I have two M1As for my two acoustics. They sound quite nice. They are "feedback resistant" when compared to internal mics, sure, but because of the nature of the internal coil picking up internal vibrations means that they do feedback quite a lot compared to other soundhole pickups. If you are a loop artists like myself, that's a BIG issue. It WILL feedback. I know not everyone buying one will be looping though. But if you're just a regular acoustic guitarist, they're pretty lovely sounding. They are a bit pricy though. If you're strapped for cash, I'd recommend a Bill Lawrence acoustic pickup. As much as I love my M1As, the Bill Lawrence is like 1/3 of the price, more feedback resistant, passive, and overall almost as good sounding. But no one asked me.
I purchased a fishman Rarearth pickup as it was highly recommended it sounded like a hollow body electric I traded it in for the M80 huge difference it’s a great natural sounding pickup
Well done Teja. I’m using the M80 in my Eastman E20-TC and love the natural sound. Also it’s great for outdoor gigs as it doesn’t react to the wind whistling into the Soundhole like the Lyric..
Thanks for this comparative demo, Teja. It is helpful ... and has generated interesting & reasoned observations and comments. The background Re.: physical makeup & characteristics of the two devices is also important & useful.
I have the Taylor 710 with the Baggs M1. I need a pickup for a first year Taylor 410. After your review I can see there are slight differences in the M1 and M80. I feel the M1 suits my needs and gig format best. Thanks for the great review. I hope Baggs throws you a bone occasionally.
Thanks for the detailed review. Funny though I thought the M1 sounded more natural... had more "air" I thought - that is assuming I correctly understand what "air" is!!
Both sound great. I have an M1, which is a great pickup. The M80 does sound a little better but not sure I'm prepared to fork out $250 for an "upgrade"
Would have loved to also hear the M80 in passive mode to see if it sounds a bit less brittle than in active mode. Perhaps then the M1 and M80 would sound more similar?
Hi Scott - In passive mode, the M1's output is significantly lower, and on its own, I'd say that it's less rich sounding than in active mode. Once you run it through a preamp, that will become a factor in the overall sound. But in general, I don't think it would be a way to solve a sound that you hear as brittle. - Teja Gerken
Lovely and helpful, I have just one question and it's addressed to whomever who's had experience of using those pickups: are those pickups adjustable to different hole sizes? I have a jumbo Harmony and a parlour Hoefner. I also use a Taylor with it's own built-in pickup, and I also have a Shadow SH330 to use on any but the parlour, for which it's too big. I use a lot of open tuning in my playing, so having more then one guitar on a gig is a nacessity...
Hi what type of chord do you use for temporary installation? Is it a 1/8 to 1/4 cable or something different? I have tried to find a cable like this lr baggs website but didn’t see anything. I have an m1 I bought yrs ago but it only came with the permanent cable. Thanks
For amplifying a guitar to play along side of a harmonica, yes, for ampifying a harmonica, no. The pickup is magnetic and mostly picks up the vibration of steel strings as they vibrate over the polepieces of this pickup, the second coil partly floats so as to, more accurately sense the resonance of the guitar's body and top. You need a microphone or a pickup designed for harmonica to get a signal that could be properly amplified.
Interesting comment, Robert. Most folks seem to think the M80 superior. But, I`m interested in why you feel it `boomy`. Maybe it`s aligned with `garrisonic`s` impression, below. To me, the M80 does sound `cleaner`. And, you could also adjust the position of the magnets. Thanks for the observation.
I didn't care for the tone of the 80. The mids are not happening. The M1 is warmer with a bit of a mid cut which is great for anything bigger than a wine tasting gig
Demo starts at 10:28 :)
LOL!!! THANKS!
In this demo, I preferred the sound of the M1 (wasn't expecting that) - Great Video
I have two M1As for my two acoustics.
They sound quite nice. They are "feedback resistant" when compared to internal mics, sure, but because of the nature of the internal coil picking up internal vibrations means that they do feedback quite a lot compared to other soundhole pickups.
If you are a loop artists like myself, that's a BIG issue. It WILL feedback.
I know not everyone buying one will be looping though.
But if you're just a regular acoustic guitarist, they're pretty lovely sounding.
They are a bit pricy though. If you're strapped for cash, I'd recommend a Bill Lawrence acoustic pickup. As much as I love my M1As, the Bill Lawrence is like 1/3 of the price, more feedback resistant, passive, and overall almost as good sounding.
But no one asked me.
So, if you wanna loop also. Wich one you think i best?
I purchased a fishman Rarearth pickup as it was highly recommended it sounded like a hollow body electric I traded it in for the M80 huge difference it’s a great natural sounding pickup
Thank you, bought the M1 based on your advice and it was a solid choice!
Well done Teja. I’m using the M80 in my Eastman E20-TC and love the natural sound. Also it’s great for outdoor gigs as it doesn’t react to the wind whistling into the Soundhole like the Lyric..
Great demo! I just got an M80 for my 12-string, it sounds great.
Thank You, I used both the M1 and M1a pickups. May now need an M80
Thank you,very informative as I have been looking for a pickup and either of these could suit me.
Thanks for this comparative demo, Teja. It is helpful ... and has generated interesting & reasoned observations and comments. The background Re.: physical makeup & characteristics of the two devices is also important & useful.
Super useful, great playing! I own two M1, looking forward to getting a M80
I have the Taylor 710 with the Baggs M1. I need a pickup for a first year Taylor 410. After your review I can see there are slight differences in the M1 and M80. I feel the M1 suits my needs and gig format best. Thanks for the great review. I hope Baggs throws you a bone occasionally.
Thanks for the detailed review. Funny though I thought the M1 sounded more natural... had more "air" I thought - that is assuming I correctly understand what "air" is!!
Thanks. That was very useful information. I'll be using the M1A in my cittern-guitar tuned CGDAEB.
Both sound great. I have an M1, which is a great pickup. The M80 does sound a little better but not sure I'm prepared to fork out $250 for an "upgrade"
Great playing as always!
Thank you I like the m80 great playing .
Great breakdown! Thanks.
Would have loved to also hear the M80 in passive mode to see if it sounds a bit less brittle than in active mode. Perhaps then the M1 and M80 would sound more similar?
Hi Scott - In passive mode, the M1's output is significantly lower, and on its own, I'd say that it's less rich sounding than in active mode. Once you run it through a preamp, that will become a factor in the overall sound. But in general, I don't think it would be a way to solve a sound that you hear as brittle. - Teja Gerken
Thanks, very helpful.
Lovely and helpful, I have just one question and it's addressed to whomever who's had experience of using those pickups: are those pickups adjustable to different hole sizes? I have a jumbo Harmony and a parlour Hoefner. I also use a Taylor with it's own built-in pickup, and I also have a Shadow SH330 to use on any but the parlour, for which it's too big. I use a lot of open tuning in my playing, so having more then one guitar on a gig is a nacessity...
Hi what type of chord do you use for temporary installation? Is it a 1/8 to 1/4 cable or something different? I have tried to find a cable like this lr baggs website but didn’t see anything. I have an m1 I bought yrs ago but it only came with the permanent cable. Thanks
LR Baggs offers a cable like what you mentioned--1/8-inch mini jack on one side, and standard 1/4-inch on the other.
It seems to me that the difference is very significant
do these pickups fit in any guitar. My guitar is closer to a parlor size and I am wondering if it would fit
Yes, it would just sit a bit closer to the middle of the sound hole if your sound hole is even smaller. Normally they are standard.
this is more for live, or is it also ah common way to record in studio professional? thanks
Will these pickups work with a harmonica?
For amplifying a guitar to play along side of a harmonica, yes, for ampifying a harmonica, no. The pickup is magnetic and mostly picks up the vibration of steel strings as they vibrate over the polepieces of this pickup, the second coil partly floats so as to, more accurately sense the resonance of the guitar's body and top. You need a microphone or a pickup designed for harmonica to get a signal that could be properly amplified.
Does it gives body percussion sounds?
M80 a little more, but the best for that is the lyric
M80 sounds boomy, like an internal mic. The M1 sounds more clear.
Interesting comment, Robert. Most folks seem to think the M80 superior. But, I`m interested in why you feel it `boomy`. Maybe it`s aligned with `garrisonic`s` impression, below. To me, the M80 does sound `cleaner`. And, you could also adjust the position of the magnets. Thanks for the observation.
I didn't care for the tone of the 80. The mids are not happening. The M1 is warmer with a bit of a mid cut which is great for anything bigger than a wine tasting gig
Playing is awesome but those pick ups are midrange monsters and I'd hate to hear that instrument played vigorously
I take that back...the M80 has unpleasant mids but nothing any 10 band graphic couldn't deal with