LR Baggs iBeam Active Acoustic Guitar Pickup SystemThe iBeam Active System combines a patent pending bridge plate transducer with an all-discrete class "A" endpin preamp that enables you to simply "plug-in-and-play". The user-installable iBeam reproduces the natural tone of an acoustic guitar while maintaining perfect string balance and providing full dynamic range.
The patent-pending iBeam itself is the heart of the system and weighs only 1/3rd of an ounce. This revolutionary bridge plate transducer easily sticks to the bridge plate on the inside of the guitar and does not affect the acoustic tone of the guitar in any way. The iBeam is microphonic enough to hear the rich (but correct) texture of finger squeak and top tapping, but is resistant to feedback and gives you excellent amplified sound without a hint of piezo quack. Included with each iBeam is a placement jig that allows you to install the pickup in minutes and get the ideal placement for the transducer inside the guitar.
"I finally played my first gig with the iBeam, and it was magnificent. It is by far the best any acoustic has ever sounded for me in any live situation."
–Eddie Bush, Cfox endorser
For over 20 years L.R.Baggs dedicated themselves to making pickups that reflect the true sound of the instrument. The pickup is the source and foundation of any amplification system. If your pickup sounds great and is easy to use, playing music is the pleasure it should be. To this end, all of their pickups are engineered to faithfully amplify the instrument and to deliver great sound with no hassle.
All of their systems are engineered to assure great sound and hassle-free performance right out of the box. L.R. Baggs makes many different systems from simple to complex. Each is designed for a specific purpose, but they have only one quality level - the very best we know how to build. Choose the right system for your application and budget and you will enjoy its great sound and performance.
"The tone of the iBeam is unbelievable, or more appropriately, totally believable. Transparent, acoustic, balanced, very true to the guitar."
- Rick Rubin, Dutch's Music
The iBeam preamp is made up of class "A" discrete circuitry and built on LR Baggs' Stereo strapjack Plus. Pre-tuned to deliver that great LR Baggs performance from the iBeam in any situation, it is ultra-quiet and faithfully amplifies the sound and dynamics of the iBeam. There is even a second passive channel available if you would like to add a magnetic or undersaddle pickup to compliment the ibeam.
"The iBeam gave unreal sound live, balanced and full, lots of wood and texture. This is one high fidelity tool…likely the emerging favorite for really picky professionals."
- Michael Millham, guitarist
"…when you fingerpick using the iBeam alone, the sound is absolutely studio perfect! I've never heard anything like this…Holy Grail for acoustic sound? For finger picking- Definitely!"
Michael Ebaugh, guitarist
"I just installed my first iBeam Active System and absolutely love it…so natural and open with wonderful dynamics. You hit the nail on the head!"
Rick, Pick n Grin Music Store
"I purchased your iBeam system based on your reputation and your advertising information. I was hoping for a warm, acoustic sound and what I got exceeded my wildest thoughts. Impressive is the first word that comes to my mind. When I play out people ask me what I'm using and they are totally shocked when I tell them its just the iBeam. I am considering ditching my other pickups in my instruments and converting to the iBeam. I like it that much."
- Greg Steele, guitarist
"I'm used to playing acoustic guitar with a pickup and a microphone. The thing that impressed me most about the iBeam is that it had the best qualities of a microphone and pickup without the negative qualities of either. The feel is spectacular and it responded just like the guitar. It's so unusual to get what you play but it's like sitting in the perfect room playing the perfect guitar."
- Tom Anderson, guitar maker
"Searching for the zenith in amplified sound has been a lifelong quest. I've installed almost every acoustic pickup that has ever been produced into my own and other folk's guitars. In my experience no pickup has sounded as natural as the LR Baggs iBeam. Lloyd's dedication to quality and innovation along with his genuine passion for the needs of guitar players has led to this marvelous new pickup."
- John Standefer, guitar player & educator