Anthem or SL? Martin D12-28. Woship Band.

[Mr. Holland]

I am hoping to install an LRBaggs pickup or internal mic into my Martin 12 string D28 here in the near future, so I can plug it into my Church's worship band. Any advice on which product to use? After reading some of the threads it seems the Anthem SL would be a better choice than the lyric in a band setting. Would there be a reason to get the standard Anthem over the SL in my situation? It's a big new $10,000 digital sound system for a large church that it would primarily be running through and we have pretty good sound technicians who would be dialing in the guitar if I were to bring it on stage. Would having the option of mixing in less of the microphone be an advantage?

[Caleb_Elling]

I am hoping to install an LRBaggs pickup or internal mic into my Martin 12 string D28 here in the near future, so I can plug it into my Church's worship band. Any advice on which product to use? After reading some of the threads it seems the Anthem SL would be a better choice than the lyric in a band setting. Would there be a reason to get the standard Anthem over the SL in my situation? It's a big new $10,000 digital sound system for a large church that it would primarily be running through and we have pretty good sound technicians who would be dialing in the guitar if I were to bring it on stage. Would having the option of mixing in less of the microphone be an advantage?

Hey there, MR. Holland!

As a worship leader myself, I use the Anthem SL and I absolutely love it! I only wish I had a nicer sound system to play it through I have the regular Anthem on another guitar, but the mic side of the blend sounds so natural and full that I never change the blend anyways. So the SL works extremely well for me.

I've played the Lyric as well, but I do prefer the Anthem SL's low frequency "kick", especially in a full band. The Lyric is definitely the most natural or accurate choice, in my opinion, but it can get lost in a full band mix a little easier. A good sound person shouldn't have a problem with that though.

Some players like the "tweak-ability" of the full Anthem- I just want my guitar to sound like my guitar. I'm definitely more biased towards the SL though, because of how well it has worked for me. However, the SL and the Lyric should both perform well in your situation.