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First Build

Posted by The Capo Kid on February 1, 2013 at 5:14pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

 Hi Guys

             This is my first 3 string CBG build , i'm used to building full size electric guitars so the build part is ok , what i'm not so sure about  the piezo , where to place it ? , should it be encased or open ? would it be okay to use 2 instead of 1 , hope somebody can help me with this , Thanks .

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Replies

  • jeff maurer February 4, 2013 at 9:44am

    i use to wrap my disc in cardboard like from a cereal box or case of coke and stick it between the lid and neck. i would move toward the bridge or the fretboard depending how i thought it sounded that day. i think im going to use electro mags for now but if i do try piezos again i will try a rod instead, i was never happy with the discs.

  • Randy S. Bretz February 4, 2013 at 7:53am

    305964826?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024I only use the disc piezo in these two types of bridges...right; incased in a bridge base with bone rod saddle and my full bone carved saddle bridge, this has the disc imbedded in hot glue in a chamber on the underside of the bone. You want the best sound [ in my opinion ] use a rod piezo pickup. The rod is layed in a slot in the bridge base with a bone saddle atop.

    • Randy S. Bretz > Randy S. Bretz February 4, 2013 at 8:03am

      305965056?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024Rod piezo bridge; wood bridge base has an 1/8" wide slot [ the rod is 1/8" wide ] the rod lays into the slot and a bone saddle lays atop the rod. You want a snug fit but not tight ! The rod works from string pressure on the saddle. The rod gives a much fuller sound with no unwanted noise from handling the box or neck. It`s the pickup in between a piezo disc and a mag pickup. But a very easy install and no string grounding issues to worry about.

      • The Capo Kid > Randy S. Bretz February 6, 2013 at 10:50am

         Thanks for the info and pics , thats a great help , i've ordered a rod piezo but it's 70mm long sorry 2.75 ins so is it that easy to cut it the size you want ? , i'm building a fretted 3 string with a 6mm (1/4in ) fret board  so the bridge won't be that high i dont know if i'll have enough height the bridge will be only 5/8in high in total including the bone saddle , i'll keep you posted then the piezo arrives .

        • The Capo Kid > The Capo Kid February 10, 2013 at 4:31pm

           The rod piezo arrived and the other bits i wanted , because of the hight issue with the bridge i can't get the piezo and the bone saddle inside the bridge so would it be ok to lay the piezo on top of the lid and sit the bridge on top ? that will give me a extra 1/16in to play with or will that pick up sounds from the lid ?,.

           How easy is it to cut the rod piezo to a shorter length ? .

           

          • Randy S. Bretz > The Capo Kid February 10, 2013 at 4:47pm

            They can be cut, carefully...i use a pair of sidecutters and snip it on the side instead of on the top. Best to test the piezo after you cut it to make sure it`s still working correctly.  What i do when i make my bridge bases, is to have a slot for the rod about 5/16" -3/8" deep. The rod is 3/16" high so that leaves you enough to use a different height saddle and still have enough of it left in the bridge slot to hold it up. When my customers get a rod bridge from me i give them a saddle thats higher then what they ask for so they can dail in the action on there own by just sanding the saddle down and adjusting the depth of the slot on the saddle. In a few weeks C.B.Gitty will be carrying my line of custom rod bridges.

            • The Capo Kid > Randy S. Bretz February 16, 2013 at 7:27am

              305975598?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

              • The Capo Kid > The Capo Kid February 16, 2013 at 7:35am

                 Here's the finished bridge in the pic above , 7mm hardwood with a slot right the way through , the rod piezo sits on top of the lid and the bridge fits over the top , works very well glad i went with the rod piezo , the  smallest Amp i have is 30watt sounds great on overdrive , very very loud , i'll post pics of CBG when it's complete .

            • Terry Buehner > Randy S. Bretz February 10, 2013 at 7:44pm

              They look very cool, what will the price point be

               

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