Trouble with Spectorcore/Fishman Powerbass bridge

bdplaid

bdplaid

Aug 31, 2007
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#1
Hiya!

Got a SpectorCore 5, like it a lot. had it for some time, just took it out of storage and the B string on the piezo bridge is intermittent. I'm good with fixing basses, but piezos are a new thing. any thoughts on what to look for as a fix? thx
 
#2
There's a 'collector' board under the bridge where each individual saddle piezo go to before the signal goes in one wire to the preamp/buffer.
The only way to check for a loose wire or connection is to remove the strings and remove the bridge. then the saddle wires and pc board can be examined.
 
#3
Thanks for the reply. I took it apart and didn't see anything untoward. My gut tells me it's an issue with the saddle - it works for the most part, but if I push the string to one side or the other, the sound drops. Maybe the wire underneath connecting the saddle to the board? I doubt it, because it does not seem as though it's moving much. wonder where i can get a saddle for the B string ...
 
#4
Probably not much luck getting just a saddle, but the bridges are avail here n there.
What type strings are you using?
Those piezo saddles require more down force on the saddle to sound (compared to straight acoustic type piezos), in line with "but if I push the string to one side or the other, the sound drops."

It also seems they don't like tapes- partly because they're sometimes lighter gauge strings under the nylon wrap, so lower tension at pitch.
Also, I think the nylon absorbs or dampens the vibration of the string some- enough that they don't sound reliably.
Press on the string a few lbs over the saddle to see if it sound better and more consistent.
If so, try to increase the break angle somehow, or try a heavier gauge string. (B strings are usually the least tension at pitch of a string set).
 
#5
Thanks for that. I was thinking about the break angle/pressure as well. It's not much. I currently have a .130 GHS Pressurewound. don't think I can increase the angle; that bridge, as you seem to now, kind of is what it is in that regard. although, it's something to think about.

thanks again.
 
#8
ugh; one misbehaving string on a piezo bridge pretty much always means that the saddle is bad and needs to be replaced. (if it's just dead silent then you might be lucky and just have to reattach a wire up underneath).

(edit: wow, lucky! i suppose the old string wasn't putting enough pressure across the piezo element.)
 
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#9
I don't think it was applying enough pressure as you suggest. Somehow, the break angle on the B string flat looks different (steeper) than the Pressurewounds. I also think it's applying more pressure across the whole bridge and thus the increase in volume.

It never ceases to amaze me, the things different sets of strings can do.

thanks.
 
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#11
bdplaid said:
I don't think it was applying enough pressure as you suggest. Somehow, the break angle on the B string flat looks different (steeper) than the Pressurewounds. I also think it's applying more pressure across the whole bridge and thus the increase in volume.

It never ceases to amaze me, the things different sets of strings can do.

thanks.
Click to expand...

Piezo elements generate current relative to the varying pressure applied to them. These particular elements in the saddles seem to require more initial pressure than the piezos in strips that most acoustic basses use.

The flats likely are at higher tension tuned to pitch than the PressureWounds were, so more down-force on the saddle/piezo.

If you would, just for verification, detune a whole note or note and 1/2 to see if it acts like it did before, and let us know.

BTW: I found some of this out by trying to find the cause of some other's inconsistent bridge volume like this
using the same Fishman bridge with Fishman electronics in the Cort C5P I have.
 
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