Praise for the LR Baggs radius pickup for mandolin

[MT_player]

I recently acquired this pickup for my mandolin and took it out on a gig Friday night. I am impressed by the sound quality and volume it produces. Granted, it will never sound like a good microphone but in a noisy bar, it's a decent compromise.

Stealin'.mp3

Friend of the Devil.mp3

[llg]

I've not tried it but good to know. I have high praise for the L.R. Baggs Paracoustic D.I. and have heard good things about most of their stuff. I do agree that a good clear mic setup sounds best, but let's face it...in some venues it's impossible to get the proper volume without a pickup.

[if6was9]

I have used the Baggs Radius for a couple of years on my mandolin and mandola and like it a lot.

[Tim2723]

I have one, though I seldom get a chance to use it. But I agree that for its purpose it's a very high quality pickup.

[blueron]

I also have one that hasn't seen a lot of use, but since I bought a pre-amp that is designed to be suited to the pick-up (I got an LR Baggs Gigpro), it might get a bit more use. The one time I tried to use it in a bar jam setting without the pre-amp, it was simply overpowered by everything around me.

rm

[MT_player]

I also have one that hasn't seen a lot of use, but since I bought a pre-amp that is designed to be suited to the pick-up (I got an LR Baggs Gigpro), it might get a bit more use. The one time I tried to use it in a bar jam setting without the pre-amp, it was simply overpowered by everything around me.

rm

The pre-amp is a must have. The radius sounds ok without one when I'm playing alone but throw in another guitar and a bass player plus vocals and it gets lost in the mix. I use the Fishman pro-platinum EQ. It boosts the signal to that the PA has more to work with. Result is nice loud clear mandolin tone. Unless there's a drummer in the band, this set-up is plenty loud.

[Tim2723]

I agree with Mike, the preamp is a must. I usually describe it as a two-piece set up with the components sold separately. While a few folks report good results without the preamp, many more write in to complain about their low signal.

[Trey Young]

I used a Radius pickup with a Para DI, a 10 band EQ, and a clean boost pedal for the past 4 years and was very happy with it. I've since sworn off playing anywhere that was too loud for a mic (at least for the time being) and sold off all of my "plugged-in" toys, but if I ever go back to playing in loud situations I'll probably put together a similar set up.

[pjlama]

I'm a fan, most of the gigs I do (not many lately sadly) are in noisy bar environments and always am happy with the Radius.

[Tim2723]

...I've since sworn off playing anywhere that was too loud for a mic (at least for the time being) and sold off all of my "plugged-in" toys...

I envy you. I play three nights week in the noisy bars and have to live with pickups or I'd starve.