navigate40

Yes, I do agree. Though....there must be some difference between the $20 Fishman Sonicore and the $120 Fishman Matrix Infinity. But, point taken...any UST piezo is going to have 'that' sound. Initially, when I started this, I thought a simple EQ would be the solution. It can get it to where I am more satisfied. The only issue with an external EQ pedal is that it is one more thing. A built in preamp with onboard EQ would just be simpler and easier. The main problem with the Sonicore is that the tone knob does very little. The Matrix Infinity tone knob is supposed to cut the mids in addition to dialing in more bass or treb (ad info). The LR Baggs Lyric system sounds as though it would transform the plugged in sound entirely. That would be much more worthwhile, than improving the piezo. I think the Martin's natural voice is worth that investment. Just a matter of time and budget. I appreciate the help and conversation....it helps a lot to be able to converse and reorient thinking.

Added report: A cheap, 5 band EQ does not do much to improve the sound of a good acoustic guitar. Might even make a good guitar sound less good. 5 bands may just not be enough, or, a simple EQ just does not color the sound enough to improve it. A better, 6-10 band EQ might, but, might as well go with an aura, at that point. Still learning, but, it would seem, in my limited experience, that if you want to ….improve...the sound of an acoustic guitar, you need a different preamp. Not to criticize, but the Fishman Sonicore is a cheap preamp ($20?). It helps keep the price point of a guitar down and it does the job of amplifying it. The Fishman Matrix Infinity may be superior. The ad copy states that the single tone control cuts the mids, when moving up the treb or bass...hard to say how this would be done...but....at this point...not willing to spend over $100 to find out. $200 to greatly improve the amplified sound of the Martin DRS2 seems a good investment. If I do anything, the plan at present would be to do that. Might decide in a week or two. Will have to see. Really appreciate the advice and the conversation. John [btw, Freeman, you may recall that you helped me tremendously, in correcting the awful set up of my DRS2. It plays like a dream now and was a fantastic deal. Could not replace it.]

An external EQ that I could clip to a belt might be OK. I did not realize that the Gigpro had separate bass and treb controls. I just picked up an inexpensive micro EQ pedal to try. I can use an all metal pedal board connector to connect it directly to the output jack on the guitar, and then plug into that. It is actually not too cumbersome and no chance of it scratching the body. Will be checking that out. But....still very intrigued with the LR Baggs Lyric system. Could make a wonderful guitar perfect for playing out. And if it was great, might try it in another guitar. Right now, I am using my Breedlove Stage dread (all solid tone woods, spruce top, EI rosewood back and sides). It has an LR Baggs preamp mounted on the side (2016 model) with a 3 band EQ that I am very happy with. It has a wonderful sound acoustically and plugged in (especially since I can EQ it). Even and balanced....so my voice does not have to compete with it (good thing). It would just be nice to be able to use different instruments at different times and for different genre's. Learn, expand, explore. I will try the cheap 5 band EQ more and let you know. My initial thoughts are that it makes it better, certainly useable...but....it still has that piezo sound. Initially, when I started this, I thought an EQ would be the answer....now.....I am very intrigued to get a mic on this guitar and bring its natural sound out. Thanks John [added: It is certainly possible to use an external preamp as suggested above. The venue does set up with a music stand that you could use to put one on. I just prefer not to. Want to jump up and get going with as little fuss as possible, fewer things to have to play with]

Right! The fishman UST seems to be soldered into the preamp. So, no disconnecting it without cutting it. Might as well leave everything in place (except the jack and the battery box connector)….that way, can reverse and go back to the fishman. The Baggs is beginning to sound like the best plan. We shall see.

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate it. I do have other guitars to use for open mics. Two that are better suited. Better preamps and very good sounds. I just like the Martin very much and want to be able to play it out. It would sound fine with a Fishman Aura or perhaps an EQ, but, as I wrote above, just want to keep it simple. The venue I play most is small, simple, jump up and play. No messing around with pedals, set up, or even changing controls on the amp or PA. Not a big deal....I am sure I could just jump up and put an Aura on the floor and go...but..... Thought about selling and getting something better suited...then thought why? I like the guitar a lot. Just change the preamp. It is looking as though the LR Baggs Lyric may be the best solution. I would not have to remove the fishman preamp, or even the piezo. Just install the LR Baggs and replace the output jack with the LR Baggs one. Put the LR Baggs controller on the other side of the sound hole. Could probably use the Fishman battery compartment for the Baggs. Will have to see. The Lyric is $200. A Fishman Aura 16 would be that, less for used. Useful for all my acoustics. But, it would need power (does have a batt compartment) and it would not do any EQ....so....I wonder if the selections would be enough? The Aura spectrum would do A LOT. 3 band EQ, compressor, images, DI, BUT....$350 ($230 used). Hmmmmmm…...so...that would be really getting into it. More stuff, more money, needs power....worth it over a new preamp? [Note added: After looking at some videos of the aura...not sure it would be the best solution. It makes your guitar sound like your guitar, just better. I want the Martin to have a more acoustic plugged in sound. Something like the LR Baggs Para DI is mostly useful for EQ....I have a couple EQ pedals...they do help. Hmmm....really is sounding as though I put in a new preamp...or nothing].

Thank you both for this information. It is very helpful. And ….I am actually not a big fan of the fishman UST and sound hole mounted systems. In my surfing, I came across the LR Baggs Lyric system. It seems a very simple installation and might be a more straight forward solution. It is essentially a mic system. The only issue with this would be that there is no eq at all, thought there is a presence setting. That might be OK, since I love the unamplified tone. And....no way I can test it...so....if I do not like it, I am out $200. But....seems good and I like other LR Baggs preamps. [and yes, could use an external pedal for EQ and modeling...but...again....when I play an open mic....got to jump up and play...no real fiddling around....cannot even really ask the host to play with the EQ on the amps or PA...and never know if it is going to be an acoustic amp or PA]. How do you think the LR Baggs Lyric would be? I would essentially leave the fishman control in, take all the guts out, replace with the LR Baggs system and put the LR Baggs control on the other side of the sound hole. Thanks! John

Hi Everyone I have contacted both Fishman and Martin, twice, and have not gotten any response. Hope someone can help. I have a Martin DRS2 acoustic. Love the sound acoustically, but do not like the preamp at all. Also, it's tone control does very little, if anything. I would like to change this to another one. One issue may be that the sound hole mounted Sonicore preamp is glued to the top wood. I am not sure about disturbing that. Looking at the Fishman Matrix Infinity (original model, that is still available)….it looks as though the electronics clip onto a plastic mount that is glued just inside the sound hole. That mount looks very similar, perhaps the same, as the Sonicore one. And it appears as though the Sonicore electronics also clip to this mount. Can anyone shed some light on this? Would I be able to simple unclip the Sonicore electronics and slip in the Matrix Infinity electronics to the same mount? Alternatively, is there some recommended way to get that mount off, without damaging or disturbing the wood? [just looked at some pics, it appears that the piezo UST is wired directly into the preamp...so, no changing that, without changing the preamp] Greatly appreciate any help. Thanks John ps - the last resort is simply to use an external preamp or eq pedal. I have and that is fine, but prefer onboard control for playing open mics.