Making a template to accurately install Trance Audio´s Acoustic Lens

I think you will find this jig simplifies the process of installing the Acoustic Lens pickup and reduces the margin of error. When I´m finished with the installation I jot down the customers name on the template and save it so that in the event the pickup comes loose or a modification of the pickup position is desired, it can be done with great accuracy and relative ease. I have included several photos to help clarify the process.

The template is made from a small block of wood. A typical dreadnaught guitar requires a piece of wood about 1½ x 3 x 3/4. You will also need 2 -10 x 24 x 2” machine screws with 4 -10 x 24 wing nuts.

1) Position wood under bridge plate and clamp it into position making sure to allow for appropriate room for saddle and pickup placement on the template.

2) Make a pencil mark through bridge pinholes to locate both E strings.

3) Using a drill press and a 3/16 bit accurately drill through block where you have it marked. Bolt the template into position under the bridge plate. If things fit well, bolts should have to be threaded through template and all the way up through the bridge. This is the reason for the reversed wing nuts on the bolts. Keep in mind that the template will have to come out and be put back in exactly the same position.  If it is not a snug fit then follow the procedure from step #2 and drill a third guide hole into the template through the D or G position. A piece of 3/16” dowel rod can be slipped into this position to snug things up. This has never been a problem for me to date but some bridges are a bit more worn out and may require this extra guide.  Now is the time to of drill holes through the saddle slot  as shown in the Acoustic Lens installation guide that comes with the pickup.

4) Remove the template from the guitar. Using the methods shown in the installation guide, one can make necessary measurements to locate the position of the pickup or pickups right on the template.

5) Take the template to a band saw or jigsaw to cut out the pickup area. 6) Now you can fit the pickup into the template to reference the actual position and make necessary adjustments.

7) If using the self-stick method you can now install the pickup. If you would like to use barge cement to install the pickup you will need to wax the template, then bolt it into position. The wax will keep any excess glue from sticking to the template

8) Using mirrors as shown in the Acoustic Lens installation guide, you can take a look at how things line up. This is also a good time to take a few practice runs to get the feel for sliding the pickup accurately into position. The template allows you to do this task by feel alone.

9) Move onto the gluing process as shown in the installation guide.

10) Now take a mirror and take a look to be sure your placement is good.

11) If everything looks good and you have glued the pickup into place you can now remove bolts, then carefully pull template away from the pickup and bridge plate.