Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Fishman pickup problem

  1. #1
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Grants Pass Oregon
    Posts
    12

    Fishman pickup problem

    I recently bought an electric acoustic guitar and got a great deal due to the electronics not operating correctly. It has a Fishman system in it and operates on a 2 AA battery source. I got it home and even the tuner was dead so I replaced the batteries. I plugged it in and it worked awesome I probably jammed on it for about an hour. My wife got home and I went to show her how it sounded and I get nothing but the tuner still works. Typically the syndrome on theses is initial function then fade to no sound, but this is just dead. So I get messing around I notice that if I tap directly on the saddle sound transfers but nothing when the strings are plucked. I then removed the input jack and pre amp and wiggled the connections no change. I also removed the saddle to inspect the piezo pickup and I get plenty of response fro the pickup when handling it. I shaved the bottom side of the saddle down to drop action a bit and make sure there was a nice clean flat surface to the piezo. I put it all back together and same syndrome. I was wondering anyone can help troubleshoot or knows the culprit component. I can replace the system for a really low price but would like to keep totally original if I can. Thanks in advance, Rick

  2. #2
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    spanish for lard.
    Posts
    8,605

    Re: Fishman pickup problem

    That sounds like a real hassle! From what you've described, I would check the connection of the wires at the piezo. IDK without having it in my hands, it's always so hard to troubleshoot online! It seems like you have plenty of output when you're holding the piezo? Then I would start there and move backwards. Usually, the output jack is to blame, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Maybe the leads going into the pickup are pinched and shorting out?
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  3. #3
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Grants Pass Oregon
    Posts
    12

    Re: Fishman pickup problem

    Ok thanks I will check all the connections real well and if I seem to get nowhere, I always have the option of installing a newer system. Yeah troubleshooting is a not real easy online, I was just hoping to stumble across someone that had already been thru my particular issue. For this system there is a whole other syndrome they typically go thru when they fail. This particular one is an SST system Ibanez and from what I have read my problems will likely not end here. to replace with the exact match is way out of the price question for me $165 (for stock thru Ibanez) or less than $20 for a complete new setup (Ebay from China where they are made anyway). I only paid $75 for the guitar and it's a great acoustic right now. So I guess I'll play around with the connections and see what is in store for this guitar.

  4. #4
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    spanish for lard.
    Posts
    8,605

    Re: Fishman pickup problem

    Honestly, if you bought the guitar for $75, then I wouldn't really worry about "original"... Sounds like a "player's guitar" and not a collectible. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but we're talking about an Ibanez, not a Pre War Martin or vintage Gibson or something like that.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  5. #5
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Grants Pass Oregon
    Posts
    12

    Re: Fishman pickup problem

    Absolutely a player not a collector by any stretch just an everyday Ibanez single cutaway. I just have the habit of trying to keep it all as it came if I can. I have no qualms about upgrading it, and will likely do so. Before I stumbled across this one I was seriously considering putting a Fishman system in an old classical I have, it sounds beautiful and I really didn't want to chance it changing by me cutting a hole or two in it.

  6. #6
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Grants Pass Oregon
    Posts
    12

    Re: Fishman pickup problem

    Does this sound right? I replaced the strings (I broke the G string messing with it), and all I had laying around was an old set of cheap electric strings. I got it all tuned in and plugged in just out of curiosity, and low and behold the pick up works just fine. I looked at the strings I replaced and noticed like a plastic or nylon coating on them. So I'm really not sure whether I just got lucky and if that was all there was to it, or if somehow I bumped something just the right way and now it's fixed (temporarily). I'm going to go get a much heavier set of strings and hope for the best for now, but if that is sounding like a possible issue as to why it wasn't working please let me know I'd appreciate it.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •