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 A6T preamp you must drill the hole at the
low-E string side of the slot.
6.3 Making mounting hole for A6T 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 A6T. If these reinforce-
ments are altered it may cause instability at the guitar’s side.
Guitars with solid sides or that have very thin sides may not be
stable after cutting a hole to fit the A6T. 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.
6.4 Installing battery holder
Before installing the battery holder it should be checked by in-
serting a 9-volt battery in and out of it to learn how it works.
Once this is checked, find a convenient place inside the guitar
where the battery holder can be reached and that there is good
access to the snap. Also check that it is in a place that the bat-
tery can be put in and out easily.
Recommended places are at the neck block or at the back of
the guitar.
Be sure that the entire adhesive surface will make full contact
with surface you are attaching it to. Clean the surface with a
moist cloth and let the moist dry completely. Remove the pro-
tective liners of the adhesive and install it. Press firmly for about
30 seconds to make it secure. It takes 72 hours for the adhesive
to achieve its final holding ability.
