Nylon string guitar pickup upgrade questions

[littlemart]

Hi guys

I've had a Manuel Rodriguez Mod C nylong string guitar for over 10 years now and it has an LR Baggs i Beam pickup with the preamp cut into the side of the guitar. When I look at the bottom of the preamp theres a yellow sticker that says "for nylon string guitar". I've only every been 50% happy with the sound of the pickup and I'm looking at the replacement for a live DVD shoot I'm book on next week. I bought an Anthem Classical pickup at a shop a whie back but I didnt have the time to try and install it. The Anthem doesnt require the side loaded preamp and so I'd have to leave that in the guitar body unused with the other pickup installed - which is a little messy.

Do LR make an upgraded side loaded (cut into body pre) pickup for Nylon string guitar with upgraded technolody for 2018? I see theres the 'Anthem Stage Pro' one but I think that may be voiced for steel string guitar?

Or is the pickup that that I"ve bought the best choice for this guitar? In that case any recommendations for leaving in or removing the large side loaded preamp?

kind regards

[Caleb_Elling]

Hello littlemart,
Unfortunately, LR Baggs does not currently have any side-mounted systems specifically for nylon string guitars. The Stagepro Element will work pretty well on classical guitars, but the Stagepro Anthem does not perform nearly as well on classical guitars.

The Anthem SL Classical would definitely be the best upgrade to improve the plugged-in tone and overall performance of the guitar.

[littlemart]

Hello littlemart,
Unfortunately, LR Baggs does not currently have any side-mounted systems specifically for nylon string guitars. The Stagepro Element will work pretty well on classical guitars, but the Stagepro Anthem does not perform nearly as well on classical guitars.

The Anthem SL Classical would definitely be the best upgrade to improve the plugged-in tone and overall performance of the guitar.

Hi Caleb

Thanks for that. It gives me confidence to make the install. I've moved ahead with the install just now and have met a problem though. The Tru Mic pickup part of the Anthem Classical is designed to sit between a piece of cross bracing under the bridge according to the install manual. However my Manuel Rodriquez Mod C guitar has ribbed bracing running lengthways down the soundboard inside (i.e. no x-bracing ). At present the iBeam pickup that is installed appears to have a recess / slot in the centre of it and its siting in over the middle one perfectly. Theres no way though that the tru mic pickup will attach in the same position. I'm going to mail baggs support to see if there are any suggestions.

The other thing I would like to know is how to safely remove the iBeam. Is it stuck with adhesive or screwed in? I guess pulling on it if its adhesive but just making sure there are no screws or posts in there - which would crack the soundboard if I pulled it!

regards

Martin

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Martin,
I responded to your email.

The mic is designed to fit parallel with the fan-bracing in classical guitars. So that shouldn't be an issue.

The iBeam is held in with a VHB adhesive, so it should come off clean. I sent more detail in the email. If you still need anything, just let me know.