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LR Baggs | Ben Rector | I Like You | Anthem-SL

LR Baggs

collapse expand iconDescription

The LR Baggs Anthem SL-C acoustic guitar pickup gives nylon-string players the transparent, feedback-resistant sound they crave. This discrete, low-profile pickup is the culmination of decades of development from the experts at LR Baggs. Though slim and easy to install, the versatile Anthem SL-C accommodates most string spacings and saddle widths to capture your guitar's unique voice. The Anthem SL-C—a expertly designed microphone pickup that delivers your guitar's natural tone for an exceptional performance experience.

Truly Feedback-Resistant Microphone Pickup

The Anthem SL-C's microphone is mounted to the bridge plate to pick up the majority of your guitar's true acoustic sound—plus it's amazingly resistant to feedback. The Element undersaddle pickup carries only the lowest frequencies for punch and fullness. Together, the mic and pickup are pre-set for optimal balance so you can plug in and play.

Discrete Class A Endpin Preamp

The Anthem SL-C comes with LR Baggs' famous all-discrete, studio-quality preamp with a preset crossover. This pre-contoured endpin preamp offers simple, unobtrusive control. A soundhole-mounted volume control lets you make quick adjustments on the fly.

Long-Lasting, Unencumbered Power

The included Battery Bag securely holds a 9V battery to provide an exceptional 170 hours of operation. Keep your tone pure and uncolored—no phantom power required.

One Size Fits Most

Though designed specifically for nylon-string guitars, the versatile Anthem SL-C accommodates most common string spacings and saddle widths. Capture your guitar's unique voice—no matter the make or model.

LR Baggs Anthem SL Acoustic Microphone/Preamp System
LR Baggs Anthem SL Acoustic Microphone/Preamp System
LR Baggs Anthem SL Acoustic Microphone/Preamp System

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Pre-set mic and pickup for optimum performance
  • Anthem Tru-Mic carries the majority of the guitars' frequency range
  • Noise cancelation eliminates any annoying honky or boxy qualities inside the guitar
  • The Element Pickup carries only the lowest frequencies
  • One size fits most common string spacings and saddle widths
  • Soundhole remote includes volume and mic gain trim controls
  • Pre-contoured discrete class A endpin preamp
  • Comes with battery bag for secure and unobtrusive battery retention

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Tru Mic dimensions: 2.27" x .735"x .48"
  • Tru Mic weight: 0.5 oz
  • Pickup active sensor length: 3.4"
  • Pickup thickness: .038"
  • Pickup width: .092"
  • Battery type: Single 9V
  • Battery life: 170 hrs.
  • Mic range: 250Hz - 20kHz

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.57

28 Reviews

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Not for me
Serious upgrade for and an old pizeo.
Serious upgrade for and an old pizeo.

Most Liked Positive Review

4

great pickup needs better control adhesive

I had no doubt this would be a great sounding pickup system because it comes from Baggs, whom you can always trust for acoustic guitar pickups. The adhesive material for sticking the volume control to the inside near the sound hole, however, is very weak and mine fell off at the first gig. This is even after thoroughly wiping the area where it was to be attached. Used Velcro instead and it worked fine. Also, my box came with no installation instructions, so you may have to download the PDF manual from the L.R. Baggs website to get instructions. As far as sound, feedback IS a factor if you boost low range in PA speakers, but using a low cut filter and notch takes care of that.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

A boomy muddy mess

I had heard some beautiful sounding audio demos of the LR Baggs Anthem SL and really wanted to like it, but for me the tone sounded awful no matter how I calibrated the piezo and tru-mic pickups. My setup: I play mostly fingerpicking and some open hand strumming through a Martin 000-15m, and I use D'Addario phosphor bronze medium-gauge (.013-.056) strings tuned down a whole step, which gives me the ideal string tension and a nice warm tone. For amplification I use a Fender Acoustic 160 SFX, but I have also played the Anthem SL through professional PA systems. Tone problems: I had the Anthem SL installed at a Guitar Center, and the boomy, unfocused bass response was evident from the start. The Anthem SL allows you to dial between the under-saddle piezo pickup and the internal microphone, but the tone on mine was borderline unlistenable no matter how I adjusted it. Turning it all the way to the piezo pickup produces zero high end, like a speaker muffled by a pile of blankets. I found this odd since piezos are reputed to sound thin and "quacky," which is basically the opposite of what I was getting. Adjusting the balance to the middle produces a hint of high frequency response but nowhere near sufficient for a live performance. Adjusting all the way to the mic brightens the tone a bit but not enough to hear the high notes clearly over the boomy low E and A strings; it also picks up excessive handling noise and feedback. I took my guitar back to Guitar Center to make sure the pickup was installed properly, and the guitar tech assured me that it was. He thought the medium-gauge strings that I use could be part of the problem, but I remember it sounding similar even when I used lighter strings. Since the boomy tone is unusable at high volumes I got a $50 Seymour Duncan magnetic soundhole pickup, the Woody, and frankly it sounds a lot clearer than the $200 (+ installation fee) LR Baggs, which I now use merely as a supplemental pickup to dial in extra bass on the Woody.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Concerts15
  2. Practicing12
  3. Back-Up4
  4. Performing Live1
  5. Recording1
Cons
  1. Difficult to tweak sound balance.1
  2. Poor Quality1
  3. You'll need to address feedback issues.1
  4. expensive1
  5. Bad tone - too boomy/ bassy1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced19
  2. Professional Musician5
  3. Novice1
Pros
  1. Good Quality19
  2. Easy To Use16
  3. Improves Sound16
  4. Functional11
  5. Reliable1

Reviewed by 28 customers

  • Excellent Acoustic Pickup

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted4 months ago

    byTrey

    fromSouth Carolina

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This is one of a couple LR Baggs pickups I won and the SL is one of the most universal acoustic pickups available. Sounds stellar plugged in.

  • This is great. Would buy again.

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted6 months ago

    byStewart

    fromChattanooga TN

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Easy to install. Came with everything that is needed besides tools.

  • Very pleased BUT........

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byEmory

    fromFredericksburg, Virginia

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Very pleased with the this LR Baggs Anthem system. The BUT is feedback. However, I've discovered that this problem can be solved with a separate EQ system designed for acoustic guitar and/or an acoustic amp. So, selling the Fender Champion 100XL and looking for an acoustic amp. It's only money.

  • Not for me

    1

    submitted2 years ago

    byRonnie

    fromGulf Shores Alabama

    I personally did not like the blend between mic and element. The fine tune mic stick and portal are a bit confusing as to knowing how far one way or the other you are fine tuning the mic sensitivity. You obviously can't play your guitar while adjusting the mic sensitivity at the same time. The element did give my guitar more punch but I personally wouldn't have purchased the Anthem knowing what I know now about it. The mic has no volume or gain to it, you have to turn the sound system way up in order to hear it well. I did not care for the mic to element blend either. I like others, read lots of reviews and watched YouTube videos before my purchase but I was sadly disappointed in the Anthem pickup system. I took it out of my guitar and replace my Fishman preamp system back into it. The reviews are mostly all good for the biggest part! The YouTube videos where somewhat helpful but I still hated the Anthem system. I find it amazing that it took almost 2 decades of researching by trial and error to develop this system, Just not for me, don't like the sound of it at all. Hope you have better luck and like more than me. Maybe in the studio it would be much different but live on stage it's a big let down for me. Also, it has no installation guide with it when purchased. Happy performing friends

  • Great sounding pickup that enhances playability!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byCraig

    fromFargo ND

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Bought it for my wife's new Junior Martin. I have LR Baggs in the 2 Martins I use. Work great!

  • I would buy both products again.

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byJakes

    fromMamou, Louisiana

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    The strings worked great. The L R Baggs improved the sound tremendously. Glad I purchased it. I actually replaced the original pickup on my Epiphone Hummingbird Pro. The guitar sounds fantastic. I was ready to buy another expensive guitar, but now, there was no need to. Also, the service technician did an excellent job installing the new L R Baggs pickup and had the guitar ready as scheduled.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked bypapajohn

    frombenbrook texas

    Can this system be installed in a four string tenor guitar?

    Can this system be installed in a four string tenor guitar?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    I don't see why not.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byD

    fromundisclosed

    Hi Do you have this in stock at port ste lucie ? LR Baggs Anthem SL Acoustic Microphone/Preamp System

    Hi Do you have this in stock at port ste lucie ? LR Baggs Anthem SL Acoustic Microphone/Preamp System

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Currently it does not seem to be in stock, but you can order it online and have it shipped to the store.