POWERBRIDGEINSTALLATION GUIDE

www.fishman.com

Read Me First!

Powerbridge & magnetic pickups wired
directly to a stereo jackInstallation of this product is a simple procedure,
but we recommend this job only if you are anexperienced repair technician.

1. Connect the Powerbridge signal wire directly to
the Ring terminal on the supplied stereo jack.

Requirements

2. Connect the Powerbridge and magnetic grounds
to the Sleeve terminal.

Check your guitar’s original bridge against theprovided Fishman Powerbridge Drilling Templateby lining up the string through-holes and pickup
location (VT / AST), the bridge mounting posts(TOM), the 6 bridge mounting screws (VMV) or
the 2 vibrato pivot screws (TSV / VS50P).
Only proceed with installation if the bridge fits yourinstrument.

Installation
1. These installation instructions assume thePowerbridge will replace an existing bridge on yourinstrument. If you are installing the Powerbridge on
a new instrument, with no hardware, please install
the bridge by your preferred method, using theprovided drilling and routing templates andhardware. Note that all Powerbridge products
should be separately grounded in addition tothe shield of the Powerbridge signal wire using atraditional string-ground.
2. Remove the existing bridge. Make sure your stringground wire does not contact the circuit board on
the bottom of the bridge.
3. For AST and VT bridges only, Drill the 7⁄64”
mounting holes on your instrument, and fasten
the lead pickup onto the baseplate of the bridge.
4. Route the Powerbridge’s coaxial signal wire to thecontrol cavity.
5. Mount your bridge to the instrument using theoriginal pivot screws or posts, if applicable. Remove,plug and replace the original mounting hardware
with the provided Fishman mounting hardware only
if needed.
Wiring options
There are several different ways to wire thePowerbridge. Choose the option that best suits
your needs.
Powerchip active onboard blending
An active onboard preamp, such as the Fishman
Powerchip (available separately) may be used inorder to combine the magnetic and Powerbridge
signals to a single mono output on board theinstrument. If you are installing the Powerbridge withthe Powerchip, refer to the Powerchip installation
instructions in order to complete your Powerbridge
installation.

3. Connect the magnetic signal wire to the Tip
terminal.
Passive volume for the Powerbridge
This circuit is easily assembled from “stock” guitar
pots and components available at any electronics
parts retailer.
You will need:• 250k audio taper pot• 330k resistor• 820pF capacitor• 1500pF capacitor
This network will attenuate the Powerbridge so thatit better matches levels between magnetic andpiezo pickups. You can expect a 14dB (nominal)
decrease in Powerbridge output with this circuit.
Note: Optional 3-way selector switch—if desired, asingle pole, double throw (spdt) 3-way switch canalso be added for piezo / magnetic pickup selection.
Use a switch with an on-off-on orientation.
Powerbridge

MagneticSignal

Direct Wiring

Optional 3-Way
Selector Switch
BothSleeve
RingTip

MagON

Powerbridge

Piezo

OFF ON

Stereo Jack
250K − 300K
Audio Taper P ot

Passive Volume

Optional 3-Way
Selector Switch
820 pFwww.fishman.com

Both330 K

Mag

SleevePiezo

Ring
1500 pF

ON

Tip

OFFON

StereoOutputJack

Magnetic
Signal

514-300-113 Rev A 5-09