Fishman V-200 PROFESSIONAL VIOLIN PICKUP User manual

V-200 Professional Violin Pickup
Thank you for your purchase of a FISHMAN product. Please read these instructions care-
fully. If you have any questions or problems, contact our PPRROODDUUCCTTIINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONNLLIINNEE
at 997788--998888--99666655or at tteecchh@@ffiisshhmmaann..ccoomm..
The FISHMAN V-200 is the finest piezoelectric violin transducer available. It’s design is
based on that of the FISHMAN V-100 with the added benefits of the CARPENTER 1/4"
Output Jack.
The V-200 is a bridge mounted, piezo-ceramic pickup. It senses string vibrations via a
single piezo element, fastened to the instrument's wing slot with a patented floating
mount.
The V-200 installs in minutes, with only minor alterations required. Its low mass mini-
mizes any damping or muting that could affect the instrument's acoustic tone. The V-
200 provides a natural, acoustic sound for arco or pizz playing styles.
The CARPENTER JACK was designed by noted repairman Fred Carpenter. This profes-
sional-quality 1/4" violin pickup jack, molded into an attractive housing, attaches to the
lower bout with chinrest hardware. It makes a perfect mounting point for adding a micro-
phone and does not affect the instrument’s acoustic tone. It also makes it easy to use a
cable with a right angle plug. The CARPENTER JACK has become extremely popular
with many of today’s finest touring and session musicians.
PARTS LIST
• V-200 Professional Violin Pickup
• Carpenter 1/4” Output Jack
• Chinrest Adjustment Key
CAUTION
As might be expected of a high performance, vibration-sensing transducer, the FISH-
MAN V-200 should be handled with care, particularly during installation. However,
once installed as instructed below, this device is well protected from abuse and
should provide years of trouble-free service.
The FISHMAN V-200 PROFESSIONAL VIOLIN PICKUP is warranted to function for
a period of One (1) Year from the date of purchase. If the unit fails to function
properly within the warranty period, free repair and the option of replacement or
refund in the event that FISHMAN is unable to make repair are FISHMAN’s only
obligations. This warranty does not cover any consequential damages or damage to
the unit due to misuse, accident, or neglect. FISHMAN retains the right to make
such determination on the basis of factory inspection. Products returned to
FISHMAN for repair or replacement must be shipped in accordance with the Return
Policy, as follows. This warranty remains valid only if repairs are performed by
FISHMAN. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have
other rights which may vary from state to state.
Return Policy
To return products to FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS, you must follow these steps...
1. Call FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS at 978-988-9199 for a Return Authorization
Number (“RAN”).
2. Enclose a copy of the original Bill of Sale as evidence of the date of purchase,
with the product in its original packaging and a protective carton or mailer.
3. FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS’ technicians will determine whether the item is
covered by warranty or if it instead has been damaged by improper customer
installation or other causes not related to defects in material or workmanship.
4. Warranty repairs or replacements will be sent automatically free of charge.
5. If FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS determines the item is not covered by warranty, we
will notify you of the repair or replacement cost and wait for your authorization to
proceed.
FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS
340-D Fordham Road Wilmington MA 01887 USA
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.fishman.com
009-015-004 • Rev 2 • 12-20-02
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V-200 Professional Violin Pickup

FINE TUNING
Once the V-200 is properly mounted, plug
the instrument into an amplifier and play at
a low volume. Carefully shift the V-200 a
small distance within the slot and test using
the trial and error method, listening for the
the best location.
NOTE: If installation is to be permanent, a
small drop of adhesive on the side (lower
face) of the transducer can be used.
PLUGGING IN
Due to the nature of passive pickups, the type of cable you use and the input you
plug into will affect the quality of your sound.
Instrument Cable
Cable lengths over 10 feet (before preamp) will cause audible high frequency loss.
Use a high quality, low capacitance shielded cable. This will ensure minimal tone
coloration and hum. Using fully shielded metal plugs will also help eliminate hum.
Kinds of Audio Inputs
Because of the lack of standardization for high impedance audio inputs, special
attention should be paid to what you are plugging into:
The V-200 Professional will sound best when plugged directly into an input with a 10
M
Ω impedance; the full frequency response of the instrument is reproduced.
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
PRELIMINARY
1. Remove all rosin deposits from
the bridge of the instrument.
2. Examine the bridge closely to
make sure that the wing slots
are free of warps or irregulari-
ties and that the slots present
flat parallel faces.
INSTALLING THE PICKUP
Measure the opening of the wing slot on the bridge with a vernier caliper. The open-
ing should be between .060-.090" (1.5-2.3mm) for proper fit.
If the wing slot measures less than .060" (1.5 mm), employ a qualified repairman to
enlarge the wing slot.
If the wing slot measures more than .090 inch (2.3 mm), a small wooden shim may
be required. If so, use an adhesive to bond the shim to the "leg" face.
Slide the Transducer into the wing slot of the bridge (See Fig.1). Make certain that
the sensing element is in contact with the wing face and that the spring is in contact
with the corresponding "leg" face of the bridge.
The spring (made of tempered beryllium copper) provides the proper tension for a
snug fit in wing slots ranging from .060 inch to .090 inch (1.2 mm to 2.3 mm).
NOTE: For best performance, the wing slot opening should be exactly .070" (1.8mm).
INSTALLING THE CARPENTER JACK
After fitting the pickup to the violin, locate the jack to the left of the chinrest on your
violin (See Fig. 2) and tighten it with the enclosed chinrest key (See Fig. 3). Be care-
ful not to scratch the side of your violin.
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V-200 Professional Violin Pickup
4
V-200 Professional Violin Pickup
The V-200 Professional can also be plugged into inputs as low as 1 M Ω with
adequate results; the bass frequencies will be slightly rolled off.
Preamps
We strongly recommend using a 10 M Ω , impedance matching, buffered preamp in
conjunction with the pickup.
A matching preamp will:
1. Realize the full frequency response potential of the pickup.
2. Permit long cable runs (after the preamp) without signal deterioration.
3. Allow precise volume and tone shaping with dedicated EQ.
4. Ensure compatibility with virtually any instrument level audio input available.
Fishman Transducers manufactures a complete line of compatible
preamps, all with 10 M
W inputs:
POWERJACK - Miniature Endpin Preamp
MODEL GII - Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ II - 4 Band Acoustic Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ PLATINUM - Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp / EQ / D.I.
ACOUSTIC / BASS BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup / Mic Preamp
POCKET BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup / Mic Preamp
Musical Instrument Amplifiers
Most musical instrument amplifiers (at least 1 M Ω input impedance) will yield
useable results. Acoustic instrument amplifiers have a 10 M
Ω Piezo input, ideally
matching the pickup.
Direct Boxes
You can plug the V-200 Professional into an "active" direct box (1 M Ω to 10 M Ω
input) with very good results. Using a passive direct box will sound weak and thin.
PA / Recording Consoles
Professional PA and recording consoles have a much lower input impedance than
what is acceptable for the V-200 Professional ; you will need an impedance matching
preamp. Plugging a passive piezo pickup into a mixer without an impedance
matching preamp will sound harsh and thin.
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V-200 Professional Violin Pickup
FIG. 1