SPECIFICATIONS
Body
Ash
Neck
Maple
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Neck Radius
12"
Scale length
25 ½"
Frets
22 medium jumbo
nickel / silver
Bridge
Custom Wilkinson
®
bridge featuring
Fishman
®
piezo
pickups
Magnetic Pickups
Parker custom
wound alnico pickups
Piezo System
Fishman
®
active
preamp/mixer
Stereo Output Jack Fishman
®
"Smart
Switching" jack
Controls
Magnetic Pickup
Volume, Tone, and 5-
way Pickup Selector
Switch
Piezo Volume,
3-way Magnetic / Piezo
Selector Switch
FEATURES & CONTROLS
C
ONTROL
D
ESCRIPTION
Along with the familiar Volume, Tone, and Magnetic Pickup selector found on most electric guitars,
the P-38 also has controls for Piezo Volume and a Piezo / Magnetic Pickup Selector.
“S
MART
S
WITCHING
” O
UTPUT
J
ACK
A special active circuit, featuring a "Smart Switching" output jack, automatically senses whether a
stereo or mono jack is inserted. This circuit makes it possible to mix (sum) the piezo and magnetic
pickup signals, by automatically sensing the output cable, and play both sounds through a single
amp, or split them to two separate amps or mixers.
1. M
ONO
G
UITAR
C
ABLE
When a standard mono guitar cable is inserted, the guitar's two signals (magnetic and
piezo) are automatically mixed (summed). Both sounds can be played through a sin-
gle guitar amplifier or mixer.
2. S
TEREO
C
ABLE
When a stereo guitar cable is inserted, the guitar's two signals (magnetic and piezo)
are automatically split into stereo. The special stereo “Y” cable provided with the gui-
tar allows you to send the two signals to two separate amplifiers. The piezo pickup will
sound its best through a PA, an acoustic guitar amp, a keyboard amp, or some other
high-fidelity unit.
B
ATTERY
The 9-volt battery that powers the Fishman
®
piezo pre-amplifier has a life of approximately 150
hours. The circuit switches on when a cable is plugged into the guitar, so to conserve batteries,
unplug the cable when you're not playing your P-38.
NOTE: To replace the battery, unscrew the small battery cover on the back of the guitar.
P
IEZO
F
REQUENCY
R
ESPONSE
Piezo pickups have a far greater treble response than magnetic pickups. Some amps have no
trouble with the additional high frequency output, but others may distort. If this happens, either
lower the piezo volume at the guitar or amp, or try lowering the treble control of the amp.
G
ROUND
L
OOPS
Sometimes when using two amps, there may be a loud hum when the guitar is plugged into the
second amp. This hum is caused by a ground loop. This ground loop isn't the fault of the guitar (or
the amps for that matter), but rather the result of essential electrical safety code requirements.
Ground loops can occur whenever two pieces of electronic equipment are connected.
NOTE: Do Not Disconnect Or Otherwise Attempt To Defeat Ground Connections On Your
Electrical Equipment !!
There is ONLY ONE safe way to rid yourself of ground loops: Use a Direct Box with a ground
lift to isolate the two amps. Plug the magnetic end of the stereo "Y" cable into one amp and the
piezo end into the Direct Box. Plug the Direct Box's output into a balanced input on the second
amp.
A
DJUSTING
Y
OUR
P
ARKER
G
UITAR
If you're unfamiliar with adjusting instruments, we suggest that you take your guitar to a qualified
guitar technician. He or she can help demonstrate these adjustments and you can decide which
ones you are comfortable making yourself and which ones you might prefer to have made profes-
sionally.
Magnetic Pickup Volume
5-Way Magnetic Pickup Selector
Magnetic Pickup Tone
3-Way Piezo / Magnetic Pickup Selector
Piezo Volume
Forward: Magnetic Pickups Only
Middle: Combination
Back: Piezo Pickups Only
Forward: Neck Single Coil
Middle and Neck Single Coils (Hum-canceling)
Middle: Middle Single Coil
Inside Coil of Bridge Humbucker and Middle Single Coil (Hum-canceling)
Back: Bridge Humbucker
