Question 1

Is the cord really only 33mm in length?  In the picture of the product, the cord appears to be 4 or 5 times as long as the pickup???

Accepted Answer

I've installed the pickup in a guitar, so I can't measure the wire, but my guess is that it's 33 cm. It's definitely not 33mm. It's long enough to reach from the saddle to an endpin or preamp on an acoustic guitar.

Question 2

I am looking for a flat (not rounded) piezo under saddle to replace my fishman matrix elements piezo which is flat and narrow. will this pickup work?

Accepted Answer

TMI - It's appears to be ~$100 cheaper than the actual replacement part (Fishman Acoustic Matrix Pickup, Narrow Format by Fishman on Amazon) so it might be worth a try.  No site I found including Fishman gives the specific measurements of all 3 aspects of the original - l x w x h.  The replacement appears to be slightly longer which might not be a problem.  If it fits it will likely "work" but at what cost?  Volume difference, change in string height, etc.?    I ordered several different cheap p/u's (for a used $150 classical guitar that required a very long p/u) as none were exact, and just kept the ones that did not fit.  I'm sure a few could have been returned.  It was a $3 p/u that worked in the end but there is some volume loss.  This in turn worked out as I have more range to work with on the volume knob before it is too loud or gritty, so it is easier to adjust on the fly in mid-song without over or undershooting.  This might lead to tone loss, but subtle if it has.  The strings also sit lower, but this did not cause string-buzz or impact the sound much so another misfitting that was fortuitous.  Still, most folks would be much better off paying the higher price for the true replacement part as "dumb luck" like this is rare and most guitars are too nice to tinker with just for curiosity sake.

Way TMI - If you do attempt to "experiment", first measure the length, width, and height/depth of the p/u you are replacing.  If it is too tall or short it will change your bridge height which will likely suck things up playing and even sound-wise. If it is too long it won't fit, too short it won't have even/balanced volume from strings where it runs short.  Too wide and it won't fit in the saddle.  Next, eyeball the hole under your bridge to see if it will go through.  Mine did not fit, but it was close so I hollowed it out a bit more.  Then make sure the "output plug" is the right length,  There are 2 common sizes - a short and a long.  The site notes the 2.5mm is "standard" and I think that is the longer one, the other being maybe 1.8mm.  If you try cheaper options, you definitely want to order a p/u that has the plug already attached.  I originally ordered a version w/o a plug and cut the plug off my original p/u. The wiring was different due to one having a mesh ground around the wiring.  This should not be a concern if you do get the actual Fishman replacement part which does not appear to have the plug on the one I found on Amazon.  The wiring should be the exact same.  My $3 p/u easily trimmed trimmed with scissors length-wise but might sit too low for your needs (Bendable Piezo Cable Undersaddle Pickup For Acoustic Guitar - Worldwide by SODIAL on Amazon).

Question 3

Can the excess length be trimmed from the end and not damage the functioning of the element?

Accepted Answer

i am not sure i did not pull the rubber covering of the end to see lf you could but it was just the right lenght for my ss60 fender and sounds great hope this helps

Question 4

would this work with a shadow preamp, epiphone?  i need to replace the pick up in it

Accepted Answer

The pickup itself should work just fine. The question lies in whether the jack on this unit will be the right one for your preamp. If you're handy with a soldering iron, you could get the correct jack from your old pickup or a new one from Radio Shack and attach it yourself. Just make sure it's shielded or you'll get interference in your signal.

Musiclily Soft Style Acoustic Guitar Pickup. Piezo

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