User’s Guide

Ellipse™VT
 Ellipse VT

FEATU
Volume
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Tone
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Voicing
WELCOME ... Reach into
and to th
... and thank you for your purchase of the Ellipse VT acoustic preamp system. This unique (Acoustic
onboard package offers incredible acoustic sound by bringing you a high quality preamp paired Natural II
with our most popular undersaddle pickup, the Acoustic Matrix. A dedicated volume control is situation.
complemented by an incredibly effective tone control that simultaneously tailors bass, middle
and treble in a single movement. It also offers a feedback-fighting phase switch - all easily •The
adjusted within easy reach of the fingers. solo g
instrum
And the Ellipse VT installs easily inside the soundhole without altering the look of your guitar. For
the wide variety of body styles and performance situations, the preamp’s voicing is selectable Note:
and the entire installation requires no soldering. setting
•The N
and do
with fu
 User’s Guide

FEATURES
Volume
Generally set the Volume as high as possible (without causing your amp or mixer to distort) to
achieve the cleanest sound.
Phase Switch
Push the phase switch in and out until you find the position that sounds best and reduces
feedback.
Tone
This innovative one-knob tone control lets you choose between a natural, undersaddle sound
with no EQ (Flat) on up to a “Scooped” tone with emphasized treble and bass and reduced
midrange.
• To make single notes sound thicker and punchier, move the Tone slider toward the Flat
position.
• Try the Tone slider in the middle position for fingerpicking, when you need just a bit of
midrange cut.
• Move the Tone slider all the way to the “Scooped” position for more depth and clarity to
your sound, especially for hard strumming.
Voicing Switch (Natural I & II)
Reach into the soundhole with your index finger. You will find the voicing switch located behind
and to the right of the phase switch. Push the voicing switch away from you for more bass
is unique (Acoustic Matrix Natural I voicing) and toward you for a leaner response (Acoustic Matrix
mp paired Natural II voicing). Choose the setting that works best with your instrument and your performing
control is situation. Here are some guidelines.
ss, middle
all easily •The deep, bass enhanced Natural I voicing (switch toward bass side) compliments
solo guitarists and singers who accompany themselves, especially with smaller bodied
instruments.
guitar. For
selectable Note: If the amplified sound is too boomy when you move the Tone slider to the Scooped
setting, choose the Natural II voicing instead.
•The Natural II voicing (switch toward treble side) cuts through the mix if you play in a band
and does a good job controlling boominess and low frequency feedback onstage, especially
with full-size guitars.
 Ellipse VT

Battery
Remove the strings, to access the battery inside the guitar. Replace with a 9V alkaline battery.

We recommend that you remove the battery prior to shipping or airline travel. If loose
inside the guitar, the battery may damage the instrument.

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General:
Typical 9V alkaline battery life: 220 hrs.
Typical current consumption @ 9Vdc: 2.3mA
Nominal output impedance: 1k Ohm
Maximum output level (onset of clipping): +8dBV

Input:
Gain: +4.5dB
Baseline noise (A-weighted): -95dBV
Dynamic range (A-weighted, referenced to onset of clipping): 103dB
Signal to noise ratio (A-weighted, referenced to -10dBV output): 85dB

Voicing Switch:
Natural I setting:
Frequency response (-3dB referenced to 2kHz): 50Hz – 160kHz
Bass boost: +3dB @ 90Hz
Natural II setting:
Frequency response (-3dB referenced to 2kHz): 80Hz – 140kHz

Tone:
Flat position: Neutral (see Voicing Switch specs)
Scooped position: -10dB @ 630Hz,
+4dB compensation gain

Because we continually improve our products, all specifications and information in this manual are
subject to change without notice.

www.fishman.com
513-000-030 Rev A 2-05 • This product is protected by one or more of the following patents: 6,278,059, 4,774,867, 4,727,634,
4,944,209, 5,029,375, 5,155,285, 5,319,153, 5,189,771, 5,463,185, 5,670,733, 5,817,966, 4,911,057, 4,984,498,
5,693,898, 6,239,349, 6,429,367, 4,785,704, 4,356,754, 6,680,431, and 6,677,514. Other patents may also apply.