Avalon Acoustic Guitars

by **Son of Thunder** » 21 Mar 2007, 02:55

Someday soon, I'll be attempting the installation of the above pickup into my L10. Has anyone attempted such a thing? Any pitfalls I should look out for? Any tips would be welcome.

My Lowden was pre-drilled and shimmed for transducer pick-ups. Avalons have shims as well, don't they?

by **Dattan** » 21 Mar 2007, 07:20

Have you downloaded the user guide/manual from Fishmans website? There should be some useful info, if you havenÂ´t got it already.

Best of luck!

by JB » 21 Mar 2007, 08:28

Yup, drilled and shimmed is the norm

by **David** » 21 Mar 2007, 09:54

JB
Are Silvers drilled and shimmed?

by **Son of Thunder** » 21 Mar 2007, 15:45

Thanks for the replies, gents!

by JB » 21 Mar 2007, 16:00

The Silvers are supposed to be atleast shimmed but can't say for certain that all are due to them being made in Korea

by **Son of Thunder** » 30 Mar 2007, 19:09

JB,

I'm nearly done with the install, and am delighted to report that you folks have simplified the job tremendously. I did have to ream out the hole for the end pin just a bit, because it was too snug on the inside of the guitar, but that's the only modification to your set-up that I had to make.

So, THANK YOU!

Now for my question: In an L10, what setting would you recommend for the voicing switch. NT1 or NT2?

by **chris c** » 30 Mar 2007, 20:33

I've been doing some amplified tests with my new L32 12 string, not in a live setting, just at home. It has a Matrix Natural I pu in it, and I have to say I had to cut off quite a lot of bass to prevent boominess and feedback. It worked well with the bass cut, but maybe I needn't do that with a Natural II ? I still have to try it in a live setting to be sure though.
And this is a spruce/rosewood guitar, so it could be different with your L10.

by **Son of Thunder** » 30 Mar 2007, 22:05

Well, the pickup is installed, and so far, I'm impressed, although all I have to play it through at home is a little Fender Squier 15 mini-amp. I'm eager to hear this through a sound system.

I'll have to reserve final judgment until then, but so far, so good. As it is, I just lost an hour playing with the settings!

by **chris c** » 30 Mar 2007, 22:38

the voicing switch. NT1 or NT2

What is this switch exactly ? I'm also interested in the Ellipse blend....

by **Son of Thunder** » 30 Mar 2007, 23:01

Chris,

The switch is near the base of the internal mic on the Ellipse Matrix Blend. As I understand it, the switch adjusts the input from the transducers for more or less bass. The user's guide suggests that the "brighter" setting might be more appropriate for playing with a band, whereas the other, more bassy setting might be better for a solo gig. You should be able to spot the switch at the following link.

http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=86

by **chris c** » 30 Mar 2007, 23:24

Thanks, Son of ! So if I'm not wrong, NT I (more bass) and NT II (brighter) means that you have the choice between the Matrix Natural I and Natural II kind of response. If it is like that, this is definitely a plus of this system.

by **thetree4U** » 31 Mar 2007, 07:21

Here's my two cents, since I have been playing with my L32C for a couple of weeks with this pickup and used it at rehearsal Thursday night with a full band.

My L32C is exceptionally bright on it's own... actually does not have as much bass punch as I'd like... but JB tells me that it will "open up" over the next 6-24 months (meaning the bass will become richer and the treble smoother).

So, after giving some resistance to JB and the Natural I idea (bassier) because I thought it would produce too much bass response, and going with a Natural II (brighter), the setting for the Natural I is preferable with the Ellipse Matrix Blend (at present). As the guitar opens up, I anticipate that I will need to change it, but at least I have the option.

Our sound board was set flat, although I had them bump up the bass to about 1:00, and it warmed it just enough.

Also, I have the mic arm pointed INTO the body instead of toward the sound hole, with the mic facing the top of the guitar.. This seems to be a more feedback resistant setting. So far, so good.

As you guys play around with different setting with your L series guitars, I am interested in what you are learning.

by **Son of Thunder** » 26 Apr 2007, 02:11

On Sunday, I was finally able to use my Avalon with newly installed Ellipse Matrix Blend pickup. I love the sound, especially after I went to the bassier switch setting. The mic seems prone to feedback, perhaps aggravated by outboard equipment, but I have a feeling that these with a bit of experimentation, I'll be able to get it sorted. I was able to get rid of the feedback by making minor changes to the mic/transducer mix.

by **thetree4U** » 27 Apr 2007, 17:38

When I pointed the mic back inside the guitar instead of anywhere in the soundhole, I got much less feedback and was able to control it without much problem. I had it positioned in the middle of the guitar under the saddle with the mic pointing toward the top (or my face when playing). It still gave me all the miced sound I wanted (sweet, crisp, natural). And, I had it set about 50/50 (mic/UST).

Also, my understanding is that the more "in-the-soundhole" the mic is, the more feedback prone it it.

Another thing you might want to do is email/dialog with Frank Padellaro from Fishman (fpadellaro@fishman.com). He was pretty helpful and knows the product pretty well... and he, like JB, is pretty prompt in responding.

Anyway, it's just a thought... or a few thoughts, that its.

Avalon Acoustic Guitars

Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend install

Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend install

Who is online