User manual FISHMAN ACOUSTIC MATRIX INSTALLATION GUIDE

[. . . ] FISHMAN® ACOUSTIC MATRIXTM PICKUP INSTALLATION Exception to the 50/50 rule: Pickups in bridges (especially Martin style, 3/32" width) with exceptionally steep string break angle will generally perform very well, even if the saddle slot depth measures more than 50% of the total saddle height. Pickup Dimensions Wide Format Width: Height: Length: Sensing Area: 1/8" (. 125" / 3. 2mm) . 053"(1. 35mm) 2. 650"(67. 31mm) 2. 620"(66. 55mm) 1 - Prepare the Saddle Slot 3/32" (. 094" / 2. 3mm) . 043" (1. 1mm) 2. 700" (67. 31mm) 2. 620" (66. 55mm) 2. 500" (63. 5mm) A large percentage of string balance problems with undersaddle pickups can be traced to an unevenly cut or warped saddle slot. Irregularities on the bottom or sides of the slot can often prevent the saddle from uniformly pressurizing the pickup. For this reason, we strongly recommend that before you install any undersaddle pickup, re-mill an existing slot with a plunge router, jigged up in an appropriate slot cutting fixture. [. . . ] Locate the center of the wire hole no less than . 100" (2. 5 mm) from the closest string. Mark the location where the wire will enter the saddle slot. Center the mark between the walls (width) of the slot. Clear wood chips and foreign materials from the saddle slot. Carefully insert (do not bend) the pickup. The pickup must fit loosely in the slot, without binding. If the corners of the pickup touch the radiused ends of the saddle slot, pickup failure could result. Tools · Router with 1/8"or 3. 2 mm (for Wide Format), 3/32" 2. 37mm (for narrow Format) plunging cutter · Caliper · 400 grit sandpaper or Scraper IMPORTANT! INSTALLATION BY A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL REPAIRMAN IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES TO YOUR INSTRUMENT DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION. Particular attention must be paid to the flatness and squareness of both the saddle and the saddle slot. Pickup performance and balance will be be greatly enhanced by a properly fit pickup. Mishandling may tear the delicate foil shield, producing ground hum or intermittent signal. Fishman Transducers will be in no way responsible for any damages to the pickup that occur due to misuse or poor installation. For technical assistance, contact Fishman Customer Support at 978-988-9665 or e-mail us at tech@fishman. com No less than . 100" (2. 54 mm) Mechanical Factors Affecting Pickup Performance Before you install the pickup, make sure the bridge and saddle are within our recommended "safe zone" of usable parameters. Break Angle In order for the pickup to perform optimally, there should be a 20° (minimum) string break angle across the back of the saddle. An adequate break angle can often be realized by "ramping" the string slots. In extreme cases, where the break angle is much less than 20° and the saddle is so low that it is nearly flush to the top of the bridge, the instrument probably requires a neck re-set. In these cases, resetting the neck to a higher angle will restore the saddle height and the string break angle required for good pickup performance. 3 - Prepare the Saddle We highly recommend the Fishman CleartoneTM saddle for enhancing the performance of the Acoustic Matrix pickup. [. . . ] In these cases, add a hardwood shim under the pickup. To determine the shim's thickness, subtract 1/2 the total saddle height from the slot depth. Then remove an equal amount of material at the bottom of the saddle. RA MP NO MORE THAN 50% Fishman Transducers, Inc. 340-D Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887 USA Phone 978-988-9199 · Fax 978-988-0770 · www. fishman. com [. . . ]