What type of resonator guitar does this pickup fit?

This pickup is designed exclusively for spider-style resophonic guitars. It replaces the existing two-piece saddle found on the spider bridge typical of Dobro-style instruments.

Is this a two-piece or one-piece saddle design?

It is a two-piece saddle design. This allows the pickup to be integrated directly into the bridge for better vibration capture and string balance.

What is the typical price for the Fishman Nashville Resophonic Pickup?

The typical price for this unit is approximately £173. This places it in the professional tier of acoustic instrument transducers.

Does the pickup require a battery?

The pickup itself is a passive piezo-ceramic transducer and does not require a battery inside the guitar. However, it is highly recommended to use an external preamp for the best tonal results.

Can I install this on a biscuit-style resonator?

No, this specific model is designed for spider-style bridges. Biscuit-style resonators require a different pickup configuration specifically shaped for that bridge type.

What is the primary benefit of the Nashville Series over a microphone?

The Nashville Series provides a consistent signal and significantly higher feedback resistance compared to a microphone. This makes it ideal for loud stage environments where a mic would be impractical.

Does the pickup include the spider bridge itself?

No, it includes the two-piece pickup-integrated saddles. You must install these into your guitar's existing spider bridge assembly.

How does this pickup capture the 'resonator' sound?

By replacing the saddles, the piezo elements are in direct contact with the strings and the bridge. This allows it to capture the unique mechanical vibrations of the cone system accurately.

Is professional installation required?

While a skilled user can install it, professional installation is recommended. The saddles require precise slotting and fitting to ensure the guitar plays in tune and has even string-to-string volume.

Does this pickup work with nickel or steel strings?

Yes, as a piezo-ceramic pickup, it senses mechanical vibration rather than magnetic fields. It will work with any type of string material, including bronze, nickel, or steel.

How does this compare to a standard acoustic guitar pickup?

Unlike a standard undersaddle pickup, this is built into the saddles themselves to accommodate the unique bridge geometry of a resonator. It is voiced specifically to handle the high-mid frequencies of a metal cone.

Can I use this for recording?

Yes, it provides a clean and accurate signal for recording. Many engineers blend the direct signal from this pickup with a microphone to get a mix of body and string definition.

Gear article

Fishman Nashville Series Resophonic Pickup (Spider Style)

The Fishman Nashville Series Resophonic Pickup is a specialised piezo-ceramic transducer designed specifically for spider-bridge resonator guitars. It features a two-piece saddle replacement system to provide accurate, consistent amplification for live performance and recording.

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Overview

The Fishman Nashville Series Resophonic Pickup is an aftermarket component intended for the amplification of spider-style resonator guitars. Unlike standard acoustic pickups, this system is integrated directly into a two-piece saddle set that replaces the original wood saddles on the guitar's bridge. It is engineered to capture the mechanical vibration of the resonator cone and the unique metallic timbre of the instrument.

Design and Functionality

The pickup operates using high-quality piezo-ceramic elements embedded within the two-piece saddle. This configuration allows for a direct transfer of energy from the strings through the spider bridge to the resonator cone. Because the pickup is physically part of the saddle assembly, it offers a more stable and balanced output across all strings compared to surface-mounted transducers.

Sound Character

This pickup is designed for a consistent and accurate reproduction of the natural resophonic sound. It aims to mitigate the common issues of 'quack' or harshness often associated with inferior piezo systems. By focusing on the specific vibrational patterns of the spider bridge, the Nashville Series maintains the nasal, metallic quality that defines the resonator guitar while providing enough signal strength for modern amplification setups.

Installation and Compatibility

This specific model is compatible only with spider-style bridges, which are commonly found in 'Dobro' style instruments. It is not compatible with biscuit-style or tricone resonators. Professional installation is recommended, as the saddles must be properly seated and slotted to ensure optimal string height, intonation, and signal balance. For the best performance, Fishman often suggests pairing this passive pickup with an external impedance-matching preamp.

Market Context

Positioned within the premium 'Parts & Spares' category, the Nashville Series is a standard choice for gigging bluegrass and blues musicians. While other hardware components like the Gotoh 203B-4 Bass Bridge or Fender American Standard Tremolo assemblies serve different instruments, the Nashville Series occupies a niche for specific acoustic-electric conversion projects.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of resonator guitar does this pickup fit?: This pickup is designed exclusively for spider-style resophonic guitars. It replaces the existing two-piece saddle found on the spider bridge typical of Dobro-style instruments.
Is this a two-piece or one-piece saddle design?: It is a two-piece saddle design. This allows the pickup to be integrated directly into the bridge for better vibration capture and string balance.
What is the typical price for the Fishman Nashville Resophonic Pickup?: The typical price for this unit is approximately £173. This places it in the professional tier of acoustic instrument transducers.
Does the pickup require a battery?: The pickup itself is a passive piezo-ceramic transducer and does not require a battery inside the guitar. However, it is highly recommended to use an external preamp for the best tonal results.
Can I install this on a biscuit-style resonator?: No, this specific model is designed for spider-style bridges. Biscuit-style resonators require a different pickup configuration specifically shaped for that bridge type.
What is the primary benefit of the Nashville Series over a microphone?: The Nashville Series provides a consistent signal and significantly higher feedback resistance compared to a microphone. This makes it ideal for loud stage environments where a mic would be impractical.
Does the pickup include the spider bridge itself?: No, it includes the two-piece pickup-integrated saddles. You must install these into your guitar's existing spider bridge assembly.
How does this pickup capture the 'resonator' sound?: By replacing the saddles, the piezo elements are in direct contact with the strings and the bridge. This allows it to capture the unique mechanical vibrations of the cone system accurately.
Is professional installation required?: While a skilled user can install it, professional installation is recommended. The saddles require precise slotting and fitting to ensure the guitar plays in tune and has even string-to-string volume.
Does this pickup work with nickel or steel strings?: Yes, as a piezo-ceramic pickup, it senses mechanical vibration rather than magnetic fields. It will work with any type of string material, including bronze, nickel, or steel.
How does this compare to a standard acoustic guitar pickup?: Unlike a standard undersaddle pickup, this is built into the saddles themselves to accommodate the unique bridge geometry of a resonator. It is voiced specifically to handle the high-mid frequencies of a metal cone.
Can I use this for recording?: Yes, it provides a clean and accurate signal for recording. Many engineers blend the direct signal from this pickup with a microphone to get a mix of body and string definition.