LR Bagg RTS2 undersaddle pickup

[Holispirit]

Hi everyone,
I have a question regarding the installation of the LR Bagg RTS2 undersaddle pickup into a guitar. I'm considering purchasing a Gibson J-45 standard. However, I have found a J-45 custom with premium wood at the same price as the J-45 standard. However, the J-45 standard has the LR Bagg RTS2 undersaddle pickup while the custom does not.
I was told that the installation of the LR Bagg RTS2 undersaddle pickup into the guitar would not affect the tone or the value of the guitar in anyway, but my parents who are forking out the money to buy the guitar aren't convinced of this.
May I know anyone in soft who has any experience in the installation of this pickup in their guitar and may I know the results of it??
Even if you have not done it before, if you have any advice or prior knowledge about this matter, I hope that you can share it with me.
Thanks everyone.

 

[tubescreamer]

I can assure you that the tone of your guitar will not be affected, nor will it devalue the instrument. If anything, the pickup will actually add value to your J-45. It's a non-intrusive undersaddle pickup, and does not call for any major modifications aside from widening the strap button hole.

 

[burping_boy]

other than the widening of the strap button or end-pin hole, it also involves drilling a small hole at the bridge at the edge of the saddle cavity so that the ribbon transducer pickup can go below the saddle, and also wires inside the guitar, and a small guitar bag stuck to the inside of the guitar with some common double-sided-tape-like adhesive. but it should not significantly affect the tone of the guitar.

this shows how the LR Baggs Active Element pickup is installed.
http://www.guitargearheads.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=266
the installation procedures for an RTS2 will be the same since they have almost the same components based on looks. the difference will be the preamp that's in the metallic tube, and the undersaddle transducer material, AE's silver, RTS2 is yellow, and AE detects pressures, while RTS2 detects vibrations.

as for the valuation, i can't be sure if it will add value or de-value since you are talking about a CUSTOM guitar. if it's ordinary, usually a pickup should be a desirable feature. but if your's is a CUSTOM guitar, if it's limited, or special, or have collectors value, i can't be sure if such a modification will cause a change in the value, for the better or worse.

maybe ask yourself if you really need a pickup in the first place. sometimes, if it's a great sounding guitar, pickup's don't do justice. condenser mic's might be more accurate. or etc.

 

[Holispirit]

other than the widening of the strap button or end-pin hole, it also involves drilling a small hole at the bridge at the edge of the saddle cavity so that the ribbon transducer pickup can go below the saddle, and also wires inside the guitar, and a small guitar bag stuck to the inside of the guitar with some common double-sided-tape-like adhesive. but it should not significantly affect the tone of the guitar.

this shows how the LR Baggs Active Element pickup is installed.
http://www.guitargearheads.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=266
the installation procedures for an RTS2 will be the same since they have almost the same components based on looks. the difference will be the preamp that's in the metallic tube, and the undersaddle transducer material, AE's silver, RTS2 is yellow, and AE detects pressures, while RTS2 detects vibrations.

as for the valuation, i can't be sure if it will add value or de-value since you are talking about a CUSTOM guitar. if it's ordinary, usually a pickup should be a desirable feature. but if your's is a CUSTOM guitar, if it's limited, or special, or have collectors value, i can't be sure if such a modification will cause a change in the value, for the better or worse.

maybe ask yourself if you really need a pickup in the first place. sometimes, if it's a great sounding guitar, pickup's don't do justice. condenser mic's might be more accurate. or etc.

Hey, thanks for the link, really helps. Yeah but I need the pickups, it saves me a lot of trouble in the future. Moreover, sometimes i wish to have it a louder volume. Pickups are a must for me.

 

[tubescreamer]

Hey, thanks for the link, really helps. Yeah but I need the pickups, it saves me a lot of trouble in the future. Moreover, sometimes i wish to have it a louder volume. Pickups are a must for me.

Then why the conundrum? You're the one who's going to be playing the guitar, not your parents. I'm assuming they aren't guitarists themselves.

 

[Holispirit]

Then why the conundrum? You're the one who's going to be playing the guitar, not your parents. I'm assuming they aren't guitarists themselves.

The problem here is, they are forking out the money as I've stated in my first post, and they aren't convinced about installing the pickups into the guitar. Yeah I'm the one who is playing it, duh, but they are the ones forking out the money, hence, it's natural to be a little paranoid. I myself fear that by installing the pickups, the natural tone of the guitar will be affected. Well, I was ignorant to the fact that the pickups are the non-intrusive type so you can't blame me for that

 

[hendryang]

check out my brand new j-45 rosewood model with L.R. Baggs Element Active Acoustic Pickup System installed by Gibson selling at the best offer @http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/guitars/p19888-wts-3a-brand-new-gibson-j-45-rosewood-semi-acoustic-guitar.html

 

[hay88]

i have one of those in my acoustics. somehow they do not have a very natural recording tone. still good stuff anyways

 

[Holispirit]

I have that in my acoustic installed for quite some time now, and I find the tone for recording or performing wise pretty good. Maybe it's the difference in wiring?? Or is there any other pickups which you would recommend or prefer?

 

[champion]

if you want the best of the best...then

may I suggest the New LR Baggs Anthem pickup...though they are not cheap..but it replicates the exact tone of your guitar..
http://www.guitar4christ.com/index....pic.php&f=27&t=35086&start=45&time=1299301003

videos of the explanation of how the guitar works is here..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep9xsSOeXL0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpCDPvsUYyQ

Cheers
Jarvis
guitarsaddle@hotmail.com