iBeam active system pairing question

[cmhadden]

Just recently installed an active iBeam system in my D-28. Down the road I will be looking to add a secondary pickup to complement. I know that the imix system is sold with the iBeam and the element but I'd also like to know of any other possibilities. Also any other items that would be needed to make any of this possible. Thanks. love the new site.

[Justin Rucker]

In the iBeam active system, the pickup is directly soldered to the preamp circuit board. Systems such as the iMix come with pickups that have miniplugs at the end. Thus, if you wanted to upgrade to a system with a secondary pickup, you would need to get another iBeam pickup, one with a miniplug at the end.

The iMix is the system is the only system we offer that will blend the iBeam with another pickup. In most cases, the iBeam is mixed with an Element pickup. However, there are some users of the iMix system who replace the Element pickup with our M1 pickup (Tom Petty uses the M1/iBeam iMix set up). There are also users who blend the Element and the M1 (Coldplay uses the M1/Element iMix setup).

[cmhadden]

So basically what you're saying is that I would have to purchase another ibeam plus the imix and either the element or m1 or m1 active? There's no way to use the current ibeam that I just bought of could it possibly have the mini plug?

[Justin Rucker]

The cable used for the iBeam is quite difficult to solder on a mini plug without damaging the wires. You could give it a shot, but I would strongly reccomend buying a new one.

The iMix system comes standard with two pickups (most often, an iBeam and an Element). The package price is cheaper than buying a preamp and two separate pickups on their own. The iMix is also availble with the M1 passive. You would not have to purchase the pickups seperately from the preamp. You could call sales for more information on pricing.

[cmhadden]

The only reason I ask is when I purchased it from musiciansfriend the description page stated that this pick up would be able to pair with another pickup. Just wish I had known before I pulled the trigger on buying the ibeam. Now if I want to add a second pickup I have to basically spend twice the money and then have a pickup I can't use.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/LR-Baggs-iBeam-Active-Acoustic-Guitar-Pickup-System?sku=307112

:note the features section

[Justin Rucker]

The description from musiciansfriend refers to the preamp, not the pickup. The iBeam Active preamp comes with an extra input pin that you could solder a pickup to, which goes to the ring contact of the output jack. The pickup itself is not interchangeable with other preamps.

I would recommend giving Mike a call here at L.R Baggs (805) 929-3545.