Did a build for a client, concert size ukulele. Now he wants a pickup. I usually install an active piezo but this box will not allow for that. Any ideas on best passive piezo? Disc vs rod. Would like pre wired saves me time and pass the cost on to the client.
Thanks all!
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Depends on the client's prefered tone they are looking for. I think you can make passive piezos to work. You might already know this, putting the piezo under the first strings will give a bassy sound. If placed under thinner strings, you'll get a brighter sound.
There is a diagram around here of installing a tone pot to piezos the correct way. You'll need a 100k resistor between the piezo output and the tone pot. There were more instructions but thats my memory. I think it was Brian Q's discovery, maybe he can chime in to clear things up.
Also, by word of mouth, I hear larger piezos are better.
Hi again, I did not answer your question fully as you made mention of saving the cost of a simple wiring task. The better quality the piezo element the better the sound/quality/output. This better quality comes at a cost. I use JJB electronic and K&K pickups and pre amps in my full acoustic builds, but these would be far too expensive for the simple CBG style guitar/uke.
The goal with acoustic pickups is to try to have the best acoustic sound from an acoustic instrument one can get when amplified, very hard to do I think with cheap equipment.
K&K recommend their larger size piezo's for larger instruments, 12 string guitar etc.
Do what Ill Green suggests and play with positioning, and I would also try different mounting methods, with nylon strings you should get a reasonable sound.
Replies
Here’s a tutorial for the stand alone preamp
https://www.cbgitty.com/news/improved-stand-alone-preamp-hack-use-t...
If you’re not trying to do any wiring, then try one of these little guys. Only 1 5/8” x 2 5/16” plus it comes with a rod piezo?
https://www.cbgitty.com/guitar-electronics/pre-amps/ukulele-cigar-b...
I tried suggesting a stand alone preamp like taff mentioned ,but the site was acting weird the other day? What was that?
Depends on the client's prefered tone they are looking for. I think you can make passive piezos to work. You might already know this, putting the piezo under the first strings will give a bassy sound. If placed under thinner strings, you'll get a brighter sound.
There is a diagram around here of installing a tone pot to piezos the correct way. You'll need a 100k resistor between the piezo output and the tone pot. There were more instructions but thats my memory. I think it was Brian Q's discovery, maybe he can chime in to clear things up.
Also, by word of mouth, I hear larger piezos are better.
Hi again, I did not answer your question fully as you made mention of saving the cost of a simple wiring task. The better quality the piezo element the better the sound/quality/output. This better quality comes at a cost. I use JJB electronic and K&K pickups and pre amps in my full acoustic builds, but these would be far too expensive for the simple CBG style guitar/uke.
The goal with acoustic pickups is to try to have the best acoustic sound from an acoustic instrument one can get when amplified, very hard to do I think with cheap equipment.
K&K recommend their larger size piezo's for larger instruments, 12 string guitar etc.
Do what Ill Green suggests and play with positioning, and I would also try different mounting methods, with nylon strings you should get a reasonable sound.
Taff
Hi, have you considered an external pre amp? I often mount a guitar pre amp in to a small box that sits on top of the amp or on the floor.
Taff