Best pickup for martin 000-15m?

[julesrsuarez]

So I just bought my second guitar, Martin 000-15M, and I'm looking for a perfect pickup for it. Any suggestion for the best pickup to install?

My music genre is folk. Strumming and guitar picking. I want something that will sound pure acoustic just like the unplugged guitar itself.

I'm thinking of buying M1A or M80. What do you think?

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Jules,
I've actually seen a few 000-15M's with the M1A or M80 installed, and it's a pretty great match. I definitely prefer the added warmth and depth of the M80, but the M1A should also work well.

As magnetic pickups the M-series pickups won't sound quite as natural as a hybrid mic system, but I know a lot of Folk players who love the sound!

[julesrsuarez]

Thanks, Caleb_Elling! But if you had my guitar, what would you install instead? Your personal choice?

[Caleb_Elling]

I actually use the Anthem SL in my own guitars. However, I've never cared for how the Anthem mic responds in Satin-finished guitars like the 000-15M. So, honestly, I would probably go with the M80 if I had that guitar.

If I really wanted to go crazy, I might do an iMix system, and replace the Element with the M1 Passive. That would give me the more natural tone from the iBeam, while getting the tonal character and cut-through from the M1. The M80 is definitely the simpler option though.

[julesrsuarez]

Thank you, man! Appreciate it!

[julesrsuarez]

Hey, Caleb_Elling. I think I'm going for Anthem. but do you think I will go for the full one or SL?

[Caleb_Elling]

It's definitely a matter of preference. I like the simplicity of the SL. If you want more control, the full Anthem is great! I really don't think you can go wrong with either one.

[Real Piney]

The M1 has worked very well in my 000-15M. Other pickups, not so much.

[Oldghm]

I actually use the Anthem SL in my own guitars. However, I've never cared for how the Anthem mic responds in Satin-finished guitars like the 000-15M. So, honestly, I would probably go with the M80 if I had that guitar.

If I really wanted to go crazy, I might do an iMix system, and replace the Element with the M1 Passive. That would give me the more natural tone from the iBeam, while getting the tonal character and cut-through from the M1. The M80 is definitely the simpler option though.

Hi Caleb,

Would you care to elaborate on the highlighted statement. There are three elements that I'm curious to hear more about. Satin finished, Mahogany, and triple O size. Are you speaking about one, two or all three of those.

I wonder how the finish would affect how the mic responds.

O..

[Caleb_Elling]

I wonder how the finish would affect how the mic responds.

I was actually referring to the finish and not the body style or material.

Satin finishes have a rougher texture that actually makes sound when you rub the guitar with your hand or body/clothes. The Tru-Mic picks this sound up and amplifies it. It's not terrible, but it can definitely be distracting for certain players and playing styles. So I am not a fan of the pairing.

[Oldghm]

Thanks Caleb. I recall, now, that you mentioned this before. I changed my Lyric from a gloss finished guitar to a satin, and yes there is some noise but not enough to be a deterrent for me. Over the years I've learned a lot of bad habits that show up from time to time in my playing style. Those that I can't break I try to incorporate someway into the music. The brushing of a cuff or the click of a cuff button that shows up unexpectedly can be incorporated into the rhythm. While I have noticed the sound of friction from time to time it mostly is apparent when sitting and practicing and not so much when actually performing on stage. If a player likes the sound of the mic then the whole guitar becomes available as a percussive instrument with dynamics that run from the most subtle to outright obvious.

It is possibly more distracting to young players who do not have the benefit of stage experience before acoustic pickups became the norm. Older guys like myself used the pickup pattern and sensitivity of our guitar mics to fatten the sound and add those taps and brushes to fill out our sound long before pickups were good enough to satisfy our tonal desires.

O..

This is not intended in any way to disagree with Caleb's opinion of which pickup he would use in the 000-15M.

[Caleb_Elling]

Thanks for sharing!

Everyone has a different experience coming into acoustic amplification. I love hearing how people have come to where they are now, and all that they've tried on the way.