Electric guitar pickups have it easy. They practically make the instrument, sometimes counting for more of its sound than the tonewoods or body construction. Acoustic pickups, on the other hand, live their lives constantly on edge, trying desperately not to ruin the natural tone and resonance of the instrument. Part of the beauty of acoustic guitars is the way they breathe, their open woodiness and natural projection. Trying to capture that character and get it through a PA with an onboard pickup has traditionally meant trading volume for quality. The LR Baggs Anthem changes all that.

With a blended mic and pickup system, the LR Baggs Anthem Series pickups use a condenser mic to get the natural tone and response of your guitar and temper it with their Element pickup. The Element focuses mostly on the lower frequencies and lets the mic hear the breath of the instrument. The combined result is stunning (see this video for proof).

Last time I used an internal mic I got crazy feedback. Won't this have the same problem?

No. This isn't just an internal mic. The LR Baggs Anthem system as a whole relies on careful blending of the mic signal and the Element pickup signal, with noise-canceling technology to help fight feedback. In all the situations we tested it in - solo, duet, small ensemble with a bass - we were able to turn up the volume louder than necessary without any distortion or feedback. The step-up StagePro Anthem model includes a notch filter for additional feedback resistance if you are the type to blast your acoustic.

Also, this isn't just any mic. It's a proprietary condenser mic (TRU-MIC) that sits just millimeters off the underside of your bridge plate. It's concealed, hi-fidelity and lightweight.

Can you just use the mic part of the Anthem without the pickup?

The base-level Anthem SL has a fixed mix between mic and pickup, so not with that particular model. The StagePro Anthem does have an independent mix knob, so you can dial in whatever balance you'd like.

How long do the batteries last? This sounds like a power suck.

The single 9V battery can last 170 hours. That's almost a 30 min set per day for a full year.

Can you record direct into a DAW with the Anthem?

Yes. In fact, this might be one of its greatest strengths. While you could go direct into an interface from your guitar, we suggest pairing with the LR Baggs Session DI for the best results. That particular DI includes saturation and compression EQ controls that mirror the treatment a professional studio engineer would give your guitar. If you're going to bypass mic'ing your guitar, you may as well do it right.

Does this require cutting or professional installation?

The standard Anthem acoustic guitar pickup does not require any modification of your instrument and can be installed with minimal experience, though we recommend a repair shop doing it if you're unsure. It's usually best to have a pro install when dealing with an undersaddle pickup for proper string to string balance and tone. It can be removed without any damage or marks to your instrument.