subject: Proper Installation Of Transducer Pickup For Acoustic Guitars [print this page] Acoustic guitars are good accompaniments especially if they produce harmonious music. However, as the strings of an acoustic guitar can only displace a small amount of air, it is not capable of producing loud sound. Though this guitar type is originally designed without external amplification, it is possible to amplify it. In order to amplify your acoustic guitar you have to place a transducer pickup in it, and written below are some tips to help you install your transducer.
A transducer pickup is one popular tool used to amplify an instrument. Usually, this tool is used by most manufacturers of acoustic electric guitars. It is also called a piezo pickup as it is made from piezo-electrical materials. It is capable of sensing guitar vibrations and then converts them into electric voltage that is then interpreted as a sound by the amplifier.
There are some types of transducer pickups that needs hole drilling on the bodies of acoustic guitars so as to properly install the wires and plug jacks. The installation of these inducers is best left in the hands of professionals. However, there are also specific types of transducers that can be installed without the need to drill holes or any other invasive procedure; all you have to do is to mount the transducer on the top of your instrument or under its bridge-saddle. Before you start with your installation project, you would need the following items: surface mount type transducer that has wire and plug jack, guitar cord, vinyl tape and guitar amplifier.
First, lay down you solid wood acoustic guitar on a matted or padded surface to avoid damage. Then, turn on the amplifier and be sure that it volume is at a low level. The amplifier will help you in monitoring the sound that your guitar will produce with the help of a transducer; if the pick up registers a clear sound in your amplifier this means that you found the right location on your guitar for your transducer. Now, plug you transducer to the amplifier. If your transducer has a long wire with standard sized plug jack, you can directly plug the jack to the amplifier; however, if your pickup has a short wire with standard sized plug jack, connect the plug jack and the amplifier with a guitar cord.
Slowly turn the volume of your amplifier, while tapping your finger to the transducer. If you can hear the tapping sound through your amplifier, this volume would be sufficient for you to properly monitor the right position for your pickup. The next thing to do is to strum your guitar while you place your transducer in different positions. More often than not, transducers are placed under the bridge of acoustic guitars, but in some cases, guitar players determine the position of their pick ups by listening to the clarity of sound produced by such tool over the amplifier.
Once you've located the right position for your transducer pickup, place it there with the use of self-adhesive foam. Make sure to run your transducer at the back of your guitar so that the wires won't interrupt the strumming area, or you can simply wrap the wire at your instrument's end pin and use the vinyl tape to secure its position. You can now enjoy your amplified acoustic guitar. Through the aid of these installation guidelines, your acoustic guitar is equally at par with the high end acoustic electric guitars found in musical instrument shops.
