F
P
I S H M A N
O W E R B R I D G E
Passive Setup
Stereo Output Jack
(Tip/Ring/Sleeve)
Powerbridge™ Signal
Pure Magnetic Signal
(Ring)
(Tip)
Active
D.I.
PA / Recording Console
Electric Guitar Amp
Active Setup
• Active Setup - Powerchip™
With our onboard Powerchip™, you can mix and combine both the Powerbridge™
and magnetic pickups (on the guitar) and plug right into a single channel guitar
amplifier. You can also instantly split signals by simply changing to a stereo cable or
stereo "Y" cable.
See the Powerbridge™ System Users Guide
for Powertronics™ descriptions.
Powerchip™
Mono Instrument Cable
™
P
I
I C K U P
N S T A L L A T I O N
Bridge Installation
• Strat
®
Style Guitars
The VMV
Powerbridge™ is a direct replacement for Fender
Stratocasters
®
with a 2.22" (E to E, center to center) pivot screw
spacing. Note that some non-USA Strats
®
have a smaller pivot screw
spacing and will require plugging and re-drilling these holes to
"vintage" Fender
®
specifications.
See Fig 1
• Instrument Builders
Refer to the enclosed drilling template to locate the six (6) pivot screw
holes.
FIG 1 - Locate the 6 pivot screws
2.220"
(56.38 mm)
Center Line of Guitar
.444"
(11.29 mm)
.705"
(17.9 mm)
3.085"
(78.35 mm)
Routing the Powerbridge™
•
Pickup Wire
• With a 3/32" (2.4 mm) aircraft bit, drill a hole from the vibrato cavity
to the control cavity.
• Route the Powerbridge™ Pickup wire through this hole. See Fig 2
If you prefer, you may route the Powerbridge™ Pickup wire through
the guitar's ground wire channel. If you do so, secure the
Powerbridge™ Pickup wire so that it cannot be pinched by the
springs or the bridge block.
FIG 2 - Hole for Powerbridge™ Signal Wire
Drill 3/32"
(2.4 mm) Hole
from Vibrato Cavity
to Control Cavity
Wiring Instructions
G
U I D E
• Preliminary Notes
To prevent 60 Hz hum, the entire Powerbridge™ Pickup signal path should be fully shielded. The control cavity, jack cavity, and any non-conductive surface to which the controls
are mounted (such as a plastic pickguard) must be shielded with adhesive-backed foil or conductive paint. The shielded cavities should then be grounded.
For complete hum prevention, the included stereo jack must also be shielded. To do this, we've included a piece of shielding foil. Note that one side is insulated. After you have
®
soldered the wires to the jack, roll the foil into a tube so that the insulation is on the INSIDE and surround the stereo jack with the tube. Connect the foil side of the tube to ground
by soldering it to the shielding of the Powerbridge™ Pickup wire or to a jumper that is connected to any ground.
If your instrument has active magnetic pickups (requiring an onboard battery), you will need a special 9 Pin Switching Jack (Fishman Part Number ACC-PBR-9PJ), available
through your Fishman dealer.
FIG 3 - Bend Jack Terminals
7/64" (2.75 mm)
Diameter Holes
.535" (13.58 mm)
FIG 4 - Align Tip Terminal
1"
(25.4 mm)
• Wiring Options
There are several different ways to wire the Powerbridge™.
Choose the option that best suits your needs.
Powerbridge™ & Magnetic Pickups wired directly
to a Stereo Jack
1. Connect the Powerbridge™ signal wire directly to the Ring terminal on the supplied
stereo jack.
2. Connect the Powerbridge™ and magnetic grounds to the Sleeve terminal.
3. Connect the magnetic signal wire to the Tip terminal.
4. Connect the included 5 M
resistor between the ring and sleeve terminals.
Passive Volume for the Powerbridge™
This circuit that is easily assembled from "stock" guitar pots and components avail-
able at any electronics parts retailer.
You will need:
• 250 k audio taper pot
• 330k resistor
• 820 pF capacitor
• 1500 pF capacitor
This network will attenuate the Powerbridge™ so that it better matches levels
between magnetic and piezo pickups. You can expect a 14 dB (nominal) decrease in
Powerbridge™ output with this circuit.
NOTE: Optional 3-Way Selector Switch - If desired, a single pole, double
throw (spdt) 3-way switch can also be added for piezo/magnetic pickup selection.
Use a switch with an ON-OFF-ON orientation (no, this is not a misprint)
NOTE: Active Onboard Blending
A Fishman Powerchip™ (not included) must be installed if you wish to blend/mix
piezo and magnetic signals onboard the instrument.
FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS
340-D Fordham Road Wilmington MA 01887 USA
Phone 978-988-9199 • Fax 978-988-0770
www.fishman.com
• Install the Stereo Jack
The jack can fit into the jack cavity without removing wood ...
1 Bend the terminals of the included stereo jack toward its center. See Fig 3
2 Rotate the jack to locate the Tip terminal exactly at the upper left side of the jack plate recess.
See Fig 4
Magnetic
Signal
Magnetic
Volume
Tip
Stereo Jack
Direct Wiring
250K - 300K
Audio T aper Pot
820 pF
330 K
1500 pF
1500 pF
TM
Magnetic Signal
®
Passive Volume
Optional 3-Way
Selector Switch
Both
Mag
Piezo
Sleeve
Ring
ON
OFF
ON
Optional 3-W
Selector Swit
Both
Mag
Piezo
Sleeve
Ring
O
O
O
F
Tip
N
N
F
Stereo
Output
Jack
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