Fishman V-200 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

V-200

PROFESSIONAL

VIOLIN PICKUP

Includes 1/4” Output Jack

V-200 PROFESSIONAL

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 508-988-9665.

The FISHMAN V-200 is the finest piezoelectric violin transducer avail­able. It’s design is based on that of the FISHMAN V-100 with the added
benefits of the CARPENTER 1/4" Output Jack.

The V-200 is a bridge mounted, piezo-ceramic pickup. It senses string
vibrations via a single piezo element, fastened to the instrument's wing
slot with a patented floating mount.

The V-200 installs in minutes, with only minor alterations required. Its
low mass minimizes any damping or muting that could affect the instru­ment's acoustic tone. The V-200 provides a natural, acoustic sound for
arco or pizz playing styles.

The CARPENTER JACK was designed by noted repairman Fred
Carpenter. This professional-quality 1/4" violin pickup jack, molded into
an attractive housing, attaches to the lower bout with chinrest hardware.
It makes a perfect mounting point for adding a microphone and does not
affect the instrument’s acoustic tone. It also makes it easy to use a cable
with a right angle plug. The CARPENTER JACK has become extremely
popular with many of today’s finest touring and session musicians.

PARTS

• V-200 Violin Pickup

• Carpenter 1/4” Output Jack

• Chinrest Adjustment Key

CAUTION

As might be expected of a high performance, vibration-sensing trans­ducer, the FISHMAN V-200 should be handled with care, particularly dur­ing installation. However, once installed as instructed below, this device
is well protected from abuse and should provide years of trouble-free
service.

2

V-200 PROFESSIONAL

PRELIMINARY

1. Remove all rosin deposits

from the bridge of the
instrument.

2. Examine the bridge closely

to make sure that the wing
slots are free of warps or
irregularities and that the
slots present flat parallel
faces.

INSTALLATION

Measure the opening of the wing slot on the bridge with a vernier caliper.
The opening should be between .060-.090" (1.5-2.3mm) for proper fit.
If the wing slot measures less than .060" (1.5 mm), employ a qualified
repairman to enlarge the wing slot.
If the wing slot measures more than .090 inch (2.3 mm), a small wooden
shim may be required. If so, use an adhesive to bond the shim to the "leg"
face.
Slide the Transducer into the wing slot of the bridge (See Fig.1). Make cer­tain that the sensing element is in contact with the wing face and that the
spring is in contact with the corresponding "leg" face of the bridge.
The spring (made of tempered beryllium copper) provides the proper ten­sion for a snug fit in wing slots ranging from .060 inch to .090 inch (1.2 mm
to 2.3 mm).

NOTE: For best performance, the wing slot opening should be exactly .070"

(1.8mm).

FIG. 1

INSTALLING THE CARPENTER JACK

After fitting the pickup to the violin, locate the jack to the left of the chinrest
on your violin (See Fig. 2) and tighten it with the enclosed chinrest key (See
Fig. 3). Be careful not to scratch the side of your violin.

3

FIG. 2

VIOLIN / VIOLA PICKUP

FIG. 3

FINE TUNING

Once the V-200 is properly mounted,
plug the instrument into an amplifier
and play at a low volume. Carefully
shift the V-200 a small distance within
the slot and test using the trial and
error method, listening for the the best
location.

NOTE: If installation is to be perma-

nent, a small drop of adhesive on the
side (lower face) of the transducer can
be used.

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:

PLUGGING IN

4

V-200 PROFESSIONAL

The V-200 will sound best when plugged directly into an input with a 10 M
ance. At 10 M
V-200 can also be plugged into inputs as low as 1 M

Ω

M

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 vir tually any instrument level audio input available.

Fishman Transducers manufactures a complete line of compatible preamps, all with
10 M

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AMPLIFIERS

Most musical instrument amplifiers (at least 1 MΩinput impedance) will yield use­able results. Acoustic instrument amplifiers (such as the Fishman Acoustic
Performer Pro) have a 10 M

DIRECT BOXES

You can plug the V-200 into an "active" direct box (1- 10 MΩinput) 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 V-200; 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.

Ω

, the full frequency response of the instrument is reproduced. The

, the bass frequencies will be slightly rolled off.

Ω

inputs:

MODEL G - Acoustic Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ - 4 Band Acoustic Instrument Preamp
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. - Fully Parametric Two Band Preamp/D.I.
ACOUSTIC BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup/Mic Preamp
POCKET BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup/Mic Preamp

Ω

Piezo input; ideally matching the pickup.

Ω

with adequate results. At 1

Ω

imped-

5

LIMITED WARRANTY

The FISHMAN V-200 PROFESSIONAL VIOLIN 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 factor y
inspection. Products retur ned 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.

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.

340-D Fordham Road Wilmington MA 01887 USA

FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS

Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

www.fishman.com

®

009-015-004 1-97