Fishman AGP-2 User manual

AGP-2

Onboard Acoustic Guitar Preamp

Also includes Installation Instructions for Model

ABGP

Onboard

Acoustic Bass Guitar Preamp

Installation Guide

EQUIPPED!

Thank you for choosing our classic on board preamp. The AGP-2 and ABGP are

compatible with the AG-Series of under-saddle pickups as well as other passive,

piezo-ceramic pickups. For best results, please read these instructions carefully.

If you have questions, please contact our CCuussttoommeerrSSeerrvviicceeDDeeppaarrttmmeennttaatt997788--

998888--99666655oorrtteecchh@@ffiisshhmmaann..ccoomm

The Fishman AGP-2 and ABGP preamps are specifically designed for use with piezo-

electric pickups. Since piezoelectric pickups require specific electrical environments,

the AGP-2 / ABGP feature discrete input stages that maximize the full potential of the

pickup. Both units provide active gain control and fully buffered shelving style active

boost and cut for bass and treble. The center frequencies of these controls have been

selected for their relationship with acoustic instruments. The width of the bass and tre-

ble separation effectively provides a midrange control; boosting the bass and treble

controls simultaneously will provide an effective midrange cut or vice-versa. The

Preamp housing is made of rugged aluminum and weighs only seven ounces.

The AGP-2 is designed specifically for acoustic string instruments including guitars,

violins, violas, cellos and mandolins. The ABGP offers the same features as its general

purpose counterpart, but has specially selected frequencies specifically chosen for the

acoustic bass guitar.

NNOOTTEE::If you have purchased the AGP-2 Preamp Kit that includes the Fishman AG-125

Acoustic Guitar Transducer, be sure to see the enclosed separate instructions to guide

you in proper installation of the transducer.

IIMMPPOORRTTAANNTT::Installation of this product is to be performed only by a qualified profes-

sional repair-person. Fishman Transducers will not be responsible for damages that

result from improper installation.

AGP-2

Onboard Acoustic Guitar Preamp

INSTALLATION

1. Location

Determine the best location for the Preamp on your instrument. We recommend the

upper bout adjacent to the neck, or in the waist area. Avoid any location that may

interfere with neck block, braces or linings.

2. Template

A drilling template is provided for drilling the control shaft holes. Cut out the template

outline. Check that it fits between the upper and lower linings when held inside the

guitar at the chosen location. Tape the template at the location on the outside of the

guitar. With a sharp scribe, pierce the template at the marks. Remove the template.

This should provide you with two drilling centers marked on the side of the guitar.

These centers will be 1.250 inch (31.8mm) apart. At each center, drill a .375 inch

(9.5mm) hole through the side of the guitar. We recommend using a sharp 3/8 inch

spur bit for this operation.

3. Spacer Block

We strongly advise that a wooden spacer block (see Figure 1) be used to add

strength to the mounting area of the guitar and to more evenly distribute the load of

the preamp. We do not recommend using a hex nut and lock washer inside as this

could result in possible damage to the instrument.

Installation Guide

FIG. 1

4. Preparing the Spacer

Using the drilling template as a guide, make a rectangular wooden spacer that is

2.00 inch x .750 inch x T (50.8mm x 19.0mm x T). T is the measurement derived

from the protruding bushing length minus the outside hardware thickness (Figure 1).

To derive T, insert the control shafts through the holes from the inside of the guitar.

Next, measure the length of the threaded bushing that protrudes out from the side of

the instrument. From this measurement, subtract the thickness of the outside hard-

ware (hex nut and finish washer).

5. Wiring the Transducer

Remove the cover from the AGP-2 Preamp. Locate the terminal block with two sec-

tions to be used to connect the transducer leads (see Figure 2). Thread the trans-

ducer wire through the rubber grommet where the wire harness enters the preamp.

Strip and tin the signal and ground wires from the transducer and connect them to

the terminal block as shown in Figure 2. Secure the wires by tightening the screws

on top of the terminal block with a small slot head jeweler’s screwdriver. Check for

shorts. Replace the cover and screws (SEE NEXT SECTION), being careful to

engage the grommet in the appropriate slot.

AGP-2

Onboard Acoustic Guitar Preamp

FIG. 2

6. Mounting the Battery

Holder

The AGP-2 is supplied with a bat-

tery holder that can be attached to

the preamp cover with the screws

provided or be attached to the neck

block (see Section 6a).

Be sure to check and adjust the fit

of the battery in the holder before

installing the AGP-2 Preamp inside

the instrument.

6a. Optional Battery Holder

Mount

Cut a block of 1/4” plywood

approximately 1-1/2” x 2-1/2”

(40mm x 65mm). Using two

Number 4 pan-head sheet metal

screws (1/4" length), attach the bat-

tery holder to the wooden block.

The assembly can then be attached

to the neck block with wood glue,

double sided tape, or Velcro.

IMPORTANT: Although the supplied battery holder should provide adequate

capacity to grip the battery at all times, we strongly recommend removal of

the battery when shipping or flying with your instrument. FAILURE TO

REMOVE BATTERY COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR INSTRU-

MENT. Fishman will not be held responsible for any such damage as a result

of shipping or handling.

Installation Guide

AGP-2

Onboard Acoustic Guitar Preamp

7. Mount the Preamp

Slip the wooden spacer block (prepared earlier) over the control bushings and

mount the preamp. The outside hardware should include a smooth 3/8” dress wash-

er and a 3/8” hex nut. Tighten the hex nut.

8. Prepare the Endblock

There are two ways to widen the endpin hole to accept the endpin jack:

Slow and Safe

If you have the time, this is the preferred way to enlarge the endpin hole. Remove

the endpin and widen the hole to size with a 15/32'" (11.9mm) reamer, available in

the US & Canada through Stewart MacDonald, 800-848-2273, part #4323.

Quick & Clean

The objective here is to drill out the hole with the endpin or other suitable plug in

place. You may remove a loose endpin and refasten it in the endblock with cyano-

acrylate glue before starting the procedure.

Note: We do not recommend this method for instruments with brittle orna-

mental veneers (ex: abalone) around the endblock.

1. Apply masking tape around the endblock area to protect the instrument.

2. Locate an X-Acto saw blade 1/16" (1.6mm) away from the body and saw off the

endpin.

3. Centerpunch a guide hole in the center of the trimmed endpin.

4. Drill a 1/8" (3.2mm) pilot hole through the endblock.

5. Line up a 15/32" (11.9mm) Spade bit in the pilot hole and begin drilling. Maintain

a perpendicular plunge in relation to the instrument. Use steady (but not heavy)

pressure, especially as the drill exits inside the guitar.

6. To avoid damage to the instrument, let the drill come to a complete stop before

removing it from the hole.

9. Wiring the Switchjack

1. Gently bend back the strain relief/sleeve tab to gain better access to the Tip ter-

minal.

2. Solder the "hot" signal wire (red) to the Tip terminal, which is the shortest of the

three tabs.

3. Solder the black neg. battery wire to the Switch terminal (longest tab).

4. Solder the shielding to the Sleeve tab on the jack. Gently tighten the strain

relief.

See Pages 9 through 11 for more wiring options with the Switchjack.

10. Fasten the Jack in the Endpin Hole

Follow this sequence when installing the endpin jack:

1 - First Large Hex Nut

2 - Large Dress Washer

3 - Star Washer

4 - Guitar Endblock

5 - Small Dress Washer

6 - Small Dress Nut

7 - Strap Button

The jack should protrude at least 5/16" and no more than 11/32" outside of the gui-

tar body for proper fit.

After fitting the small dress washer and nut over the end of the jack, insert the 3/32"

Allen wrench through the small hole on the end of the jack. Tighten the nut with the

1/2" open end wrench while holding the jack in place with the Allen wrench. Thread

and hand tighten the the strap button.

Note: With the strap button in place, the end of the jack

should protrude slightly so that when a plug is inserted, it

will snap securely into place.

Installation Guide

23 4 5 6 71

11. Knob Alignment

The stacked knob set controls treble boost & cut (small knob) and bass boost & cut

(large knob). Both knobs have a center-detent to indicate flat position. Place the

bass (large outer ring) knob onto the stacked shaft so that the two inner protrusions

slide into the corresponding slots on the outer shaft. Now place the smaller treble

knob onto the inner shaft. The white position markers should align with each other in

the center detent position. Now place the large volume knob onto the appropriate

shaft; rotate the knob and remove to re-position the line if necessary for the desired

sight reference position.

12. Ready to Play

The power is switched on when a 1/4” guitar cable is plugged into the output jack.

The AGP-2 features a “soft” turn on mode. This means that the unit powers up grad-

ually over several seconds once the instrument is plugged in.

SPECIFICATIONS

SYSTEM GAIN 9 dB (input to output at 1 kHz) All tone controls flat

Maximum input voltage before clipping with all controls at full boost

.8V P-P

AGP-2 TONE CONTROLS

Treble: Boost and Cut ± 3dB at 1700 Hz

± 14dB at 20 kHz

Bass: Boost and Cut ± 3dB at 350 Hz

± 8dB at 50 Hz

Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±2dB All tone controls flat

ABGP TONE CONTROLS

Treble: Boost and Cut ± 3dB at 850 Hz

± 14dB at 20 kHz

Bass: Boost and Cut ± 3dB at 350 Hz

± 8dB at 50 Hz

Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±2dB All tone controls flat

POWER SUPPLY 9 Volts (battery not included)

Battery Life 150 hours continuous use (alkaline battery)

All specifications subject to change without notice.

AGP-2

Onboard Acoustic Guitar Preamp

Installation Guide

Wiring Options with the Fishman Switchjack

The Switchjack T-R-S-S (Tip/Ring/Sleeve/Switch) stereo switching endpin jack

allows simultaneous stereo operation and battery switching for active pickups. This

new configuration simplifies stereo wiring with many pickup combinations that were

once incompatible.

To gain better access to the Tip, Ring and Switch terminals, gently bend back the

Strain Relief/Sleeve tab, before you begin to solder.

Pages 10 & 11 illustrate the various wiring options made possible by the Switchjack.

Shield

Tip

(Short Terminal)

Ring

TipGuitar Sleeve

1/4" Stereo Plug

Switch

(Long Terminal)

Ring

(Medium Terminal)

AGP-2

Onboard Acoustic Guitar Preamp

Shield to

Sleeve

AGP-2 Signal

to Tip (white)

Negative Battery Wire (black)

to Switch

Negative Battery Wire (black)

to Switch

AGP-2 Signal

to Tip (white)

2nd Pickup

to Ring

Common

Ground

Standard wiring for AGP-2

Add a Second Pickup in Stereo

Wiring Options with the Fishman Switchjack , Continued

Other manuals for AGP-2

Table of contents

Other Fishman Amplifier manuals

Fishman

Fishman POWERMIX User manual

Fishman

Fishman PREFIX - PREAMP INSTALLATION GUIDE REV 4 User manual

Fishman

Fishman PREFIX STEREO BLENDER User manual

Fishman

Fishman SoloAmp User manual

Fishman

Fishman PRESYS BLEND ONBOARD PREAMP User manual

Fishman

Fishman PRESYS PLUS User manual

Fishman

Fishman PRESYS I User manual

Fishman

Fishman ELLIPSE AURA - User manual

Fishman

Fishman Aura User manual

Fishman

Fishman LOUDBOX PERFORMER - ANNEXE 324 User manual

Fishman

Fishman AG-125 - User manual

Fishman

Fishman Prefix Pro blend User manual

Fishman

Fishman POCKER BLENDER User manual

Fishman

Fishman Loudbox Performer User manual

Fishman

Fishman Prefix Pro User manual

Fishman

Fishman PREFIX - ANNEXE 600 User manual

Fishman

Fishman PREFIX SERIES PREAMP - CUTOUT User manual

Fishman

Fishman MATRIX INFINITY MIC BLEND User manual

Fishman

Fishman LOUDBOX MICRO User manual

Fishman

Fishman MATRIX INFINITY - User manual

Fishman

Fishman PREFIX PREMIUM User manual

Fishman

Fishman F1 AURA+ User manual

Fishman

Fishman PRO-EQ PLATINUM BASS User manual

Fishman

Fishman PREFIX PREMIUM BLEND User manual

Popular Amplifier manuals by other brands

ASTRO

ASTRO HVO V40 P operating manual

Marantz

Marantz SUPERSCOPE BLA-545 Service data

NAD

NAD CI980 Quick setup guide

Technics

Technics SE-CH770 Service manual

Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon HK6300 instruction manual

NAD

NAD T975 owner's manual

McIntosh

McIntosh MA6850 Brochure & specs

Electro-Harmonix

Electro-Harmonix ENGLISH MUFF’N manual

Viatron

Viatron Autrix Technical manual

GME

GME GA9800 instruction manual

Atlas

Atlas CP700 Specification sheet

Roland

Roland KC-1000 owner's manual

Pyle

Pyle PFMRA350BW user manual

Advantage

Advantage S-250 manual

IRT Electronics

IRT Electronics DVA-3007 manual

Dimavery

Dimavery BA-100 Series user manual

Sony

Sony XM-S400D operating instructions

Schertler

Schertler ROY X quick guide