L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup

Lr Baggs M1A is a standard in terms of soundhole pickups for acoustic guitars. As usual with their products quality is second to none. The pickup moreover is able to add some resonance from the soundboard to the bare magnetic tone got from strings, making it to sound more realistic than similar choices. It's the best solution available in three scenarios: 1. you don't want to mod your guitar in any way. 2. you want a single pickup than can be moved between different guitars. 3. you play in a live rock band and you don't want any feedback issue whatsoever.
Many pros, but there's a big con. The tone is too similar to an electric guitar. There are better choices to have a more realistic acoustic tone, but the involve different cost, a preamp, feedback etc.
I consider it as a product aimed to specific needs. I know have only a Martin D18 equipped with a K&K pure western mini, but I won't sell my M1A. It'll be useful again.

I have mixed feelings about this pickup. I use it on my D28, and it does give a lovely sound, with a real clarity to it. But it's quite a different sound to the unamplified tone of the guitar - much brighter, but in a pleasant way, not overpoweringly so.

But where I really struggle is with the physical sensitivity. It is designed to just not pick up the electromagnetic effect of the string motion, but also the physical movement of the soundboard, so as to capture Newton Faulkner-style body taps and the like. Personally I don't need this, and it means that I get some clicking sounds coming through the pickup while I'm strumming, as a result (I think) of my plectrum either hitting the edge of the pickup, or the edge of the soundhole.

So I've had to adjust my technique to strum further down the strings towards the bridge, which obviously leads to a slightly different sound as well as a slightly less natural playing position.

It's now workable, so I can enjoy the sound of the pickup without the clicks. But I'd rather have something that gave me that sound without requiring me to change my style.

I needed a sound hole pickup for a Taylor 214, and this came out top of my research. I'm glad I went for it. Very easy to install, I don't even notice it when playing and it sounds really great. Nothing will ever sound exactly like a missed acoustic guitar except a missed acoustic guitar, but the flexibility and ease of use is worth it for a regular gigging guitar.

Fitting required reaming out the endpin hole in the Taylor to allow the combined strap button and jack socket, but once that is done it is just a case of tightening the 2 allen bolts to hold it into the sound hole.

It's served me for 18 months of solid weekend gigs and still on its first battery too, which is excellent in my book!

Highly recommended.

I have an acoustic dreadnought type guitar that came with a poor quality under saddle pickup that was driving me crazy, so I went for a cheap humbucker that used to have a terrible ac buzz. After a few experiments I decided to try the M1A. The installation process was pretty easy and fast. This pickup sounds big and natural before feedback. It is bright but it also has a rich low end. I had to dial back the low mids a bit but as it responds very well to EQ, it is very easy to find the sweetspot. It is also very active and brings out some of the imperfections of my instrument I had not previously noticed due to the extreme clarity it brings up. I also play a bit of percussion on the body of my guitar and this unit picks up the finger tapping on the sound board very well. It was probably the best choice I've made in the last years. Very satisfied.

L R Baggs M1 Activ--Very good Value and Sounds.
I have a normal acoustic guitar a Simon and Patrick and I did not want to drill holes all over it for an internal pre-amp etc so the LR Baggs is the best solution.
You will need some Luthiery skills (but not a lot) as you do need to drill a fairly large hole in the end block of the guitar if you want to use the end pin jack socket in the guitar itself. I think there is an option to leave the jack socket outside the guitar but this is messy and prone to pulling out.
The LR Baggs pickup sounds really great (if a little Bassy) but you can adjust the Pole Peice heights to balance the treble/bass strings levels--which on mine I needed to do as the G and B were way too loud
Overall it sounds very nice and does not feedback unless you go full out.
The volume control on the pick up works well but is a little fiddly if you have big hands.
I would give it 5 out 5 all round based on the sounds, price and ease of installation.

I just needed a good Pickup for my acoustic guitar in live situations.

I hated to got a Mic in front of my guitar. (That is really annoying)

So there are serveral Pickups on the market, that are quite good, but I saw this Pickup very often at guitars of really popular bands! So I really got excited to know, what it sounds like.

The only possibility was buying this thing :-)

My guitar is a Martin D15M. Mahagony all in all - strange but awesome sounding guitar with it's own characteristics.

It was important for me to catch this unique sound with the Pickup.
And yes - it's awesome!

The sound is very clear, very transparent and with good bite :-)

At home I'm using my Microphone AND the Pickup for the recordings. The sound is just awesome.

And I had no issues live! I'm just impressed how well it works :-)

I have this pickup fixed to a George Gruhn design Hohner. I have already fitted a Fishman piezo pick up and thought I would run the guitar through two channels on my PA.
Amazing sound and although I was more than happy with the Fishman this has enhanced the sound even more.
I was listening to a Dave Gilmour acoustic concert and was knocked out by the guitar sound. The L.R. Baggs M1 is not a cheap bit of kit but definately, in my opinion, worth the extra bucks.
I play using a Boss loop station at times and this pick up works well for percussive sounds from drumming on the guitar body. Plenty of depth and nice and bright when strumming etc.
Would recommend it to anyone.

I've been using the M1A for just under two years now and always get compliments on my acoustic tone. As much as I'd like to say it's all from my fingers, I think the pickup has a lot to do with it.

I find it to be bright and articulate without sounding too harsh. The notes are clear and have character owing to Bagg's floating coil design picking up vibrations from the soundboard and the body of the guitar, as well as the strings.
The cream colour of the pickup looks great as well. A minor detail but, one worth mentioning I feel.

The only thing that may be an issue for some people is the lack of EQ control on the pickup but as I tend to EQ from the desk or a plug-in anyway, I've never found this to be a problem.

Installation required some drilling in order to widen the strap hole and accommodate the endpin jack. If you're careful and have some experience with woodwork/read instructions online, this can be done at home, although if you have any doubts perhaps take it to a guitar shop or luthier.

Overall I would highly recommend this pickup, not too difficult to install, easy to use and it sounds great.