"L.R. Baggs has redesigned the conventional acoustic-electric guitar, ensuring that its detached back maintains the same pipe-worthy tuning as its undisassembled counterpart."
In the world of acoustic-electric guitars, LR Baggs, a leading innovator in pickup technology, has made significant strides with its latest offerings. The company's founder, Lloyd Baggs, began his journey in guitar making around 1975, crafting instruments for renowned musicians such as Janis Ian, Ry Cooder, Jackson Browne, and Graham Nash.
Cooder, an early pioneer of amplified acoustic guitar, faced challenges with amplification during tours, using bulky and inconvenient equipment. Observing Cooder's frustration sparked Baggs' determination to develop better acoustic pickup systems. This collaboration, along with Baggs' firsthand experience with the limitations of existing pickups, led to the founding of LR Baggs.
One of LR Baggs' most notable innovations is the HiFi bridge-plate pickup, which offers advantages similar to under-saddle pickups, such as resistance to feedback and stability, but is non-invasive. Bo Radis, LR Baggs' general manager, has improved this design, making it a dynamic and feedback-resistant alternative to traditional under-saddle pickups in most guitars.
The AEG-1, inspired by Lloyd Baggs' previous work on the Godin Acousticaster, is a testament to LR Baggs' commitment to creating high-quality acoustic-electric guitars. The AEG-1's design includes a plywood body-frame to ensure superb neck stability and drive more energy into the top. The guitar's design also allows for an independent voice of the top and back, contributing to its convincing acoustic tone among acoustic-electric guitars.
To further enhance the acoustic tone of the AEG-1, Baggs took a creative approach. He cut down a cheap 000-size Chinese guitar, added heavy wood around the inside lining, and made the back free-floating. This innovative design, combined with the HiFi bridge-plate transducer, has resulted in a guitar that delivers an exceptional acoustic tone when amplified.
LR Baggs also offers the HiFi Duet pickup, which adds a 'Silo' microphone to the equation and has been successfully used on the new AEG-1 guitar. The company prioritises the feel of their pickups over the sound, aiming to make the experience of playing an amplified acoustic feel more natural.
LR Baggs supplies some of the biggest artists and guitar brands in the industry with their pro-grade alternatives to under-saddle piezo pickups. Their commitment to simplifying and streamlining the process of amplifying acoustic guitars, inspired by Ry Cooder's struggles, continues to drive their innovation and development of groundbreaking pickup technologies.
- Ry Cooder, an early adopter of amplified acoustic guitar, faced challenges with bulky amplification equipment during tours.
- Observing Cooder's frustration, Lloyd Baggs, founder of LR Baggs, was inspired to develop better acoustic pickup systems.
- One of LR Baggs' most notable innovations is the HiFi bridge-plate pickup, a non-invasive, feedback-resistant alternative to traditional under-saddle pickups in most guitars.
- The AEG-1, an acoustic-electric guitar inspired by Lloyd Baggs' previous work, delivers an exceptional acoustic tone when amplified due to its innovative design and the use of the HiFi bridge-plate transducer.
- LR Baggs also offers the HiFi Duet pickup, which combines a transducer with a microphone, providing a more natural feel when playing an amplified acoustic guitar.
- LR Baggs delivers pro-grade alternatives to under-saddle piezo pickups for various artists and guitar brands in the entertainment industry, continuing to innovate in the field of pickup technologies.
