In his latest gear comparison, Rob Hamm pits two vastly different acoustic guitar pickup solutions against each other: the premium LR Baggs Hi-Fi ($200) and a generic $6 Amazon knockoff. Testing them through an Alvarez MDR70 and a JBL Eon One MK2, Rob explores whether a massive price gap always translates to a massive performance gap.
Get Yours From zZounds with EZ Payments:
The Comparison: High Fidelity vs. High Effort
| Feature | LR Baggs Hi-Fi | Generic Amazon Pickup |
| Price | ~$200 | ~$6.35 |
| Type | Active Bridge Plate (Dual Sensors) | Passive Piezo (3 Contact Sensors) |
| Power | 9V Battery (700+ hour life) | Passive (No battery) |
| Controls | Soundhole Volume & Tone | None |
| Installation | Peel-and-stick (with Jig) | Generic Peel-and-stick |
The $6 Amazon Knockoff Rob reveals that while the price is unbeatable, the “hidden cost” is the effort required to make it usable. The pickup is a passive 3-sensor system, which means it has a very high impedance and no internal preamp to buffer the signal. In its “flat” state, Rob notes a “punchy mid-range” that sounds boxy and thin.
To get a professional tone, Rob had to apply a “crazy EQ curve” on his JBL mixer—drastically cutting the harsh mids and aggressively boosting the lows and highs. While it’s a viable solution for a backup guitar or a tight budget, it requires a feedback buster for live stages and a robust external EQ or preamp.
The LR Baggs Hi-Fi The LR Baggs system is an active, all-discrete system designed to be non-invasive. Its two sensors are precision-engineered to capture the bridge plate’s movement without dampening the guitar’s natural resonance.
Immediately upon switching, Rob noted a massive difference in gain and clarity. Because the Hi-Fi includes a studio-quality preamp, the signal is much hotter (allowing him to drop his mixer gain from 35dB to just 10dB) and far more balanced. The sound is “money” right out of the gate—offering a transparent, high-fidelity representation of the guitar’s acoustic voice with almost no EQ tweaking required.
Please Say Thanks ☕
*If you found this video valuable, consider leaving a tip as a thank you!
Your support fuels this channel and helps me provide for my family.
Thank you so much!
💸 PayPal: paypal.me/RobHamm
💚CashApp: $RobHammPhoto
The Test Rig
- The Guitar: Alvarez MDR70. A 12th-fret Masterworks dreadnought featuring a solid AAA Sitka Spruce top and solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides. Its natural resonance is the perfect canvas for testing bridge plate sensors.
- The PA: JBL Eon One MK2. A battery-powered column PA with a 1500W peak amplifier and a 10″ woofer. Rob utilized the JBL Pro Connect app to demonstrate the parametric EQ adjustments needed for the budget pickup.
Pro Tips: Takeaways for Your Rig
1. Know Your Impedance Passive piezo pickups (like the $6 Amazon version) have very high impedance. If you plug them directly into a standard line input, you’ll lose bass and sound “tinny.”
- Pro Tip: If using passive pickups, always use a dedicated DI Box or an acoustic preamp with a high-impedance (Hi-Z) input to restore your low-end.
2. The “Bridge Plate” Advantage Both systems tested are bridge plate sensors, not under-saddle transducers (UST).
- Pro Tip: Bridge plate sensors (like the Hi-Fi or K&K style) generally sound more “acoustic” than USTs because they capture the vibration of the wood, not just the strings. However, they are more prone to feedback—so keep a feedback buster (soundhole cover) in your gig bag.
3. Let the App Do the Work Rob used the JBL Pro Connect app to visualize his EQ.
- Pro Tip: When EQing a budget pickup, don’t just “turn up the bass.” Try a “Mid-Scoop”: Cut the frequencies between 400Hz and 800Hz. This usually removes the “honky” plastic sound common in cheap piezos.
The Bottom Line: As Rob concludes, if you have the budget, the LR Baggs Hi-Fi is a “no-brainer” for its professional output and transparency. But if you’re a tinkerer on a budget, the Amazon $6 special can be made to sound surprisingly decent—provided you have the EQ tools to tame it.
#MDR70 #LRBaggsHiFi #JBLPro #JustRobLive #GuitarInstructor #ChesapeakeMusic #AlvarezGuitars LiveSound #JBLEonOne #AudioEngineering #SingerSongwriter #AcousticTone #GuitarPlayer #GearComparison
