How to Install a Fishman Pickup in a Dobro Guitar
Throughout the history of the guitar, many modifications have been made to increase the instrument's volume. Before electrical amplification, many guitar manufacturers produced "resonator" guitars, which used metal bodies to increase the volume. One type of resonator guitar, the Dobro, became popular for playing with a slide in bluegrass and other traditional American music. If the volume of a Dobro remains inadequate, Fishman Transducers produces a line of pickups that may be installed in a Dobro for use with electronic amplification.
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Things You'll Need
- Fishman Resophonic pickup
- Dobro
- Pliers
- White grease pencil
- Power drill
- 3/16-inch drill bit
- 15/32-inch tapered reamer
- Clean cloth
Instructions
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Pickup Installation
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1
Remove the strings from a Dobro guitar.
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2
Remove the resonator cone cover plate. Slide it out from underneath the bridge, and lift it away from the guitar.
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3
Place the pickup on the screw that holds the resonator cone in place. Thread the shoulder washer over the screw. Thread the locknut onto the screw by hand. Tighten the locknut in place with a pliers.
Jack Installation
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4
Mark the desired location for the instrument jack with a white grease pencil. Instrument jacks for guitars generally are placed near the tailpiece.
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5
Drill a hole through the body of the instrument at the marked location with a power drill, using a 3/16-inch drill bit.
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6
Ream the jack hole to 15/32-inch with a power drill, using a 15/32-inch tapered reamer.
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7
Thread the 15/32-inch nut, 15/32-inch washer and 15/32-inch star washer onto the instrument jack. Insert the threaded jack into the jack hole so the nut and washers are on the interior side of the instrument.
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8
Slide the 3/8-inch dress washer and the 3/8-inch nut onto the jack from the exterior of the instrument body. Place a cloth in the jaws of a pliers and tighten the 3/8-inch nut with the pliers.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Changing the original configuration of an instrument may negatively impact its value and should be considered prior to altering any instrument.
