Fishman Acoustic Matrix Series Narrow

An indication that it's time to replace your pickup is when the guitar starts to buzz, but that buzz stops when you touch the plug barrel. After eliminating the preamp, and ensuring the string pressure is being transferred to the pickup via the bridge, you then need to choose a replacement.

If you already have a Fishman system, then the chances are that by now the older pickups are no longer listed. This was the situation I was recently faced with and after contacting Fishman directly they advised that this pickup replaces earlier versions (though it's always wise to triple-check the dimensions).

Fitting the pickup is straightforward, though you need to be extremely careful not to bend the lead where it connects onto the pickup body as this will damage it. The pickup is supplied in a protective rigid plastic case and my order was additionally very well packed by Thomann.

When used with a Fishman preamp the pickup has a fairly neutral, even response and a very natural 'acoustic' sound without the metallic upper-mid harshness that under-saddle pickups can sometimes produce. The bass is well-represented without being excessive and doesn't overpower the detail in the higher notes.

Overall I'm impressed with the sound this produces.

My Avalon AS-100CE came with this pickup along with the Fishman Matrix Preamp. However I didn't realise when I purchased the guitar (or soon after purchasing the guitar) that the pickup was broken and it wasn't picking up any sound from the 1st or 6th strings. The output level was also very low.

So I bought this as a replacement and had it fitted. As a result, the plugged-in sound of my Avalon is beautiful. Highly responsive and the Matrix preamp gives a lot of scope when it comes to EQ and tone.

I have rated the Sound 4 stars because since having it replaced, I have loved it.
I rated the Quality 3 stars because the original one I had in the guitar broke. I have had the replacement in the guitar for a couple of years now so I hope it stands the test of time!

It’s probably the beat piezo in it’s class, and easy to fit. This is the same as the piezo in the Infinity Matrix, and I have it installed on a 2005 Martin D15.

Sound quality is very good. I run it into an optical compressor and a six band EQ into a Loudbox Mini, and I’m satisfied with the setup.

However, they seem to have an issue where they fail after a number of years. My original lasted about 8 years until it began making loud, horrible noises. I replaced it with this, and four years later, it has begun to do the same, albeit intermittently.

I don’t know if I will replace it a second time, or try an alternative.