2 Piezo wired in parallel with vol pot noise issue

Gidit 'n Go Coolbreeze July 21, 2011 at 12:44pm

I've built 3 with piezo's and they all do the same thing, feed back until I get to max volume. I've tried glue, cut up mouse pads, & wood to dampen the disk but they all continue to buzz. My single-coil doesn't feed back at all so I don't think it's my soldering skills.

My suggestion is to play at full volume at all times, life's better that way anyhow......

Bad Finger (Eric) July 21, 2011 at 10:38am

My guess is that eliminating the volume pot that screams only at mid-volume ranges will. . .most likely eliminate the problem. :)

My guess is that it is an interaction between the amp, piezos, and the pot all wired and configured the way they are. Probably changing the piezos from parallel to series (or the other way), or changing amps, or adding a pre-amp, would all do the trick.

The problem with my guitar isn't so much feedback at mid-volume as it is a really harsh buzz and ring. It's like a really, really bad connection. Swapping out a different pot and resoldering all connections didn't change that. That leads me to believe that it is everything in the system lining up and contributing to the problem.

Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw July 21, 2011 at 10:21am

Hi. I'm no expert (as I'm probably about to prove) but I understand process of elimination (I think). I understand that you want the volume pot but have you tried bypassing the pot just as a test? It's going to tell you that the problem is or isn't located there.

Dazedlemonpie July 21, 2011 at 2:07am

@Dan, yeah i used the same diagram to wire the piezos

@Chip, the reason i have a vol pot is to be able to control the overal tone with it, not necessary the overall vol. Particularly with say a ts8 tube screamer, its important that i can control the amount of saturation / gain. I am just so used to doing it with an elec. Then again i am probably asking too much for a lofi speaker(piezo). I will try another pot and resolder the whole thing again to see. Any advise is most welcome............cheers and peace

Hippy Chip July 17, 2011 at 3:05pm

if my basic electronics is correct wiring to the center tap on a 500k pot gives you 250k

only one of your wires goes through the pot, the other goes directly to the jack

besides the simple fact that there is already a volume knob on your amp.

If you just want extra doo-dads on your guitar then more power to you

personally I like simplicity. "the more you overcomplicate the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up

the works"-------montgomery 'scotty' scott

Dan Sleep July 17, 2011 at 8:36am

Isolating the piezo will help with the feedback issue, as already metioned. But I am still curious why it would not feed back at full volume, but does when he turns it down to half.

Maybe make sure it is wired correctly? Here is a diagram:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/wiring-diagram-collectio...

Dazedlemonpie July 17, 2011 at 12:11am

wes, tks will give that a go...

Dazedlemonpie July 15, 2011 at 7:49am

Cheers DJ, I will post another one in the piezo group

Jantan ux July 15, 2011 at 7:04am

For piezos is group.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/piezopickup

Whatever pot or piezo feedback is always problem when piezo is to loud and too close to

the speeker.

Bad Finger (Eric) July 15, 2011 at 6:50am

I have the exact same odd problem. Tried a different pot and no difference.

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2 Piezo wired in parallel with vol pot noise issue

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