Hi all, a pesky peizo question if anyone can help? I'm making a cbg with a humbucker & peizo with a 3 way switch and volume & tone, I'd like to decrease the output (volume) of the peizos. They're currently wired in parallel, would their output be less if wired in series? Also I like using 2 , but does 2 increase their volume. Thanks people!x
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Wiring 2 piezo in parallel(both hot/signal together and both grounds together) is the way to go. Series doubles their output and the impedance and will sound like a buzzsaw.
Parallel wiring will help with the impedance mismatch with the magnetic pickup.
The wiring scheme I would go with is the typical Jazz Bass wiring: 2 volumes - 1 tone to the jack without a switch. I would use 500k pots and a .022uf cap.
Cheers! Solve the problem physically rather than electronically is great advice. Thanks x
Richard Dean > Scott Johnson October 1, 2017 at 3:00pm
yes, dampening the pickup works great, plus you can add or subtract material to suit your volume desired, I used duct tape to dampen my 50mm single piezo, plus dampening seems to eliminate most feedback
Paul Craig > Richard DeanOctober 1, 2017 at 5:08pm
I use double sided tape to mount the piezo because it's a bit thicker and sticks better and a piece to cover it. That will dampen the handling noise and the top piece stops feedback while adding some protection to the crystal.
Trying to remove the tape or move the pickup sometimes warps the piezo though. So it's best to know where you want it before using that tape.
I've seen a volume knob used for the humbucker and a volume for the piezo with a three way switch but other than that suggestion what about dulling the sound of the piezo by trying varying thicknesses and types of padding between the piezo and the soundboard? Might be worth a try. I'm sure more knowledgeable folk will be along with more suggestions soon if those are no good for you.
Replies
Wiring 2 piezo in parallel(both hot/signal together and both grounds together) is the way to go. Series doubles their output and the impedance and will sound like a buzzsaw.
Parallel wiring will help with the impedance mismatch with the magnetic pickup.
The wiring scheme I would go with is the typical Jazz Bass wiring: 2 volumes - 1 tone to the jack without a switch. I would use 500k pots and a .022uf cap.
yes, dampening the pickup works great, plus you can add or subtract material to suit your volume desired, I used duct tape to dampen my 50mm single piezo, plus dampening seems to eliminate most feedback
I use double sided tape to mount the piezo because it's a bit thicker and sticks better and a piece to cover it. That will dampen the handling noise and the top piece stops feedback while adding some protection to the crystal.
Trying to remove the tape or move the pickup sometimes warps the piezo though. So it's best to know where you want it before using that tape.
No worries Scott. All the best with it and remember to have fun! :)
I've seen a volume knob used for the humbucker and a volume for the piezo with a three way switch but other than that suggestion what about dulling the sound of the piezo by trying varying thicknesses and types of padding between the piezo and the soundboard? Might be worth a try. I'm sure more knowledgeable folk will be along with more suggestions soon if those are no good for you.
Best of fortunes with the build though.