Amplifying an acoustic guitar generally is a daunting process, typically difficult by the very qualities that make a guitar sound nice acoustically. After tackling this problem for 50 years with a well-liked line of acoustic pickups, L.R. Baggs has taken a unique method: designing a guitar from the bottom up for amplified efficiency. The result’s the corporate’s first acoustic-electric guitar, the AEG-1, which mixes an revolutionary inside construction with L.R. Baggs’ newest pickup system, the Hello-Fi Duet. After spending time with the AEG-1, I discovered it to be a well-executed mix of consolation, playability, and a remarkably pure amplified tone.

Modern and Skinny

The AEG-1 is roughly the scale of a dreadnought (15.5 inches extensive on the decrease bout and 20 inches lengthy) and weighs about six kilos. Nonetheless, its comparatively massive footprint is offset by a really skinny physique depth (2.5 inches) and a bevel. The slim, 20-fret, C-profile African mahogany neck joins the physique on the 14th fret, whereas a cutaway—mixed with the shallow physique depth—permits quick access to a minimum of the 18th fret.

The AEG-1 stands other than different shallow-body acoustic guitars in two key methods: its building particulars and its electronics, which work in tandem. The guitar’s body is manufactured from dense, robust, laminated poplar—you’ll be able to really see the layers of the plywood-style body on the perimeters. This substantial outer shell is paired with a singular (patent-pending) inside help system for the bolt-on neck, guaranteeing distinctive stability. In distinction, the highest and again are designed to be versatile and responsive.

Our overview mannequin featured a stable torrefied Sitka spruce prime, supported by a reasonably commonplace scalloped X-bracing sample. Consumers may go for an Engelmann spruce or sunburst Sitka spruce prime. The stable Indian rosewood again features a detachable spherical panel secured with six small screws, offering quick access to the interior electronics. A picket plug largely fills the soundhole, leaving a small air hole round it. To reinforce suggestions resistance when plugged in, the AEG-1 comes with a rubber ring that matches into the remaining area.

Although it doesn’t match the quantity or bass response of a full-depth acoustic, the AEG-1 is way from a silent guitar. Its unplugged tone has a attraction of its personal, providing loads of quantity for residence apply and doubtlessly even for performances when amplified with a microphone. In a recording take a look at, I achieved a satisfying sound with solely minor EQ changes to compensate for the weaker bass response of the unplugged guitar.

The guitar’s nut width is 1.7 inches (simply barely greater than 1-11/16 inches), and the string spacing on the saddle is 2.168 inches (not fairly 2-1/8 inches), making it notably interesting to flatpickers and people accustomed to the narrower spacing of electrical guitars. The fretboard radius is 16 inches—comparatively flat, just like most Martin guitars.

Plugging In

Whereas the AEG-1 may be performed acoustically, it’s primarily designed for amplified use. It incorporates a model of L.R. Baggs’ newest pickup system, the Hello-Fi Duet, which pairs the twin soundboard transducers from the unique Hello-Fi system with the brand new Silo microphone and supporting onboard electronics. Whereas the Hello-Fi Duet is obtainable as a standalone product for set up in different guitars, the AEG-1 exemplifies the advantages of a unified design method, the place each the guitar and pickup system are developed to enhance one another—
sonically and structurally. The output jack and an simply accessible 9-volt battery compartment are positioned within the decrease aspect nook.

The AEG-1’s management knobs, set into an inset panel on the highest aspect, permit for quantity and tone changes, in addition to mixing between the Hello-Fi transducers and the Silo mic. Turning the mix management absolutely counterclockwise engages solely the Hello-Fi, whereas the center place supplies a 50/50 mix. Totally clockwise, the system makes use of the Silo mic for greater frequencies and the Hello-Fi for decrease ones. I discovered the 50/50 mix to supply the most effective tone for my style—retaining the stable, direct sound of the Hello-Fi whereas including a bit extra openness and air from the mic. Nonetheless, with each the mix and tone controls, it’s simple to fine-tune quite a lot of sounds.

The selection of the Hello-Fi Duet in a comparatively quiet, thinline guitar just like the AEG-1 may appear stunning, provided that soundboard transducers reply to the vibration of the highest, whereas a microphone captures the precise sound produced by the instrument. Nonetheless, as Baggs factors out, the stable help offered by the multi-ply aspect body and neck-block system permits the highest to vibrate exceptionally effectively, making it a superb match for the Hello-Fi Duet.

Certainly, the AEG-1 comes alive when amplified, producing an enormous, full sound with ample low finish and a responsive really feel. The tone is stable and direct, with out the boominess typically related to full-depth amplified acoustic guitars. I used to be in a position to play at surprisingly excessive volumes with out suggestions, sustaining a transparent, full-range sound. Even at louder settings, the guitar exhibited no peaky notes or problematic resonances. Tone is at all times subjective, however to my ears, the amplified AEG-1 sounds wonderful—I doubt anybody listening would suspect the sound was coming from a thinline.

The Backside Line

Total, I discovered the AEG-1 enjoyable to play, thanks partly to its quick, modern neck and really low motion, but in addition on account of its sound—each unplugged and amplified. It’s additionally fairly snug, with its skinny physique made much more ergonomic by the bevel. As a result of I primarily play fingerstyle, I often choose wider string spacing at each the nut and saddle, however I tailored simply to the narrower spacing. Strumming and flatpicking felt pure, and the low motion made taking part in lead strains as fluid as on an electrical guitar.

After all, the AEG-1’s strongest function is its amplified sound. By pairing a singular building method with the Hello-Fi Duet’s strengths, L.R. Baggs has created an instrument with wonderful suggestions resistance and excellent amplified tone—a stage-ready guitar that delivers distinctive sound and playability.

Specs

BODY Skinny-body acoustic-electric; stable torrefied Sitka spruce prime with scalloped X-bracing (additionally out there with Engelmann spruce or sunburst Sitka spruce prime); stable Indian rosewood again with detachable electronics entry panel; laminated poplar aspect body; soundhole with detachable picket plug and optionally available rubber insert for suggestions resistance; Indian rosewood bridge with composite saddle with 2.168″ string spacing; satin end

NECK 25-5/8″-scale African mahogany bolt-on neck; dual-action truss rod; Indian rosewood fretboard; 16″ radius; 20 frets; 1.7″ nut width; slim C-profile form; closed-back tuners; satin end

ELECTRONICS L.R. Baggs Hello-Fi Duet pickup system with twin soundboard transducers and Silo microphone; quantity, tone, and mix controls

OTHER D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze strings (.012–.053); softshell case

MADE IN Korea (by Crafter Guitars)

PRICE $1,599 road

lrbaggs.com

This text initially appeared within the Might/June 2025 situation of Acoustic Guitar journal.