Bone vs. Tusq for Piezo under saddle pickup

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

The Matrix only comes in an active version (I believe anyway). I am just not sure how you are going to wire an active system to another active system? Maybe I am missing something.

I'll be taking just the Matrix UST (no preamp) and wiring its signal and ground wires onto the Artist preamp input 2. I don't know any other way to explain it.

[Doug Young]

I ran into the problem of a bone saddle having variable density, causing an unbalanced UST once. Up to then, I thought it was probably just a myth, but apparently it can happen. But I'd say it's rare, and there's an easy fix if it does, just get a new saddle. So if you like the bone saddle, just keep it and see.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by GuitarLuva

I'll be taking just the Matrix UST (no preamp) and wiring its signal and ground wires onto the Artist preamp input 2. I don't know any other way to explain it.

Yeah so it will be passive. That's what I was originally asking. I assumed you were just going to take the pickup itself. I thought at first you were going to write the whole Matrix system to the HFN active pickup.

A few years ago I went to a luthier and took a chance on him. He did some work on my Larrivee (installed a K&K and removed the Matrix) and installed a Schatten pickup on my bouzouki (was his pickup recommendation). I trusted him so I took the bouzouki to a show and the pickup didn't work at all. He had made a new bridge/saddle for my bouzouki but he had made it so thick that no sound was transferring to the pickup that attaches to the bridge. I contacted him about the mistake and he got mad and as a result, he kept my Fishman Matrix ust that he had forgotten to give back to me. I never saw him again but that one still angers me because I could have made that a passive UST at this point. Random story I know!

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

I ran into the problem of a bone saddle having variable density, causing an unbalanced UST once. Up to then, I thought it was probably just a myth, but apparently it can happen. But I'd say it's rare, and there's an easy fix if it does, just get a new saddle. So if you like the bone saddle, just keep it and see.

I’m hoping it works. Hoping the under saddle doesn’t hurt the tone at all.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by GuitarLuva

I'll be taking just the Matrix UST (no preamp) and wiring its signal and ground wires onto the Artist preamp input 2. I don't know any other way to explain it.

That makes the Matrix UST an active pickup if it's wired to Channel 2 of the Schatten Artist Plus 2 preamp.

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

That makes the Matrix UST an active pickup if it's wired to Channel 2 of the Schatten Artist Plus 2 preamp.

My sentiments exactly. Really looking forward to using phantom power. Now, If only I had the preamp to play with....

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

That makes the Matrix UST an active pickup if it's wired to Channel 2 of the Schatten Artist Plus 2 preamp.

Just to clarify my post above, the Matrix will be active once it's connected to the HFN Artist 2, I just meant that it seems as though Guitarluva is disconnecting the Matrix from the Fishman preamp making it just a passive UST. I was just trying to wrap my head around how you could wire two active pickups together but he clarified that in an earlier post.

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

Just to clarify my post above, the Matrix will be active once it's connected to the HFN Artist 2, I just meant that it seems as though Guitarluva is disconnecting the Matrix from the Fishman preamp making it just a passive UST. I was just trying to wrap my head around how you could wire two active pickups together but he clarified that in an earlier post.

I'm glad you clarified that as you had me a little confused. I guess I had you a little confused also. You just meant passive in a different context.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by GuitarLuva

I'm glad you clarified that as you had me a little confused. I guess I had you a little confused also. You just meant passive in a different context.

Yeah sorry, I could have been more clear. I want to do something similar but I just wish I already had a Matrix to use. I hate the thought of buying a new one just to use the UST and not the preamp.

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

Yeah sorry, I could have been more clear. I want to do something similar but I just wish I already had a Matrix to use. I hate the thought of buying a new one just to use the UST and not the preamp.

Gray market Matrix UST???

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Fishman...cAAOSwWwBbgHa3

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

Yeah sorry, I could have been more clear. I want to do something similar but I just wish I already had a Matrix to use. I hate the thought of buying a new one just to use the UST and not the preamp.

Yeah I hear ya. I wouldn't worry about rushing out and buying a new one just yet until some of us report back on what kind of an impact it has on the HFN tone (if any). Cosmo told me they would get mine within 2 weeks and that was 3 weeks ago now so I'm gonna have to send them another message on Monday for an update as I'm starting to get a little anxious.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by GuitarLuva

Yeah I hear ya. I wouldn't worry about rushing out and buying a new one just yet until some of us report back on what kind of an impact it has on the HFN tone (if any). Cosmo told me they would get mine within 2 weeks and that was 3 weeks ago now so I'm gonna have to send them another message on Monday for an update as I'm starting to get a little anxious.

That's strange, they are generally fairly quick. I know my buddy purchased the active HFN with the volume and tone from Long & Mcquade (another major Canadian dealer) and it took a week and a half for them to get it in and then ship it out to him.

I am at the moment considering a dual source with the Matrix/HFN or just leaving the HFN in there when I don't have the tonedexter or aura and then primarily using the Matrix/Tonedexter for live use.

[GuitarLuva]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

That's strange, they are generally fairly quick. I know my buddy purchased the active HFN with the volume and tone from Long & Mcquade (another major Canadian dealer) and it took a week and a half for them to get it in and then ship it out to him.

I am at the moment considering a dual source with the Matrix/HFN or just leaving the HFN in there when I don't have the tonedexter or aura and then primarily using the Matrix/Tonedexter for live use.

It is strange indeed. I normally do use L&M and I don't even remember why I chose Cosmo this time, might've been a few bucks cheaper. It could be do to the sudden increase in demand...who knows.

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

I am at the moment considering a dual source with the Matrix/HFN or just leaving the HFN in there when I don't have the tonedexter or aura and then primarily using the Matrix/Tonedexter for live use.

That's exactly what I'm doing now.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by The Kid!

That's exactly what I'm doing now.

Let me know how it turns out!