Fishman FLEX Series User Guide
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Quick Start
- Set The Controls: Set volume off and tone controls to center.
- Plug In: Connect Flex to an amplifier or PA with a 1/4-inch instrument cable.
- Tune Up (If equipped): Press and hold the Volume knob to activate the onboard tuner. Once activated, the tuner mutes the output. Press volume knob again to exit.
- Turn Up: Raise the volume and adjust the tone controls to your liking.
FLEX Controls
Volume: For the cleanest signal, set the volume knob as high as possible, without causing distortion or 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 individual notes sound thicker and punchier, turn the Tone control to flat (full counter clockwise).
- Set the Tone control to the middle position for fingerpicking, when you need just a bit of midrange cut.
- Turn the Tone control all the way to the right (Full Clockwise) to add more depth and clarity to your sound, especially for hard strumming.
Phase: Push Tone knob to reverse the phase of the output. Use the phase switch to improve bass response at low volume and suppress feedback at high volume.
Diagram: Shows a knob labeled 'Tone' and another labeled 'Volume'.
FLEX Plus Controls
Volume: For the cleanest signal, set the volume knob as high as possible, without causing distortion or feedback.
Treble: Boost to cut through the mix. Cut to mellow and subdue the sound.
Bass: Boost here to add depth and weight to the sound of the guitar.
Phase: Push the Bass knob to reverse the phase of the output. Use this phase switch to improve bass response at low volume and suppress feedback at high volume.
Diagram: Shows knobs labeled 'Volume', 'Bass', and 'Treble'.
FLEX Plus-T Controls
Volume: For the cleanest signal, set the volume knob as high as high as possible, without causing distortion or feedback.
Treble: Boost to cut through the mix. Cut to mellow and subdue the sound.
Bass: Boost here to add depth and weight to the sound of the guitar.
Phase: Push the Bass knob to reverse phase. Use this phase switch to improve bass response at low volume and suppress feedback at high volume.
Tuner: Press and hold the Volume knob to activate the onboard tuner. Once activated, the tuner mutes the output. Press volume knob again to exit.
Note: This Chromatic tuner accommodates all standard and alternate tunings and mutes the output when engaged. It is calibrated to A = 440 Hz and can be activated without an instrument cable connected. To conserve battery life, the tuner will turn itself off after three minutes of inactivity.
Diagram: Shows knobs labeled 'Volume', 'Bass', and 'Treble', with the 'Volume' knob also showing the Fishman logo and tuner indicator.
FLEX Blend Controls
Volume: For the cleanest signal, set the volume knob as high as possible, without causing distortion or feedback.
Tone: This innovative one-knob tone control allows you to 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 individual notes sound thicker and punchier, turn the Tone control to flat (full counter clockwise).
- Set the Tone control to the middle position for fingerpicking, when you need just a bit of midrange cut.
- Turn the Tone control all the way to the right (Full Clockwise) to add more depth and clarity to your sound, especially for hard strumming.
Phase: Push the tone knob to reverse phase. Use this phase switch to improve bass response at low volume and suppress feedback at high volume.
Blend: The Flex Blend system incorporates a soundhole mounted high quality electret-condenser cardioid microphone. Turn the blend knob clockwise to add the desired level of microphone signal to the pickup.
Tuner: Press and hold the Volume knob to activate the onboard tuner. Once activated, the tuner mutes the output. Press volume knob again to exit.
Note: This Chromatic tuner accommodates all standard and alternate tunings and mutes the output when engaged. It is calibrated to A = 440 Hz and can be activated without an instrument cable connected. To conserve battery life, the tuner will turn itself off after three minutes of inactivity.
Diagram: Shows knobs labeled 'Volume', 'Tone', and 'Blend', with the 'Volume' knob also showing the Fishman logo and tuner indicator.
FLEX Body Controls
Volume: For the cleanest signal, set the volume knob as high as possible, without causing distortion or feedback.
Tone: This innovative one-knob tone control allows you to 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 individual notes sound thicker and punchier, turn the Tone control to flat (full counter clockwise).
- Set the Tone control to the middle position for fingerpicking, when you need just a bit of midrange cut.
- Turn the Tone control all the way to the right (Full Clockwise) to add more depth and clarity to your sound, especially for hard strumming.
Phase: Push the tone knob to reverse phase. Use this phase switch to improve bass response at low volume and suppress feedback at high volume.
Blend: The Flex Body system is equipped with a bridge plate mounted body pickup that delivers an additional level of sound quality and playing dynamics. Turn the blend knob clockwise to add the desired level of body pickup signal to the undersaddle pickup.
Tuner: Press and hold the Volume knob to activate the onboard tuner. Once activated, the tuner mutes the output. Press volume knob again to exit.
Note: This Chromatic tuner accommodates all standard and alternate tunings and mutes the output when engaged. It is calibrated to A = 440 Hz and can be activated without an instrument cable connected. To conserve battery life, the tuner will turn itself off after three minutes of inactivity.
Diagram: Shows knobs labeled 'Volume', 'Tone', and 'Blend', with the 'Volume' knob also showing the Fishman logo and tuner indicator.
Battery Life
Battery: When it is time to change the battery, a low battery LED located on the preamp inside the guitar will light. To conserve power, unplug the instrument and turn off the tuner when not in use. Typical 9-Volt alkaline battery life is:
- Flex: 100 hours
- Flex Plus: 100 hours
- Flex Plus Tuner: 100 hours (in preamp mode)
- Flex Plus Mic Blend: 100 hours (in preamp mode)
- Flex Plus Body Blend: 70 hours (in preamp mode)
FCC Compliance Notice
Models: 458-200-393, 458-200-394, 458-200-395
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
NOTE: Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not responsible for unauthorized equipment modifications that could violate FCC rules, and/ or void product safety certifications.
EU Declaration of Conformity CE: Hereby, Fishman declares that these Flex Onboard Preamps are in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 2014/30/EU. The Declaration of Conformity can be found at: www.fishman.com/support.
Fishman and Fishman Transducers are trademarks or tradenames of Fishman Transducers Inc. 513-300-262 r1
