Looking to install a Fishman Powerbridge in my guitar and wondering if it will work with my AX8 or do I need a preamp?

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durmomo0

New Member
I have a Kauer Banshee (like a Firebird) and it has only 2 knobs.



I need a piezo for work and Im pretty set on the Fishman Powerbridge (it seems the easiest to add with modifying the guitar the least since it only has one cable).

Usually you are supposed to run it with the Fishman Powerchip preamp (the preamp is build on a pot shaft and works as a blend) but I only have 2 knobs so I would end up either removing my tone or volume knob or drilling another hole (which I dont want to do).

I run wireless so I need a mono signal out of the guitar.

I would do the switching either with a push/pull knob on the volume or with a switch you can add to the pickguard (I would have to get a new one from Kauer but they make them)


Can the AX8 replace the need for the powerchip/preamp? Basically what I would do it hit the switch on my guitar to go to the piezo and also hit a preset patch on my ax8. Then reverse when I go back.
 
I ran Graphtech Ghost saddles wired directly to the output jack in to my Axe-FX Standard and it worked fine. I found using the tube pre amp block warmed it up nicely. The same concept also works well on my FM9.

My guitar is wired to a stereo jack with a 3 way mini toggle so I had the option to go back and forth (or both at the same time) within a single preset.

I found some good acoustic guitar ir's here. It took a lot of auditioning ito find the good ones. But it was worth it to me.
https://www.acousticir.ovh/rubrique3.html
 
Yes, I had a Fishman PowerBridge on my Tele for years, running it passively into my Fractal products. Cable length does make it a little more dull, so the wireless might actually help.

FWIW, after a few years, one of the saddles on my PowerBridge malfunctioned. Given the way it’s manufactured, there isn’t really a way to fix it or have it serviced. I ended up replacing the saddles with GraphTech ghost earlier this year. They did require a little bit of carving (for cable runs) under the bridge, but will be more serviceable if anything goes wrong. They sound a little crisper and feel more responsive, too — although with a good impulse response, any piezo saddles can sound really good.
 
Thank you for your responses.

Did you get any popping sounds when switching b/t the magnetic pickups and the piezo when its run directly to the output jack?

How did you handle switching? Did you put a toggle or use a push pull pot?
 
i have installed a l.r. baggs piezo 2-point tremolo bridge on my hss strat. i hate batteries on guitars so i never put a preamp in there and it works great with just a 3way mini toggle that goes from electric to electric-piezo blend to full piezo. i plug straight to axe fx3/fm3 and it works great though i have made a dedicated scene/preset for acoustic tone. sounds perfect. exactly like my LAG electroacoustic which has a preamp. no clicks or pops in switching too. i even made a tonematch of that guitar in piezo mode and posted the tonematch IR here:
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/thre...iezo-system-tonematch-ir.213348/#post-2674417
which i use with my other guitars and they sound 90-95%+ there
 
I use two output jacks and two volume pots with my powerbridge and no preamp. My wireless systems have a buffer.. and the powerbridge output is a lot hotter than my old ghost systems.
 
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