What's wrong with my guitar. Help pls

topcatcbr

I have discovered a problem with my acoustic. When pluged in I discover that there is a problem I think with my pickup. The bass strings are very loud while the treble strings are almost silent. If you tap along the bridge this confirms the problem is here.

Do you think if I replaced the fishman piazo strip with a new one this would solve the problem.

martinedwards

could be something has moved.

take off the strings, lift out the saddle and tap gently along the piezo element.

chances are it'll crackle all the way along.

blow out any dust and debris and then reassemble.

I don't THINK that piezos die in sections. I THINK they either work or not.

Banjo

Can't you get some Fishman bridges with 6 element transducers, effectively a discrete transducer for each string going to a common bus cable? Haven't actually seen one myself mind but if you have multiple elements then the piezo pickup could go dead in sections. You'd see seperate wires coming off the piezo pickup cable, one going to each saddle. If all the upper strings went dead at the same time, you may have a seperate bass and treble element? I don't know if anyone uses a 2 element setup though...

68 lost souls

Banjo chances are it is a standard wire transducer and what Martin suggested may fix it. Another issue that happens sometimes is that the saddle isnt flat on the bottom and not contacting the pickup properly. When you have the saddle off place it on a flat surface and see if there are gaps. If there are you may need to sand it flat.

topcatcbr

Thanks Ill try that when i get a chance.

topcatcbr

Banjo wrote: »

Can't you get some Fishman bridges with 6 element transducers, effectively a discrete transducer for each string going to a common bus cable? Haven't actually seen one myself mind but if you have multiple elements then the piezo pickup could go dead in sections. You'd see seperate wires coming off the piezo pickup cable, one going to each saddle. If all the upper strings went dead at the same time, you may have a seperate bass and treble element? I don't know if anyone uses a 2 element setup though...

Not one of these. I know the type. Its a single piece bridge. I didnt want to take all the strings off without checking its not somthing else.

68 lost souls

Ypu shouldnt have to take them all off just loosen them up and there should be enough movement to slide out the saddle.

topcatcbr

I have discovered the problem. Their was too much taken from one side of the bridge when the guitar was set up and a small piece of plastic was inserted to raise one side. this reduced the pressuer on the transducer. when i removed this the pickup works fine however i now have a slight buzz where the small E is hitting the saddle. I am ordering a new bridge piece and will try to correct this.

I have never done this but i dont think it can be that hard. I'll but two to be sure.

martinedwards

this is how.......

I sell bone saddle blanks on ebay, but it'd prolly be bad to post a link here.......

http://martinedwardsluthier.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/making-bone-saddle-for-acoustic-guitar.html

and anyway, you got a setup and they left you with a dead pick-up?

take it back to the clowns who damaged it and demand a duel!!!!

topcatcbr

martinedwards wrote: »

this is how.......

I sell bone saddle blanks on ebay, but it'd prolly be bad to post a link here.......

http://martinedwardsluthier.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/making-bone-saddle-for-acoustic-guitar.html

and anyway, you got a setup and they left you with a dead pick-up?

take it back to the clowns who damaged it and demand a duel!!!!

Does a bone bridge make a big difference over the plastic type.

I bought the guitar 2nd hand. I just ordered two blanks from thoamann just in case I mess one up. I am a carpenter so I don't think it will be a big issue. Ill place it alongside the existing one and add 2mm to the side that's wrong and mark it across then cut leaving a little to sand off.

I thing that should do it. I imagine it won't take more than 15 min. But I could be wrong. Hence blank no two.

Thanks for help.

martinedwards

make a difference?

yup!

you'll get the intonation spot on too which will be a big help.

don't forget to do it with new strings.