Installing BBand on A201

[colinhouston]

Greetings conference.

I have just recently bought a new A201

It is a beautiful guitar with a great sound. I am impressed with the BBand dual pickup systems either A2 or A2.2. They require a minimum of alteration to the guitar. A 12mm hole for the jack plug / strap button and a 3mm hole drilled for the under saddle transducer through the bridge.

I notice from other posts that there is probably a rosewood shim at the bottom of the saddle slot. BBand say there is no need to remove this as the UST is only 0.4 mm thick.

I imagine it is a case of try it and see what happens? The action will be better without the shim but as the UST is considerably thinner than the Fishman, I could run into fret buzzing

Anyone got experience with BBand on Avalon guitars or any advice on this?

[colinhouston]

Well I have now got a BBand pickup system fitted on my A201!!!

The unplugged sound of this guitar has grown on me over the last few weeks. But the sound of the A201 and BBand is wonderful. I just don't want to put the thing down.

I had no problems with the UST. I just took out the Rosewood shim and the guitar plays great with no buzzing.

I plan to use it this weekend for the first time in anger with the praise band on Sunday.

Thanks for a great guitar Avalon.

[bing4sons]

Hi, I recently acquired an A101ce. What a wonderful guitar!

It has a low profile Fishman onboard in it. In addition it has a K&K Pure Western. You have to run stereo out to use the onboard Fishman.

I'm glad to hear you had good results with the B-Band. I have this system in Larrivee and in my 2 older son's Larrivees.

B-Band is coming out with a retrofit XOM system for the low profile Fishman. I plan to get one as soon as I can and install it in the Avalon. I'll install a bone saddle at the same time.

[colinhouston]

I have read discussion about bone nuts and bone saddles.

I would not attempt the nut on my Avalon but if there was somewhere you can get the bone saddles from, I might have a go.

Have you used a bone saddle with the BBand UST? Does it make a noticeable difference?

Did you put the K&K in yourself?

[bing4sons]

Have you used a bone saddle with the BBand UST? Does it make a noticeable difference?

Did you put the K&K in yourself?

I bought the guitar with the K&K already installed. The Fishman is routed to the tip and the K&K to the ring.

I get my bone saddles from www.guitarsaddles.com. The saddle in the A101ce looks to be the normal TUSQ saddle that comes with Taylors & Larrivees. I have put either bone or FWI saddles in all of my guitars. It improves the sustain and sounds good with the B-Band UST. You just have to make sure that the bottom of the saddle is completely flat.

[colinhouston]

Thanks Bing for the information and advice on bone saddles.

I will have a look and see of I can order one that suits the Avalon. It is hard to believe that the plugged in sound could get any better than it already is, but perhaps I am just comparing it to my previous guitar.

I will certainly look into it.

[colinhouston]

Hello again Bing!

I checked out that guitar saddle site you mentioned.

Which type should I order for the Avalon A201?

I just want the standard bone. I measured the installed saddle and it is 1/8 inch thick & 3 3/4 inch long, probably like your own. Also I assume we need the compensated saddle?

[bing4sons]

It looks like the same TUSQ saddle that is installed in Taylor & Larrivee guitars. JB, correct me if I'm wrong.

Bob's standard compensated bone saddle should be the ticket. I have one at home waiting to go into mine, but I'm waiting for the B-Band retrofits (for the Fishman systems) to come out first.

[JB]

Thats right Bing .... Tusq fitted as standard on the Gold range, nut and saddle.

[colinhouston]

Just thought I would add, that I have now fitted the above mentioned bone saddle. I was able to take the action down also by careful sanding so the guitar is now easier to play.

I also ordered a set of bone bridge pins from the site mentioned above.

The sound is brilliant. More sustain and punchier. I am really happy with the sound and the BBAND sounds great.

I am however getting more feedback when playing with the amp and the band. Hopefully a soundhole feedback buster will help.


Colin