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As you’d assume from the name, the LR Baggs Anthem SL Microphone & Active Acoustic Guitar pickup combines a pickup and a microphone. The cool thing about this combination is that it really does give you the best of both worlds. You get the reliability of an acoustic guitar pickup and the versatility of a microphone.

Key Features

• Type: Transducer/ Microphone
• Required Modifications: Endpin, Gluing Pickup to Bridgeplate, Mounting Soundhole Control
• Installation Difficulty: High
• Controls: Volume, Volume, Mix, Phase, Battery Check, Mic Level

The Anthem system is mounted to the underside of your bridge plate, and the mic is on the underside of the pickup. Like other mixed pickup systems you can blend between the microphone and the pickup, giving you a huge variety of different tones. Uniquely, you can also adjust the volume of the microphone relative to that of the pickup. When you use this control in conjunction with the blend control you have a lot of control in how these two elements work with each other. It doesn’t necessarily make the unit sound better, but if you’re particular about your tone the added control this pickup has definitely makes it worth a look.

You can see more options in our guide to The Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups.

Below is another review of the LR Baggs Anthem SL

As the name suggests, this pickup combines an actual microphone with a piezo pickup and an active preamp, while having minimal control options.

The piezo pickup is meant to go under the saddle, while the microphone is attached on the underside of the bridge plate.

Finally, the control section is discretely attached under the soundhole, which allows you to reach its volume control.

Key Features

• Type: Transducer/ Microphone
• Required Modifications: Endpin, Gluing Pickup to Bridgeplate, Mounting Soundhole Control
• Installation Difficulty: High
• Controls: Volume

Pros

Users are very pleased with the blended tone they get from the LR Baggs Anthem SL, describing the amplified sound as detailed and fuller. Reviews show that it works nicely with different branded guitars, including Gibson, Epiphone, Taylor, Martin, Guild and many more. Many also consider this pickup as a great value addition to their guitar, and are happy with how the positive responses they are getting from their listeners.

Cons

Given its mic plus piezo configuration, some may find the installation to be difficult. Thankfully there are video tutorials and installation manuals available online.

Overall

If you're looking for a complex mic plus piezo pickup system that installs discretely, then check out the LR Baggs Anthem SL.