crown GLM200 to the ring-sleeve pins of your strap-jack, while the M1-Active uses tip-sleeve.

In the document I'm searching for, the Crown GLM200E was wired with one of the leads to ground with an intermediary resistor-capacitor. I don't remember the values or the wiring.

Thanks, and best regards.

John

Hi John,

The documentation I think you're looking for is something we provided with our Mixpro external belt-clip preamp/mixer.

I don't have a way to link a pdf to this reply. If you email this question to [email protected] I will reply with the microphone supplement pdf.

Duet 1: Does any one know where i can get specs and wiring diagram

DUET 1: DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET SPECS AND WIRING DIAGRAM ???
I DO LOVE THIS OLD PICKUP TRYING TO FIX IT
THANKS FOR ANY HELP IN ADVANCE !!:confused:

Hi Dreaminglad,

I'm sorry to say the original Duet is so long out of production that I don't have much in the way of old literature for that product. I can recommend updating the guitar's pickup system to something currently available. Our Stage Pro Element system will just barely cover the mounting pattern for that original Duet.

Replied to similar message received at [email protected]

I'm installing an xbridge on a MIM strat. I am not using the onboard preamp. The wiring looks correct to me, but the magnetic pickup will not work unless the xbridge volume is on. I'm guessing that maybe something isn't grounded, but I am having a hard time trouble shooting. Can you help me with a little guidance regarding how to troubleshoot this?

Thanks!

Kjel

Hi Kjel,

Is there any point in the circuit where the magnetic and X-Bridge signals are connected? Are they connected to the same contact on any pot or at the output jack?

I am waiting for a luthier made custom to be finished. My Martin HD-28 was rece destroyed when an airline dropped a shipping container on it. Picked up a Martin GPCPA3 with an F1 to keep me going. Question is this? I had only just gotten a DI for the HD. With the F1, how do I deconflict the two or is the DI needed? Id prefer to use the DI but it appears the GPCPA3 pre-wired with its own image. I like the latitude- mixing ability I have with the DI. Am I missing the key to the F1? I would think the DI gives me more flexibility. Sorry to sound like a Fishman newbie-I am.

Hi 6Strings2,

I'm sorry to say you're not in the right place for info about the Fishman F1. You've found your way to the LR Baggs discussion forum. If you should have questions about any LR Baggs products or how other devices may interact with them, we're here to help.

Hello Bryan! I've talked to you several times; before I had the Anthems installed (by the Guitar shoppe, Laguna Beach), and when I had questions about the perceived change in volume and tone (while unplugged), as well as the difference in output between the 6 and 12 string Anthem SL's I have...

You probably don't remember me, but I remember you! Thank you so much for your time and patience with all my questions; I have told many people about your advice and helpfulness...

And I just wanted to say "Thanks!", again...

play on................................................ .................>

John

I need the wiring diagram for a strap jack with just a ground, red, & white wire. The I have on my guitar was twisted off when I was trying to tighten it. Can anyone tell me where to get it.

I'm not sure exactly how LR Baggs does it, but typical wiring for a 1/4" jack (IIRC) would be red wire to tip, white wire to ring, and grd (shield) to sleeve. If it's a switching jack, then there may be another wire (probably black) that goes to the switch terminal. But...I'm betting Bryan will be on here in a bit and provide the real scoop.

Have an odd problem. My primary guitar was smashedc by a baggage contrainer -dont fly united!

I have a luthier making me a new guitar but still have several months to wait. I picked up a Martin GPCPA3 to do some gigging but have an Aura DI already.

By not turning on the onboard imaging on the Martin, I assume that Im getting the best sound quality out of the Aural. However I want to make sure there is nothing I need to do to deconflict the somewhat wheezy onboard Martin F1 from the full up Aura imaging box. Im not seeing its image on the software. I assume that means its technically optimized by the F1. However the sound Im getting from the full box is far better. Which way do I go?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Figgie

I need the wiring diagram for a strap jack with just a ground, red, & white wire. The I have on my guitar was twisted off when I was trying to tighten it. Can anyone tell me where to get it.

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Answered via email from [email protected]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 6stings2

Have an odd problem. My primary guitar was smashedc by a baggage contrainer -dont fly united!

I have a luthier making me a new guitar but still have several months to wait. I picked up a Martin GPCPA3 to do some gigging but have an Aura DI already.

By not turning on the onboard imaging on the Martin, I assume that Im getting the best sound quality out of the Aural. However I want to make sure there is nothing I need to do to deconflict the somewhat wheezy onboard Martin F1 from the full up Aura imaging box. Im not seeing its image on the software. I assume that means its technically optimized by the F1. However the sound Im getting from the full box is far better. Which way do I go?

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Hi 6stings,

I'm unable to comment on the Aura product as they are not made by LR Baggs. You should be able to find information and support at www.fishman.com

On the subject of United airlines and damaged guitars, Dave Carroll's response to his experience with United has cost them dearly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Hi Bryan (or Caleb)....quick question regarding installation of the Anthem System. I have an Anthem system on order....I'm going to check it out on my Martin HD-28. What bridge saddle material do you recommend for this installation? The guitar came with a bone nut and saddle, but I can easily cut a Tusq saddle. Would that be better than bone for the UST?

Hi GereldG,
I prefer bone for use with any Element equipped system. I've done several Anthem installs now, and bone has almost been the best in every situation. However, in some cases bone does not capture the exact tone of the guitar, so tusk or micarta usually work as an alternate. I would definitely try using both and seeing which one fits your guitar's tone the best.

Hi Gerald,

I can add to what Caleb said regarding saddle material. Bone is the most preferred saddle material but, because it's organic, can have variations in its grain density that affect how string energy is conducted to the soundboard. Where it may not be detected acoustically, bone saddles on undersaddle pickups can result in a string-to-string imbalance. Cutting an identical saddle from a different piece of bone will most often correct a balance issue though in some cases it can cause a different imbalance. It's difficult to know ahead of time.

Micarta and Tusq are man-made to simulate bone and are of very consistent density throughout. Micarta is a bit softer and a little easier to work with, filing and sanding and such. On the other end, Tusq is reasonably harder, takes a bit more elbow grease to shape and makes for a slightly brighter tone.

Bone and Micarta are Lloyd Baggs' preferred saddle materials.

Thanks, Guys! That helps. I'll just start out with the bone saddle and if that doesn't work, I'll cut a micarta saddle, and then move to Tusq if the micarta doesn't work. Cutting a saddle is no big deal.

Hello! I damaged the Ribbon Transducer in 5 string, acoustic bass guitar - Godin A5 fretted. It consists of two parts of lengths 43 and 57mm. First takes the signal from 2, next from 3 strings. Your dealer in Poland claims that you do not offer this pickup so I'm writing directly to you. Can you help me somehow?

Radek.

http://catv.retsat1.com.pl/wrobel/zdjecia/lrb.jpg

Hi Ptaszyma,

Ribbon Transducers, while no longer part of our promoted product line, are still available as replacements. Please contact me at [email protected] or at 805-929-3545, ext. 111, for more info or to order the part(s).

I had a new iMix system installed in my custom guitar which I purchased in July 2011 and there seems to be a problem with the gain pot on the pre-amp. The manual states that in order to balance the output of the element and the iBeam, the gain adjustment should be used to vary the iBeam output. When I try to do this on my guitar, the gain adjusts both the iBeam and the Element pickup. I am also experiencing some distortion when the volume is turned up. I think there may be a problem with the pre-amp. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Hi Hooty,

By that description, it sure sounds like a problem. To confirm that, it would be good for us to have the preamp in for testing and repair or replacement.

If you have further questions or would like to arrange to send it in for service, please contact [email protected] or 805-929-3545, ext. 111.

Hello! Will you answer a couple of questions, please? I want to buy a piezo-pickup for electric guitar with Ctrl-X preamp. If a battery needs only for this piezo-pickup or magnetic pickups will not sound too with the run-down battery?
And here is the second question. I can't use the L. R. Baggs X-Bridge piezo-pickup because I have Fender Mexican Strat with another distance between strings and between screws than one on American Strats. Even screwing new holes in the guitar body can't solve the problem because mexican necks has smaller width than american, so the strings will be too close to the edge of the neck. But can I use the Graphtech Ghost saddles with piezo-pickups connected to the L. R. Baggs X-Bridge preamp? If yes, do you know about possible features of installing or sound of this configuration? I don't want to use the Graphtech AcoustiPhonic preamp because it needs a battery even for using magnetic pickups, it's very bad for me.
Thanks!