I hate to say it, but most preamp acoustic guitar systems are manufactured in China!!!
Designed and manufactured in the United States, specifically out of their facility in Nipomo, California. This is my go to when upgrading or replacing a Preamp for an acoustic guitar. You won't be sorry if you purchase an LR Baggs System. I recommend the Anthem system. For guitars that can't accommodate the full Anthem system. The Anthem SL will do the trick.
🛠 Notes on Components
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While the core electronics and systems are USA-made, individual components (like chips, buttons, specific plastic parts, or outsourced boards) could come from various suppliers overseas that’s common in electronics manufacturing, but the final assembly, testing, and calibration is done in the U.S. by LR Baggs.
Most Fishman acoustic-guitar preamp systems are associated with the company’s design and engineering in the United States, but the full manufacturing picture has a couple of parts worth understanding:
USA Headquarters & Design
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Fishman is an American company based in Andover, Massachusetts, where it designs and develops its pickups, preamps, amplifiers, and related technologies.
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They’ve invested in a manufacturing and prototyping facility in that location, including a production studio and test labs.
🛠 Manufacturing Reality (Mixed Global Supply)
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While Fishman’s core design and engineering HQ is in the U.S., many of the actual electronics components and assemblies are typically sourced and manufactured overseas, especially in advanced electronics hubs in Asia (e.g., China, Southeast Asia). This is common in the musical instrument electronics industry to manage costs and supply chain efficiencies.
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The exact balance of U.S. assembly versus overseas manufacturing can vary by product line (some higher-end preamps might have more domestic assembly, while basic parts or boards might be made elsewhere).
🧩 How It Usually Works
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Fishman engineers the circuits, prototypes, and tests them in Massachusetts.
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Components like PCBs, buttons, displays, and some passive parts are often manufactured by third-party partners abroad.
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Final assembly, calibration, QA, and integration is done either in the U.S. or through vetted manufacturing partners depending on the product.
In short:
✔️ Fishman’s preamp systems are designed and developed in the USA.
⚙️ Many individual components — and sometimes partial assembly — happen overseas through contract manufacturers, but under Fishman’s design and quality controls.
Would you like a breakdown of which specific models are more likely to be primarily U.S. assembled vs fully overseas produced? (There is variation between entry-level and pro-series systems.)
Here’s the “secret” that almost nobody talks about when it comes to acoustic guitar preamp/tuner systems:
🔥 The preamp matters more than the pickup.
Most players obsess over whether they have a Fishman, LR Baggs, under-saddle, soundhole, etc. But the real tone shaping — and most of the problems — come from the preamp circuit, not the pickup itself.
Let’s break down the secrets pros know:
🎯 1. The Preamp Is Doing Way More Than You Think
Brands like:
Fishman
LR Baggs
Taylor Guitars
Takamine
All build systems where the onboard preamp:
Buffers the high impedance pickup signal
Shapes EQ (often with fixed internal voicing you can’t change)
Compresses slightly
Cuts problem frequencies
Sometimes even boosts artificial “air”
Many factory systems are pre-voiced to sound impressive plugged into a store PA — not natural.
That’s why two guitars with similar pickups can sound completely different.
🎯 2. Cheap Onboard Preamps Color Your Tone (A Lot)
Most factory-installed systems:
Run on 9V
Use basic op-amps
Have limited headroom
Clip easily if you strum hard
That harsh “quack” people blame on piezo pickups?
👉 Often it’s actually the preamp distorting.
High-end external preamps (like studio DI boxes) usually sound smoother because they have more headroom and better circuitry.
🎯 3. The Tuner Is Sharing Power With Your Tone
Here’s something rarely discussed:
The onboard tuner draws from the same 9V supply as your preamp.
When:
The battery gets weak
The tuner is active
The LED display is bright
You can lose headroom and clarity.
That subtle “why does this sound dull tonight?” issue at gigs?
Sometimes it’s just a dying battery.
Pro tip: Change your battery before it’s dead — not after.
🎯 4. The Hidden EQ You Can’t See
Many systems (especially older ones) have:
Internal trim pots
Fixed mid cuts
Hidden high-frequency roll-offs
For example, some early Fishman systems baked in a mid scoop to reduce feedback.
That makes them sound:
“Nice” solo
But disappear in a band mix
🎯 5. Why Some Pros Avoid Onboard Systems Entirely
Many touring musicians prefer:
Passive pickup
No onboard preamp
External high-voltage preamp or DI
Because:
More headroom
Less coloration
Easier repairs
No side-panel hole cutting into the guitar body
That side-mounted preamp panel?
It actually removes wood from a critical vibration area.
Small effect — but real.
🎯 6. The Biggest Secret: Your Preamp Impedance Match Is Everything
Piezo pickups need a very high input impedance (1–10 megaohms).
If you plug a passive pickup straight into:
A regular amp
A mixer
A cheap DI
It will sound thin and weak.
The preamp’s main job is impedance matching — not EQ.
When that match is correct, even a basic pickup can sound surprisingly good.
🎸 So What Should You Do?
If you want better plugged-in tone:
Use fresh batteries.
Try running your guitar through a high-quality external DI.
Don’t overuse onboard EQ — start flat.
If your system sounds harsh, the preamp is likely the bottleneck.
Consider bypassing cheap onboard systems entirely.
If you want, tell me:
Your guitar model
Your current pickup system
Where you play (live PA, church, recording, etc.)
And I’ll tell you what’s secretly holding your tone back.
