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BP-100
Acoustic Bass Pickup
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BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pic
BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pic
Thank you for your purchase of a FISHMAN product. Please read these
instructions carefully. If you have any questions or problems, contact our
PRODUCT INFORMATION LINE at 978-988-9665.
The BP-100 is a bridge mounted, piezo-ceramic pickup. It senses string
vibrations via two piezo elements, fastened between adjacent string pairs.
The elements are held to the bridge with two felt lined metal clips. The pickup
is terminated to a specially modified Switchcraft 1/4" jack.
The BP-100, reproduces a very deep bass tone with emphasis on the fundamental pitch, unlike most other bass pickups which tend to emphasize the 1st
overtone. The BP-100 responds evenly throughout all playing registers and
resists feedback at high volume levels. The pickup installs non-destructively
in minutes and can easily be transferred to another instrument.
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PARTS LIST
• BP-100 Pickup
• 2 Felt-covered Clips
• 1" Rubber Isolation Plug
• 3/4" Rubber Isolation Plug
• Instrument Cable
INSTALLATION
Prepare the Bridge
1. The area of the bridge where the elements will be mounted must be flat-
tened with a sanding block or a flat file. Otherwise, the performance of the
pickup will be adversely affected. Most problems with the pickup's performance can be remedied by flattening the bridge face.
Use a 120-150 grit sanding block or a file to flatten the area that will make
direct contact with the elements. Check the flatness of the bridge face with
the edge of a steel ruler or single-edged razor blade.
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2. Clean the bridge with alcohol before mounting the elements. Remove all
rosin deposits.
Mount the Pickup
CAUTION: DO NOT PULL OR BEND THE WIRES AT THE BASES OF
THE ELEMENTS. YOU MAY DESTROY THE PICKUP!
1. Slide the pickup wire through the E-string side wing slot.
2. Mount the elements black side up on the side of the bridge that faces the
fingerboard. Center one element between the G and D strings with its
straight edge 1/8" below the top edge of the bridge. Slide a felt-covered
clip over this edge to secure the element. The clip should be pushed tightly
against the top of the bridge. A loose clip may be tightened by squeezing
it before installation.
Install the other element in the same
fashion, centering it
between the A and E
strings. Note that if
the bridge is
beveled at the top
edge, the elements
must be mounted
below the bevel.
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BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pic
BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pic
3. Weave the ground wire over the string ball-ends making sure to contact
each ball.
4. Determine which isolation plug fits snugly into the E-string side wing-hole
on the bridge. Slip the wire
into the slit of the isolation
plug and fit the plug into the
wing-hole.
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FINE TUNING
• Mounting the elements 1/4" to
1/2" below the top edge of the
bridge will produce a different
sound.
• You may fine tune the string
balance by moving the upper
corner of an element closer to
or further from an individual
string.
• Once the optimum position is
determined, the elements
should not be disturbed or
removed from the instrument.
• The mounting clips must be
tight. They should be retightened after installation to compensate for compression of
the felt.
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PLUGGING IN
Due to the nature of passive pickups, the type of cable you use and the input
you plug into will affect the quality of your sound.
INSTRUMENT CABLE
Cable lengths over 10 feet (before preamp) will cause audible high frequency
loss. Use a high quality, low capacitance shielded cable. This will insure minimal tone coloration and hum. Using fully shielded metal plugs will also help
eliminate hum.
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:
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The BP-100 will sound best when plugged directly into an input with a 10 M
impedance. At 10 MΩ, the full frequency response of the bass is reproduced. The BP-100 can also be plugged into inputs as low as 1 10 M
adequate results. At 1 MΩ, the lowest bass frequencies will be slightly rolled
off.
PREAMPS
We strongly recommend using a 10 MΩ, impedance matching, buffered preamp in conjunction with the pickup.
A matching preamp will:
1. Realize the full frequency response potential of the pickup.
2. Permit long cable runs (after the preamp) without signal deterioration.
3. Allow precise volume and tone shaping with dedicated EQ.
4. Insure compatibility with virtually any instrument level audio input available.
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BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pic
BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pic
Fishman Transducers manufactures a complete line of compatible preamps,
all with 10 Meg Ohm inputs:
MODEL BII - Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ II - 4 Band Acoustic Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ PLATINUM - Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp / EQ / D.I.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. - Fully Parametric Two Band Preamp / D.I.
ACOUSTIC / BASS BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup / Mic Preamp
POCKET BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup/Mic Preamp
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BASS AMPLIFIERS
Most bass amplifiers (at least 1 MΩ input impedance) will yield useable
results. Beware of bass amps with pre-voiced electric bass EQ. These amps
will usually sound boomy in the bass and brittle in the top end, even with all
controls set "flat". Pre-voiced EQ can be defeated by plugging directly into
the power amp, (with a buffering preamp) via an effects return jack.
SPEAKERS
Sealed speaker enclosures provide the most punch and uncolored reproduction. Most modern ported enclosures tend to overly interact with the instrument and cause low end emphasis that masks the acoustic quality of the
instrument.
DIRECT BOXES
You can plug the BP-100 into an "active" direct box (1-10 MΩ input) with
very good results. Using a passive direct box will sound weak and thin.
P A / RECORDING CONSOLES
Professional PA and recording consoles have a much lower input impedance
than what is acceptable for the BP-100. For usable results, you will need an
impedance matching preamp. Plugging a passive piezo pickup into a mixer
without an impedance matching preamp will sound harsh and thin.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION
Check the flatness of the bridge face with
the edge of a steel ruler or a single edge
razor blade. If necessary, use a 120-150
grit sanding block or a flat file to level the
area of the bridge face.
Flatten only the area that will make direct
contact with the elements.
Check the instrument's soundpost for fit.
An overly tight soundpost can be
responsible for poor amplified tone.
Make sure that the pickup wire is not touch-
ing the bridge or the top of the instrument.
Unwanted sounds are easily transmitted
through this wire.
Check that the felt covered clips
and the pickup are not in contact
with the strings.
Check the shielding cap and nut
on jack for tightness.
Use only a right angle plug into the
pickup to reduce vibration.
Cracks on your instrument may
create buzzes that are reproduced
by the pickup.
Listen to the instrument acoustically
before blaming the pickup.
Use an impedance matching 10 M
buffer-preamp with the pickup
Pre-voiced EQ can be defeated by
plugging directly into the power amp,
(with a buffering preamp)
via an effects return jack
FEEDBACK
and / or
POOR
TONE
PICKUP
BUZZES
and / or
Mechanical noise from straight plug.
RATTLES
THIN
and HARSH
TONE
Bridge is not flat.
Soundpost is too tight.
Pickup wire touching bridge or top.
Mechanical noise from
felted clips or pickup.
Loose shielding cap or nut on jack.
Mechanical noise from
the instrument.
Impedance mismatch
Bass amp with pre-voiced
electric bass EQ
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Limited WW
®
Limited
The FISHMAN BP-100 Acoustic Bass Pickup 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. FISHMAN retains the right to make such determination
on the basis of factory inspection. Products returned to FISHMAN for repair or
replacement must be shipped in accordance with the Return Policy, as follows. This
warranty remains valid only if repairs are performed by FISHMAN. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which may vary from state
to state.
arranty
arranty
Return Policy
To return products to FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS, you must follow these steps...
1. Call FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS at 978-988-9199 for a Return Authorization
Number (“RAN”).
2. Enclose a copy of the original Bill of Sale as evidence of the date of purchase, with
the product in its original packaging and a protective carton or mailer.
3. FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS’ technicians will determine whether the item is covered
by warranty or if it instead has been damaged by improper customer installation or
other causes not related to defects in material or workmanship.
4. Warranty repairs or replacements will be sent automatically free of charge.
5. If FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS determines the item is not covered by warranty, we
will notify you of the repair or replacement cost and wait for your authorization to
proceed.
F
340-D Fordham Road Wilmington MA 01887 USA
ISHMAN
Phone 978-988-9199 • Fax 978-988-0770
T
RANSDUCERS
www.fishman.com
009-015-001 • 9-00
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