Aspen electroacoustic - what is it?

[Jamdog]

I recently acquired an Aspen branded guitar. It's my first acoustic guitar, so this is somewhat of a NGD thread with a twist...


It is fitted with a 1/4 jack and two knobs. It was first thought that it was an aftermarket job.

However, the little I see online from the model number (A125EC-1) says it's electro-acoustic.

Here's my guitar






It seems to match rather well that other aspen guitar I found on youtube

https://youtu.be/jPYPWJGw65E

Note the knob placement.

There is a metal socket under the saddles. This metal socket is soldered to a wire that goes to the box where the knobs are.
I can't know much more without taking the electronics off (which I'll do when time comes)

In the meanwhile I am wondering what type of pickup is/should be there. I intend to revive the electroacoustic part of this guitar.

If anyone has ideas, I am all ears.

[Jamdog]

I decided to give a look.

Here's the knob module. I suspect it's non-preamped.



The little connector goes to that undersaddle assembly



Which seems to be a shadow undersaddle pickup




How do those work?

[guitaniac]

It looks like an old passive system from Shadow (a German company) which includes a piezo crystal undersaddle pickup. The knobs are no doubt volume and tone controls. Plug it into an amp and see if it works.

If you don't like the way it sounds through a good acoustic guitar amp, then you'll no doubt get a ton of advice here regarding what to replace it with.

[Jamdog]

Originally Posted by guitaniac

It looks like an old passive system from Shadow (a German company) which includes a piezo crystal undersaddle pickup. The knobs are no doubt volume and tone controls. Plug it into an amp and see if it works.

If you don't like the way it sounds through a good acoustic guitar amp, then you'll no doubt get a ton of advice here regarding what to replace it with.

I checked yesterday, using a pedal for a preamp, and a guitar amp, and got nothing.

I can't say if the pickup works, or the knobs, which are indeed labeled tone and vol. But I did test connections and all is in order.

I'll recheck when it's restrung.

I worked on the saddle. Action was too high. Will post results soon.

[Jamdog]

I put amplification to the top, still no music.

However, I hear the white noise change in my amp when I put my hand over the bridge.

The pickup is indeed picking something up.

The white noise also stop as I lower the volume knob.

But I don't get strings sound.

Perhaps I am missing something?

The bridge has been equipped with a bone saddle, maybe it's interfering?

[Jamdog]

Being that it's under the saddle, am I right in assuming it's piezo?

How do those work?

I tested both the outside and inside as two distinct signal going to the potentiometer assembly.
Well, one ground one signal. You get the idea.



Should the saddle be equipped with a metal of some sort? It's not the original saddle.

[Jamdog]

Can it be a matter of preamp?

If I pay good attention to the amp when I strum, I can barely hear the string being amplified.
Now, if I pass the pick on the strings between the saddle and peg, I get a louder tucking sound. So I think it depends on frequency.

I guess it's a matter of matching impedance. I know nothing about piezo pickups, but most setups I see online has an active preamp, so I assume the passive ones also require preamp. The buffer pedal I use doesn't do good for that. I guess I need a properly matched high impedance preamp.

Anyone with piezo knowledge could share some light?

[Jamdog]

I ordered a preamp which (finally) arrived.

Here are my current observations.

1- the passive circuit on the guitar works fine with an alternative piezo. No need for preamp.

2- when putting the guitars piezo on the preamp, I get some sort of hum as soon as the saddle pushes on the piezo. The piezo being exposed seems to make it an antenna. I can somehow make it pick the strings weakly if I put it upside down without the saddle.


I guess the old piezo either needs its original saddles, or is just plain shut.
I think I'll just replace it with a modern counterpart.

The preamp I got was a uke preamp: I figured it wouldn't disfigured the guitar much and reduced risk as the price was lower, and if it didn't fit I could install it on a ukulele; now for plan B I ordered an El cheapo piezo to continue testing.

But, I believe just changing the piezo is "the" solution. (except I need the original piezo metallic frame to hole the saddle...)

[SpruceTop]

My local dealer has a couple of used Aspens for sale but I really haven't looked at them to see if they're acoustic-electric. I'll check them out this week when I make my regular weekly visit.

[Jamdog]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

My local dealer has a couple of used Aspens for sale but I really haven't looked at them to see if they're acoustic-electric. I'll check them out this week when I make my regular weekly visit.

Thanks a lot!

I never seen other Aspen guitars. Maybe there's something to learn from other ones.

[Jamdog]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

My local dealer has a couple of used Aspens for sale but I really haven't looked at them to see if they're acoustic-electric. I'll check them out this week when I make my regular weekly visit.

Did you ever managed to give them a look?

[Penrith Pete]

My 'go to' guitar is an old Aspen A-118s. It is by far my favourite guitar I have ever owned.

[Jamdog]

Originally Posted by Penrith Pete

My 'go to' guitar is an old Aspen A-118s. It is by far my favourite guitar I have ever owned.

That's great!

Could you post pictures of it?

I never seen other Aspen guitars!