Hi.
I bought this acoustic electric yamaha guitar for the beautiful
acoustic sound it had but didn't like what I got from the built in
electric system so I put in my own fishman system (with the gooseneck
mic) and disconnected the proprietary one.
Thing is:
I would LOVE to have use of the volume, tone and parametric EQ
controls that the yamaha system has. Right now its just for show.
I would prefer to use the 9V battery pocket instead of having to
remove the fishman pickup (therefore the strings too) to replace 2
circular batteries.

So I have a few problems cause I have to take the instrument level OUT
of the fishman system and connect it TO the yamaha system (which
expects the signal level from the ribbon under the bridge). Would they
mismatch? And if so how can I fix it?
The other problem is, yes I can build a 9V to 6V regulator so that I
could power both the yamaha AND the fisman systems but wouldn't that
draw current constantly from the battery? These things are built to
"sleep" no? And only draw power when its USED.
If I put a regulating transistor there, what would happen?

The guitar I own is a Yamaha Compass CPX-10.
--

Hi Sean. I know a fair amount about electronics and life, a
little about professional audio, and practically nothing about
the details of your equipment. With that as a preface, here
are some thoughts on your situation, listed in no particular
order:

1. The stock Yamaha CPX-10 pickup is apparently a piezo
pickup. Calling it a "ribbon" pickup might confuse people
who've heard of ribbon mics.

2. Your chances of getting a good technical answer would
increase exponentially if you could provide schematics for
your equipment. Getting schematics should be your first
priority in this equipment upgrade.

3. The adage, "We service what we sell," should apply, and
you should first seek to obtain info from whomever sold you
your equipment. (If they can't provide it, consider it a
lesson learned, and remember it the next time you need to
select a source for equipment.)

4. You didn't mention if you tried to get support from the
manufacturers of your equipment. (It's bad form to ask for
help online when you haven't first tried the obvious places.)
Sometimes support departments answer polite emails, and
sometimes they even get the answers right! (Remember to
consider how helpful technical support was the next time you
consider buying equipment from those manufacturers.)

5. One FAQ I found said a certain company did not change
pickups on guitars because it takes too much time and lowers
the resale value of the instrument. Hmmm.

6. The one opinion I found online about the sound of your
guitar's stock pickup was that it was very good with a little
tweaking of the built-in EQ. Hmmm #2.

7. Although home computers "sleep" to save power, guitar
circuits don't. Most likely there is a power switch to save
the battery, perhaps built into the output jack. If so, your
electronics would only be "on" when something is plugged into
the jack.

8. If you want to know the best way to power your Fishman
system from a 9V battery, I suggest you contact Fishman
support. If you are lucky, your preamp may run directly off
9V or just need a dropping resistor. In any event, it would
be helpful to know how much current is needed.

9. Providing the model of your Fishman system might also be a
good idea.

Good luck,

Henry


Sean Bartholomew wrote:
Hi.
I bought this acoustic electric yamaha guitar for the beautiful
acoustic sound it had but didn't like what I got from the built in
electric system so I put in my own fishman system (with the gooseneck
mic) and disconnected the proprietary one.
Thing is:
I would LOVE to have use of the volume, tone and parametric EQ
controls that the yamaha system has. Right now its just for show.
I would prefer to use the 9V battery pocket instead of having to
remove the fishman pickup (therefore the strings too) to replace 2
circular batteries.

So I have a few problems cause I have to take the instrument level OUT
of the fishman system and connect it TO the yamaha system (which
expects the signal level from the ribbon under the bridge). Would they
mismatch? And if so how can I fix it?
The other problem is, yes I can build a 9V to 6V regulator so that I
could power both the yamaha AND the fisman systems but wouldn't that
draw current constantly from the battery? These things are built to
"sleep" no? And only draw power when its USED.
If I put a regulating transistor there, what would happen?

The guitar I own is a Yamaha Compass CPX-10.
--

thanks a lot for ur reply henry



2. Your chances of getting a good technical answer would
increase exponentially if you could provide schematics for
your equipment. Getting schematics should be your first
priority in this equipment upgrade.

yamaha wouldnt give a non dealer (thats me) the schematics. so im
stuck there.

3. The adage, "We service what we sell," should apply, and
you should first seek to obtain info from whomever sold you
your equipment. (If they can't provide it, consider it a
lesson learned, and remember it the next time you need to
select a source for equipment.)

well i really cant hold it against them for NOT helping me use another
manufacturer's pickup system bypassing their own preamp. i guess thats
just bad business?



6. The one opinion I found online about the sound of your
guitar's stock pickup was that it was very good with a little
tweaking of the built-in EQ. Hmmm #2.

yup. i didnt like the sound. thats y i switched to the fishman. with
NO eq or vol, it ruled! but i would like to perfect it with the
parametric eq present onboard the yamaha. not to mention the
convenience of a vol control.

If so, your
electronics would only be "on" when something is plugged into
the jack.

ur right.
i also got an idea from another friend online. he suggested i hook the
output of the fishman unmodified directly into the yamaha circuit POST
the preamp. sounds like a good idea. it uses 2 op amps. i downloaded
the pin aassignments for it.
its the fishman Rare Earth with the mic.