7
of the guitar (see pictures). When using A3T 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.
6.2 Drilling hole for UST
For UST check the inside of the guitar to find the position of the
braces. Drill a preferably 30 - 45 degrees angled, 2.3 mm (.09”)
or 3 mm (.12”) hole (depending on the model of your B-Band
UST) for the transducer into the one end of the saddle slot.
Be
careful not to damage the braces!
In case you cannot make
the hole angled, because of possible damage to the braces, you
can make it straight down.
It is very important to smooth the edge of the hole using a bit
of rolled sandpaper or a small file, to avoid pinching the UST as
the saddle lies on it. For A3T preamp you must drill the hole at
the low-E string side of the slot.
6.3 Making holes for A3T preamp
Find a good position for the preamp at the side of the guitar.
Be sure that the position is so, that when the holes are drilled
that the holes, and the preamp structure, do not interfere with
the any of the guitar braces or supports. For this installation
it is very important to check inside the guitar body that there
is enough clearance for the preamp at the side between the
soundboard and the back of the guitar. Be sure to check that
the transducer will reach the preamp from its position under the
saddle and / or bridge area.
The sides of the guitar where the preamp will be installed
should be inspected for accessibility and stability. Inside some
guitars there is kerfed lining (the wood reinforcement between
the back and sides inside the guitar) and other reinforcements
that may make the area too small to install the A3T. If these
reinforcements are altered it may cause instability at the gui-
tar’s side.
Guitars with solid sides or that have very thin sides may not be
stable after cutting a hole to fit the A3T. It may be necessary to
reinforce this area from the inside of the guitar with an extra
piece of plywood before cutting or drilling holes. The thickness
of the guitar side should be at least 2 mm (.08”) and preferably
2.5 - 3 mm (.10” - .12”). If needed glue in a piece of plywood of
suitable thickness to reinforce that area.
Cover the planned installation area with masking tape and mark
the area with a pencil using the provided preamp hole-cutting
template at the end of these instructions. Prepare the guitar for
cutting the preamp hole with the rotary wood router by securing
it in some way so that the guitar does not move while doing the
cutting. Cut out the area for the preamp using the rotary wood
router with a sharp 3 mm (.12”) cutting bit. Do this slowly and
very carefully so the router’s cutting bit does not accidentally
move outside the area that you have marked with the guide.
Smooth the edges of the finished hole with a small file or sand
paper and remove the masking tape.
