u/Iaskagain

Hi everyone,

I have an older guitar, It has an onboard pickup/preamp system with an undersaddle pickup strip.

Recently I noticed a serious string balance problem when plugged in:

Strings 1, 2, 3 sound normal, but strings 4, 5, 6 are much weaker.

So the treble side is okay, but the bass side is weak.

Here is what I have already tried:

Removed the saddle and reinstalled it carefully.

Tried several different saddles.

Tried to make sure the saddle bottoms were flat.

Sanded/checking on glass with light behind it.

Removed the saddle and pressed/tapped directly on the pickup strip itself.

Even when pressing/tapping directly on the strip, the bass side still seems weaker than the treble side.

Because the same imbalance happens with different saddles, and because the bass side is weak even when testing the strip directly, I’m starting to think the problem is not the saddle anymore, but the undersaddle piezo strip itself.

Does this sound like a faulty/uneven undersaddle pickup strip?

Can an undersaddle piezo strip become weak only on one side?

Is replacing just the strip usually enough, or could the preamp still be involved?

Is replacing the strip usually a DIY job, or should I take it to a technician?

I have an older classical guitar, It has an onboard pickup/preamp system with an undersaddle pickup strip.

Recently I noticed a serious string balance problem when plugged in:

Strings 1, 2, 3 sound normal, but strings 4, 5, 6 are much weaker.

So the treble side is okay, but the bass side is weak.

Here is what I have already tried:

Removed the saddle and reinstalled it carefully.

Tried several different saddles.

Tried to make sure the saddle bottoms were flat.

Sanded/checking on glass with light behind it.

Removed the saddle and pressed/tapped directly on the pickup strip itself.

Even when pressing/tapping directly on the strip, the bass side still seems weaker than the treble side.

Because the same imbalance happens with different saddles, and because the bass side is weak even when testing the strip directly, I’m starting to think the problem is not the saddle anymore, but the undersaddle piezo strip itself.

Does this sound like a faulty/uneven undersaddle pickup strip?

Can an undersaddle piezo strip become weak only on one side?

Is replacing just the strip usually enough, or could the preamp still be involved?

Is replacing the strip usually a DIY job, or should I take it to a technician?

Thanks for any advice.

Peak: -10.6 dB

LUFS-I: -26.4

No clipping

This is a clean, unprocessed recording while playing normally.

Does this look like a healthy input level, or should I increase the gain before recording?

I’m mainly concerned about whether the signal is too weak or already in a good range.

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/mzz2x05r2qyg1.png?width=621&format=png&auto=webp&s=dc75555a9b4b038a81e63766c7f8b8a53519e4d8

I’m setting up my classical guitar and currently have about 2.7 mm action on the low E at the 12th fret (no buzzing, feels comfortable).

I mostly play at home and sometimes record using a pickup + mic setup.

From what I understand, traditional classical action is higher (around 3.5–4 mm), but modern setups seem lower.

My questions:

Is 2.7 mm considered acceptable for classical guitar?

Am I sacrificing tone or volume in a meaningful way?

Would you personally raise it, or keep it if it plays clean?

No buzz, no choking — just wondering if I’m going “too low” compared to standard practice.

Thanks!