Martin has F1 system , how to remove ?

[Len Biglin]

Hi guys I have a martin on the bench with bad string balance through the fishman F1 system , does anyone know how to remove the pre-amp ? Then I can try other sonicore USTs . Thanks 

[Len Biglin]

OK it turns out the knobs are pretty tight but they pry off , then you remove 2 thimble style nuts and the preamp is lose , however the sonicore style UST is soldered to the board and covered by a metal bracket . This is great ! I just shimmed up the saddle on the weak spots , which eventually worked .

[Ron Frazier]

remove the saddle and sand the bottom dead flat than clean out the grove of all dust and replace and you should have the balance you would like.  The fishman is not the problem the saddle is .

Ron

[Len Biglin]

Thanks for your interest Ron , the saddle was my first guess also , but didnt fix the problem .

[Mike Kolb]

Another neat undersaddle trick:  while the guitar's strung-up, measure the swell (or rise) of the top's belly and jot it down.

Then remove the strings, insert a jack under the bridge to re-introduce that same rise.... and THEN flatten the saddle slot.

The theory being that when there's no string tension, a "flat" saddle slot curves slightly and you want to compensate for it under strung-up conditions.

[Paul Breen]

Have to ask... What is the fit of your saddle like? Any resistance in the slot at all can create an imbalance. The saddle should fit well and not tip but otherwise be loose in the slot. Also, no shims on top of the UST, place them under it if you need to shim.

Ron and Mike both have good observations about the importance of the bottom of the slot.

Saddle height above the bridge can be another problem area, generally on the treble side. If you have little string break angle over the saddle, slotting the bridge can improve the string angle and provide more downward saddle pressure.

[Len Biglin]

Hi Paul , the saddle was a good fit and not too low or high , and the slot was good too , bridge seemed to be richlite ( i think thats what they call the black plastic) Why do you opt for shims under the UST ? 

 

[Paul Breen]

I want the saddle in direct contact with the pickup, no insulators in between.

[Len Biglin]

Thanks Mike , i did consider this but as the weak spot was D & G I thought that would be indicative of a dip not a swell , always appreciate your input .

[Ron Frazier]

try when it is tuned use a stick and put it in frunt of the saddle and give a tap with a hammer back to the end of the guitar . the saddle should not be tight in the slot. one speck of wood or dust will cause touble I use a blow gun to clean the slot of debre.

I hear that if you cut the bridge from the bottom up and the saddle can flex would solve the problem.  I have never had to do that.

Ron