Thanks for this. I am one of those that doesn't like to start a project until I have figured out all the possible pitfalls and how to avoid or mitigate them. The level of detail you go into here is excellent!!
I note that Fishman has cutout templates on it's website for the various Fishman preamp models. I used the Presys Blen 301 template on mine and it worked perfectly! Just print with no scaling and check the measurements on the printed template just to make sure your printer didn't scale the print incorrectly. I measured a centre line down the side of the guitar, another vertically across the template, matched the two and taped it down on top of the masking tape I had already positioned on the side of the guitar to prevent scratches. Bob's yer uncle!
I finished installing mine today. It looks and sounds fantastic!!! I gave the guitar a good polishing, and new strings. The result is something I'm quite proud of. Thank you for making this video. It is far and away the best video I've seen on this subject, and it inspired me to get out of my "comfort zone", and try something new. 👍👍👍😃😃😃
I'm happy to report I installed this pickup on a nylon string Yamaha C-80 guitar following the instructions in this video and everything works nice. Tuner, amplifier. No muted strings. Thank you.
Loved the notch filter graphic in the video. For most of my customers a verbal explanation, no matter how slow n clear you describe it to them, afterwards the majority have that 'WTF' look on their faces that same puzzled look they had at the end of their 1st class on quantum physics. So, thank you for that GCH Guitar Academy
Lo increible de RUclips es esto!!! Cuando creía saber lo necesario para instalar mi fishman, veo este increíble video en medio del proceso y puedo incorporar otros procedimientos para mejorar la calidad de mi trabajo. No sabía los de amoldar el plastico con el agua caliente ni de regular el micro. Gracias amigo por tu valiosísimo aporte.
This was exactly all of the info i needed! THANK YOU! The flat mounting plate is ideal for the Irish Bouzouki and your disassembly instructions will be very handy as i have another preamp with removable cables so the plan is to scavenge those parts and maybe upgrade the mic element if needed. Cheers!
To aid with the endpin jack installation I use a 1/4" patch cord with a smaller end and feed it through the endpin hole in the guitar. Then I plug it into the jack and am able to easily pull the whole assembly through the endpin hole
What I like the most about your way is that you really pay attention to the small but very important details, and your precision. At the end, however, it may be your particular preference to have done it such a way, but I think you screwed in the last piece of the post strap backwards. It's got a collar that's designed to come flush to the wood surface, concealing the outside washer and nut within it. The outer side of the post strap is bevelled like the bell of a cone and although it might seem like the guitar strap might twist out of it trust me it wont because the signal cable is plugged through the center preventing the strap from spilling out. I did mine collar side in, it looks much neater. But you may have your own reason. At any rate, this video is absolutely 5 stars to me. Congratulations and thanks a bunch!
Yes, you're right, 👍 and I do the standard method for other peoples guitars, but for my own guitars I don't do it that way, I even have extra nuts in my spares box so I can have a nut on both sides of the socket if I need it. The main reason is that I pull the lead back through between the guitar and strap so it's running off to the back and without the extra space the guitar gets damaged over time. If I'm not using a strap I have a special loop that bolts in between the strap button and the nut for cable management and that shouldn't rest against the body of the guitar for acoustic purposes. I guess if guitarists didn't customize their guitars to suit their needs the Gibson and Fender signature series wouldn't exist . . 😊
Big thank you for making the video, I have ordered the Guitar and the pre-amp I have also started your finger picking course,I am currently using a yamaha pacifica as I am a beginner and enjoying learning the guitar but I was thinking of getting an acoustic as I felt that I would like to have both but I didn't want to spend to much in this early stage of learning, I have a small workshop in the garden and this video has given me the confidence to have a go at upgrading a cheaper guitar, hopefully I will be able to achieve the great result that you have and maybe in a few years play the guitar half as good as you!,
You bought well with the Pacifica, I think it's a great guitar. Thank you for following the fingerpicking course . . I need to get down to it and make some more lessons for that course . . 😊😊
Great instruction. Thank you. Just ordered a cheap chinese knock off to install into a 2nd hand 12 string i just acquired. I'll do all my electrical checks before installing of course but I'll also be watching this again when it gets delivered and I'm ready to go.
Really helpful advice. Regarding threading the jack socket from inside the guitar I came across an easy method. You poke a jack lead into the hole from the outside and feed the cable to the sound hole and out of it. Push the jack plug into the socket and pull the cable back through the sound hole and through the drilled hole; then hold the socket with pliers whilst removing the jack plug and thread the washers and nut into the thread being careful not to damage the thread with the pliers.
This video is immensely helpful. You have mentioned that it was possible to change the microphone in the previous versions. That is where I need help. The one I am having right now seems to be Fishman Presys 101, which does not have any in-built mic at all. But there is a slot on the back of the battery casing where a mic can be added. I need help in this regard. What kind of microphone should be chosen? How should the soldering be done onto the circuit of the preamp?
Sorry, I'm not familiar with particular preamp. But before doing anything are you completely sure it has a microphone input on it. I have just done a thorough search of the net and I can't find any reference to it. . . I might have missed something though.
@@guitar-academy It does not have microphone input on it. I was just wondering about the possibility of adding a mic on it through soldering on the circuit. I am pasting a link below where you can see some images of the preamp I am having. On the third image, the four small holes on the back of the battery-casing, gave me the impression that it might accommodate a microphone in that space. articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-804712723-sistema-pre-amplificador-fishman-presys-101-_JM
Beautifully detailed as usual. Thank you so much. Do you have any videos on mixing desk/amplifier suitable for ther beginers? I just had a glimpse of yours. :)
Your spot on in that the faceplate is as flat as a pancake. I just built a Guitalele with a wide waist and I think it might fit to the Fishman's faceplate without molding the plate and will be my test bed. If not, well I'll perform the same adjustment on the plate. You would think Fishman would have considered this during the engineering process, but aside from this I seem to be very happy with the unit which is a step below yours by lacking microphone as an input but all else is as yours. Thanks for the instructions, review and heads up...
What you call the bridge I would call the saddle. The bridge being the the wood piece glued to the body, with holes for the bridge pins. I appreciate the explanation and graphic of the NOTCH control. Thank you.
What an awesome and informative video. Just one question, what kind of processing (compression, reverb, etc) did you use for that final result? I've seen a thousand videos (with 3-5 thousand-dollar Taylor and Martin guitars and in such videos you often get that "packed-like" kind of sound). Thanks a lot!!
I've realized now. Since the metal where you connected the starp at the jack entrance was upside down, the input was constantly cracking and causing problems. When I reversed the screw, the problem went away, thanks.
Yes, I forgot to mention that in the voiceover. I do that to put more space between the guitar and the strap to prevent scratches on the guitar, but it can cause a crackles with some makes of lead. It's easily reversed though 😊
Looks great! Tha fact that it's all flat woud be great for me. Just one question, would the tuner work for an accoustic bass as well? Or does it only show the tunings for guitars? Sorry if it's a stupid quesion but I'm a complete novice
An old video but is there any chance you have a link as to where you purchased this? I'm finding all kinds of sites from ebay, to wish, to walmart and aliexpress. All with varying prices ranging from 20$ to 150$ thank you and well done with the video. Very informative
@@waleedafandy1131 Yes, but it won't be as easy as this job because there are some complications you need to think about. On any nylon strung guitar the end of the saddles are exposed and therefore it will be harder to hide the pickup and the wire end. You will also need to shape the preamp frame with hot water. I will fit one on a classical guitar eventually, but for the time being it would be worth you searching RUclips to see if you think you can do it. . . just to be sure 😊
Hello, Thank you for your video and sharing all the instalation steps. As many viewers mentioned is a really helpful video for this diy project 😁 You mentioned that you installed this preamp in 2 guitars, my question is how are they working after 1+ years now.?is still working good? I just ordered mine (32 euro) and due for China "quality" before I start any action, I would like to know what is your opinion after a longer time Thank you in advance for your answer. BR Simon
Thank you very much . . It is over 4 years ago now I installed the pickup in one of the guitars I did. I gave that guitar to a student who uses it as his main guitar. He put a rechargeable battery in it, but other than that it is as I left it and he loves the guitar and the preamp is still working perfectly to this day and he uses it lots (which is why he bought a rechargeable battery). My opinion is that I think these work really well and I love the fact that you can balance mic and pickup, because you can get the perfect sound. 😊
Nice job! Question: If there isn't feedback, where should the Notch be set? Wherever sounds good I suppose is the answer but what if you don't want any frequencies cut unnaturally?
Very good question . . Yes, I know what you mean. It would be nice if it had a switch to disable it. I just turn it to the lower end and that seems to go beyond my hearing. 😃
Well done very clear and concise video. I have same system which worked beautifully until recently when it over heated and one of the battery spring connections appears to have burnt out. Any idea of the possible cause.
Thank you . . . Your battery getting that hot can only have been caused by a short circuit somewhere. This can happen if you put the battery in the wrong way as a diode shorts the battery out to prevent the current getting to the important circuits, but any short circuit can cause this . . you were lucky it didn't damage the guitar. I have a video that might help you replace it ruclips.net/video/p3JS_yejs0M/видео.html
I think so! My only thoughts would be that it will fit but it's a bit big . . I intend to do a video on fitting one in a classical guitar first, but I have to get hold of a suitable guitar for the job. . . (one that's ill but repairable) 😊
Just ordered one of these. Fishman Presys Blend 301. Now.. what other things are nice? What about those oversize tuners? Bought a Aluminum bar to sand the bridge/nut. What else is essential? Time saving? Helpful? Fret files? Fret rocker? My fingers are soft as a baby, it's been years.
@@guitar-academy thanks to you. :) Love your slow, calm pacing. Not rocket science, but attention to detail. I had thought Luthiering quite out of my grasp.
Very well done video - thank you! I subscribed. I have a couple Samick Greg Bennett acoustic/electric guitars that use various Fishman OEM preamps. One is the Fishman ClearWave 60, which is very similar to the Presys Blend, but without the microphone (has a Brilliance control in place of the blend). The tuner stopped working completely three days after I purchased it, unfortunately, and Samick sent me a ClearWave 10 as a replacement. The 10's Preamp dimensions are the same, but it has a separate battery box - and I'm not about to cut another hole in the guitar. So, I ordered a Presys Blend 301. My preamp mounting ring needs the same curvature as yours, so I'm almost sure I can just use the ring from the bad ClearWave 60, instead of going the route of using the boiling water method (which you demonstrate brilliantly!). By the way, the actual Samick guitars I have are really great sounding and play well - great bang for the buck. However, in the low to mid-priced models, they use the cheaper preamps, which don't have a great track record from the reliability standpoint. Thanks again for this!
I hope all goes well with your preamp replacement I think it should, and your idea with the mount I think will work as well. I have a Samick 5 string bass I bought in the 90s (I think) and it still looks and sounds great. 🙂🙂
Thank you so much for this video, awesome tip to curve a little bit the edges of this preamp to look more professional. I am planning to install it on a classical Spanish guitar Alhambra C2, I will try to do it on my own thanks to your detailed video.
Is there not a favourable position for the instal because of the mic fixed to the device... I mean..putting it more more at the back of the guitar will give some more lower frequencies than installing it in the front of the guitar. Or are those differences minimal that it doesn't really matter where you put the fishman. Anyways...could not find abtter guide to instal and explanation of this fishman. Thanks for the upload.
That's the recommended position for the preamp and therefore I assume fishman have balanced it accordingly, it sounds that way anyway. The mic is slightly heavier on the bass then the pickup, but that means you can balance between the to signal sources to get a very good balance. I've done a video where I fit one with a flexible mic mount, but it doesn't sound as good as this one no matter what you do . . . ruclips.net/video/frstd0tCSfA/видео.html
Que de magnifiques explications en une parfaite vidéo. Tous mes remerciements. Sinon puis- je vous demander quelle corde vous utilisez, car elles ont un son parfait . Très cordialement Isabelle
Hi, lovely video. Can you please tell me how much your Fisher pre amp cost? Coz the one same one i cheaply bought from ebay is not working at all. Thanks
Thank you for a great job It was really informative I installed mine today but I have not screwed it in place Which way does the little brackets go that are inside the guitar for the screws to screw into Does it matter which way they up Thanks David P.s. it with my first time
great job . . the plate on the inside should be with the flat side facing the wood, but it isn't the end of the world if you've put it in the other way.🙂🙂
Excellent detailed video. Thanks. I am using a passive sound board pickup , which sounds good, at present. I am fitting one of these for more natural sound from the mic and some on board control.BUT,I truly hate the sound of under saddle pickups. Could this pickup be glued to the soundboard,or maybe wire my existing pickup into the system. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you . . . That's a good question, but unfortunately I don't know the answer. My best guess with gluing the pickup to the soundboard is that it would NOT work because it's designed to be compressed. However you could cut the pickup off the Fishman and wire an existing pickup in it's place. . . that would work. I am going to do that with one of these and a cigar box guitar using contact pickups glued to the soundboard, but until I've done it I don't know if it'll work. Saying that, if you are thinking of cutting the Fishman pickup off anyway you can try it glued first to see if it works . . .
@@guitar-academy Thanks. You have confirmed my suspicions. Re using my existing pickup. It is quite powerful as a passive unit,and wondered if it would be too loud with the pre-amp, but with the blend ,I guess I could roll it back anyway. When I try these things,I always test them on the outside of the soundboard first to find the best position, so I will try this with the Fishman pickup before committing to glueing it inside or cutting it off.
thank you! great video. I thought for sure you were going to say "then take a tea bag and steep it in the mug of hot water, grab some biscuits and take a break!" then get back to the matter at hand!
Great video, I recently bought a guitar with this system pre-installed, but there's a low frequency hum coming from the piezo undersaddle pick-up especially when I crank up the bass EQ. Switching to the microphone the noise disappears and also when I touch the output jack cable (on the metal part). I read it could be a grounding issue. Have you experienced this kind of thing?
Yes I have experienced this but not with one of these pickups. If you're lucky you can put your hand inside the guitar and move the wires slightly and the guitar will crackle or the problem will go away. This is a broken wire or a bad soldered joint and is easily fixed. If it's not a bad joint it's usually an internal pickup problem and therefore you need to replace the pickup. That's the disadvantage when they solder the pickup into the preamp, you can't easily replace it. If the guitar is very new I would try to get it replaced or fixed under guarantee. If the guitar is out of guarantee you could solder a new pickup in or replace the entire pickup and preamp. All the work is done and the holes have been cut and drilled so you just need to remove the pickup and preamp and put the new one into place. I hope this helps . .
Hi. Is this a good pickup for percussive style of playing? How does it respond to hits on the body? My gut says this would be a gamechanger. Second thoughts fear it may blow out like when tapping on a microphone. Thank you for your time and energy.
Good question . . for my taste if sounds good with percussive strumming. You can balance easily between the pickup and the mic and to get the sound you want and the mic doesn't blow out. But of course if it's the sound you like will depend on the guitar and the fitment of the pre-amp and you own taste. 😊
very useful knowledge .., I want to ask about the problem of my fishman guitar pre amp which is very slow to respond, when I want to set it on the tuner, the tuner indicator light just flashes and I have to wait for about half an hour then the light shows a tone, and temporarily the guitar sound is not clean and after 10 minutes then it works fine, do you know about this...? if yes, please give me the solution...thank's Sir 🙏
Decisions, decisions, decisions. After watching the other video, with the Prener pre-amp, I agree with you completely, it is an advantage to be able to switch out the mic or the piezo as needed, without replacing the entire pre-amp unit. I also like that the Prenar offers an XLR connection, in addition to the standard jack. However, the Fishman looks much more elegant when properly fitted. My Briarwood has a lovely black finish, which the fishman would complement nicely. By contrast, I fear the Prenar would rather resemble a Borg-implant, with its size, and blue LED display. My Briarwood has a rich, mellow sound when played unenhanced. Which alternative would you say offers the better sound quality overall??? 🤔🤔🤔
Personally out of the 2 the Fishman wins. Even though you are stuck with the mic, it does produce good sound. Another unexpected consideration that surprised me and I didn't mention in the videos because I hadn't tested the preamps for long enough is the battery life. The Fishman easily out performs the Prenar on battery life. I even started taking the battery out of the Prener because I thought it might be draining unplugged somehow. To give you an idea of what I think of the Fishman . . look at my latest guitar course and you'll see it's this guitar I used to make all the videos, because the battery life is so good and the recorded sound is so good. I hope this helps you. 😀😀
@@guitar-academy As someone with limited experience, I greet all information as helpful, particularly from someone who obviously knows what he's doing. I also tend toward the 301, however, I am apprehensive, as all the 301s available online appear to come from China, and are very cheap. There are a couple of quite disturbing videos here on RUclips which address this. Is the 301 in your video also from China, and, if so, have you noticed any quality issues? Buzzing, humming, weak signal, or such? Again, thanks infinitely for making these videos, and for taking the time to answer my questions. 👍😃
Consider trying out the sound-offset-spacers for acoustic guitar. I am very pleased wirh the outcome on my guitars (seagull s6 and godin multiac, also a PRS SE Custom 22
Thanks for the suggestion. For the time being I am making 'how to play' guitar lessons again, but I will consider a video one them when I return to technical lessons 😊
Did you ever measure your final cut out dimensions ? The ultra cheap version I purchased had no template or measurements, I know, you get what you pay for, but if you have those specs it would be extremely valuable. Thanks.
Good question . . the blend has a microphone in it so you can blend sounds, but the plus just has a piezo pickup and has a brilliance control instead of the mic . . I hope this helps 😃
good question .. I just set everything to the neutral for the tests. I've installed these on 3 different guitars now and they all sound better with different settings, but the preamp gives good adjustment . . 😊
Hi. What if i remove piezo pick up then replace it with sound hole pick. I will cut the wire and connect the soundhole pick up on the equalizer. Do you think it will work? 🤒
It's risky because the sound hole pickup might be a very different impedance and produce a different signal strength causing distortion, but on the other hand it might work fine. It would be best f you can do it in a way that it can be undone if it doesn't work. 🤔
Oh . . mine was just pushed into the slot, but it was tight. I used a pair of pliers to get hold of it and then I pulled. I've never seen a glued one in all my years so hopefully it is just tight. LOL . . I always call the saddle the bridge . . with me it's habit because I've spent so many years around orchestral instruments and they only have a bridge. 😀😀
@@guitar-academy Thank you for replying! I actually did look and used pliers to remove the saddle/bridge lol and it worked and I was able to install the Fishman system following your instructions. Thank you so much!
I see you did NOT follow the standard Chinese rules for precision manufacturing. You know the one. "Measure with micrometer, mark with chalk & cut with axe". Thank God for that. Im going to follow your lead as i see by the coments im not the only one. Thanks for posting. This was a good tutorial. Rock on Bro.
What if the product has no microphone included, When I bought in the store,...? Is it separated by the store to make them another price for the product,?
Hi . . Yes, there's 2 models, one with a mic and one without. The naming is confusing and they are easy to confuse, so you have to look carefully at them. The one with the mic is a '301 Blend' and it has a 'mic balance' knob instead of a 'brilliance' knob. I think the one with the mic is actually a Chinese knock off, but it sound as good as the original (I've tested them on several guitars).
Hello! Is converting Acoustic to semi affect the sound of the guitar? I wanna convert my Acoustic to semi. I've seen most of people use Fishman, I ask myslef; What if you use another brand of Preamp? Lastly, does Preamp play the main role in increasing the sound of a guitar when it's amplified? And what brand can I use? My guitar is Mantic AG2c. Thank you.
Hi, the effects on the sound are minimal and unless you have super sensitive hearing you can't hear the effects. Fishman are just available, but you can use any make you want depending on your budget. The preamp is just another step . . the pickup converts the guitar sound into a tiny electrical signal, the preamp make that signal large enough for an amplifier or audio device to use. The amplifier makes it load enough to hear. Regarding makes of preamp . . make sure you can replace it if you have to. If you buy a make that is a small one and fit it in your guitar, you need to be able to replace the preamp if it goes wrong. . . I hope this helps 😊
I believe there is a Chinese copy of this pickup out there. I just purchased a guitar with one of these installed. How do you tell if it is the real thing or the Chinese copy?
I recently stripped an original one down and an unofficial one and even then you can't tell. Some are made in the same factory but are sold out of the back door so they're the same thing, but others are bad copies. It's very hard to know the difference . . 🤔
I saw this video buy a guitar and installed fishman pickup on it but my 6th string was so low sounding that in strum 6th string is getting duct i showed it to the guitar mechanic charged appointment fee but no results please suggest me a way out of this problem or any other good pickup 💯♥️
I have ordered all the tools seen here, and I'll be off to the races to electrify my wonderful $200 Yamaha guitar. I was wondering about what to use for a flat surface for sanding down the saddle, then I remembered that there's a place behind my home that slices marble for countertops and architectural work: I can just go back in the alley and pick up a fragment that they've thrown away.
@@guitar-academy Very good. The minute I posted my comment I walked back to the marble place and found a gorgeous slab of white rock, the size of a laptop. It's mine now! Loved the attention to detail in your video. I'm confident an old soldering-iron-and-C-compiler geek like me can do this, thanks to you.
@@guitar-academy I've watched the video a total of four or five times, and did the installation today. Everything went fine, I had everything I needed.... except an instrument cable to plug it in when I was done! Thanks again for the level of detail and care in the video. You were right, the cover for the preamp covers a multitude of woodworking sins, although with the rotary tool and precision files I was actually able to make it look pretty nice, ditto for the hole I drilled for the 1/4" end pin connector. The edges of the hole looked a bit ugly but the screw-on cap at the end covers all that up. I taped a sheet of sandpaper to my marble slab for cutting down the bridge. I might shave just a little bit more off of it soon, it seemed best to cut too little off, then check the action, which seems low enough for my taste. Can't wait to buy a cable and fire it up! Thank you! I would not have bitten off this project without your video as demonstration and confidence builder.
@@guitar-academy I wanted to give you a follow up. A month later, I have acquired a good quality guitar to USB analog to digital conversion device, and through Linux, learned to pipe the output from my Fishman (in my super cheap Yamaha) through basic digital effects, all on a Raspberry Pi Zero, and I just want to say, it sounds fantastic. Everything I wanted when I first purposed to become an electro acoustic player, that cheap little $20 Fishman is doing for me, and your video showed me the way. Maybe Chet Atkins would have put a different pickup in his guitar, but I am so not Chet Atkins. I would just say that anyone who gets an itch to follow the instructions in this video should gear up and do it. It is actually not too hard to do, if you are careful, and the result is amazing.
Thanks, I have received an install for one of these from a friend and he wanted me to document how to do it for his dad, this has saved me ages 😀 great instructions but did have a great laugh over how RUclips writes your captions , check out the mistakes it makes 😉
they should have also used a plug for pickup leads because preamps go bad so you wold not need toreroute another pickup wire. could solder it but more work
I think they are all knock offs . . I bought this one of eBay, but I think it's a knock off, but a really good one. I have a factory fit one on another guitar I own and it isn't as good as the copy. I think it's one of the cases that they were made in China for Fishman but the factory kept on making them after the contract was finished. . . but that's just a guess.
My guitar has a metal plate that the saddle sits on, allowing you to adjust the action on each side. Since the bottom that contacts the wood on the bridge is metal, should I put the pickup under the metal, or on top of the metal, where it would contact the saddle?
That style of bridge needs special attention, maybe someone on RUclips has done a video just on that subject. The pickup needs to go on top of the metal, which means you have to drill a hole in the metal for the wire and line it up with a hole in the wood. You also need to make sure you have a slimline pickup so that the saddle will fit back into the metal slot.
@@guitar-academy Thanks for the tip. I installed it as you recommended, drilling a hole through the metal, but it sounded very strange. Almost like it had a reverb effect on some strings. I ended up reinstalling it under the metal piece, and it sounds perfect! Ultimately, I'll probably get a new bridge without the adjustment. I hear people say it opens up the guitar and gives it much better tone.
whatever you do don't trim it. I just let it hang inside the guitar (because that's what most factories do) but some people drill a small angled hole at the other end of the saddle slot to have a bit going into there and the rest should hang inside the guitar. 😊
@@guitar-academy Well I tested it before putting it in, now that its in it doesn't work. I didn't trim it, I did drill a small spot on the opposite end to hold the "point". I wonder what I messed up. Tuner doesn't pickup any sound, no output from the jack. Bummer.
@@guitar-academy No, just blinks green. I'm going to tear it back out tonight and try to troubleshoot. no sound from mic blend side or pickup blend side. {:-(
@@snap-off5383 that is strange. That sounds like a faulty preamp because the mic and the pickup aren't working, but you're getting a green light so it's getting power. 😒
Dear, i have a question. I have an old arabic Oud. I know they use this pickup for modern ouds. Now i want to install this pickup on my old oud. The problem is, my old oud does not have a bridge :O. Is it possible to install this pickup on my old oud?
Another problem with the old style oud is the back is all rounded so it might not be possible to fit a preamp. You can get different types of pickups, search Google for a 'piezo contact pickup'. I think one of these would work . . 🙂
you need to search 'Fishman Presys Blend 301' on your favorite shopping site (Amazon, eBay) because the price changes all the time and it depends what country you are in . . 😊
Thanks for this. I am one of those that doesn't like to start a project until I have figured out all the possible pitfalls and how to avoid or mitigate them. The level of detail you go into here is excellent!!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you . . 😊
I think you do the sensible thing, to only enter into a job when you are sure you can finish it . .
Perfect job for lighting, voice narrative, explanation, preparation, the work and best of all is the testing when it is done. Great job!
Wow, thank you very much ! 🙂🙂🙂
I note that Fishman has cutout templates on it's website for the various Fishman preamp models. I used the Presys Blen 301 template on mine and it worked perfectly! Just print with no scaling and check the measurements on the printed template just to make sure your printer didn't scale the print incorrectly. I measured a centre line down the side of the guitar, another vertically across the template, matched the two and taped it down on top of the masking tape I had already positioned on the side of the guitar to prevent scratches. Bob's yer uncle!
Does it work if you have to curve the template to make a s shape?
I finished installing mine today. It looks and sounds fantastic!!! I gave the guitar a good polishing, and new strings. The result is something I'm quite proud of.
Thank you for making this video. It is far and away the best video I've seen on this subject, and it inspired me to get out of my "comfort zone", and try something new. 👍👍👍😃😃😃
That's great . . Thank you very much . . 🙂🙂
I'm happy to report I installed this pickup on a nylon string Yamaha C-80 guitar following the instructions in this video and everything works nice. Tuner, amplifier. No muted strings. Thank you.
That's great . . 😊😊😊
Thank you so much for this Sir! I just followed this video exactly this evening and installed the same preamp. You made everything very clear!
Glad it helped! thank you very much 😊😃
Loved the notch filter graphic in the video. For most of my customers a verbal explanation, no matter how slow n clear you describe it to them, afterwards the majority have that 'WTF' look on their faces that same puzzled look they had at the end of their 1st class on quantum physics. So, thank you for that GCH Guitar Academy
Thank you very much . . I'm really glad it's helpful 😊😃
Lo increible de RUclips es esto!!! Cuando creía saber lo necesario para instalar mi fishman, veo este increíble video en medio del proceso y puedo incorporar otros procedimientos para mejorar la calidad de mi trabajo. No sabía los de amoldar el plastico con el agua caliente ni de regular el micro. Gracias amigo por tu valiosísimo aporte.
Thank you for such a informed instruction. I will come back to this video when my Fishman preamp arrives.
Glad it was helpful! thank you 😊😃
This was exactly all of the info i needed! THANK YOU!
The flat mounting plate is ideal for the Irish Bouzouki and your disassembly instructions will be very handy as i have another preamp with removable cables so the plan is to scavenge those parts and maybe upgrade the mic element if needed.
Cheers!
Glad it was helpful! I hope your project goes well . . 😊😃
Excellent commentary and videoing, I am confident now to try it for myself.
That's great to hear . . thank you 😊😃
To aid with the endpin jack installation I use a 1/4" patch cord with a smaller end and feed it through the endpin hole in the guitar. Then I plug it into the jack and am able to easily pull the whole assembly through the endpin hole
Yes, I tend to use a piece of dowel rod because it's not flexible, especially when working on guitars with no sound hole like some Ovations. 🙂
What I like the most about your way is that you really pay attention to the small but very important details, and your precision. At the end, however, it may be your particular preference to have done it such a way, but I think you screwed in the last piece of the post strap backwards. It's got a collar that's designed to come flush to the wood surface, concealing the outside washer and nut within it. The outer side of the post strap is bevelled like the bell of a cone and although it might seem like the guitar strap might twist out of it trust me it wont because the signal cable is plugged through the center preventing the strap from spilling out. I did mine collar side in, it looks much neater. But you may have your own reason. At any rate, this video is absolutely 5 stars to me. Congratulations and thanks a bunch!
Yes, you're right, 👍 and I do the standard method for other peoples guitars, but for my own guitars I don't do it that way, I even have extra nuts in my spares box so I can have a nut on both sides of the socket if I need it. The main reason is that I pull the lead back through between the guitar and strap so it's running off to the back and without the extra space the guitar gets damaged over time. If I'm not using a strap I have a special loop that bolts in between the strap button and the nut for cable management and that shouldn't rest against the body of the guitar for acoustic purposes.
I guess if guitarists didn't customize their guitars to suit their needs the Gibson and Fender signature series wouldn't exist . . 😊
Big thank you for making the video, I have ordered the Guitar and the pre-amp I have also started your finger picking course,I am currently using a yamaha pacifica as I am a beginner and enjoying learning the guitar but I was thinking of getting an acoustic as I felt that I would like to have both but I didn't want to spend to much in this early stage of learning, I have a small workshop in the garden and this video has given me the confidence to have a go at upgrading a cheaper guitar, hopefully I will be able to achieve the great result that you have and maybe in a few years play the guitar half as good as you!,
You bought well with the Pacifica, I think it's a great guitar. Thank you for following the fingerpicking course . . I need to get down to it and make some more lessons for that course . . 😊😊
Great instruction. Thank you. Just ordered a cheap chinese knock off to install into a 2nd hand 12 string i just acquired. I'll do all my electrical checks before installing of course but I'll also be watching this again when it gets delivered and I'm ready to go.
That sounds like a great project . . I hope it all goes well for you 😊😃
Really helpful advice. Regarding threading the jack socket from inside the guitar I came across an easy method. You poke a jack lead into the hole from the outside and feed the cable to the sound hole and out of it. Push the jack plug into the socket and pull the cable back through the sound hole and through the drilled hole; then hold the socket with pliers whilst removing the jack plug and thread the washers and nut into the thread being careful not to damage the thread with the pliers.
Great tip! using a straightened out cloths hanger or thick wire to guide the jack socket into place is commonly done as well😊😃
I fitted one tonight using the jack lead method it takes seconds and isn't fiddly. You have to use a thin jack plug though.
@@j.j.1064 great stuff . . useful tip 😊
What a great tutorial on how to install the Fishman! Thank you!
You're welcome! thank you very much 😊😀
This video is immensely helpful. You have mentioned that it was possible to change the microphone in the previous versions. That is where I need help. The one I am having right now seems to be Fishman Presys 101, which does not have any in-built mic at all. But there is a slot on the back of the battery casing where a mic can be added. I need help in this regard. What kind of microphone should be chosen? How should the soldering be done onto the circuit of the preamp?
Sorry, I'm not familiar with particular preamp. But before doing anything are you completely sure it has a microphone input on it. I have just done a thorough search of the net and I can't find any reference to it. . . I might have missed something though.
@@guitar-academy It does not have microphone input on it. I was just wondering about the possibility of adding a mic on it through soldering on the circuit. I am pasting a link below where you can see some images of the preamp I am having. On the third image, the four small holes on the back of the battery-casing, gave me the impression that it might accommodate a microphone in that space.
articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-804712723-sistema-pre-amplificador-fishman-presys-101-_JM
Beautifully detailed as usual. Thank you so much. Do you have any videos on mixing desk/amplifier suitable for ther beginers? I just had a glimpse of yours. :)
Thank you . . . No, not yet. But thanks for the suggestion I'll get a video on mixers done soon 😊😃
Your spot on in that the faceplate is as flat as a pancake. I just built a Guitalele with a wide waist and I think it might fit to the Fishman's faceplate without molding the plate and will be my test bed. If not, well I'll perform the same adjustment on the plate.
You would think Fishman would have considered this during the engineering process, but aside from this I seem to be very happy with the unit which is a step below yours by lacking microphone as an input but all else is as yours.
Thanks for the instructions, review and heads up...
Thank you very much 😊 . . It is strange they aren't curved, or even offered with a choice of mounting plates 🤔
Thanks! Your video helped me a lot on insalling my preamp. Incledible level of detail on this
That's great to hear . . thank you 😊
Good Job! I'm glad that you explained the screw on the side, to adjust mic. volume. Some of them need adjusted badly, not many people know about it...
Thank you very much . . 🙂
Thanks for telling what the little dial' function is. Been searching at the web for a while now!
Happy to help! thank you 😊
What you call the bridge I would call the saddle. The bridge being the the wood piece glued to the body, with holes for the bridge pins. I appreciate the explanation and graphic of the NOTCH control. Thank you.
Yes, I did my training on violins and it's a habit to call the saddle a bridge . . thanks 🤔😊
Very informative and well presented, with all aspects fully covered. I hope you do make many more videos. (Somerset, England)
Thank you . . I have been writing new course books, but I will be making videos again soon . . 😊
What an awesome and informative video. Just one question, what kind of processing (compression, reverb, etc) did you use for that final result? I've seen a thousand videos (with 3-5 thousand-dollar Taylor and Martin guitars and in such videos you often get that "packed-like" kind of sound). Thanks a lot!!
I had a little bit of reverb on. I wasn't suppose to have any effects on but it was my mixing desk effects I forgot were on. 🙂
@@guitar-academy Thanks a lot for your response. Once again, what a great sound you got there!
I've realized now. Since the metal where you connected the starp at the jack entrance was upside down, the input was constantly cracking and causing problems. When I reversed the screw, the problem went away, thanks.
Yes, I forgot to mention that in the voiceover. I do that to put more space between the guitar and the strap to prevent scratches on the guitar, but it can cause a crackles with some makes of lead. It's easily reversed though 😊
Looks great! Tha fact that it's all flat woud be great for me. Just one question, would the tuner work for an accoustic bass as well? Or does it only show the tunings for guitars? Sorry if it's a stupid quesion but I'm a complete novice
Good question, but one I can't answer. I've never tried one on a bass, but maybe someone else will know the answer . .
An old video but is there any chance you have a link as to where you purchased this? I'm finding all kinds of sites from ebay, to wish, to walmart and aliexpress. All with varying prices ranging from 20$ to 150$ thank you and well done with the video. Very informative
No, sorry. All I would do is search eBay . . 🤔
I have to admit that, you did a huge work.
Really appreciated.
Thank you very much 😊
@@guitar-academy Can I install it on YAMAHA C40?!
@@waleedafandy1131 Yes, but it won't be as easy as this job because there are some complications you need to think about. On any nylon strung guitar the end of the saddles are exposed and therefore it will be harder to hide the pickup and the wire end. You will also need to shape the preamp frame with hot water.
I will fit one on a classical guitar eventually, but for the time being it would be worth you searching RUclips to see if you think you can do it. . . just to be sure 😊
@@guitar-academy Thank you for your fast response, and please make the video ASAP about the classic guitar
@@waleedafandy1131 👍
Hello,
Thank you for your video and sharing all the instalation steps.
As many viewers mentioned is a really helpful video for this diy project 😁
You mentioned that you installed this preamp in 2 guitars, my question is how are they working after 1+ years now.?is still working good?
I just ordered mine (32 euro) and due for China "quality" before I start any action, I would like to know what is your opinion after a longer time
Thank you in advance for your answer.
BR Simon
And it is still working fine which you installed in your guitars.? Are you pleased with the long time quality?
BR Simon
Thank you very much . . It is over 4 years ago now I installed the pickup in one of the guitars I did. I gave that guitar to a student who uses it as his main guitar. He put a rechargeable battery in it, but other than that it is as I left it and he loves the guitar and the preamp is still working perfectly to this day and he uses it lots (which is why he bought a rechargeable battery).
My opinion is that I think these work really well and I love the fact that you can balance mic and pickup, because you can get the perfect sound. 😊
Your video is very well done and I appreciate your attention to detail.👍🏼
Thank you very much . . 😊
Thank you SO MUCH for this! I did exactly as you did and everything went perfectly :)
That's great . . . 😊
The best video tutorial for this kind of work.
thanks from Indonesia!
Thank you again . . from Wales . . 🙂
Nice job! Question: If there isn't feedback, where should the Notch be set? Wherever sounds good I suppose is the answer but what if you don't want any frequencies cut unnaturally?
Very good question . . Yes, I know what you mean. It would be nice if it had a switch to disable it. I just turn it to the lower end and that seems to go beyond my hearing. 😃
Well done very clear and concise video. I have same system which worked beautifully until recently when it over heated and one of the battery spring connections appears to have burnt out. Any idea of the possible cause.
Thank you . . . Your battery getting that hot can only have been caused by a short circuit somewhere. This can happen if you put the battery in the wrong way as a diode shorts the battery out to prevent the current getting to the important circuits, but any short circuit can cause this . . you were lucky it didn't damage the guitar. I have a video that might help you replace it ruclips.net/video/p3JS_yejs0M/видео.html
Thanks for a good explanation.
Would Fishman 301 be suitable for a Classical Guitar?
I think so! My only thoughts would be that it will fit but it's a bit big . . I intend to do a video on fitting one in a classical guitar first, but I have to get hold of a suitable guitar for the job. . . (one that's ill but repairable) 😊
Just ordered one of these. Fishman Presys Blend 301. Now.. what other things are nice? What about those oversize tuners? Bought a Aluminum bar to sand the bridge/nut. What else is essential? Time saving? Helpful? Fret files? Fret rocker? My fingers are soft as a baby, it's been years.
sounds to me like you're not far off building your own guitar . . 😊😊
@@guitar-academy thanks to you. :) Love your slow, calm pacing. Not rocket science, but attention to detail. I had thought Luthiering quite out of my grasp.
Very well done video - thank you! I subscribed. I have a couple Samick Greg Bennett acoustic/electric guitars that use various Fishman OEM preamps. One is the Fishman ClearWave 60, which is very similar to the Presys Blend, but without the microphone (has a Brilliance control in place of the blend). The tuner stopped working completely three days after I purchased it, unfortunately, and Samick sent me a ClearWave 10 as a replacement. The 10's Preamp dimensions are the same, but it has a separate battery box - and I'm not about to cut another hole in the guitar. So, I ordered a Presys Blend 301. My preamp mounting ring needs the same curvature as yours, so I'm almost sure I can just use the ring from the bad ClearWave 60, instead of going the route of using the boiling water method (which you demonstrate brilliantly!). By the way, the actual Samick guitars I have are really great sounding and play well - great bang for the buck. However, in the low to mid-priced models, they use the cheaper preamps, which don't have a great track record from the reliability standpoint. Thanks again for this!
I hope all goes well with your preamp replacement I think it should, and your idea with the mount I think will work as well. I have a Samick 5 string bass I bought in the 90s (I think) and it still looks and sounds great. 🙂🙂
Very good vidéo and the sound is great .what the music you are playing at the end ? Thanks and sory for my english ,i'm french 😁👍
Thank you . . I made it up for the test. If I use famous music I loose any monetisation 😀
Thank you so much for this video, awesome tip to curve a little bit the edges of this preamp to look more professional. I am planning to install it on a classical Spanish guitar Alhambra C2, I will try to do it on my own thanks to your detailed video.
Glad it was helpful! thank you for watching and commenting 😊😃
Is there not a favourable position for the instal because of the mic fixed to the device... I mean..putting it more more at the back of the guitar will give some more lower frequencies than installing it in the front of the guitar. Or are those differences minimal that it doesn't really matter where you put the fishman. Anyways...could not find abtter guide to instal and explanation of this fishman. Thanks for the upload.
That's the recommended position for the preamp and therefore I assume fishman have balanced it accordingly, it sounds that way anyway. The mic is slightly heavier on the bass then the pickup, but that means you can balance between the to signal sources to get a very good balance. I've done a video where I fit one with a flexible mic mount, but it doesn't sound as good as this one no matter what you do . . . ruclips.net/video/frstd0tCSfA/видео.html
This was really great ! Thank you . I chanced doing it myself and you saved me a lot of headaches ! Cheers
Glad it helped! thank you 😊😃
Very good method. You should use a small tri-square to ensure squareness of the rectangle.
Great tip!
Que de magnifiques explications en une parfaite vidéo.
Tous mes remerciements.
Sinon puis- je vous demander quelle corde vous utilisez, car elles ont un son parfait .
Très cordialement
Isabelle
Je vous remercie. Les corde sont 'adagio 9-47 ultra lights' (google translate LOL)
Cool. Would a sound hole pickup work too? Like one of those removable ones???
Yes, it would work fine and they are easier to fit. 😊
Hi, lovely video. Can you please tell me how much your Fisher pre amp cost? Coz the one same one i cheaply bought from ebay is not working at all. Thanks
This was very cheap (£12 ish). It sounds to me like you've got a faulty one, 🙂
Well done and informative video! Do
you know if the volume to the output Jack is muted when the tuner is on?
Yes, it does mute when you're tuning. 😀
@@guitar-academy awesome thank you for your reply!
@@kenahrweiler no problem . . 😀
Thank you for a great job
It was really informative
I installed mine today but I have not screwed it in place
Which way does the little brackets go that are inside the guitar for the screws to screw into
Does it matter which way they up
Thanks David
P.s. it with my first time
great job . . the plate on the inside should be with the flat side facing the wood, but it isn't the end of the world if you've put it in the other way.🙂🙂
@@guitar-academy
Thanks for that's hopefully l can do that today
Thumbs up from Australia 👍🇦🇺👍
@@123elvislives 🙂🙂
GCH Guitar Academy
All good l put one in place today but the other l could not put in for those screws went through some bracing bit all good 😊
Excellent detailed video. Thanks. I am using a passive sound board pickup , which sounds good, at present. I am fitting one of these for more natural sound from the mic and some on board control.BUT,I truly hate the sound of under saddle pickups. Could this pickup be glued to the soundboard,or maybe wire my existing pickup into the system. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you . . . That's a good question, but unfortunately I don't know the answer. My best guess with gluing the pickup to the soundboard is that it would NOT work because it's designed to be compressed. However you could cut the pickup off the Fishman and wire an existing pickup in it's place. . . that would work. I am going to do that with one of these and a cigar box guitar using contact pickups glued to the soundboard, but until I've done it I don't know if it'll work. Saying that, if you are thinking of cutting the Fishman pickup off anyway you can try it glued first to see if it works . . .
@@guitar-academy Thanks. You have confirmed my suspicions. Re using my existing pickup. It is quite powerful as a passive unit,and wondered if it would be too loud with the pre-amp, but with the blend ,I guess I could roll it back anyway. When I try these things,I always test them on the outside of the soundboard first to find the best position, so I will try this with the Fishman pickup before committing to glueing it inside or cutting it off.
@@duendedude2345 you are a wise man . . testing it is the best way . . 😊
thank you! great video. I thought for sure you were going to say "then take a tea bag and steep it in the mug of hot water, grab some biscuits and take a break!" then get back to the matter at hand!
Great idea! I'll do that next time . . 😊😊
Great video, I recently bought a guitar with this system pre-installed, but there's a low frequency hum coming from the piezo undersaddle pick-up especially when I crank up the bass EQ. Switching to the microphone the noise disappears and also when I touch the output jack cable (on the metal part). I read it could be a grounding issue. Have you experienced this kind of thing?
Yes I have experienced this but not with one of these pickups. If you're lucky you can put your hand inside the guitar and move the wires slightly and the guitar will crackle or the problem will go away. This is a broken wire or a bad soldered joint and is easily fixed. If it's not a bad joint it's usually an internal pickup problem and therefore you need to replace the pickup. That's the disadvantage when they solder the pickup into the preamp, you can't easily replace it. If the guitar is very new I would try to get it replaced or fixed under guarantee. If the guitar is out of guarantee you could solder a new pickup in or replace the entire pickup and preamp. All the work is done and the holes have been cut and drilled so you just need to remove the pickup and preamp and put the new one into place. I hope this helps . .
@@guitar-academy Thank you for the reply, I was using it plugged directly into an interface, so I reckon there could be interference somewhere.
@@mattcrowley7867 Ahh yes, you might be right. 😊
Terrific instructional video! Thank you, sir, very much!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 😊😃
Hello please can u share a link to where u bought the fishman pickup from please ?? There are so many fake versions out there
Thank you very much....I needed this!
Glad it was helpful! thank you 😊😀
Thanks for the video, I am planning on doing a preamp upgrade, I wanted to the dimensions of the preamp
You can download a template from the Fishman Website if you want to . . 😊
Hi. Is this a good pickup for percussive style of playing? How does it respond to hits on the body? My gut says this would be a gamechanger. Second thoughts fear it may blow out like when tapping on a microphone.
Thank you for your time and energy.
Good question . . for my taste if sounds good with percussive strumming. You can balance easily between the pickup and the mic and to get the sound you want and the mic doesn't blow out. But of course if it's the sound you like will depend on the guitar and the fitment of the pre-amp and you own taste. 😊
@@guitar-academy thank you for responding. Yep, I'm going for it! Have a dean exhibition koa with this preinstalled. arriving on wednesday!
@@jackofeverythingmasterofno7804 nice . . I love Koa , , 😊😃
This was incredibly well done and helpful, thanks a lot!
Glad it was helpful! thank you . .. 🙂
very useful knowledge .., I want to ask about the problem of my fishman guitar pre amp which is very slow to respond, when I want to set it on the tuner, the tuner indicator light just flashes and I have to wait for about half an hour then the light shows a tone, and temporarily the guitar sound is not clean and after 10 minutes then it works fine, do you know about this...? if yes, please give me the solution...thank's Sir 🙏
Sorry, that's new to me. I haven't seen that problem on any Fishman I fixed or replaced. 🤔
Decisions, decisions, decisions. After watching the other video, with the Prener pre-amp, I agree with you completely, it is an advantage to be able to switch out the mic or the piezo as needed, without replacing the entire pre-amp unit. I also like that the Prenar offers an XLR connection, in addition to the standard jack. However, the Fishman looks much more elegant when properly fitted. My Briarwood has a lovely black finish, which the fishman would complement nicely. By contrast, I fear the Prenar would rather resemble a Borg-implant, with its size, and blue LED display.
My Briarwood has a rich, mellow sound when played unenhanced. Which alternative would you say offers the better sound quality overall??? 🤔🤔🤔
Personally out of the 2 the Fishman wins. Even though you are stuck with the mic, it does produce good sound. Another unexpected consideration that surprised me and I didn't mention in the videos because I hadn't tested the preamps for long enough is the battery life. The Fishman easily out performs the Prenar on battery life. I even started taking the battery out of the Prener because I thought it might be draining unplugged somehow.
To give you an idea of what I think of the Fishman . . look at my latest guitar course and you'll see it's this guitar I used to make all the videos, because the battery life is so good and the recorded sound is so good. I hope this helps you. 😀😀
@@guitar-academy As someone with limited experience, I greet all information as helpful, particularly from someone who obviously knows what he's doing. I also tend toward the 301, however, I am apprehensive, as all the 301s available online appear to come from China, and are very cheap. There are a couple of quite disturbing videos here on RUclips which address this. Is the 301 in your video also from China, and, if so, have you noticed any quality issues? Buzzing, humming, weak signal, or such? Again, thanks infinitely for making these videos, and for taking the time to answer my questions. 👍😃
Consider trying out the sound-offset-spacers for acoustic guitar. I am very pleased wirh the outcome on my guitars (seagull s6 and godin multiac, also a PRS SE Custom 22
Thanks for the suggestion. For the time being I am making 'how to play' guitar lessons again, but I will consider a video one them when I return to technical lessons 😊
Excellent video. Very informative. Now to fit my own .
Glad it was helpful! thank you 😊😃
Did you ever measure your final cut out dimensions ? The ultra cheap version I purchased had no template or measurements, I know, you get what you pay for, but if you have those specs it would be extremely valuable. Thanks.
Sorry no I don't still have the measurements but you can get the template off the Fishman website . .
@@guitar-academy I did not know that ... Thank You !!
@@tbmuse 😊
You are profesional instructor. Sacalabailar thanks You My friend
Thank you very much 👍😊
Hello sir! Is presys blend the same as presys plus? if it's different, what makes the difference? Thanks in advance.
Good question . . the blend has a microphone in it so you can blend sounds, but the plus just has a piezo pickup and has a brilliance control instead of the mic . . I hope this helps 😃
Excellent tutorial on installation! Thank you!
Thank you 😊 Glad it was helpful!
Hi there could i ask what is your sertings using the BASS,MID,TREBLE ? THANKS!!
good question .. I just set everything to the neutral for the tests. I've installed these on 3 different guitars now and they all sound better with different settings, but the preamp gives good adjustment . . 😊
Thank you sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar
You are very welcome, thank you 😊
Great video, I appreciate you and what you do.
I appreciate that! thank you very much 😊😊
Hi. What if i remove piezo pick up then replace it with sound hole pick. I will cut the wire and connect the soundhole pick up on the equalizer. Do you think it will work? 🤒
It's risky because the sound hole pickup might be a very different impedance and produce a different signal strength causing distortion, but on the other hand it might work fine. It would be best f you can do it in a way that it can be undone if it doesn't work. 🤔
@@guitar-academy ok thanks again 😀 your videos really helpful . I'll update just incase the sounds good.
super helpful.. thank you for the explanations!!!
Thank you very much . . 😊😃
Hi, how and what tools did you use to remove the bridge? I believe mine is glued and I didn’t see on your video how you removed the bridge. Thank you!
I meant the saddle :P
Oh . . mine was just pushed into the slot, but it was tight. I used a pair of pliers to get hold of it and then I pulled. I've never seen a glued one in all my years so hopefully it is just tight. LOL . . I always call the saddle the bridge . . with me it's habit because I've spent so many years around orchestral instruments and they only have a bridge. 😀😀
@@guitar-academy Thank you for replying! I actually did look and used pliers to remove the saddle/bridge lol and it worked and I was able to install the Fishman system following your instructions.
Thank you so much!
recently i buy a guitar with this preamp and I didnt anything about it, was very helpfull, thanks so much!
thank you . . 😊
I see you did NOT follow the standard Chinese rules for precision manufacturing. You know the one. "Measure with micrometer, mark with chalk & cut with axe". Thank God for that. Im going to follow your lead as i see by the coments im not the only one. Thanks for posting. This was a good tutorial. Rock on Bro.
That explains a lot with some Chinese guitars 😊
What if the product has no microphone included,
When I bought in the store,...?
Is it separated by the store to make them another price for the product,?
Hi . . Yes, there's 2 models, one with a mic and one without. The naming is confusing and they are easy to confuse, so you have to look carefully at them. The one with the mic is a '301 Blend' and it has a 'mic balance' knob instead of a 'brilliance' knob.
I think the one with the mic is actually a Chinese knock off, but it sound as good as the original (I've tested them on several guitars).
Hello!
Is converting Acoustic to semi affect the sound of the guitar?
I wanna convert my Acoustic to semi. I've seen most of people use Fishman, I ask myslef; What if you use another brand of Preamp?
Lastly, does Preamp play the main role in increasing the sound of a guitar when it's amplified?
And what brand can I use?
My guitar is Mantic AG2c. Thank you.
Hi, the effects on the sound are minimal and unless you have super sensitive hearing you can't hear the effects. Fishman are just available, but you can use any make you want depending on your budget. The preamp is just another step . . the pickup converts the guitar sound into a tiny electrical signal, the preamp make that signal large enough for an amplifier or audio device to use. The amplifier makes it load enough to hear.
Regarding makes of preamp . . make sure you can replace it if you have to. If you buy a make that is a small one and fit it in your guitar, you need to be able to replace the preamp if it goes wrong. . . I hope this helps 😊
@@guitar-academy thank you so much, it's very helpful.
I believe there is a Chinese copy of this pickup out there. I just purchased a guitar with one of these installed. How do you tell if it is the real thing or the Chinese copy?
I recently stripped an original one down and an unofficial one and even then you can't tell. Some are made in the same factory but are sold out of the back door so they're the same thing, but others are bad copies. It's very hard to know the difference . . 🤔
I saw this video buy a guitar and installed fishman pickup on it but my 6th string was so low sounding that in strum 6th string is getting duct i showed it to the guitar mechanic charged appointment fee but no results please suggest me a way out of this problem or any other good pickup 💯♥️
When you say the 6th string do you mean the bottom 'E' (thick string) ? where is the wire access for the pickup (the thick or thin string ?)
Excellent video! well done
Thank you very much! 😊😀
Hi from where did you got this preamp ?
I got it off eBay but you can find them on Amazon and other stores too 😊😀
Really good job making this video. Thanks
Glad you liked it! thank you 😊😊
*****I LOVE HOW THOROUGH THIS WAS! ENOUGH TO SUB!****
Thank you very much . . . 😊
That was a very detailed video, thank you
Glad it was helpful! thank you 😊
Wow, outstanding video!
That's great to hear Cheers! 😊😀
I have ordered all the tools seen here, and I'll be off to the races to electrify my wonderful $200 Yamaha guitar. I was wondering about what to use for a flat surface for sanding down the saddle, then I remembered that there's a place behind my home that slices marble for countertops and architectural work: I can just go back in the alley and pick up a fragment that they've thrown away.
I've got a piece like that and it works great . . Mine was a sample from a kitchen shop . . 😊
@@guitar-academy Very good. The minute I posted my comment I walked back to the marble place and found a gorgeous slab of white rock, the size of a laptop. It's mine now! Loved the attention to detail in your video. I'm confident an old soldering-iron-and-C-compiler geek like me can do this, thanks to you.
@@AlanCanon2222 😊
@@guitar-academy I've watched the video a total of four or five times, and did the installation today. Everything went fine, I had everything I needed.... except an instrument cable to plug it in when I was done! Thanks again for the level of detail and care in the video. You were right, the cover for the preamp covers a multitude of woodworking sins, although with the rotary tool and precision files I was actually able to make it look pretty nice, ditto for the hole I drilled for the 1/4" end pin connector. The edges of the hole looked a bit ugly but the screw-on cap at the end covers all that up. I taped a sheet of sandpaper to my marble slab for cutting down the bridge. I might shave just a little bit more off of it soon, it seemed best to cut too little off, then check the action, which seems low enough for my taste. Can't wait to buy a cable and fire it up! Thank you! I would not have bitten off this project without your video as demonstration and confidence builder.
@@guitar-academy I wanted to give you a follow up. A month later, I have acquired a good quality guitar to USB analog to digital conversion device, and through Linux, learned to pipe the output from my Fishman (in my super cheap Yamaha) through basic digital effects, all on a Raspberry Pi Zero, and I just want to say, it sounds fantastic. Everything I wanted when I first purposed to become an electro acoustic player, that cheap little $20 Fishman is doing for me, and your video showed me the way. Maybe Chet Atkins would have put a different pickup in his guitar, but I am so not Chet Atkins. I would just say that anyone who gets an itch to follow the instructions in this video should gear up and do it. It is actually not too hard to do, if you are careful, and the result is amazing.
Thanks, I have received an install for one of these from a friend and he wanted me to document how to do it for his dad, this has saved me ages 😀 great instructions but did have a great laugh over how RUclips writes your captions , check out the mistakes it makes 😉
Thank you . . I haven't looked at the captions, I check it out . . 😊😊
Will this microphone work for an acoustic bass guitar? Frequencies would be much lower than this.
It wasn't intended for a bass, so the only way to know for sure is to find someone who has tried. Sorry I can't help 🤔
Hi Gentleman, haven't you need to cut the piezo if it's longer?
No, the Fishman installation guide advises against it . . 🙂
@@guitar-academy .... thank you so much. How much it ?
@@gaetanobarbone7932 you can find it on eBay for very cheap (about £10 UK). search 'fishman blend 301'
@@guitar-academy 😉👍
Is this still available in market? Also may I know the price of this?
Yes they're still available but you'll have to do a search on Amazon or eBay to find out how much they are. 🤔
@@guitar-academy How to know they’re selling the original one or fake? What was the original price?
A very useful tutorial, thank you indeed!
Glad it was helpful! thank you 😊
Excelente video , todas mis dudas despejadas , buen trabajo My friend !! Soy nuevo suscriptor !
Muchísimas gracias . . 😊👍
they should have also used a plug for pickup leads because preamps go bad so you wold not need toreroute another pickup wire. could solder it but more work
Yes, I agree 😊
where did you buy this, having trouble finding one for sale? Trying to find one that isn't a knock off.
I think they are all knock offs . . I bought this one of eBay, but I think it's a knock off, but a really good one. I have a factory fit one on another guitar I own and it isn't as good as the copy.
I think it's one of the cases that they were made in China for Fishman but the factory kept on making them after the contract was finished. . . but that's just a guess.
My guitar has a metal plate that the saddle sits on, allowing you to adjust the action on each side. Since the bottom that contacts the wood on the bridge is metal, should I put the pickup under the metal, or on top of the metal, where it would contact the saddle?
That style of bridge needs special attention, maybe someone on RUclips has done a video just on that subject. The pickup needs to go on top of the metal, which means you have to drill a hole in the metal for the wire and line it up with a hole in the wood. You also need to make sure you have a slimline pickup so that the saddle will fit back into the metal slot.
@@guitar-academy Thanks for the tip. I installed it as you recommended, drilling a hole through the metal, but it sounded very strange. Almost like it had a reverb effect on some strings. I ended up reinstalling it under the metal piece, and it sounds perfect! Ultimately, I'll probably get a new bridge without the adjustment. I hear people say it opens up the guitar and gives it much better tone.
if the pickup is too long can you trim the end or should I just let the excess hang into the guitar body?
whatever you do don't trim it. I just let it hang inside the guitar (because that's what most factories do) but some people drill a small angled hole at the other end of the saddle slot to have a bit going into there and the rest should hang inside the guitar. 😊
@@guitar-academy Well I tested it before putting it in, now that its in it doesn't work. I didn't trim it, I did drill a small spot on the opposite end to hold the "point". I wonder what I messed up. Tuner doesn't pickup any sound, no output from the jack. Bummer.
@@snap-off5383 does the tuner work ?
@@guitar-academy No, just blinks green. I'm going to tear it back out tonight and try to troubleshoot. no sound from mic blend side or pickup blend side. {:-(
@@snap-off5383 that is strange. That sounds like a faulty preamp because the mic and the pickup aren't working, but you're getting a green light so it's getting power. 😒
well done..just installed mine..THANKS! sure helped a lot!
Well done to you and a successful install . . . thank you for watching . . 🙂
Like a professional job,,well done mate
Ta very much . . . 😊😊
Dear, i have a question. I have an old arabic Oud. I know they use this pickup for modern ouds. Now i want to install this pickup on my old oud. The problem is, my old oud does not have a bridge :O. Is it possible to install this pickup on my old oud?
Another problem with the old style oud is the back is all rounded so it might not be possible to fit a preamp. You can get different types of pickups, search Google for a 'piezo contact pickup'. I think one of these would work . . 🙂
Was it a bulk product without a box? There are so many imitations of this product.......ㅜ.ㅜ.....
No it was in a box. I agree with you. I recently reviewed a guitar with a factory fitted one and it was shocking . .
Sorry sir, how much price that preamp?
I want to buy that preamp but i dont know which is orgnl or fake
you need to search 'Fishman Presys Blend 301' on your favorite shopping site (Amazon, eBay) because the price changes all the time and it depends what country you are in . . 😊