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Piezo Questions

Posted by Converted Stratslinger on October 25, 2009 at 7:09pm
I am working on finishing up my first build, and have a question regarding the piezo. I bought some that are encased in plastic. I tried to remove one from the plastic, and found that it isn't soldered to the wires inside. My questions are: 1) Is it necessary to remove the disk, or can I glue the whole thing to the lid? Also, how would this affect the tone, if at all? 2) If I need to remove the disk from the plastic casing, how do I connect the wiring? Thanks!

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Replies

  • Mark Werner October 26, 2009 at 11:48am
    Odd I didn't think of that; I use my Dremel almost constantly. Of course, you do have to put up with the stink of melting plastic....
  • Ronnie Retherford October 25, 2009 at 10:28pm
    I use my cut-off disc in my Dremel to cut the plastic off. The heat from the disk will melt the plastic (be careful as it will sling off the disc) and the plastic becomes very brittle and will break away easily. Cut around the edge (above the element of course) and break off the plastic. This is easier to me than breaking it away with pliers.

    Mark Werner said:
    I do the same thing as Henry. Some folks report using the skinny little wires that come attached with no problem, but I did read an article somewhere to the effect that actual audio cable works better.

    I break away the plastic case by "nibbling" at it using a needle-nosed pliers. The Piezo itself is a very thin sheet of brass, it'll bend easily.
  • Converted Stratslinger October 25, 2009 at 9:56pm
    OK. Thanks, this is quite helpful...one more question, if I may, is whether to attach the piezo to to can that I am using for the resonator, or to the box. Any suggestions?
  • Paul Doug October 25, 2009 at 9:18pm
    You mean:

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/piezo-jack
  • HENRY LOWMAN October 25, 2009 at 9:08pm
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/piezo-jack...Here it is. For more pics, go to the PICS page, type in Ted Crocker, then click page 14 at the bottom. Again, hope this helps, good luck building, can't wait to see and hear your build!
  • Mark Werner October 25, 2009 at 9:01pm
    I do the same thing as Henry. Some folks report using the skinny little wires that come attached with no problem, but I did read an article somewhere to the effect that actual audio cable works better.

    I break away the plastic case by "nibbling" at it using a needle-nosed pliers. The Piezo itself is a very thin sheet of brass, it'll bend easily.
  • HENRY LOWMAN October 25, 2009 at 8:39pm
    Remove the disc. What I do is to solder the shielded center wire of an audio cable to the center of the disc, and I then solder the copper wiring surrounding the shielded part to the brass part of the disc (after twisting the copper wiring, of course). Then solder the other end of the audio cable to a 1/4" mono audio jack. I hope this helps. Ted Crocker posted some pictures of this on the photo sight that might make this clearer to you.
  • Wray October 25, 2009 at 7:31pm
    C.S. Check this out.I wouldn't leave the plastic, I don't think they pick up as well as bare. http://cigarboxguitars.com/workshops/Piezo_Transducer.php
    This should help, Wray
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