Installation Guide AG-Series Passive Acoustic Guitar Pickup Includes Installation Instructions for Models AG-125 .125” (3.2 mm) Width • 2.125” String Spacing AGX-125 .125” (3.2 mm) Width • 2.3125” String Spacing AG-094 .094” (2.3 mm) Width • 2.125” String Spacing AGX-094 .094” (2.3 mm) Width • 2.
AG Series - Passive Guitar Pickup Thank you for choosing the classic AG Series undersaddle pickup. Please read these instructions carefully. For technical assistance, contact Fishman Customer Support at 978-988-9665 or tech@fishman.com The AG-Series is our original string-sensitive, piezo-ceramic undersaddle pickup. It provides natural acoustic reproduction of your guitar with an explosive attack well-suited for percussive playing styles.
Installation Guide IMPORTANT Installation of the AG Series Acoustic Guitar Pickup requires fine woodworking & soldering skills and should be performed only by a qualified repairman. Fishman Transducers will not be responsible for any damages that may result from improper installation. Please read these instructions carefully. For technical assistance, contact Fishman Customer Support at 978-988-9665 or tech@fishman.com.
AG Series - Passive Guitar Pickup Mechanical Factors Affecting Pickup Performance - Continued The 50/50 Rule We have found that there is a critical relationship between the overall saddle height and the bridge slot depth. For adequate mechanical coupling and pickup balance, we recommend that the saddle slot depth (with pickup installed) measures no more than 50% of the total height of the saddle. If the slot measures more than 50% of the total height of the saddle, balance and/or output level may suffer.
Installation Guide 1. Rout a .125" (3.2 mm) or .094 (2.3 mm) wide saddle slot. 2. Be certain that the bottom of the slot is FLAT. Deepen an existing slot just enough to obtain a clean, flat surface. II • Locate the Wire Hole The location of the wire hole is critical to the performance to the AG-125 / AG-094 as it determines the correct position of the piezo elements relative the strings. 1. Locate the center of the wire hole .234" (5.9 mm) from the closest outside string.
AG Series - Passive Guitar Pickup III • Prepare the Saddle We highly recommend the Fishman Cleartone™ saddle for enhancing the performance of the AG-Series pickup. We also suggest synthetic materials such as Micarta or Corian as adequate substitutes. Organic materials such as bone or ivory can not be recommended since these are not structurally as consistent as synthetics and can produce poor string to string balance through the pickup. 1. Prepare a .125" or .094" wide saddle.
Installation Guide 1. Apply masking tape around the endblock area to protect the instrument. 2. Locate an X-Acto saw blade 1/16" (1.6mm) away from the body and saw off the endpin. 3. Centerpunch a guide hole in the center of the trimmed endpin. 4. Drill a 1/8" (3.2mm) pilot hole through the endblock. 5. Line up a 15/32" (11.9mm) Spade bit in the pilot hole and begin drilling. Maintain a perpendicular plunge in relation to the instrument.
AG Series - Passive Guitar Pickup Wiring Options with the Fishman Switchjack The Switchjack T-R-S-S (Tip/Ring/Sleeve/Switch) stereo switching endpin jack allows simultaneous stereo operation and battery switching for active pickups. This new configuration simplifies stereo wiring with many pickup combinations that were once incompatible.
Installation Guide Mono Wiring an AG Series Pickup Pickup Signal to Tip Shield to Sleeve Stereo Wiring a Second Pickup to an AG Series Pickup 2nd Pickup to Ring Common Ground Pickup Signal to Tip 9
AG Series - Passive Guitar Pickup Adding a Microphone to an AG Series Pickup Microphone to Ring Common Ground Pickup Signal to Tip Zener Diode between Ring & Sleeve Stereo Wiring with an Active Pickup Negative Battery Wire to Switch Common Ground 2nd Pickup to Ring Pickup Signal to Tip 10
Installation Guide VI - Fasten the Jack in the Endpin Hole Follow this sequence when installing the endpin jack: 1 - Shielding Cap 2 - First Large Hex Nut 3 - Large Dress Washer 4 - Star Washer 5 - Guitar Endblock 6 - Small Dress Washer 7 - Small Dress Nut 8 - Strap Button 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 The jack should protrude at least 5/16" and no more than 11/32" outside of the guitar body for proper fit.
AG Series - Passive Guitar Pickup Kinds of Audio Inputs Because of the lack of standardization for high impedance audio inputs, special attention should be paid to what you are plugging into: The AG-125 / AG-094 will sound best when plugged directly into an input with a 10 MOhm impedance; the full frequency response of the instrument is reproduced. The AG-125 / AG-094 can also be plugged into inputs as low as 1 MOhm with adequate results; the bass frequencies will be slightly rolled off.
Installation Guide Musical Instrument Amplifiers Most musical instrument amplifiers (at least 1 M W input impedance) will yield useable results. Acoustic instrument amplifiers have a 10 M W Piezo input, ideally matching the pickup. Direct Boxes You can plug the AG-125 / AG-094 into an "active" direct box (1 - 10 M W input) with very good results. Using a passive direct box will sound weak and thin.
TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM WEAK STRING OR STRINGS CAUSE SOLUTION Saddle is not completely seated. Push the saddle down over the weak strings. Bottom of saddle is uneven or out of square with its sides. Check bottom of saddle for flatness and squareness. Debris in the saddle slot. Remove debris from the saddle slot. Improper saddle fit (too tight or loose). Make sure that the saddle has a sliding fit in the slot. Saddle material.
TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION Improper saddle fit (too tight, resulting in poor s/n ratio). Check saddle for sliding fit in the slot. Torn pickup shield. Examine the pickup. Replace pickup if the material is torn. Unshielded jack. Fasten the Shielding Cap to the jack. Poorly shielded instrument cable. Use only fully shielded instrument cables. Weak downbearing pressure due to low string break angle. Observe the 50/50 rule. Ramp the string slots if necessary.
Limited Warranty The FISHMAN Switchjack™ Equipped AG Series Acoustic Guitar Pickup is warranted to function for a period of One (1) Year from the date of purchase. If the unit fails to function properly within the warranty period, free repair and the option of replacement or refund in the event that FISHMAN is unable to make repair are FISHMAN’s only obligations. This warranty does not cover any consequential damages or damage to the unit due to misuse, accident, or neglect.
