Acoustic guitar preamp replacement advice

[jmather]

Hey everyone,Recently the original preamp in my Takamine acoustic crapped out. The guitar was made in 1979 and my luthier is not able to fix it, nor is the preamp available anymore, too old. I decided to have the Fishman Infinity Matrix installed. The result is horrible - the beautiful low end that the guitar once had when plugged in is gone, and each string is a different volume - low estring and high e string are WAY quieter than the rest and for some reason the b string is way louder. I've brought the guitar back to the luthier twice, he made some small adjustments, mainly adding shims under the saddle. Result: no difference, a sound that is seriously lacking the body and fullness that this guitar has! BIG TIME BUMMER! I've gigged with it like this about 8 times and it is in unaccepted condition. So, what do I do? I'm convinced that the Fishman preamp is not the answer and that maybe I should look into a Takamine preamp. The problem is that the preamps are much bigger these days and so the hole in my guitar will have to made bigger. Does anybody out there have any advice on what to do here? Which takamine preamp may be the best bet? This is an amazing sounding and playing guitar. It's also amazing how this preamp dilemma has turned it into a crappy sounding guitar (when plugged in). I would appreciate any advice! And in the meantime show a little extra love to your preamps, without them you are S.O.L.!!!thanks,Justin

[kskoogs]

Hey Justin,I wonder if the individual string volume issue was addressed first, then it may help with the sound of the pre-amp .(I've dealt with this issue many times in the past being a former guitar repair tech). I also know that it can be a real pain to get the volumes consistent! But, until you get even volume, it may be too difficult to hear past the inconsistencies in volume so as to focus on pre-amp EQ/tone. But, if you're sure that the pre-amp tone is not to your liking, you can try an external pre-amp. (Bummer since you have already spent the money on the Fishman). But, having said that, my experience with Fishman pre-amps are possitive. I own and use one for my live tone and it's as simple as can be and sounds as it should, which makes me think that the string issue should be addressed first.One thing I do know for sure is, that although tricky and difficult to do, getting the string volumes even and consistent is not only possible, but a MUST! Take it back to your tech until it's right. Period. He/she may moan and groan, (I know I always did!) but "satisfaction guaranteed " should be the motto. It's an issue with the saddle bottom and/or saddle slot bottom/sides in the bridge. Both surfaces must be as close to perfect as possible, because the pickup element responds to the up and down vibration of the saddle, and you need exactly the same pressure under each of the strings- and then shims still may be needed. It may be possible that a new saddle be made as well.Also, what exactly happened to the old pre-amp? Are you 100% certain it can't be fixed?I hope this helps, and let me know how it goes. Also, if I think of any more ideas, I'll let you know. Good luck!Skoog

[elser]

I gotta think somebody can fix it. Check around the web, contact somebody like Norm's Rare Guitar's or some other high profile vintage dealer. I know what you mean about those Takamines from that era, the preamps sound great, I still use mine, cuts through any mix.

[devin]

I'm assuming you're using the "under saddle" style pickup...did you replace the pickup element with the model that matches the new Fishman, or wire the existing Takamine pickup to the Fishman pre?Sometimes the Fishman element that goes under the saddle is wider than the bridge saddle, and folks don't bother routing out the guitar and replacing the bridge saddle. I don't know how wide the element is on the Tak...never had the guts to start messing with one!I had the same experience with a BC Rich acoustic (which was an entry level guitar)...and I originally left the original "under-saddle" pickup in, and wired it to a new Fishman pre. Sounded terrible...waay too thin and weak sounding, as the pickup was not being driven correctly by the new Fishman pre.It wasn't a salvageable guitar, so I returned the Fishman and sent the guitar to a friend's cottage for fireside duties. My other option was to route out the guitar, and spend another $100 (at the time) on the matching Fishman element that had the correct impedance for the preamp.Sorry to hear of your troubles Justin with that guitar...I imagine it's like family by now. Maybe find someone who repairs pre-amps and mail out the old preamp first, if you're convinced the Tak pickup is still good (the old ones can be very fragile though, especially where the wires are soldered to the end of the element).

[t4mh]

Oh man, 1979...I hear your pain... No one will make that vintage of chip anymore. You could try an exhaustive search of electronics outlets and stand a very good chance of turning up nothing. You could buy a working Takamine of the same vintage and gut it out...Nothing really works...I have two acoustics by different mfgs with Fishman stuff in them and they both sound really good but then they both have condensers inside along with the bridge pickup. I'm thinking that pickup mfgs have tried hard over the years to build better sounding stuff and that there really should be something out there that should blow the doors off your old preamp. It just needs to be installed and setup properly.I would add that I'm not the person to try to tell you how it should be installed...Good Luck!Keith

[yammer107]

Hey Justin,I was about to make a suggestion, and upon finding you a link discovered something terrible..... http://www.ohio.com/news/41161537.htmlVirgil Lay ( famed guitar repair & inventor of "LAYS Stay in Tune Strings) Died last tuesday. He was the "Les Paul" of Ohio Did work for Joe Walsh, The Eagles, Cream, James gang, etc He had just done some work for my brother days prior. My brother in fact now owns one of the very last guitars he ever touched! Such a shame, I was just thinking of bringing both my guitars down to him. Your issue is more electronic than luthor anyways... perhaps a Takimine system would be better voiced for your guitar.Chris

[jmather]

thanks so much everyone for the advice. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. When I have more time I'll re-read these posts and then decide the plan of attack. I'll keep you all posted. thanks again!Justin