Fishman VTB Installation Manual

I n s t a l l a t i o n G u i d e I n s t a l l a t i o n G u i d e
VTB
Active Volume, Bass & Treble Controls
Use with the Fishman Acoustic Matrix Natural I, Acoustic Matrix Natural II and
Powerjack preamps.
Thank you for purchasing this add-on accessory for your Fishman active pick-
up system. The VTB answers the requests from many customers who asked
for basic volume and tone shaping for their Acoustic Matrix or Powerjack sys-
tems. The spacing of the controls for the VTB is identical to our vintage AGP-
2 preamp. The VTB, along with a new Acoustic Matrix active undersaddle
pickup, makes a great upgrade or replacement for the discontinued AGP-2. If
you have comments or questions, please contact Fishman Customer Service
at www.fishman.com.
Requirements
The VTB is compatible with the following active pickup systems:
• Fishman Acoustic Matrix Natural I &II - Revision 4.0 or higher
• Fishman Powerjack - Revision 2.3 or higher
• Martin Gold Plus- Revision 4.0 or higher
• Martin ActiveJack - Revision 2.3 or higher
Please Note that Revision Numbers for each pickup are printed on the
preamp circuit board inside the endpin jack.
Note: Do not use the VTB with the discontinued Acoustic
Matrix Natural or the Acoustic Matrix Hot preamps or older
revisions of the Martin Gold Plus systems. A rectangular
metal box that encases the electronics identifies these
units.
Installation
Warning! Installation of the VTB is to be performed only by a profes-
sional repairperson.The installer assumes responsibility for any damage
to the instrument, the VTB or the pickup system that may result from
improper installation.
Location
Determine the best location for the VTB on the side of your instrument. We
recommend the flattest possible location. The best spot is usually the top of
the shoulder on the bass-side adjacent to the neck. Avoid a location that may
interfere with the internal structural components, such as the neck block, the
top braces or the kerfed lining. When you choose a location, also be aware
that the VTB knobs must clear the interior surface of the guitar's case.
Drilling Holes
We provide a template to locate the holes for the control shafts.
1. Cut out the template and use it to verify that the VTB will fit at the desired
location inside the guitar.
2. Tape the template at the same location outside the guitar.
3. With a sharp scribe, pierce the template at the center marks for the holes.
4. Remove the template and drill 3/8" (9.5mm) holes through the side of the
guitar.
We recommend a sharp spur bit drill for this operation.
Backing Strip
We strongly advise that you reinforce the VTB mounting area with a piece of
1/16" (1.5mm) thick 1" x 2" (25 x 50mm) wood veneer, glued to the inside of
the guitar. To size the backing strip, trace the drilling template dimensions and
the shaft holes on the veneer.
Assembly
Warning: overheating can easily destroy the circuit board traces and the sur-
face-mount components on the endpin preamp. Use only a low wattage (30
watts max) soldering iron and do not overheat the components.
Fishman Acoustic Matrix & Martin Gold Plus - Rev 5.0 and up
1. Remove the components from the endpin preamp as indicated
2. Solder the new 2k resistor (supplied with your VTB) to the preamp circuit board in place of the
capacitor
3. Thread the VTB cable through the preamp barrel and solder to the preamp circuit board
Shield
Red
White
Fishman Acoustic Matrix & Martin Gold Plus - Rev 4.0
1. Remove the components from the endpin preamp as indicated
Remove
Capacitor
2. Solder the new 2k resistor (supplied with your VTB) to the preamp circuit board
2k Resistor "202"
3. Thread the VTB cable through the preamp barrel and solder to the preamp circuit board
Shield
Red
White
Remove Remove
Capacitor "182" Resistor
2k Resistor "202"
Black
White
Remove
Resistor "182"
Black
White