Fishman AG-SERIES User Manual
Installation Guide
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 • 2.3125” String Spacing
AG Series -
AG Series -
Passive Guitar Pickup
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
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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. The pickup senses individual string vibrations with six fully shielded piezo elements. Installation is straight forward and you can plug the AG-Series pickup directly into an
instrument amplifier with great results. For improved performance we recommend one of our
dedicated outboard preamps.
Included with each AG pickup is our versatile Switchjack stereo endpin jack, which enables you
to wire up the AG pickup with another pickup or a microphone for outboard stereo blending
applications.
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT MODEL TRANSDUCER
Before installation, be sure to select the right pickup for your instrument.
AG-125
E to E string spacing = 2.125" (54.0 mm)
Wire hole location = .234" (5.9mm) from closest outside string
The AG-125 is suitable for most instruments
with string spacings from 2.075" (52.7 mm) to
2.175" (55.3 mm)
AGX-125
E to E string spacing = 2.3125" (58.7 mm)
Wire hole location is .234" (5.9mm) from closest outside string
The AGX-125 is suitable for most 6 and 12string instruments with E to E string spacings
from 2.262" (57.4 mm) to 2.362" (59.9 mm)
NOTE: Custom string spacings are available
upon request.
WIDTH: .125" (3.2 mm)
HEIGHT: .048" (1.22 mm)
LENGTH: AG-125: 2.625" (66.67 mm)
AGX-125: 2.725" (69.22 mm)
AG-094
E to E string spacing = 2.125" (54.0 mm)
Wire hole location = .234" (5.9mm) from closest outside string
The AG-094 is suitable for most instruments
with string spacings from 2.075" (52.7 mm) to
2.175" (55.3 mm)
AGX-094
E to E string spacing = 2.3125" (58.7 mm)
Wire hole location is .234" (5.9mm) from closest outside string
The AGX-094 is suitable for most 6 and 12string instruments with E to E string spacings
from 2.262" (57.4 mm) to 2.362" (59.9 mm)
NOTE: Custom string spacings are available
upon request.
WIDTH: .094" (2.3 mm)
HEIGHT: .048" (1.22 mm)
LENGTH: AG-094: 2.625" (66.67 mm) /
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AGX-094: 2.725" (69.22 mm)
Installation Guide
Installation Guide
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.
If you are new to under saddle piezo installations, a comprehensive guide, The Finer Points of
Piezo Installation by Ken Parker, is available at www.fishman.com.
Handle the pickup carefully! Mishandling may result in ground hum or intermittent signal.
Fishman Transducers will not be responsible for any damages to the pickup that may occur
due to misuse or poor installation.
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PREPARATION
Tools
• Caliper • Router with 1/8" (3mm) Straight Bit (single flute)
• 400 Grit Sandpaper or Scraper • Soldering Iron (30 watt max)
• Rosin Core Solder • Wire Strippers
• Masking Tape • X-Acto Saw
• Variable Speed Drill • Center Punch
• 1/8" Twist Drill • 15/32" Spade Bit Drill
• 1/2" Open End Wrench • 3/32" Allen Wrench
MECHANICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PICKUP PERFORMANCE
Break Angle
For the pickup to perform optimally, there should be a 20° (minimum) string break
angle across the back of the saddle. An adequate break angle can be realized by
"ramping" the string slots. In extreme cases, where the break angle is less than
20°and the saddle is so low that it is nearly flush with the top of the bridge, the
instrument probably requires a neck re-set. In these cases, re-setting the neck to a
higher angle will restore the saddle height and the string break angle required for
good pickup performance.
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AG Series -
NO MORE THAN 50%
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AG Series -
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. In these
cases, add a hardwood shim under the pickup. To determine the shim's thickness,
subtract ½ the total saddle height from the slot depth, then remove an equal amount
of material from the bottom of the saddle.
Exception to the 50/50 Rule: Pickups in bridges (especially Martin style 3/32" width) with
exceptionally steep string break angle will generally perform well, even if the saddle slot depth
measures more than 50% of the total saddle height.
Passive Guitar Pickup
Passive Guitar Pickup
Mechanical Factors Affecting Pickup Performance - Continued
PREPARATION
I • Prepare the Saddle Slot
A large percentage of string balance problems with undersaddle pickups can be
traced to an unevenly cut or warped saddle slot. Irregularities on the bottom or
sides of the slot can often prevent the saddle from uniformly pressurizing the pickup.
For this reason, we strongly recommend that before you install any undersaddle
pickup, re-mill an existing slot with a plunge router, jigged up in an appropriate slot
cutting fixture.
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Installation Guide
.234"
(5.9 mm)
.234"
(5.9 mm)
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.
(Or center of the closest pair of outside strings for 12-string models.)
2. Mark the location where the wire will enter the saddle slot. Center the mark
between the walls (width) of the slot. Drill a .09375"(2.4mm) hole.
3. Clear wood chips and foreign materials from the saddle slot
4. Carefully insert the pickup. The wire must slip easily into the wire hole. The pick-
up must fit into the slot without friction or binding.
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