LR Baggs iMix Onboard - Manual (Page 5)

fig. 6
fig. 7
tie block
saddle slot
bridge
iBeam
drill pin hole here
bridge
fig. 8
This top-down view depicts the bridge with
the saddle removed. These pin hole locations
apply to all non-pin bridges.
instrument. An unsatisfactory location will often be characterized by a woofy or
nasal tone, poor string balance and a high sensitivity to feedback.
8 . 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
8.1 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. With non-pin bridge guitars, it is unlikely
that the first selected spot will be ideal.
Though the Element will mask some of the characteristics of a non-optimum
iBeam placement, we strongly encourage the installer to invest the necessary
time to perfect the iBeam as a single source. This will have a significantly
positive impact on the overall mix.
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.
8.2 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 to act as a reference when locating the
iBeam. The hole locations will correspond to the small slots in the bottom of
each end of the iBeam (see figure 8). A good starting place is to drill the 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 matches 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 the iBeam into the preamp's center
socket, restring the guitar, plug the preamp
into your amp or PA, and turn the mix knob
completely to the right. Now test the pickup
placement. Confirm that the preamp's EQ
controls are at their default positions and
that the stereo/mono switch on the bottom
of the preamp is set to mono. If the sound is
satisfactory (see below), secure the wire
with a wire clip and continue to the Element
installation in section 10. If the sound is
unsatisfactory, we encourage you to
experiment with alternative placements (see
section 9). Do not test the pickup placement
without firmly securing the adhesive.
Without completely securing the pickup, the
sound test will produce unreliable results.