Lyric placement Martin 000-15M

[Samlm]

Hello,

I am installing a Lyric mic system in my Martin 000-15M, and looking for recommendation on the best placement for the mic to give the most accurate representation of this guitar considering the 000 size and that it’s all solid mahogany.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Sam

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey SamIm,
I always recommend starting with the placement in the manual, if there's room on the bridge plate. If that sounds honky or boxy, then I would try putting the mic on the back side of the bridge pins, either on the plate or directly to the top. On 000 size guitars, that rear placement has proven to work pretty well for me.

[Samlm]

Thanks, Caleb. If I would try multiple placements, would the adhesive hold up okay, or would I need to replace it?

[Caleb_Elling]

The first set can usually be used to try a few different placements. Once you find a placement you like, I would definitely recommend installing the second set of adhesives.

[Samlm]

What do you recommend I use to clean the bridge plate and other parts where adhesive will be placed? Like, should I use any kind of cleaner, or a cloth damp with water?

[Caleb_Elling]

I use some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. It cleans well and dries quickly.

[byongjlee76]

Samlm ,
If you don't mind me asking, where did you end up placing the lyric mic?
how are you liking the sound from the lyric?
Do you require heavy EQ to get the tone you want/like?
I ask because I am considering the lyric for my guitar (all solid mahogany guitar) as well and would like to hear from other people.
thank you.

[Samlm]

byongjlee76 I went with the standard placement on the bridge plate, between the pins and sound hole. I am pleased with that but I haven’t had much opportunity yet to really play around. As far as EQ, I don’t have any eq controls other than the pa soundboard. So far I found that dialing back the mids and up the lows and highs gives it a nice balance.

Caleb_Elling I also was wondering about eq. For now I will be relying on sound men, but I want to eventually get a preamp and would be between the para di and align series eq pedal. Do you have any recommendations on which direction to go between those two? I know the eq would still need a di but I’m talking just as far as eq settings and quality.

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Samlm
Both the Para DI and the Align EQ share many of the same components, and because of that, sound very similar. Choosing one over the other usually comes down to whether or not you need the DI or not. If you don't need the DI, the Align EQ is a very powerful tool for live performance.

[RCPORT]

Just wondering if any one else has had the problems with a Lyric that I have. The guitar is a custom Martin 00-15M, I have moved the Lyric several times adjusted it in both directions and am using a Para DI (which I love) and have to EQ it heavily to get a just passible tone. The guitar feeds back terribly when playing live at moderate volume. I guess to describe the sound it is just boxy, nasal, and just muddy. I have a 000-28 with an element and through the Para DI I get a beautiful tone with no feedback. I am 99 percent ready to pull the Lyric out put it in my tenor uke and put something like an Element K&K or JJB in my 00. I love the guitar but just can't play it live with this pickup.

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey RCPORT,
For a 00 guitar like that, I would try the mic behind the bridge plate, directly on the top, slightly toward the treble side. On smaller bodied guitars like that, this position has worked more consistently than anything else.

If the Lyric is feeding back at the guitar's top resonant frequency, then the K&K and JJB pickup will probably all have the same issue. The Element would be better, but that same frequency is still likely going to be the one that feeds back on that guitar.