LR Baggs iBeam Onboard - Manual (Page 4)

4. Place the stationary rod of the mounting fixture in the high-E bridge pin
hole and adjust the movable rod laterally in the slot until it drops into the low-
E bridge pin hole as shown in figure 6. Tighten the nut to secure the movable
rod.
5. Place the adhesive dots on the fixture over the saddle, one on each side of
the big slot.
Remove the adhesive backing from the dots and position the iBeam over the
fixture in the desired location. Stick the iBeam to the adhesive dots on the
fixture as shown in figure 7.
6. Remove the fixture and iBeam together from the bridge and remove the
adhesive backing from the bottom surface of the iBeam.
7. Insert the fixture holding the iBeam into the guitar. Find the high- and low-E
string bridge pin holes with the rods on the fixture.
8. Insert the rods into these holes and then elevate the fixture straight up until
the rods just poke out of the holes about 1/2". Grasp one of the rods from the
outside of the guitar and hold it. Do not pull up yet. While holding the one rod
let go of the fixture inside of the guitar and grab the other rod on the outside
of the guitar.
9. Now pull straight up on the rods as shown in figure 8 to elevate the iBeam
until it contacts the bridge plate. Tug up on the rods to secure the pickup.
10. Pop the fixture off the iBeam inside the guitar and remove the fixture.
11. Press up firmly along the top surface of the iBeam, especially on the ends,
to secure it. It’s usually a good idea to press down on the bridge from the
outside of the guitar as you press up on the iBeam from the inside to equalize
pressure and avoid cracking the top. Wiggle the iBeam front to back a little as
you press.
12. Plug in and test the pickup placement. If the sound is satisfactory (see 6.1:
general positioning guidelines for a rough definition of this), proceed to the
preamp installation instructions (section 10). If the sound is unsatisfactory, we
encourage you to experiment with alternative placements (see section 9).
7 . i B E A M I N S T A L L A T I O N : N O N - P I N
B R I D G E G U I T A R S
7.1 General positioning guidelines: The iBeam is a highly sensitive pickup;
therefore, placement and the unique characteristics of the instrument are
critical factors in producing the outstanding results of which the iBeam is
capable. A few millimeters in any direction can have profound effects on the
quality of the sound. Because every guitar is unique, you may be rewarded by
searching for the optimum location. In short, because each guitar is different,
we can tell you approximately where the pickup should be placed, but we can
not provide an exact specification. With non-pin bridge guitars, it is also
unlikely that the first selected spot will be ideal.
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.
In general, placing the iBeam directly under the saddle will provide the greatest sense of immediacy, impact, snap and “string” sound. Offsetting
the pickup either toward or away from the sound hole will increase the amount of “body” in the sound and generally have a more mellow and
homogeneous sound with less midrange.
Do not test the pickup placement without firmly securing the adhesive. Without completely securing the pickup, the sound test will produce
unreliable results.
7.2 Non-pin bridge installation (initial placement):
Installation on non-pin bridge guitars requires that you remove the saddle, drill a small hole in each end of the saddle slot, and insert guide pins
fig. 6
fig. 7
fig. 8