The 50/50 Rule; Prepare The Saddle Slot - Fishman AG-094 Installation Manual

AG Series -
AG Series -

The 50/50 Rule

We have found that there is a critical relationship between the overall saddle height
and the bridge slot depth. For adequate mechanical coupling and pickup balance,
we recommend that the saddle slot depth (with pickup installed) measures no more
than 50% of the total height of the saddle. If the slot measures more than 50% of
the total height of the saddle, balance and/or output level may suffer. In these
cases, add a hardwood shim under the pickup. To determine the shim's thickness,
subtract ½ the total saddle height from the slot depth, then remove an equal amount
of material from the bottom of the saddle.
Exception to the 50/50 Rule: Pickups in bridges (especially Martin style 3/32" width) with
exceptionally steep string break angle will generally perform well, even if the saddle slot depth
measures more than 50% of the total saddle height.
P
REPARATION
I • Prepare the Saddle Slot
A large percentage of string balance problems with undersaddle pickups can be
traced to an unevenly cut or warped saddle slot. Irregularities on the bottom or
sides of the slot can often prevent the saddle from uniformly pressurizing the pickup.
For this reason, we strongly recommend that before you install any undersaddle
pickup, re-mill an existing slot with a plunge router, jigged up in an appropriate slot
cutting fixture.
Passive Guitar Pickup
Passive Guitar Pickup
Mechanical Factors Affecting Pickup Performance - Continued
NO MORE THAN 50%
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