Installation. BLUE CHIP AIX-102

Installing the Pickup

Once you’ve installed the controller, the pickup can be installed using either double-sided tape or screws. Although the tape is convenient, screwinstallation is recommended because it provides greater security and allows pickup height adjustment for optimum performance.

■ Hardware

The following parts, supplied with the AIX-

101/102, are required or optional for installation of the pickup. Please make sure you have all the parts.

• Self-tapping round-head screws (3x25mm) ............... 2

■ Installation Procedure — Tape

1. Mark the optimum position for installation.

The pickup should be located between the bridge pickup and bridge, ideally 20-mm from the bridge. If the ideal 20-mm placement is not possible, the pickup should be located as far as possible, but no more than 20 millimeters away from the bridge. The cable end of the pickup should be oriented toward the sixth string (low E).

One pair of the pickup’s magnetic yokes should be under each string. String spacing varies somewhat on different guitars, and the pickup will function properly as long as each string passes over part of the corresponding yokes (not necessarily the exact center). Check that the strings pass over the yokes, even when bending the strings.

Bridge

Bridge pickup

• Springs ................................ 2

• Double-sided adhesive tape ..................................... 4

• Pickup cushion ................... 1

• Pickup spacers A

(1mm) ................................. 5

• Pickup spacers B

(0.3mm) ............................ 10

• Re-usable double-sided adhesive pads .................................... 2

Installation

OK

Pickup

OK

No more than

20 millimeters (3/

4")

NG

String

Pickup’s magnetic yokes

■ NOTES

• Make sure the pickup does not interfere with the operation of a tremolo arm or other guitar controls.

Once the pickup has been positioned correctly, carefully mark the position on the guitar body.

Small pieces of marking tape can be used if you don’t want to mark directly on the guitar body.

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2. Set the pickup height.

First make sure the truss rod and string height are adjusted properly, then tune the strings to their normal pitch. Adjust the height of the pickup — using the appropriate spacer or combination of spacers (see “NOTES” below) — so that the distance between the top of the pickup and the bottom of each string is about 1 millimeter (0.04") when each string is fretted at the highest note on the neck. The pickup height can be checked by using the supplied clearance gauge.

1 millimeter (0.04")

3. Attach the pickup.

Remove the strings from the guitar. Apply the double-sided tape to the bottom of the pickup and remove the backing. Remove the backing from the required pickup cushion/spacers and carefully attach them to the bottom of the pickup. Finally, carefully attach the pickup/spacer assembly to the guitar at the marked position, then re-string and tune the guitar.

Pickup

Cut

Double-sided adhesive tape

Bridge pickup

Guitar body

Pickup

Clearance gauge

Bridge

Spacers A, B

Cushion

20 millimeter

(3/4")

1 millimeter

(0.04")

■ NOTES

• Don’t remove the backing from the pickup cushion or spacers when initially setting up the pickup height. Please note that the cushion/spacer backing adds about 0.1 millimeter (0.004") to their thickness, so take this added thickness into account when using a number of spacers.

• To compensate for differences in height between the first and sixth strings (e.g. if your guitar has an arched top), use an appropriate number of onequarter or one-third width spacers under the lower end of the pickup (the spacers can be cut easily with a good pair of scissors).

Cut

Double-sided adhesive tape

■ NOTES

• The re-usable double-sided adhesive pads (page 8) can be used in place of the bottom layer of adhesive tape (guitar side). Cut the pads to match the shape of the pickup, as required.

4. Check the height.

Check the pickup height again, and play the guitar in all ranges to ensure that the strings do not come in contact with the pickup. If all is well, then the installation is complete.

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Cut spacers

Installation

If you need to readjust the pickup height …

If the pickup height needs to be re-adjusted, remove the strings and carefully pry the pickup from the guitar by sliding a thin, flat object (e.g. a small knife blade) under the sixth-string end of the pickup — between the pickup and top spacer — and gently lifting the pickup away from the spacer.

■ Installation Procedure — Screw

Screw installation has several advantages over tape installation: screw installation is more secure, the height of the pickup can be more precisely adjusted, and pickup height can be easily readjusted as required without having to remove and reattach double-sided tape.

■ NOTES

• Screw installation requires at least a 13 millimeter

(1/2”) space between the guitar top and strings.

The double-sided tape can then be “rolled” off the bottom of the pickup as shown in the illustration.

1. Mark the optimum position for installation.

The pickup should be located between the bridge pickup and bridge (see “NOTES” below).

The cable end of the pickup should be oriented toward the sixth string (low E). One pair of the pickup’s magnetic yokes should be under each string. String spacing varies somewhat on different guitars, and the pickup will function properly as long as each string passes over part of the corresponding yokes (not necessarily the exact center).

Bridge pickup

Bridge

Readjust the height as required by adding or removing spacers:

• To add a new spacer in order to raise the pickup, remove any used double-sided tape from the existing spacer, then attach the new spacer to the top of the existing spacer after removing its backing.

• When removing a spacer to lower the pickup, be sure to remove both the spacer and its backing tape.

Finally, attach fresh double-sided tape to the bottom of the pickup, remove the backing, carefully attach the pickup to the uppermost spacer, then re-string and tune the guitar.

String

OK

Pickup

OK

No more than

20 millimeters

(3/4")

NG

Pickup’s magnetic yokes

Installation

11

■ NOTES

• The pickup should be located as far as possible but no more than 20 millimeters (3/4") from the bridge.

• Make sure the pickup does not interfere with the operation of a tremolo arm or other guitar controls.

Once the pickup has been positioned correctly, carefully mark the centers of the two screw holes at either end of the pickup on the guitar body using a fine pen or scribe.

4. Re-string and adjust the pickup height.

Re-string and tune the guitar, then carefully adjust the pickup height by loosening or tightening the pickup screws. The distance between the top of the pickup and the bottom of each string should be about 1 millimeter (0.04") when each string is fretted at the highest note on the neck. The pickup height can be checked by using the supplied clearance gauge.

2. Drill the screw holes.

Remove the strings from the guitar and very carefully drill 2-millimeter (0.08", approx.) holes at the marked locations. The holes may have to be slightly larger in diameter if your guitar’s body is made from a very hard wood such as maple, cherry, or rosewood.

3. Attach the pickup.

Insert the two self-tapping round-head screws

(3x25mm) through the screw holes in the pickup, and place the springs over the screw shafts extending below the pickup. Screw the screws in the corresponding holes in the guitar top.

■ CAUTION!

• Be careful not to damage the pickup cable when installing the pickup.

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Installation