LR Baggs iMix - Manual (Page 5)

apply an equal downward force to the top of the bridge when pressing up from the inside to prevent damage to the guitar.
6. Restring the guitar, connect the iBeam to the preamp's "iBeam" socket and plug into your amp or PA. Connect the Remote to the preamp's
"remote" socket, turn the mix wheel completely to the iBeam, and test the pickup placement. If the sound is satisfactory (see below for a
definition of this), secure the wire with a wire clip and turn to section 8. 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 7). Do not test the pickup
placement without firmly securing the adhesive. Without completely securing the pickup, the sound test will produce unreliable results.
The optimum location will deliver a sound that is focused and tight, with proper string balance and good presence. It will capture enough of the
string resonance to be articulate, but will be mellowed by a full and strong body resonance. Ultimately, it will accurately capture the distinct tone
of the instrument. An unsatisfactory location will often be characterized by a woofy or nasal tone, poor string balance and a high sensitivity to
feedback.
7 . i B E A M R E M O V A L A N D R E P O S I T I O N I N G
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 current 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 towards the soundhole 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. Because the iBeam relies on a clean connection with the
guitar body, we do not recommend re-using the adhesive; instead, use a new strip.
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. Two extra pads are included in the kit, and extra pads are available in packs of 10 for $5.00.
Inspect the bridge plate for any adhesive residue before you reposition the iBeam.
Now reposition and test the pickup. Remember that moving the pickup towards the saddle will increase presence and string response, while
moving it away from the saddle will increase warmth and body response. If the sound is satisfactory, secure the wire and continue to the next
section. If not, continue repositioning the iBeam as needed until you find the
proper location.
8 . E L E M E N T I N S T A L L A T I O N
8.1 Installation notes: For optimum performance of the Element, the bridge
slot must have a clean, flat surface free of any debris or over-spray from the
finish. The slot must be a minimum of .125” (1/8”) deep, but we suggest a
depth of at least .187" (3/16”) to avoid excessive saddle tilt.
The commonly-known 50/50 rule applies: The amount of saddle visible above
the bridge surface (with pickup installed) should be no greater than the
amount of saddle in the slot beneath the bridge surface; otherwise the
balance and output of the pickup may suffer.
8.2 Short saddle note: The first 1/8" of the Element pickup is not active. If you
do not have a minimum of 1/4" of saddle beyond the E strings, you may
experience low output on these strings. To remedy this, drill a small horizontal
hole in the end of the slot to extend the pickup further under the saddle (see
figure 10). To drill this hole without disrupting the floor of the saddle slot,
place a small jeweler's screwdriver under the tip of the drill bit. On short
saddles we also advise that the pickup exit hole be drilled into the end wall of
the saddle slot rather than the slot's floor (see figure 12) to likewise extend
saddle/pickup contact at the exit end. Again use the jeweler's screwdriver to
protect the saddle floor as you drill.
8.3 Installation: Remove the strings from the guitar. To duplicate the string
height exactly, scribe a line along the front edge of the saddle where it
extends above the bridge. The line will later be used as a guide when
removing material from the bottom of the saddle to compensate for the
thickness of the pickup (.037” total). Remove the saddle to drill the hole for the
pickup. The drill bit needs to be as large as the saddle slot will allow.
Inspect the inside of the guitar and note the position of the braces and the
iBeam in relation to the saddle slot. Drill at either end of the slot on the side
that will enable you to avoid all braces as you penetrate the top, as shown in
figure 13. Do not drill through the iBeam! Blow out the slot with compressed
air and check for remaining debris.
Important: Round the inside of the hole where it meets the bottom of the slot
with a small, sharp knife or small file to avoid pinching the pickup as the
saddle lies on it.
Feed the pickup into the slot from inside the guitar with either side up.
Inserting a toothpick or similar object through the hole from the outside is
helpful in finding the location of the hole on the inside of the guitar.
Important: The fit of the saddle in the slot is the single most important factor
in this installation. It is crucial that the bottom of the slot and the lower
fig. 10
extension
normal saddle:
drill floor short saddle:
drill side wall
jeweler's screwdriver
drill bit
fig. 11 fig. 12
slot
bridge
drill bit
guitar top
iBeam
brace
fig. 13
This view depicts the bridge at an angle that is
level with the guitar top and perpendicular to
the saddle slot. Note the rounded edge where
the hole has been drilled.
fig. 14
proper saddle-pickup contact
(saddle lean exaggerated)