Safely Removing Under Saddle Pickup

Stratocaster3 · #1 01-07-2017, 05:06 PM

Hi all,

I've recently purchased a new Martin OM which has had a Fishman Matrix pickup installed - I have know interest in plugging the guitar in at any point and would rather have no magnetic strip under the saddle muffling any vibrations!

Any advice on how to remove this system safely? My main concerns are:

- Removing the volume controls and battery pack - can these be gently pulled away or are they likely to be glued to the guitar's surface?

- Removing the endpin preamp - is this a case of simply unscrewing it or are there any specific measures I should take?

Thanks in advance!

Earl49 · #2 01-07-2017, 06:22 PM

It really won't hurt anything to leave it in place. That is a lot of work, removing all of that stuff just for a small *theoretical* improvement in tone. You will also need a new saddle adjusted to the original combined height (a set up).

No disrespect intended, but why did you buy a guitar with electronics if you knew they were unwanted? That would have to be an exceptional OM to go down that road.....

Tico · #3 01-07-2017, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratocaster3

Hi all,

I've recently purchased a new Martin OM ...

If it is recent enough to return it for a full refund I'd do that.
Then buy a guitar with no PU.

Nctom · #4 01-07-2017, 06:42 PM

I've bought two used guitars that had been electrified and I don't play electric. There's no problem ripping the pickups and associated junk out. Just go slowly and carefully and you can have the guitar you wanted. You will have to cope with the enlarged jack hole in the tail piece; check the Larrivee or Taylor sites for an easy replacement.

GHS · #5 01-07-2017, 07:02 PM

Leave it alone. Martin designed it to sound its best either way. Its not like they woke up one day and said "Hey, lets build 10k guitars with a p/u under the saddle and not even test it out to see how it sounds". I'm sure they have teams of engineers on hand that worked all this out. And if you sell it you did not lose your big selling point to most folks.

SpruceTop · #6 01-07-2017, 07:20 PM

The Fishman Matrix UST is a "hard" UST and will affect the acoustic tone little, if any. I've installed the Fishman Matrix in several guitars, including a couple of Martin HD-28 guitars, a Huss & Dalton DS and D-RH, and couldn't hear any difference in tone. I agree with other members, leave the Matrix in place for when you plug-in.

akafloyd · #7 01-07-2017, 07:35 PM

It's not a big deal unless it's a factory installed system with the battery compartment accessible from the outside. The control wheels are held in place with two-sided tape and will pull off with a little effort and the battery pack is held in place with self adhesive velcro. The endpin preamp is held in place by a nut that is under the strap button which is threaded on, unscrew the button and you'll see the nut. Once you remove the nut the preamp will move easily into the body, you might have to cut the wire from the pickup at the preamp. With the saddle out the pickup will come up with the wire. The wires inside are held in place with self adhesive clips which will pull out easily

pdx · #8 01-07-2017, 07:39 PM

I just pulled out an LR Baggs from my J45 and it took all of 5 minutes tops. You will need a new saddle or a shim to retain the height.

Leftyplay · #9 01-08-2017, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdx

I just pulled out an LR Baggs from my J45 and it took all of 5 minutes tops. You will need a new saddle or a shim to retain the height.

Would like to do the same with my J45. Any difference in tone?

Mr. Scott · #10 01-08-2017, 04:45 AM

I'm in agreement with many here and would leave it alone. If you take it out you'll need a new saddle because shimming the existing saddle defeats the object, and it is unlikely to have the optimum action if you don't.
I also have to ask why you bought a guitar having features you will not use? Was it the kind of deal you could not refuse?