Fishman VTB Installation Guide

www.fishman.com

VTB
INSTALLATION GUIDE

Active Volume, Bass

& Treble Controls

for Fishman

Acoustic Matrix Natural I,

Acoustic Matrix Natural II

and Powerjack preamps.

System Requirements

These instructions support installation with the

following systems:

• Fishman Acoustic Matrix Natural I &II—
between Rev. 4.0 and 6.0

• Fishman Powerjack—Rev. 2.3

• Martin Gold Plus—between Rev. 4.0 and 6.0

• Martin Active Jack—Rev. 2.3

Please note that revision numbers for each
pickup are printed on the circuit board inside
the endpin jack.

Do not attempt to install the VTB with
the discontinued Acoustic Matrix Natural
or the Acoustic Matrix Hot preamps or
similar versions of the Martin Gold Plus
systems. These systems can be identified
by the rectangular metal box that encases
the electronics.

Fishman Acoustic Matrix and
Martin Gold Plus—Rev. 6.0:

1. Remove “000” jumper.

2. Thread cable assembly through barrel and solder
as indicated.

Fishman Acoustic Matrix and
Martin Gold Plus—Rev. 5.0, 5.3:

1. Remove the components from the endpin
preamp as indicated

Installation

Warning! Installation of the VTB is meant to be

performed only by a professional repairperson.

1. Locate the controls on the top of the instrument’s
shoulder, on the bass-side adjacent to the neck.
Check for interference with the internal structural
components, such as the neck block, the top braces
or the lining. When you choose a location, be aware
the VTB knobs must clear the interior lining of the
guitar case. The single-shaft control is for volume
and the dual shaft control is for bass (outer knob)
and treble (inner knob).

2. Reinforce the mounting area with a backing
strip of thin veneer glued to the inside of the
guitar. Use the included drilling template to size
the backing strip.

3. Fasten the template to locate 3⁄8” (9.5mm) holes.

2. Solder the new 2k resistor (supplied with your VTB)
to the preamp circuit board in place of the capacitor

3. Thread cable assembly through barrel and solder
as indicated.

1

Fishman Acoustic Matrix and
Martin Gold Plus—Rev. 4.0:

1. Remove the components from the endpin
preamp as indicated

2. Solder the new 2k resistor (supplied with your
VTB) to the preamp circuit board

3. Thread cable assembly through barrel and solder
as indicated.

Installation (continued)

4. Remove the endpin preamp and locate the
revision number on the circuit board. Follow the
soldering instructions that apply to the revision.

Warning: The surface-mount components on the
endpin preamp can be easily overheated with a hot
iron. Use only a low-wattage soldering iron and take
care not to overheat the components.

5. Fasten the VTB as shown:

Fishman Powerjack and
Martin Active Jack—Rev. 2.3:

1. Remove the “000” jumper from the endpin
preamp.

2. Thread cable assembly through barrel and solder
as indicated.

Electrical Specifications

Typical current consumption @ 9Vdc: 0.85mA

Typical 9V alkaline battery life

with Acoustic Matrix preamp: 500 hours

Nominal output impedance: 1k Ohm

Recommended load impedance: 10k Ohm
and above

Signal gain (tone flat, volume at maximum): 0dB (unity)

Maximum output level (1% THD @ 3kHz): +8dBV

Bass control (Outer shaft of dual pot):

Treble control (Inner shaft of dual pot):

Cable Color Code:

White: VTB Input Red : +9V
Black: VTB Output

Because we continually make improvements to our
products, the specifications in this guide are subject
to change without notice.

Copper shield: +Ground

±12dB @ 100Hz

±14dB @ 11kHz

www.fishman.com

513-000-008 Rev B 11-06