Which preamp - fishman or baggs?

[jeff_75]

I've used a Baggs Gigpro on my mandolins for years and it seems to have finally given up the ghost after much use and abuse. I'm considering replacing and upgrading to a box with more features. I'm mainly interested in opinions on the Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum vs. the Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. (And if anyone has any other suggestions in a similar price range, please feel free to share). Thoughts?

[Crowder]

I have an Ultrasound DI Plus and a K&K Pure XLR. They're both quite good. The K&K is dead quiet and has three-band EQ. The Ultrasound has an effects loop and a sweepable notch filter. Both work on phantom power, which I love. The Ultrasound was $99 and the K&K was $147. However, my K&K pickup sounds almost as good with no preamp, and equally good plugged into a Boss GE7 eq pedal that is intended for electric guitar.

[steve in tampa]

I have a Platinum Pro that I use for bass and it is great.

The Baggs Para is nice, but not as versatile, and it eats batteries.

[wichitamando]

I used the Baggs Gigpro for a while. Now I'm using an ART tube pre-amp. I like it quite a bit better. Really warms up the Fishman piezo pickup. Less expensive too.

[Sheryl McDonald]

Hi Ronnie:

Which ART preamp are you using?? Thanks.

[Chief]

I use the Baggs Para Accoustic for fiddle, mandolin, and electric mandolin, and it works great.

[Snakebeard Jackson]

Sonic Foundry Acustic Q tube preamp
skip the fishman and go with a tube preamp of whatever type

[Dr. Jazz]

LR Baggs Para DI may be the best little critter for a touring Pro.

[Tim2723]

Of the two you mention, I've used both and prefer the Baggs. More features, extra flexibility. Preamps tend to be built for either wide range applications or for guitars. The Baggs does a really nice job with mando and other high-pitched applications.