www.fishman.com
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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
Check your guitar’s original bridge against the
provided Fishman Powerbridge Drilling Template
by lining up the string through-holes and pickup
location (VT / AST), the bridge mounting posts
(TOM), the 6 bridge mounting screws (VMV) or
the 2 vibrato pivot screws (TSV / VS50P).
Only proceed with installation if the bridge fi ts your
instrument.
Installation
1. These installation instructions assume the
Powerbridge will replace an existing bridge on your
instrument. If you are installing the Powerbridge on
a new instrument, with no hardware, please install
the bridge by your preferred method, using the
provided drilling and routing templates and
hardware. Note that all Powerbridge products
should be separately grounded in addition to
the shield of the Powerbridge signal wire using a
traditional string-ground.
2. Remove the existing bridge. Make sure your string-
ground wire does not contact the circuit board on
the bottom of the bridge.
3. For AST and VT bridges only, Drill the
7
⁄
64
”
mounting holes on your instrument, and fasten
the lead pickup onto the baseplate of the bridge.
4. Route the Powerbridge’s coaxial signal wire to the
control cavity.
5. Mount your bridge to the instrument using the
original pivot screws or posts, if applicable. Remove,
plug and replace the original mounting hardware
with the provided Fishman mounting hardware only
if needed.
Wiring options
There are several different ways to wire the
Powerbridge. Choose the option that best suits
your needs.
Powerchip active onboard blending
An active onboard preamp, such as the Fishman
Powerchip (available separately) may be used in
order to combine the magnetic and Powerbridge
signals to a single mono output on board the
instrument. If you are installing the Powerbridge with
the Powerchip, refer to the Powerchip installation
instructions in order to complete your Powerbridge
installation.
Powerbridge & magnetic pickups wired
directly to a stereo jack
1. Connect the Powerbridge signal wire directly to
the Ring terminal on the supplied stereo jack.
2. Connect the Powerbridge and magnetic grounds
to the Sleeve terminal.
3. Connect the magnetic signal wire to the Tip
terminal.
Passive volume for the Powerbridge
This circuit is easily assembled from “stock” guitar
pots and components available at any electronics
parts retailer.
You will need:
• 250k audio taper pot
• 330k resistor
• 820pF capacitor
• 1500pF capacitor
This network will attenuate the Powerbridge so that
it better matches levels between magnetic and
piezo pickups. You can expect a 14dB (nominal)
decrease in Powerbridge output with this circuit.
Note: Optional 3-way selector switch—if desired, a
single pole, double throw (spdt) 3-way switch can
also be added for piezo / magnetic pickup selection.
Use a switch with an on-off-on orientation.
POWERBRIDGE
INSTALLATION GUIDE
Sleeve
Ring
Tip
Stereo Jack
Optional 3-Way
Selector Switch
Mag
Both
Piezo
ON
ON
OFF
Magnetic
Signal
Powerbridge
Direct Wiring
250K − 300K
Audio Taper P ot
Sleeve
Ring
Tip
330 K
820 pF
Optional 3-Way
Selector Switch
Mag
Both
Piezo
O
N
O
F
F
O
N
Stereo
Output
Jack
Magnetic
Signal
Powerbridge
1500 pF
Passive Volume
514-300-113 Rev A 5-09
