Q. What initially attracted you to the LR Baggs Anthem pickup, and how does it enhance your acoustic guitar sound compared to other pickups you’ve used?
John: I got to know about LR Baggs anthem while going through various videos of acoustic rigs a few years ago. The anthem was highly recommended by a lot of guitar players and decided to give it a shot.
The anthem has a blend of Mic and Piezo which makes the guitar sound more like played in a studio in front of a microphone. This really makes a ton of a difference while playing live on stage.
Q. Can you share any specific features of the LR Baggs Anthem pickup that have had a significant impact on your live performances?
John: Yes, after installing the anthem I am able to play a lot of percussive stuff on the guitar which involves hitting the body of the guitar and plucking strings softly and striking hard.
Q. How does the LR Baggs Anthem pickup contribute to your versatility as a musician, allowing you to adapt your acoustic guitar sound to different genres and musical contexts?
John: I was extremely satisfied when I installed Anthem as it started projecting the sound of the guitar so well in live concerts. So when the instrument sounds good through the PA, the playing automatically improves and anything I play on the guitar comes with more feel and passion.
Q. In what ways does the LR Baggs Anthem pickup complement your playing style and technique, particularly in terms of dynamics and tonal expression?
John: Since it captures all the details of the guitar due to its Mic and Piezo blend system, hearing the guitar back through my in-ear monitors contributes a lot to the playing style. Any part of the guitar I am playing applying any dynamics is captured perfectly and sent out through the output.
Q. Can you share any memorable experiences or performances where the LR Baggs Anthem pickup played a pivotal role in achieving the desired acoustic guitar sound?
John: Previously for playing flamenco stuff and percussive styles I had to use the Piezo pickup and place a real microphone in front of the guitar and the FOH engineer would blend the signal to get the desired sound. With this pickup its super convenient as I can do all that myself from the pickup settings and FOH is saving a channel!
Q. How does the LR Baggs Anthem pickup enhance your recording process in the studio, and what advantages does it offer in terms of capturing the natural warmth and resonance of your acoustic guitar?
John: Though I prefer to mic up my guitar in the studio in all circumstances, sometimes I have to record acoustic guitar in hotels and rehearsal pads for producing or just doing sessions. This is where Anthem makes my life so much easier, I plug in the guitar directly into the audio interface and use more of the mic blend and that makes the guitar sound incredibly close to being recorded on a microphone.
Q. As a seasoned performer, how do you navigate the balance between preserving the authenticity of your acoustic guitar sound and leveraging the technological advancements of pickups like the LR Baggs Anthem?
John: My aim is to have the instrument sound as raw as possible having all its characteristics, so I use pedals and pickups just to amplify and give as much gain and grain to project the real sound of the instrument.
Q. Can you share any tips or techniques for getting the best performance out of the LR Baggs Anthem pickup, whether in a live setting or in the studio?
John: It just sounds perfect in every situation, sometimes depending on the venue you might have to keep the mic blend low to avoid feedback. That’s about it!
Q. Can you elaborate on any unique sonic characteristics or tonal nuances that the LR Baggs Anthem pickup offers, and how you leverage them to craft your signature acoustic guitar sound?
John: Sonically it portrays the source of the signal coming through your instrument unfiltered, that’s what makes these pickups stand out.
Q. In what ways does the LR Baggs Anthem pickup inspire your creativity as a musician, and how do you explore its sonic possibilities to push the boundaries of acoustic guitar playing?
John: As I said, on my monitors I adjust the blend settings according to my taste depending on the venue also, and once that’s in place I feel like playing in a studio in front of a microphone where the guitar resonates and literally picks up even the noises around it subtly which makes it a great experience to play.
Q. Finally, what message would you like to convey to fellow musicians and fans regarding your experience with the LR Baggs Anthem pickup?
John: My playing got better after I installed Anthem and could hear details that were inaudible before thus contributing to correcting a lot of mistakes and smoothing out the edges.
