Element StagePro to Anthem StagePro upgrade question

[jlaustill]

I have a Larrivee with a factory Element StagePro. I would LOVE to add a microphone dual system like the Anthem StagePro, but I'm wondering if the preamp is the same size? Can I replace the Element preamp without having to modify my guitars body?

[Caleb_Elling]

If you actually have the "Stage Pro" Element and not an older "Onboard" system, then the Stage Pro Anthem preamp is the exact same size.

You could purchase a Stage Pro Anthem and just install the mic and the preamp. The Element and the output jack can be left in the guitar for use with the new preamp.

[jlaustill]

Thanks!

If you actually have the "Stage Pro" Element and not an older "Onboard" system, then the Stage Pro Anthem preamp is the exact same size.

You could purchase a Stage Pro Anthem and just install the mic and the preamp. The Element and the output jack can be left in the guitar for use with the new preamp.

Awesome! That is exactly what I was hoping, but every time I assume these things and just spend money, I always end up wrong in my assumptions...

Looks like my guitar is getting a mic and will sound amazing live and plugged in soon, thanks again!

[Caleb_Elling]

Awesome! I have the Stage Pro Anthem, and it's definitely worth the upgrade from the Element.

[jlaustill]

Thanks again!

Awesome! I have the Stage Pro Anthem, and it's definitely worth the upgrade from the Element.

I just finished this upgrade. It was actually kinda crazy how easy it was. The hardest part was getting the Anthem mic in the right spot, took me about 10 tries, but I got it REALLY close to the picture. The preamp bolted right up. After figuring out that I had the UST and Mic plugged into the wrong inputs and reversing them it works fantastic.

I'm kinda blown away by the upgrade, it is literally night and day better sounding!

[Caleb_Elling]

Fantastic to hear!

I'm glad that you are enjoying the Anthem.

All the best!

[Orio0]

Sorry for posting here but I prefer not to open a new one. Can the Anthem Stage Pro be coupled with Hex Pickups?
Thanks
Orio

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Orio,
The Anthem is a delicately tuned system that was built strictly around the Element and the Anthem Tru-Mic. Replacing the Element with any other pickup will cause a host of compatibility issues with the Anthem's pickup input, the interaction with the mic, and the other preamp circuitry. So it is not something that I would even recommend attempting. The capacitance and output levels between the Element and the Hex pickups actually put them on virtually opposite sides of the pickup spectrum.

If you have Hex pickups that you would like to use in a blending system with another pickup, there are other systems that are compatible with the Hex pickups. If that's something you are interested in, let me know, and I can get you more information.

All the best!

[Orio0]

Hi Caleb, thank you very much for your support. I wish to use a blending system and if you can suggest me what I can use with Hex pickup it will be great!
Thanks
Orio

[Caleb_Elling]

Orio,
The Hex pickups can be used as an alternate source in the Dual Source or the iMix system. Both of these systems have high/low gain switches on them, so the Hex pickups can be utilized with minimal modifications. You would still have to use the surface-mount capacitors that were included in the Hex system in order to make the Hex output level compatible with one of these systems.

Do you currently have a set of Hex pickups? Because they were recently discontinued, and they may be difficult to find and purchase if you don't already have them.

[Orio0]

Dear Caleb,
my Taylor has deluxe acoustic equalizer with hex pickups. Unfortunately the deluxe equilizer dead some month ago and now I bypassed the system. The hex pickups are connected directly to the guitar output. The signal then goes to an Headway EDB-1 preamp.
If I install the Dual Source or iMix the hole of the deluxe equializer remains. I saw also some pictures of an iMix onboard System (ibeam + element) mounted also on Larivee guitars, which can be useful to cover the hole i have on the side of the guitar. Do you thinks it is possible to mount IMix on board instead of Dual source/IMix? All the preamps seems to be tuned for element pickup.
I checked and I still have the two surface capacitors (one bigger the the other).
Thanks again

[Caleb_Elling]

Unfortunately, the iMix Onboard is no longer in production, so it wouldn't be an option unless you were able to find one used. The Stage Pro Element preamp is a possibility, but it doesn't have blending capability and the preamp is slightly larger than the Deluxe Acoustic, so the hole would have to be slightly enlarged.

As you can see, there are not really any easy options for retrofitting the Hex pickups with our newer systems. Since the Hex pickups are an older design, and now discontinued, we really don't have anything that will be an exact preamp match for the Hex pickups. Everything will require modifications of some kind.

[Orio0]

Thank you very much for your support and patience. I think I will go with the iMix or Dual source as you suggested, using the capacitors on the Hex.

[Caleb_Elling]

Ok,
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].

[Steve Holeman]

Which input is the mic input? Input 1 or Input 2?

I just finished this upgrade. It was actually kinda crazy how easy it was. The hardest part was getting the Anthem mic in the right spot, took me about 10 tries, but I got it REALLY close to the picture. The preamp bolted right up. After figuring out that I had the UST and Mic plugged into the wrong inputs and reversing them it works fantastic.

I'm kinda blown away by the upgrade, it is literally night and day better sounding!

I just completed installing the Element to Anthem upgrade. Not sure which inputs to use as they are labeled 1 and 2 instead of mic and pz. Which worked best for you?