Tech: Fiddle pickup problem

Subject: Tech: Fiddle pickup problem
From: CharleyR
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:15 AM

Wondering if anyone can identify this problem. I use a Fishman transducer pickup on my fiddle (one that slots into the side of the bridge) and when I last tried to use it it was producing some weird sounds, the main one being it sounded as if it was going through an octave pedal - but it wasn't! I then tried another of the same type of pickup (fortunately had a spare) and it sounded fine. I've been using it for a while so I don't think it was positioned incorrectly or was too loose. Does anyone know what might be wrong with it and if it can be fixed? Thanks

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle pickup problem
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 08:59 AM

It could sound like an octave pedal if it was operating in a 'harmonic mode - an octave above'. How the hell that would happen, I have no idea! Unless the pickup itself somehow was damaged, cracked inside the piezo crystal perhaps? Any possibility of damage the way it was 'stored'?

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle pickup problem
From: Bernard
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 03:30 PM

A dry solder joint or damaged cable... acts like a capacitor, which could give that effect.

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle pickup problem
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:47 PM

Actually, a dry joint may act like a rectifier (diode) which can cause an apparent doubling of the sound frequency.