How to replace or repair an acoustic guitar pickup and preamp (piezo pickup)
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- Опубликовано: 28 июл 2024
- How to replace or repair an electro acoustic guitar piezo pickup (a Fishman Isys piezo pickup and preamp)
In this video I remove a Fishman Isys preamp and peizo pickup from an electro acoustic guitar and fit a replacement, a very similar Fishman Isys pickup system. The process would be very similar for any other make of acoustic guitar with an under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp. During the pickup replacement process I explain every step of how I'm doing the replacement and explain other problems and solutions that you might come across with acoustic pickup and preamp systems. This Fishman Isys pickup was factory fitted in a James Neligan electro acoustic guitar which I've owned for several years and was second hand when I bought it, so I have no idea how old it is. The tuner in the preamp I am replacing is broken, which is why I decided to change the whole system. Fishman pickups and preamps supposedly have a lifetime guarantee but they ignored all my emails and James Neligan first responded very positively and said they would do something, but never did.
If your guitar peizo pickup and preamp has quite strings or strings that are too load then you will need to watch this video. I will explain in detail what is causing your pickup to pickup some strings at a different volume to the rest and explain how to repair you acoustic guitar so your piezo pickup, pickups all the strings uniformly.
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Hello, nice tutorial ! I have Fender CD-100 with Fishman isys 3 and last few months I have problem with Tuner. Its interesting, it goes right with old battery (measured 8,1V) - although the battery diode is shining like low battery, it works fine. When I put new battery, Tuner does nothing at all (measured 9,3V on battery). Pre-amps works fine with both batteries, just tuner has problem with all new 9V batteries. Does anyone know how to solve it? 😄
sorry, I have no idea but I'll pin your comment so people can see it. 😊
@@guitar-academy thank you :)
@@cannabiscze No problem
This is so informative! It has answered a number of questions for me concerning guitar repairs. Thanks a lot, sir! Blessings!
Glad it was helpful! thank you very much 😊😃
I've finally gotten around to installing that Fishman 301 Presys Blend in my Briarwood acoustic. I reviewed your video again prior to getting started. It was of great help. I've got the job about halfway completed, it took longer than I'd anticipated to fit the endpin jack. Tomorrow I start cutting. 😏😏😏
Glad I could help! good luck on the cutting . . 🙂🙂
Thank you so much - this explains why my Fishman has been giving me rattle and low amplitude on the high E/B . This will be my go-to video for when I get around to redoing my acoustic preamp wiring and saddle checklist.
Glad it helped! thanks for watching 😊😃
You could wrap a rubber band a few times around the battery to fill the gap and reduce vibration. Hope this helps.
good suggestion . .
Thank you for helping me to repair my guitar's pickup!~ It works now
That's great! thank you . . . 😃
Just bought a guitar that needs replacement electronics. This is super helpful! I am ready to dig in!
Thank you . . . Good luck! 😊
Great video man. I’m about to replace my my input jack on my Ibanez and found you’re video.
Thank you . . I hope it goes well with your Ibanez 😊😃
Thanks I'm repairing an Ibanez AW SST Fishman! This really helped! Thanks bro-seph!
Glad it helped! thank you 😃
Freebird! Thanks for the video - I'll be doing this for my classical acoustic soon. I wasn't aware that the pickup was wedged between the saddle and the bridge, good to know!
Thanks for the feedback . . it's great to know you got something from the video 😊😃
"If I leave here tomorrow...." Wanted to grab my slide at end ..nice video
Thank you . . . 🙂🙂 (great tune)
Since I bought my electro acoustic guitar one year ago, I've had this weird buzzing noise when I played the G-string coming from inside my guitar. It only made this noise when I was playing the guitar normally, not when I put it down on a flat surface. I tried so many things to fix it, but could never narrow down what was wrong with it.
It turns out that the one cable connecting my battery to the chromatic tuner (CL-4) ended with a screw thread, and there was a small ring supposed be screwed around it, but it was loose. This means it was always moving around, and when I played the G-string it would rattle against the plastic cable.
Thanks to this video I was able to take out the tuner and fix the ring back into place. It now still buzzes a tiny bit when I hit the heavy E, but it's much better than before. I have no idea why they designed a cable like that. Judging by the fact that it worked fine for a year with a loose ring moving around the body of my guitar, the cable probably doesn't need the ring to begin with. I wish I could just easily remove it altogether...
Anyways, thanks so much for making this video!
That's great to hear . . thank you for telling you story. It makes it worth while making videos when you find out they are useful to people 😊😃
Thanks for the detailed explanation 👍😊
No problem . . . thank you 😊😀
Man this is a great help👏🏻 I’m pretty sure I could do this job. I was gonna take it into the shop, but I don’t think I will need to do that.
Glad I could help . . thank you 😊😃
@@guitar-academy Repair went great ordered from eBay because I didn’t wanna spend big money. Did not use the battery compartment because I would’ve had to cut my guitar. So I just replaced the equalizer and went with my old battery compartment and the button jack through the middle. There was some complaining mainly because I forgot that stupid back piece. I kept stringing the pick up through the Estring hole so I put a peg in there to prevent that and finally had to switch hands and change guitar positions. The good news is all my strings are sounding great and since new the B and E high strings have not had much Sound. Anyway great news it works great ! Thanks again for your help.
@@mellowfred8935 That's great to hear. You said 'There was some complaining' but I bet that's another way of saying there were some expletives, LOL You'll forget about the difficult moments once the guitar has been working properly for a while 😃😃
Thank you so much! I bought a used acoustic guitar and it has a Fishman. Everything was fine the first night I plug into my speaker but the second night it wasn’t working and I could not tune it. I found it very hard to find a replacement but eventually I found one on eBay and decided to take the chance. I followed your directions, testing first and I did it! My guitar plays wonderfully now. I hope it lasts!
Did you sell your old one?
Very informative maybe I can try to sort my pickup and repair it by myself gotta say nice sounding voice to boot, great accent.
Thank you very much . . I don't get that complement very often (if ever) 😊😃
Thanks for the great tutorial video !
You are welcome! thank you 😊😀
Amazing video, thanks !
Glad you liked it! thank you 😊😊
Paper trick was helpful...tysm 😊
Happy to help. thanks 😊
This is a very informative video; I appreciate your thoroughness.
If I may ask, do you have any information on locating discontinued parts for electric/acoustic guitars?
Sorry I don't. They are very brand specific and it can be a case of watching eBay or suchlike and waiting for the parts to turn up. 🤔
Thanks for this!
My pleasure! thank you 😊😃
Thanks it helps a lot
Glad it helped, thanks 😊
Sounds really good, have you ever tried to replace a Martin Aura acoustic pick up?
Mine is making a grounding buzz noise, I think the pick up is worn?
sorry no, I haven't replaced one but they are all very similar so it shouldn't be too hard . .
The most difficult bit of this procedure is getting the pickup back through the bridge hole. I have a thin line ACOUSTIC guitar with a Fishmann Isis on it. Getting a hand in that guitar to feed the pickup back through the hole is quite tough on hand and guitar. I’ve tried tying thin cord to the pickup to pull it through - fail and pretty much trashed the pickup in the process. I’m going to have to replace the whole damned thing.
I sometimes push something through the hole and then I can pull it out ahead of the pickup, it acts like a guide. It's a little easier but not perfect . . 🤔
I have the same preamp. I ended up wrapping the 9 volt battery with electrical tape to make a tighter fit.
Yes, it shouldn't be that way but at least there's ways around it. 😊
Great video! I bought a new fender acoustic guitar and it has a fishman presys. The tuner works fine. When you strum the guitar makes a very short sound through the amp and that's it. I've tried new chords ran it through my tascam stib and same results. Strum and fades and that's it
It sounds like the amp is faulty. If it's still under warranty I would take it back. 😒
I just bought a fender acoustic for my son and it lights up, tuner works but produces 0 sound.
Thank you good sir.
Very welcome, thank you 😃
Hi,
Does the complete guitar course include playing left-handed? Do you also get the Metatone software I saw on your course?
Thank you
You choose if you want left handed or right handed. The metronome is out of date now so I don't provide it . . 🙂
Great video! Used it for my acoustic bass! Have you ever repaired studio monitor speakers?!? 😬
Love your tutorial style!
Yes I have but never on video and there's lots to go wrong with them (assuming they are active) . .
@@guitar-academy lots of people have Studio Monitors and not any good vids online could get a lot of views!!! Lol
@@brutalasbucs9719 That's actually really useful to know. The truth is that I do have to think about viewing numbers. I'll have to make a video when I get the opportunity . .
Very helpful video. I love the tone of your guitar! Can I ask what strings you’re using? Thanks
Thank you. the stings aren't expensive ones but I think they're nice . . Adagio .010 - .047 anti rust coated ones (about a fiver) 😊
@@guitar-academy Thanks!
@@1sylvan1 😊
Great video, thanks! My guitar has the Isys+ as well, but I can't seem to find it anywhere online? Do you have a link for the one that you used?
Sorry, no. I just did an eBay search to find that one 😊
My isys+ does not catch any signal from any string, so i tried replacing the pickup with a 90° style but i bent it and it did not work, waiting for a new preamp system, gonna do it just as you showed it.
Thanks
Sorry to hear that, I've had jobs go wrong like that in the past . . it's really frustrating . . But next time will be the good one 🙂🙂
I have an Esteban guitar looks like the battery holder came out at some point, and is probably lost. I’m not opposed to replacing the entire preamp, but if I could just pop in a new 9v, that would be great. A google search brought up some vendor names, but they didn’t seem to actually have what I am missing.
There are only so many makers of preamps so the same ones appear under different names. I have bought ones that looks like the damaged or missing battery holder in the past and they have fitted perfectly. Sometimes second hand ones appear on eBay as well. 😊 I hope you find what you're looking for
Hi, thanks for informative video. I have the same preamp system in my Breedlove concert, but sometimes as I’m playing the battery light flashes intermittently and simultaneously the guitar cuts out. Any guidance welcome👍
That sounds like the battery is a little loose, you can try pushing a little cardboard or paper down the side of it or wrap celotape around it. I one of these solutions works for you 😊
I wish you could guide me A few days ago I started having problems with my guitar, it is the GD51-NAT model. I've been with it for a year and a half, when I plug it in sometimes it rings and sometimes not. And when played back it sounds like it has "cheap pedal distortion", sorry for the expression. When the sound shouldn't be that. What can be the fault? I already changed the end pin connector but it doesn't solve the problem.
Some common problems leading to distortion could be; 1. the volume is too high. Don't take the volume over 75% on the preamp. 2. the battery is flat or faulty. 3. what you are plugging it in to is causing the signal to clip. Make sure you are plugging the guitar into something that is suited to the preamp and if you plug it directly into you computer, make sure the signal isn't clipping. If it is none of these problems then the preamp is probably faulty.
hi! great video! was wondering if you could help me out with a question; apart from bad quality, what could be causing an electronic buzz on a brand new electroacoustic?
Several things can cause that problem . . the easiest things would be a faulty lead or a faulty (flat) battery. More difficult to fix could be an internal bad earth or bad screening. The screening can be solved, but I need to do I video on that to explain it properly. Finally, it could be the settings on the amp, if you are using a guitar amp make sure the gain is down. I hope one of these helps 😊
@@guitar-academy thanks a bunch! I've already discarded the lead together with the battery and they are not the issue. It appears to be a matter of grounding (possibly a faulty design) within the parts. Something having to do with the guitar's pre-amp itself, as when I move the eq sliders up trouble gets augmented. Is this a regular standard thing with battery powered guitars? Will this signal damage an amp?
@@diosgenes Hi, I had a similar problem, and as it turned out, it wasn't in the preamp. I was playing into my computer via an effects box and interface, (external sound card if you don't know what an interface is) and there was hum. I even swapped out the preamp and it was still there. Eventually I found it was a grounding problem of the mains cable feeding my computer power supply. I measured the earth cable in the mains lead and it was 2 ohms. Not much, but enough to cause the hum. So check the ground/earth cables on all of your amps and connected equipment . If you use effects make sure they plug into the same mains distribution strip to avoid earth loops which can make the hum worse. Also I would say in my experience the after market replacement preamps that cost very little are not as good as the real thing. If you have a genuine Fishman think twice before replacing it with one of those.
best video ever
Thank you very much . . 😊😃👍
Great video, very useful. Your preference for like for like replacement makes good sense to me. I am struggling to find suitable replacement for my Ibanez SRTn by B-band. Do you have any sources I might try? Coming up empty on eBay and Google. Or if you could suggest a suitable replacment that would be great too. Cheers!
sorry, they're quite unusual. All I can think of is to contact an Ibanez dealer or importer .. 🤔
@@guitar-academy Thank you for the response. I have tried all that. Now thinking like for like replacement is not possible. B-Band went out of business some time ago. All I have found so far are replacement battery holder and faceplate.
@@JCYeahUKnowMe If I hear anything I'll tell you know, but I don't think the chances are high. Another thing to think about as a last resort is a preamp that is bigger then the B-Band and then re cut the hole. 🤔
I have a question
This happened to my preamp and after I found out it turned out that the piezo pickup was delivering a small electric current so that the sound that came out was small even though the volume on the preamp and mixer was full. how can i fix this?
That could be literally anything . . the battery, the preamp, the pickup or the lead. Sorry, I couldn't solve this problem without the guitar being in front of me . . 🤔
Question: Can the preamp internal level be adjusted? I ask because when I play my guitar aggressively there is distortion coming out. I hear it on recordings and live gigs. I've tried turning the down the level on the guitar, used a DI box with different levels of attenuation and it does not reduce the distortion. When I play less aggressively it has a nice clean tone.
Not on all models of preamp, but on some yes it can. If it can be adjusted it's a small screw hole in the back of the preamp with a plastic screw inside. 😊😊
Thank you so much for the video. Will try now to repair mine. The problem of my preamp is this: It does not tune the strings accurately although the preamp is properly working picking up the sound through the amp. How can I repair it? Thank you. Or should I replace the whole fishman isys?
Saddly, there's no way of adjusting the tuner so the only way to fix it is to replace the whole thing 🤔
@@guitar-academy thank you!
@@ariesdp182 no problem 😊😊
How to convert this fishman pickup into transacoutic wireless less pickup
Where did you order Fishman Isys+? To date, Im having difficulties looking for a legit one. Can you advise?
Originally I got mine from eBay, but like you say it is difficult to find legit ones now . . it's getting worse . . 😒
No worries if not but do you have any tips on how to use existing pick up if I’m going to make it into a resonator please? Would it be best to keep original bridge and pickup together or would this not work? Thanks in advance and no problem if it’s not something you can help with
Cheers again
C
Piezo pickups are pretty much standard, so If you want to keep the bridge and saddle untouched you can. The only proviso is that you are confident to cut the wires and re-solder the wires cleanly to avoid buzz. Sometimes it's a better solution to leave the existing pickup in place anyway, especially if it's a good one.
I hope this helps 😊
Hi, great video! I have a problem with my LAG T66DCE Direct LAG pre-amp. Whenever I plug it to an amplifier, it makes noise / hum which increases with gain and volume. Whenever I touch the strings and input jack at the same time, the noise disappears though. What can I be? the piezo works fine though. thank you.
That sounds like a bad earth . . you have 2 wires going from the piezo to the pre-amp and then 2 wires going from the pre-amp to the output jack. One of the wires could have a fault. I don't think it's your lead but it would do any harm to try a different lead first . . I hope this helps 🤔
bad ground connection .. sounds like
How about using rechargeable 9v battery, it is safe to put it overtime on the guitar but the tuner is off, what is your tip on it?
I use rechargeable batteries in all my guitars now for at least the last year and I have been very pleased. 😊😃
hi...very informative vids. I have an old Yamaha APX -4 . the preamp when touching the volume control cause hum through the amp and when removing your hand the hum disapears. Any suggestions as to why this is?
That's a difficult one without the guitar here to look at. It sounds like a bad earth which might be caused by a dry joint in the preamp. Because everything is so small they are very very difficult to fix, so it might be worth you thinking about replacing the preamp, which is probably the only solution. I hardly ever use the volume on my preamp, but I'm guessing you use yours more. . .
@@guitar-academy thanks for your reply....I think you are probably right but unfortunatley Yamaha do not make parts for this model anymore....thanks again
@@musoman6754 that's a shame, but keep your eyes open anyway. I had a similar problem with another guitar but the parts appeared about 6 months later on eBay (I think from a bankrupt shop).
Check the ground connections on your amplifiers.
How do you fix a Smiger LG 09 guitar since the sound hole is engraved and can't be opened ?
Good question . . . but sadly it would take ages to explain the answer in text. So I'll put it in my list of videos to do. 🤔
I have a question you may help resolve. I have low humming on my Fishman amp. Its not that. Have a Taylor acoustic electric that's at fault. Was told to change my shielded pickup.
I see you mentioning the preamp which I have on my taylor. Could this be causing the low humming? Or change the shielded pickup
This is Scott again. I meant to ask. Is the fishman preamp on my acoustic the actual shielded pickup?
Good questions but difficult to answer. The easy answer first. The pickup is the bit that goes under the saddle and the shielding is the braided wire that goes around it ( 14:48 ). But there is also shielding around the wire between the preamp and the output jack.
Hopefully you've tested the lead and the amp with another guitar to check the problem isn't there, because these are the most common cause of hum. An other easy suggestion is to roll up some wire wool and clean the inside of the output jack socket. If not of these work you will have to replace the preamp. I hope this helps 😊😊
Sir my pick up is broken from the connector thing idk that plug hole from which we connect the amplifier or set up can you please tell me what to do next cus there’s no musical shop around that can help me cus i live in small city
Sorry, just from text it's near impossible for me to help you fix it. If the part that's broken is the wire between the guitar and the amp, then this video might help ruclips.net/video/tR151kSXamM/видео.html
Zabardast cheers from Toronto. Where exactly to place this inside the guitar as the one in my Yamaha APTX2, 3/4 guitar dropped in. It is about 1 inches in diameter and has glue on one side? Not like the one you are using.
Yes, this is a different type of pickup to the one you're talking about. You're better looking for videos for that type of pickup if it doesn't have instructions included. 🤔 Where you stick them does effect the tone, so you might have to get some 2 sided tape and experiment.
Hi, there´s a guitar I´d like to buy, although it has a malfunction in the volume knob, i goes from 0 to 10 but nontheless it works well if you lower the levels of the equalization knobs since they lower the volume down. Is that a fixable issue, or should all the pream be replaced, I believe it´s fishman (but haven´tseen the model)
Thanks sharing your knowledge!
That's great . . I hope it lasts too. I've used this guitar all the way through my fingerstyle course and it is still working, so hopefully yours will do the same.
ruclips.net/p/PLIQJcXCYbgO2q9hDUBT0E5z1JZDk3bowI
I have a Yamaha FG800 (however,there is a Yamaha FXG800 that has a pre-amp) and want to add a pre-amp and pick-up.
I see some original Yamaha preamp and other brands on eBay.
Cherub GT&4, presys blend 301 and so many others.
For an uneducated person like myself, what should you look for when retrofitting an acoustic guitar with electronics?
That's a very good question and I'm sure every guitarist will give you a different answer. My suggestion would be to buy the one that is the most common at the time of doing the job, and the reason I say this is because I've had guitars with pre-fitted preamps that have gone faulty (like the one in this video) and it's been difficult to find a replacement.
Another thing I would recommend is the preamps with only one major hole. The preamp in this video has a hole for the amp and another hole for the battery compartment which I don't like, whereas something like the blend 301 only needs one big hole and a drilled hole for the strap-lock/jack-socket, which I feel is better. I hope this helps 😊
Hey i got issue with my battery slot the battery does not holds in it just keeps popping back and doesn't let the door of battery compartment to close , can you please tell what hold the battery in that compartment.
The door should have a springy plastic catch on it that locks in to place when you close it. It sounds like that bit is missing or broken off 🤔
I need to replace a Gibson AccuVoice pickup system and can’t find it anywhere. It was used from 1994-1996. Any suggestions?
Sorry, I don't have the best solution. There's lots of people asking the same question in various forums with no solution. All I can suggest is to get a different pickup system where the preamp is either the same size or bigger that the present preamp.
If the bridge channel is bend with the guitar top through the years how to fix that and make it flat .... I have some Strings sounds Higher than the others
Sorry but that is a difficult job. 🤔 You either have to straighten the slot using a router and a jig, or you have to replace the bridge. Either way is not much fun
Gracias 😀😸☺️🤠😍👍😍 Saludos
Gracias a ti 🙂🙂
i want to splice in a 3 transducer disc in place of the under saddle. Any thoughts?
I've thought about that but as of yet I haven't tried it. I need to do some research . . . 🤔
i wondering that if i use pickup like this if i install like this to my acoustic guitar and then can i record the guitar sound to soundcard or interface or not or other device i would like to record my guitar to my phone i'm afraid that my phone will can't record it hope you understand my question and please tell me can i record it or not
Good question . . Yes, you can. But you might need a lead to adapt the guitar to the device. 😊
@@guitar-academy Ahh okay thank you so much for the answer☺️
hello, asking for help
i have the Fishman isys T, same as in the video
i already tear them out of my guitar.
i tested the tuner, and its working
i connected the jack to the amplifier, and its working it make sound, and when i change the volume on the preamp, the volume on the amplifier is changing too.
for the piezo, i rubed my nail against it, and it making the sound thru my amplifier.
but when i put everything back together again, it doesnt make sound at all
do you know why this problem occur??
my assumption is maybe the saddle was to low, and it doesnt press the piezo enough,
or should i rewire the piezo? or getting the new piezo?
thanks ^_^
Your issue is a difficult one . . If the pickup is working and the preamp is working there should be sound. Without having the guitar in front of me I can't really help because it could be so many things. The saddle will be pushed against the piezo by the strings, so that shouldn't be an issue. 🤔
i have the same fishman pick up but its not coming out of the guitar. im pushing but it seems stuck. I have a martin LX1…
They wont have glued it, but they might have fitted it very tightly so it's as air tight as they could get it. I have never had this problem so I'm not familiar with it. Be careful and patient and it should come out eventually. 🤔
Hello everyone does anyone have any idea why won't the acoustic guitar string don't sound even... My fender acoustic came with fishman pickups after using 3 years my string sounds uneven while plugin please help...
dirt under the saddle or the pickup being worn through can both cause the strings to sound uneven. This is because the saddle should put even pressure on all the pickup, so a little bit or dirt or uneven saddle base causes the saddle to press harder on one part of the pickup. Another thing that can make a massive difference is the strings and the gauges you have fitted, on one guitar I worked on changing the strings solved a really load bass. I hope this helps
Hello,
Can these non rigids piezo pickups be cut and still will work?
I have a guitar with split piezos .
The short one is not working and I want to replace it without having to buy both (they are from a Fishman Prefix kit and the piezos replacement are so expensive)
Thanks a lot.
Sadly, they actually warn you on the paperwork that comes with the pickup not to cut them down. You might get away with using just the end of the pickup and taping or pull tying the remainder inside the guitar. 😊
@@guitar-academy
Many thanks !!!
Just bought a Harley Benton 850 guitar, and that has the EQ505 installed .... it's an awesome guitar for the price (£99.00!!!!)>
Harley Benton seem to have it sussed . . . 🙂🙂
My hb850 bass even has a bone nut and bone saddle. Bit more expensive, but still...
So why would when I put in the battery, would the light not come on
The light should just flash once and only stay on if the battery if flat, the tuner should come on when you push the button. 😊
Could you wrap some tape around the battery so it does not move around?
Well spotted, yes that's exactly what I used to do . . 😊😃
I heard what you did there... FREEBIRD!!! 👍👍👍😃😃😃
yey . . how can I not at some point do Freebird . . 🙂🙂
@@guitar-academy 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The battery jumps out suddenly while playing...wht to do?
I've not heard of that one before . . . I have no idea how to stop that from happening 🤔
What is that in the guitar hole? I want one
it's a feedback suppressor, here's how I made it . . ruclips.net/video/e_EShc-DbBs/видео.html
I have a James Nelligan acoustic guitar but beside the jack socket there is a 3 pin socket, I don't know what it does. The battery is fitted on the back of the pre-amp. I need to replace the pre-amp, as it doesn't work. Is it the same principle as I cant see any wires going to the 3 pin socket but it has a circuit board attached to it.
The 3 pin socket is a 'balanced XLR' which some people find useful for recording or using extra long leads. The guitar I replaced the preamp in is a James Nelligan, just make sure the size of the new fittings is the same as the fitting currently on the guitar.
Sadly Fishman pickups claim to have a lifetime warranty on them but I've contacted Fishman about several guitars over the years (one straight out of the shop) and they have never lived up to the guarantee . . 🤔
Thank you for your reply, and for the video, it helps a lot
@@user-zt7oz2jg5z No problem . . thank you 😊😊
Hi, I know it's two years after the video but if you happen to see this I have a question:
I am assembling an instrument amp for the stringed instruments I build and plan on using the Fishman pickup and preamp shown on the instruments.
For the amp I am using a Mic preamp with the power amp so that I can use the system as a PA too. I know the instrument level or output of the pickup's preamp is likely too hot for the Mic preamp but not hot enough for input into the power amp so I plan on building an attenuator.
My Fishman came with no specs. I know that their rare earth humbucker sound hole pick up has roughly a 0.38 volt output and the similar single coil pickup has roughly a 0.77 volt output from its preamp with the output impedance at around 1000 ohms. To do a good job so that I don't damage my Mic preamp and transferr all the power it would help to know the under saddle pickup's output in volts or dbu and it's output impedance and that is essentially my question.
A piezo pickup is nothing like a magnetic pickup the impedance is very high (a megaohm ish) and the signal is very low, and that's because it doesn't have a coil like a magnetic pickup. The pickup by itself produces a tiny voltage (200 millivolts ish) which varies massively depending on how hard to hit the strings. This is why a piezo pickup nearly always comes with a preamp. The preamp has good tolerance and will act as your attenuator if you just turn the volume down, so you can try it first before deciding if you need to correct any mismatch.
I hope this helps
@@guitar-academy Thanks, it helped a lot.
@@migalito1955 great stuff 😊
@@guitar-academy speaking of great stuff. You should have more views on each video for it is great stuff and surely takes a lot of work to produce. Best wishes for more...
@@migalito1955 Thank you very much . . Yes, sadly my videos don't appeal to everyone so they don't really take off. Nevermind, it just means I can't make regular videos because I have to work them in with other better paid work. 😊
How do you push the wires into the clips. Do you just thread them through the clips?
It depends if the clip has a room to allow me to push the wires through. If the clip is too small I use the ones provided with the new preamp. I put the wires through first and then I put the wires and the clip into the guitar and push the sticky side somewhere out of the way. I hope this helps 😊😃
@@guitar-academy Thank you. It worked. No threading was required, but only pushing the wires up into the bendable metal clamp. Now I have a working Fishman preamp/tuner system on my J-45 EC. It tuned right up and plays great.
Ford Madden Jul 29, 2023 01:19 PM
@@fordmadden1605 That's brilliant . . thanks for letting me know 😊😃👍
What if the pickup is not turning on?even I buy new battery.
it sound like it could be faulty, but make sure the wires are properly plugged in 🤔
The Isys, I am trying to replace won' t slide out, I believe there is a flange on the side preventing this. I can't compress it enough to remove, any advice
Some models have clips on the sides so you have to reach into the guitar through the sound hole and compress it from the back. The only other way I can think of isn't one I'd normally recommend. But if the existing preamp doesn't work anyway, you might have to brake the plastic to remove it . . 🤔
Thank you for this great video and your advice to my comment
@@lanell1 o problem thank you
Why does the fishman pre amp not work with a mono male plug from my guitar??
It should work . . either your Fishman is faulty or the lead . .
@@guitar-academy my lead line is ok cause it works on my other guitars that don't have the fishman. Also it feels as tho the plug don't lock all the way in the fishman,( i have 200sieries, fishman preamps , both don't work.)
is the battery reversible on this one?I don't see any indicator which side is positive(+) is.
No it's not reversible and it isn't clear which way the battery goes in. Thankfully the circuit is protected so if you put it in backwards it wont damage the preamp. 😊
@@guitar-academy thanks!
@@lazyguitarist2691 No problem
How to fix grounded preamp
How can we buy an original Fishman? I am able to find only Chinese copies.. Are Chinese copies good?
Most of them aren't copies. The original Fishman are made in China and most of the unauthorized ones come out of the same factories . . so they aren't copies they are just unauthorized.
I just bought a new fender acoustic for my sons birthday, it lights up, the tuner works, but produces no sound at all!!! Would like to return it but I bought it almost 2 months early on sale, and they have a 45 day return policy. Not sure what I should do about electronics now?
The policy of the shop does not undermine your legal statutory rights, and most fenders have at least a years warranty. Before doing anything, check the lead and amp because the pickup obviously works otherwise the tuner wouldn't work . . 🤔
@@guitar-academy his amp works fine with his other electric guitar. It's not anything we had already thats not working.
@@leeroyexcavator9149 Unfortunately then you need to contact where you bought it from and explain the situation to them 🤔🤔
Hello bro...My D string sounds a little bit lower than other strings on the pickup, is that normal?
I assume you mean the volume is lower. This can happen if the bottom of the saddle isn't flat or bottom of the slot has dirt in it. If it isn't serious you can probably compensate for it with EQ and then sort it out the next time you change strings, unless you happy taking the strings off to sort it straight away. You can even use very fine tape under the quite string . .
My guitar tuner and Equalizer stop working i don't know whats the problem....i replaced new batteries over and over again but the tuner doesn't switch on just the low battery led lits up ...pls help
The only things I can suggest is to check the springs in the battery compartment aren't dirty and make sure the wire from the battery to the preamp are pushed in properly. If these suggestions don't work try your warranty or replace the whole thing like I do in this video.
@@guitar-academy thanks man i think thts my last option
@@narendrasonar1392 I hope you get it sorted
hello sir I have issue I buy new eq-kit fix it on my acoustic guitar bu my piezo is not working I'm in very tension...please help💔💔😣😣😥
does the tuner work and hear the strings ?
@@guitar-academy yes sir tunner is working but piezo not working and nothing to record
@@stepbytech6098 the piezo must be working then, but the preamp or the out put lead is faulty. Check the lead first and then the wires running between the preamp and the output socket. After that, there is nothing else I can suggest without having the guitar in my hands, sorry. 🤔🤔
No Google search has yielded any replacements for my guitar's preamp. It's a Breedlove, and the preamp says "AR-300". Google has never heard of anything even close to this.
It sounds like you need to contact Breedlove . . breedlovemusic.com/
What is the title of your music sample. ?from👌🇵🇭
The tune is 'The Beach by Sad Fantasy'. I'll be publishing the lesson and tab to RUclips soon 😊😃
What the battery is fit for this pickup? Thankyou
The battery is a 9v pp3 battery, but you can get USB rechargeable once. 😊
@@guitar-academy what's the meaning of PP3? Thankyou .. hehe
@@ChAnnelCoMMent0r it's a battery type
@@guitar-academy thanks a lot for sharing all the info about the battery on this pick-up. Because your pick-up for this video is similar to mine.
@@ChAnnelCoMMent0r no problem 😊😊
Can you cut the pickup wire and splice in a new one???
They (the company) don't recommend it . . but you can. I have in the past 😊
@@guitar-academy Thanks. My E, 1st string just won't pick up as good as the others and its not a expensive guitar so I might splice in another. Thanks.
@@superkunk2 Check the bottom of the saddle is completely flat and check there's no dirt in the slot. Both these things can make strings loader or quieter. 🤔🤔
@@guitar-academy ok i will thanks
@@superkunk2 👍👍
im about to install fishman persys blend into my cheap guitar.. the pickup only cost around 11usd.. i think nothing to lost if something bad happen to my guitar.. my guitar only cost around 30usd.. lol..
Go carefully and hopefully you won't be disappointed . . . 😊😃
Bro my guitars 1 and 2 string sound output is not coming whats the reason ???
Usually this is caused by dirt in the bottom of the saddle slot or an unevenly sanded saddle base, or I have even heard of the pickup being twisted. Basically, the pickup has to be squashed between the saddle and the guitar totally evenly. I hope this helps
@@guitar-academy bro i changed the saddle but same problem .
@@guitar-academy any problem in pickup mic????
@@elishpeter not the mic . . if the mic doesn't work it is for all strings, so it is likely to be the pickup.
@@guitar-academy ook
Pickup prices
i thought you gonna repair the broken one 😅, not just replace it with the new one. but thanks anyway 😀
You're welcome! keep searching, you'll find what you need 😊😊
So all the wires are flapping inside? How do you attach them back to their clips inside?
The answer is in the video 18:10
He fixed a white guitar, but did not show how to remove the white paint before playing it.
the guitar in the video is brown from beginning to the end 🤔
Wrap some electrical tape around that 9volt battery or just slip a piece of cardboard next to it.
That's what I did for the old one, but this one doesn't need it. . . 🙂
pine wood is super soft so it wont have any major impact on the tone
i dont get it why they put pickups on acoustic guitars personally removed it and closed the holes with pine wood it never impressed me
Hey, great video. I’ve currently got a Cort MR710F that I want to trade in for a Faith Neptune. But, they won’t trade if the preamp is not working. So, I am searching for a new Fishman 4T preamp to replace on my Cort in order to get the trade in. If I get the preamp, do you think I can install it myself? Otherwise, guitar repair shops will charge me £45 to get it fixed.
If you've got a pickup already in the guitar, just copy what's there and take your time to get it right. It's sometimes a good idea to take pictures of the old pickup and preamp as well so you can look back at them if you need to. all the best 👍