B-BAND LTD, B-BAND, INC. AND B-BAND GMBH WILL NOT BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, PERSONAL INJURIES OR
LIABILITIES RESULTING FROM INSTALLATIONS, IMPROPERLY
DONE INSTALLATIONS OR MISUSE OF PRODUCT.
Read all of these instructions closely before starting installation.
B-Band pickups (UST and AST) work with all B-Band A-series
preamps.
After installation the UST pickup can have very high output, enough
to overdrive the B-Band preamp input, causing distortion. The UST
will lower in output, under pressure of the saddle, in 1 to 3 days.
Do not cut, pull, crimp or bend at a sharp angle any B-Band trans-
ducers.
B-Band UST and AST CANNOT be shortened or altered in any way.
This will cause audible hum and void the warranty.
Long-time exposure of UST or AST to high temperatures (over
50 °C / 120 °F) may reduce the output level permanently.
B-Band pickups will only work with B-Band preamps. B-Band
preamps will work with most any external audio preamps, mixers,
instrument amplifiers, and most other audio devices.
Before installation make sure instrument is in good working con-
dition.
Do not mount battery holder to preamp.
Even with the battery secure in the holder or the battery box lid
closed, the battery could get loose when transported. We strongly
recommend removing the battery before transporting the instru-
ment in heavy conditions, for example, with freight companies or
airlines, to avoid possible damage to the instrument.
When doing any drilling, sawing, cutting or routing at the guitar,
be sure to secure the guitar so it will not move when doing such
work.
2. OVERVIEW OF B-BAND UST AND AST PICKUP TRANS-
DUCERS
Both the B-Band UST (Under-Saddle Transducer) and AST
(Acoustic Soundboard Transducer) pickups use the same-pat-
ented transducer technology.
The UST and AST are very flexible, but you should never pull or
bend them at a sharp angle.
B-Band pickups themselves do not require electrical power, as
they are permanently charged electrets. Because of the very
high output impedance (typical for condenser microphones) B-
Band UST and AST always require a B-Band preamp.
Standard piezo preamps will not work properly with B-Band
pickups. This kind of device combination will produce low out-
put and poor bass response.
The active portion of the B-Band UST pickup is 80 mm (3.15”)
from the end of the transducer at the opposite side of the con-
nector.
The active portion of the 1470 AST is the 14 x 70 mm (.55” x
2.75”) area that attaches to the guitar.
The rest of the UST and the “lead” wire of the AST are not ac-
tive. However, for best performance always keep the inactive
portion of either UST or AST pickup from touching each other,
or touching or rubbing on the inside of the guitar, or touching
the battery or output jack wires. These can produce unwanted
handling noise.
UST and Model sizes:
Saddle width: 2.3 – 2.9 mm (.090” - .115” (3/32”)) use
B-Band model #: 22R
UST width: 2.3 mm (.090” (3/32”))
Saddle width: 3.0 mm (.118” (1/8”)) or more use
B-Band model #: 29R
UST width: 3.0 mm (.118” (1/8”))
