Fishman VTB - Active Volume & Tone controls

I may need to return to amend this review at some point when I've actually used the VTB but I wanted to post now to prevent anyone from making the same mistakes. I purchased the VTB because my recently acquired 2000 Taylor AB3 came with some pickup problems so the VTB/Infinity approach seemed the way to go for a replacement. BUT, when I proceeded to install the VTB, I found that it did NOT "fit in the holes vacated by the old Fishman ABGP2" unit, as advertised. The spacing of the pots is correct, but the length of the pots is significantly shorter than the original ABGP2 so I was unable to thread the retaining nuts on the posts to hold the unit in place. The support block inside was just too thick to allow the VTB unit to fit and there's no practical way to remove the block or even thin it down.Even so, I must give the Customer Service guys at Fishman full credit because they've provided absolute 5 STAR SERVICE. Evidently, the original 'long' pots are no longer available so they offered to swap the ones from the ABGP2 to the VTB. There's some risk involved in the swap (burned out pots) and I'm currently working on another option so I haven't taken advantage of their generous offer, yet. Otherwise, they have invested a lot of time and energy helping me resolve the issue.If you're thinking of the using the Matrix Infinity with your VTB, I can provide some thoughts, as well. I did go ahead and install it in the bass using the stock controls for now and it sounds amazing! Installed a second one in the stock configuration on my Taylor 610ce to replace the Natural 1 and it's light years ahead of that thing. Total overhaul of the sound of that guitar. I really hope it works out and I can make the swap and take advantage of the updated technology. In the meantime, I've ordered a custom piezo pickup from Fishman to replace the nackered one and will test that with the ABGP2 before making the commitment to sacrificing it for the pots. Worst case I use the new custom pickup and save the VTB and Infinity for another guitar some day. Well worth hanging onto.Also, don't worry about wiring the 'bass boost' option, it's way more than the bass needs and the guys at Fishman have assured me that the bass control on the VTB will be plenty. I agree completely based on my use of the stock unit.Sorry for the 3 stars. I'm sure it's a great piece of equipment typical of Fishman quality and technology, but in my case concept of "Fit" had another dimension that wasn't satisfied by this unit and has sent me on a long and complicated road.Cheers!!

Not bad on the install, just a few minor holes to drill and then just fiddling out the rest by hand. I attached these to the 'matrix one pickup' that has the pre-amp built in already so all you have to do is sauder your red wire, white wire, and your ground and you should be making the nieghbors a little more annoyed then usual in no time! CHEERS! Sound really nice.