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Is it possible to shorten an under saddle pickup? I need to put a pickup in an octave mandolin with a fixed guitar style bridge. the saddle is 2 1/4 inches long. can you cut the pickup to length? what about string spacing?

If you shorten or cut off the pickup it will damage it, causing a hum. I'd recommend a coax type pickup, like a D-tar Wavelength or LR Baggs Element. The pickup in these systems is a flexible coax. The string spacing won't be a problem and you won't have to cut it off. I've never used one on a saddle that short, but don't think you'd have any problems.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

K&K is a good solution
much better than any UST pickup

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

+1 for K & K

I suspect a K&K would be difficult, or impossible to install in an Octive Mandolin, if it's already assembled.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Call Dieter at K&K . he can/will make you anything you want - he made me a custom width 12 string piezo undersaddle for the doubleneck, it was only an extra 10 bucks.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"