2. Installing the Piezo-Pickup
Caution:
the pickup-strip is delicate.
Avoid bending this component.
• Check that the top bracing does not con-
flict with the projected pickup cable hole
through the saddle slot.
•
Verify that the slot depth (including pick-
up) always remains more than half of the
total saddle height. Not enough space for
the saddle can cause bridge cracks.
Check with your qualified luthier.
• Make sure that the pickup fits the slot and
does not tilt within.
• Check the saddle. The materials, bone,
Delrin® and Micarta® require different
attention. You may consider getting
a replacement saddle to work on, keeping
the original untouched.
The saddle-slot needs to be completely
flat and the saddle rectangular and flat.
Even if both are flat, some adjustments
towards pickup signal balance may be
necessary. In some cases the balance
between the strings of the acoustic instru-
ments is not even – the pickup just reflects
this and needs compensation to increase
the string-pressure.
Loosen the strings and clamp them with
e.g. a capo to prevent them hindering you
at your task. Remove the string-pins, the
saddle and the endpin. Depending on
what work needs to be done, use paper
masking tape to protect the surface of
your instruments around bridge and
endpin. Always check the tape for possible
residue on your guitar first at a ‘safe’ spot.
