Fishman Reso Spider, Nashville Pickup

[Garry Vanderlinde]

Any tips on installing one of these on a Tut Taylor Resophonic? The Fishman bridge insert is much fatter than the original Taylor. Is it okay to sand down the insert to fit or am I better off buying a different spider? I don't want to destroy anything and maybe does the wider bridge sound better? I really like the way the guitar sounds acoustically and would rather not alter it if possible. Your opinions are welcomed.

[Howard Parker]

Best not to modify the pickup in any way. That's why Schoonover and Beard designed their spiders. I'm most familiar with the Beard where the pickup drops in and is secured with screws.

The mantra with the pickup since introduction has been "self install not advised" but, you be you.

Make a slotting error or accidentally cause the upper material to separate and it's fatal and expensive.

As far as tonal differences, depends on what's currently installed in the guitar. If ebony/maple, perhaps a tad more aggressive. If birch or plain maple I suspect the differences will be more apparent.

Hope this helps

h

[Garry Vanderlinde]

Thanks Howard, I'll look into trying to get a Beard spider with the screws. My luthier has installed hundreds of pickups but this is the first Reso.
But, how would you install one on a vintage reso w/o changing the spider?

[Howard Parker]

I'd swap out the complete spider/insert assembly and save the "vintage" parts if you like.

h

[Garry Vanderlinde]

I'm looking for one now. I emailed Beard. Any ideas where I might find one?

[Howard Parker]

Beard's website?

[Garry Vanderlinde]

This is where you can find one:
https://www.resophonicoutfitters.com/product/ASB.html