Before removing the strings and bridge pins from the bridge
check to see if the AST will fit at the bridge plate correctly. Also
at this time, clean the bridge plate surface with a moist cloth
and let dry completely.
The cardboard installation template for the 1470 AST is specifi-
cally made for bridges that the saddle is at a slight angle to the
bridge pinholes. It could be that the guide is too long for the
space. If so, the template can be trimmed with scissors slightly
to accommodate this. If the template does not fit the space,
even after trimming, the pickup may be installed by hand. Al-
though the instructions do not specify how to do this, if you
carefully read the instructions you will be able to adapt them
to perform the installation by hand. It really is not that hard or
critical to install if you are careful.
If the pickup does not fit to the bridge plate because the brac-
ing is too close, the pickup can be mounted behind the bridge
plate at the soundboard.
For classical guitars the installation the AST is done by hand
without the guide. For most classical guitars the AST is placed
inside the guitar parallel to center brace that runs parallel to
the strings on the bass strings side at the area between the
bridge and soundhole. Sometimes there is also a flat brace run-
ning parallel under the bridge. The AST should be placed so
that the AST is on the bass side of the brace running parallel
to the strings and that part of the active area of the AST, that
has the lead to the preamp, goes on the brace for the bridge.
If the brace there is too tall put the AST in front of the brace.
Please read the instructions carefully and adapt them to the
installation.
To test fit the 1470 AST in a guitar with a bridge plate, take
the cardboard installation template from the tray in the box.
Note! There is a small 4.5 mm (.18”) round and a 4.5 mm (.18”)
elongated part that both need to be punched out to make their
respected guide holes. The 4.5 mm round guide hole is for the
low “E” bridge pin and the elongated guide hole to fit at the high
“E” bridge pin inside the guitar. Peel away the protective covers
from the two adhesive dots on the cardboard. Do not peel away
the actual AST mounting adhesive protective cover yet!
The placement of the AST is important for connection to the
preamp. For the A6T preamp, the AST’s lead goes away from
the low “E” side of the bridge area and towards the upper bout
of the guitar (see pictures). When using A6T in left-handed gui-
tars the lead of the AST should be turned around, with the red
B-Band logo still up, so it goes the opposite way and will reach
the preamp.
Now mount the AST to the top of the cardboard installation
template at the rectangle AST area inscribed on the cardboard.
Now put the assembly to the bridge pins, with the AST towards
the bridge plate and check the fit. All of the AST’s active area
must fit at the soundhole side of the bridge plate without hang-
ing over the edge of the bridge plate. make sure that there is
enough space that the bridge pins or string ball-ends will not
touch the AST.
Next remove the strings, bridge pins and the saddle. If you are
using a UST, check that it fits into the slot easily and that the
saddle is sufficiently tight in the slot. Remove the strap button.
Carefully enlarge the hole using 12 mm (.47”) endpin reamer or
12 mm (.47”) wood drill bit. Smooth the edge of the hole with a
small file or a sinking drill bit.
