LR Baggs iBeam Onboard-Sm - Manual (Page 6)

Note: Do not trim the edges of the
pickup if you do not have space
between the braces for the pickup.
This will both ruin the pickup and
void the warranty!
Installation on classical guitars
requires that you remove the
saddle, drill a small hole in each end
of the saddle slot, and insert guide
pins (matchsticks or toothpicks work
well) to act as a reference when
placing the iBeam. The hole
locations will correspond to the
small slots in the bottom of each
end of the iBeam (see figure 9). A
good starting place is to drill the
guide pin holes so that the iBeam
will be centered under the E strings.
You will need an inspection light,
inspection mirror, drill, 1/16" drill
bit, wooden matchsticks or toothpicks, and a short pencil.
1. Drill a 1/16" hole through the bridge at both ends of the saddle slot. If the guitar already has a hole in the saddle slot for a pickup, you may be
able to use this as one of the holes. The minimum distance between the holes should allow the notches in each end of the iBeam's base to nest
over the protruding matches or toothpicks that you will insert as a reference to place the iBeam.
2. Press the matchsticks or toothpicks into the holes until they just protrude (1/16" to 1/8") into the guitar. These will act as locating pins for
determining the iBeam's placement.
3. Remove the adhesive backing from the iBeam and, holding the iBeam upright between your thumb and two middle fingers, use your index and
little fingers to locate the matches.
4. Hold the iBeam at a slight angle away from the inside of the guitar top, and, using the slot in one end of the bottom of the iBeam, locate one of
the protruding matches. Rotate the other end of the pickup until you find the other protruding match with the slot in the other end of the iBeam.
Then very lightly press the adhesive against the bridge plate with just enough pressure to hold it in place.
5. Once you have tacked the pickup into place, insert an inspection mirror into the body to check the placement of the pickup. After confirming
that it is located correctly, remove the guide pins and press firmly with a little rocking motion over the surface of the top of the pickup to secure
it to the bridge plate. Be sure to apply an equal downward force to the top of the bridge when pressing up from the inside to prevent damage to
the guitar.
6. Plug in and test the pickup placement. If the sound is satisfactory (see 8.1: general positioning guidelines for a rough definition of this),
proceed to the preamp installation instructions (section 10). However, with classical guitars, it is likely that the results will be less than optimum
at this position. If this is the case, we encourage you to experiment with alternative placements (see section 9).
9 . A L T E R N A T I V E P L A C E M E N T S
The adhesive used to secure the iBeam is very strong. Once you stick it down, it will increase its grip over about a week’s time. If you wish to
experiment with placement, it will be easier before the adhesive develops its full strength. To experiment with placement, begin by outlining the
pickup in its default position with a pencil; this will act as a reference of the initial location. Next, place three fingers along the length of the back
side of the pickup. Pull firmly with even pressure parallel to the guitar top, until the adhesive gives way. Rock it up onto one edge and then lift up
one end to pull the adhesive away from the bridge plate. Do not pull up on the cap. Then pull the pickup off.
To remove the adhesive from the bottom of the pickup, roll it off like carpet. After tacking the new pad to the bottom of the pickup, use the edge
of a pencil to press the adhesive firmly to the pickup. We’ve included two extra pads in the kit, and extra pads are available from us in packs of 10
for $5.00. Be sure to inspect the bridge plate for any adhesive residue before you reposition the iBeam.
Now reposition the pickup. If the sound is satisfactory, proceed to the preamp installation (section 10). If not, repeat this section as needed until
you find the proper location.
1 0 . P R E A M P I N S T A L L A T I O N
This preamp is designed for sides that are .090” to .165” thick and reasonably flat or convex. The skirt of the bezel may bottom out on guitars that
have especially thin or concave sides. This will prevent the bezel from seating completely on the guitar’s side. If this happens, place the provided
fiber washers over the protruding ends of the screws (inside of the guitar body) to space the preamp down into the guitar.
The bezel is made of a special material that may be cold-formed by hand and can be easily made to conform to the curvature of the guitar side.
Simply bend the bezel by hand until it fits to the guitar side without any gaps. It may help to over-bend the bezel slightly in spots until it lies
fig. 10 alternate placement
range (light gray area)
bridge
saddle
(dark gray area)
iBeam default position
bridge