Fishman ELLIPSE AURA INSTALLATION GUIDE

ELLIPSE AURA
INSTALLATION GUIDE

www.fishman.com

Read Me First!

Installation of this product is a simple procedure,
but we recommend this job only if you are an
experienced repair technician.

Requirements

Saddle slot:

Minimum saddle slot length: 2.775” (70.48mm)
Maximum E to E string spacing at saddle: 2.5”

(63.5mm)

Soundhole

Minimum usable soundhole diameter: 3.875” (98 mm)
Maximum usable soundhole diameter: 4.125” (107 mm)
Maximum X brace height at soundhole: .5” (13mm)

The Ellipse Aura preamp is designed to fi t in

most fl at top guitars without modifi cation, but we
cannot guarantee a drop-in fi t with all instruments.
Before you begin installation, pre-fi t the preamp in
the soundhole. Ideally, the preamp should lie fl at,
with the mounting bracket fl ush to the edge of the
soundhole.

Installation

Attention: Observe precautions for

handling electrostatic sensitive devices!

Install this product only in a static-free work area.

The electronics in this preamp are sensitive to

electrostatic discharge (ESD), also known as static
shock. Even a small static shock during installation
can damage the preamp. Please read and follow
the guidelines below to ensure the preamp is
adequately protected from ESD during installation.

• Wear a grounding strap (connected to a
grounded source) during installation.

• Keep this product in its anti-static packaging
until it is installed.

• Handle the product only by the non-metallic
edges. Avoid touching any of the compo­nents on the circuit board.

Once installed in the guitar, the preamp is
adequately protected from ESD.

Other precautions

• Do not short the battery leads or allow
them to contact the circuit board during
installation or Image upload.

• Do not allow the endpin jack to contact
the circuit board during installation or
Image upload.

• Attach the battery to the battery leads only
after installation is completed.

• When separating the mounting bracket from
the preamp do not pry up the ends of the
bracket (at the magnets) or you will damage
it. See instructions below for separating the
preamp from the mounting bracket.

Preliminary

1. Widen the endpin hole to 15⁄32” (11.9mm) to
accommodate the endpin jack.

2. Drill a 3⁄32” hole (2.4mm) in the saddle slot for
the pickup wire, no less than .100” (2.5mm) from
nearest string. Install the pickup per Acoustic Matrix
installation instructions.

1. Seal the mounting surface

To ensure a strong and reliable bond,

you must now sand, clean and seal the
underside of the soundhole where the
preamp will mount.

1. Sand the underside of the soundhole down to
bare wood. Take care to remove all residual lacquer,
polish and dirt.

2. Use mineral spirits to clean the sanded area.
Remove any excess oil, resin and dust from the
exposed wood. Let the area dry before proceeding
to the next step.

3. Seal the exposed wood with an appropriate coating.

Use only a coating that will bond the
wood fi bers and present a hard, uniform
surface for the adhesive.

We recommend any of the following:

• Hide glue

• All purpose two-part epoxy

• Cyanoacrylate glue (higher viscosity,
non-instant type).

• Carpenter’s glue

Let the area dry before proceeding to the next step.

1

2. Test for fi t

Before exposing the adhesive, test the preamp for
fi t. Locate the module fl ush with the edge of the
soundhole, on the bass side. Center it between the
transverse brace and the bass-side X brace (fi gure 1).
If viewed as a clock face (neck at twelve o’clock), you
will position the phase switch at nine o’clock.

3. Endpin jack

Install the endpin jack per Switchjack Installation
Guide.

Figure 1. Component locations

2