About MSP pickup

MSP stands for Magnet Sandwiched Pickup. MSP pickup is a piezoelectric transducer contact pickup, passive type for acoustic musical instruments. The MSP installation which has obtained patents (Patent US8916763/EP2600339/JP4967048) is innovative. Just only sandwiching instrument soundboard with magnets. MSP pickup is available for: popular stringed instruments such as the classic guitar, ukulele and double bass, uncommon stringed instruments such as the koto, harp, hammered dulcimer, percussion such as the handpan, kalimba, and djembe, and other various instruments.
- The picture shows a MSP pickup with specifications of 60 cm cable and a plastic jack.

Full range natural tone from low to high!

Strong magnetic force of neodymium magnets, which consist of the one inside of the MSP and the other, push the piezoelectric element toward the soundboard. This provides louder and higher quality sound without the use of a pre-amp. The MSP has longer sustain and deeper sound than our adhesive type contact piezo-pickup.

No modification needed! No failures! Unharmful installation for instruments.

The installation is simple. Because MSP is kept in place by magnets, musical instruments are not damaged or blemished due to adhesives. Also, the MSP is placed exterior of musical instruments, so it can be installed without making any through hole to a instrument. There is no wiring inside of instruments in using the MSP, and therefore, the disturbing reverberated sound which is caused by wiring touching inside of the instrument would not be made.

The mounting position is free because of magnets. Find your favorite spot.

In most cases, the sound emitted from contact pickups heavily depends on the attachment position. The free mounting position which is enabled by magnets allows the player to control sound output as much as they want, also there is no failure in the installation.

Examples of use( External site )

| Acoustic guitar | Classical guitar/Gut guitar | Ukulele | Double bass/Upright bass | Other stringed instruments | Harp | Fiddle | Cello | Percussion | Handpan | Upright Piano | Grand Piano |

You can check the use examples for other instruments by choosing the labels from the menu of our blog site.

How to Install

Sandwich the soundboard of your instrument by attaching a MSP body on the front and a Positioning Magnet on the back. Make sure each of the magnetic poles faces correctly so that they won't repel each other before attaching. If your instrument has braces, DO NOT install MSP on braces. Please read the following contents in this web page for the detail about the installation.

By hand (Without using Positioning Magnet Setter)

If your hand can reach the desired position for the Positioning Magnet, it is better to place the Positioning Magnet inside of the musical instrument by hand.

With Positioning Magnet Setter

When your hand can't reach the desired position for the Positioning Magnet, please use a Positioning Magnet Setter.

Parts/Main parts and extra parts

｜①MSP pickup (1: 180 cm cable, Neutrik 1/4" male plug/2: 60 cm cable, 1/4" plastic female jack made in JAPAN) ｜②Positioning Magnet (PM)｜③Psitioning Magnet Setter (MS)｜④Double-sided tape for PM｜⑤Endpin-hanger for guitar｜⑥Transparent protector｜⑦Cushioning｜Cushion sticker for PM｜Cable clip magnet｜Tailpiece clamp｜

- The cable length and connection type for MSP and its attachments are different for each kit. Please check our shop site for the details.
- Also, if you purchase from other suppliers, cable length and the connection type of MSP as well as attachments depend on each kit.

MSP pickup

MSP pickup contains a piezoelectric transducer and a magnet. Cable diameter: 4 mm. Connection: 1/4"(6.3φ), monaural, male plug (Neutrik) or female jack (Neutrik or plastic type made in JAPAN). The very light weight plastic jack puts a minimum burden on instruments and MSP pickup. The cable length and connection type for MSP and its attachments are different for each kit. Please check our shop site for the details. We have two MSP models as of February, 2021.
- The picture shows a MSP pickup having 180 cm cable and Neutrik female jack.

Standard:Deeper natural sound.

Stronger:Stronger magnetic model of STANDARD. The main unit is thicker than STANDARD model.

- V3 model has been discontinued.

Positioning Magnet

Positioning Magnet and MSP are both used to install the MSP. You can attach a MSP to a soundboard more strongly by using a thicker Positioning Magnet or stacking Positioning Magnets. The quality/tone of the sound output from the MSP can be controlled by changing the pushing force of the MSP against the soundboard, using the magnetic strength with which MSP is not moved by the paired Positioning Magnet(s) as a guide. When installing, to avoid a impact possibly caused by the MSP and the Positioning Magnet(s) suddenly attracted each other, press the Positioning Magnet firmly against the soundboard and then, attract each other with placing your finger between the MSP and the soundboard. After that, fit the MSP on the soundboard slowly and carefully while taking your finger off. Also, when mounting the MSP on a strike drum head of percussion, we recommend to add a Positioning Magnet(s) or to use a thicker Positioning Magnet; this would ease the impact of being struck which may cause the main unit to jump while playing.

【NOTES】* Make sure each of the magnetic poles faces correctly so that the MSP and the Positioning Magnet(s) won't repel each other before inserting the Positioning Magnet(s) to the inside of the instrument.

Positioning Magnet Setter

When your hand can't reach the desired position for the Positioning Magnet(s), use a Positioning Magnet Setter. It is used for the ukulele, double bass/upright bass, etc. We recommend to alter the Positioning Magnet Setter into the shape in the figure when inserting the Positioning Magnet(s) to a instrument with braces. That allows to press the Positioning Magnet(s) against the soundboard across the braces. To avoid a impact possibly caused by the MSP and the Positioning Magnet(s) suddenly attracted each other, press the Positioning Magnet(s) firmly against the soundboard with the Positioning Magnet Setter and then, attract each other with placing your finger between the MSP and the soundboard. After that, take your finger off slowly and pull the Positioning Magnet Setter off after confirming that the MSP and the Positioning Magnet(s) are attracted each other securely.

【NOTES】* Some kits do not include any felt cover. * If you are concerned about the impact on your instrument when the magnets are attracted, use a felt cover of a Positioning Magnet Setter. Covering the Positioning Magnet(s) with a felt-cover can reduce the impact of the magnets attracting, however, the Positioning Magnet(s) may fall inside of the instrument when the Positioning Magnet Setter with the felt cover is pulled off. In that case, please attract the fallen Positioning Magnet(s) to the tip of the Positioning Magnet Setter and pick the magnet(s) up. * Pull out the felt-cover together with the Positioning Magnet Setter. If the felt-cover is left inside the instrument, the attachment of MSP and the Positioning Manget(s) may be unstable. * If the Positioning Magnet(s) is put/attached on braces, damage may be caused by the magnet(s) jumping, or the MSP and the magnet(s) may be unstable. * When inserting the Positioning Magnet to a narrow sound hole such as a f-hole, we recommend to use a thin Positioning Magnet. * When installing a Positioning Magnet with a cushion sticker with using a Positioning Magnet Setter, do not use the felt cover of the Positioning Magnet Setter.

Double-sided tape for Positioning Magnet

It is used to fix the position of a Positioning Magnet. This way, you can place the MSP without setting the Positioning Magnet each time. When attaching the MSP after fixing the Positioning Magnet in place, sandwich a finger between the MSP and the desired attaching position and take the finger off slowly. Be careful not to slam the MSP and the inside Positioning Magnet.

【ATTENTION】 * When using the double-sided tape to fix the Positioning Magnet, it would not be possible to fine-tune the sound produced by the MSP pickup and removing the magnet may be difficult. * Don't slam the MSP and the inside Positioning Magnet. It may damage your instruments, the Positioning Magnet, or the piezoelectric element in the MSP.

【NOTES】It becomes easier to set the MSP pickup after fixing the Positioning Magnet, however, it is not possible to adjust the tone by changing the MSP position according to the circumstance of playing such as the amp used, the venue, the band formation, etc.

Endpin-hanger for guitar

Hang the endpin-hanger on the end-pin of instruments, like the one which comes with the guitar, to keep the the MSP cable at the desired length.

【ATTENTION】* Do not pull the MSP main unit and the connection when the MSP cable is hooked onto/taken off from the endpin-hanger. It may disconnect the cable.

Cushioning

Placing the Cushioning such as felt, rubber sheet, or others between the MSP and the soundboard allows sound quality and tone output by the MSP to be more controlled. Also, when attaching the MSP pickup on the drumhead of the percussion with the cushioning, it can prevent the unexpected mute or reduce the jumping of the MSP main unit while playing. We recommend to use the cushioning when the MSP pickup is attached on the drumhead of the percussion which is played with strong hitting such as the conga . The effects of the cushioning depend on the material and its thickness. The cushioning does not have to be our products. You may choose various cushionings according to your own instrument by yourself: it could be fun!

The video shows the sound test of line-in recording with three types of cushioning.

This video shows the sound test of amp with three types of cushioning.

Transparent protector

Put the protector on the instrument surface where the MSP is positioned. You can use the protector on the desired position to mark the positioning of the MSP or to protect your instrument from scratches caused by rubbing the MSP and the instrument, if you are concerned. Peel off the protective sheet layer; the transparent side is the protector itself and the lattice patterned side is the protective sheet layer. The protector sticks with the silicone layer of the protector instead of adhesive.

Cushion sticker for Positioning Magnet

Attach the cushion sticker on the surface of a Positioning Magnet that attracts an MSP pickup. The cushion sticker is a sponge-like cushion which reduces the rattling of the Positioning Magnet for a gentle curved surface. The sound tone can be changed by using the Positioning Magnet with the cushion sticker on a flat surface, though it depends on the instrument. When installing a Positioning Magnet with the cushion sticker, using a Positioning Magnet Setter, DO NOT USE the felt cover of the Positioning Magnet Setter.

Please fast forward and watch the part which starts from 0:51.

Cable clip magnet

The cable clip magnet is to adjust the MSP cable length and fix the connector for the instrument without an endpin like the ukulele. Fasten the cable at the end of the connector side with the clip part and wind the cable by rotating the cable clip magnet attached on the instrument with a Positioning Magnet. When taking the cable off the clip, slide the tip of the clip to the left with the tip of the clip facing downward. Please test the procedure and visualize the installation before actually attaching it.

【NOTES】* Fixing the MSP connector reduces the weight of cables and connectors on the MSP main unit as well as the pulling to the MSP main unit by the cable's swinging. Also, keeping the the MSP cable at the desired length prevents the disturbing noise by the cable's brushing against the instrument. Keeping the connector and the cable makes the sound and the mounting more stable.

Tailpiece Clamp

The tailpiece clamp is to mount the MSP plastic jack on the tailpiece of the double bass. Place the tailpiece between the jack holder and the hand-tighten nut, and insert the screw. Then tighten the nut (See the picture).

【NOTES】* This is not compatible with Neutrik female jack.

Instruction manual【Please read this page thoroughly before using.】

How to use

MSP delivers high impedance. Connect MSP to the high impedance input of instrument amplifier. When you directly connect MSP to mixer, connect through DI (Direct box) which changes MSP's signal to low-impedance. When impedance of MSP and receiver do not match, MSP may not function well.

Caution

MSP and Positioning Magnet are made of strong neodymium magnets. Do not put fingers or other parts of body between magnets. It may cause injury. Do not put the following items which affect magnetic force near the MSP and Positioning Magnet: credit cards, magnetic cards such as IC cards, floppy disks, electrical appliances such as computers, devices, mobile phones, pacemaker. It may cause severe damage. Also, it may cause possible interference on pacemaker users. 123sound.jp will not be liable for any damages to your personal belongings, personal injuries, or any other damages from MSP kit.

Notice

* Avoid giving a shock on MSP; it may damage piezoelectric element inside of MSP.
* Do not slam two magnets severely; it may damage your instruments or the magnets. Install with caution.
* Do not leave MSP and Positioning Magnet in temperature of 80℃/176℉ or above, such as inside of the closed car or in direct sunlight; neodymium magnets are permanent magnets, however, it may lose their magnetic force.

* Do not pull the MSP cable; it may disconnect the cable.

* The deterioration of MSP's outer parts might be accelerated when it is kept in a humid environment or large temperature differences, wiped off or contacted with alcohol solution or other chemicals, or left unused for a long time.
* Please remove MSP from your instrument and keep it away from humidity when unused for a long time.
* Do not wipe off MSP with water, alcohol solution or other chemicals, or make contact with them. Use water or ethanol and clean off dampness throughout when you need to wipe MSP out of necessity.

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