Per the YouTube, I found that smoke detectors have piezos inside. I have a box of old detectors I just replaced and sure enough was able to pull out two with a dremel and some prying.
I’m using one now - the positive lead kept popping off the solder with a little handling. I got smart and encased it in hot glue before it detached again. Attached a business card so it’s stable and working.
Price is right! Are there variations in quality of piezo? Seems to work as usual.
(I feel like there should be a use for the little bit of radio active material too - it has a cool Radio Active symbol on it - hehe).
François > MadJohnShaftFebruary 21, 2020 at 5:33pm
Piezos don't come in many flavors or quality. Disk or linear, big or small, and that's about it.
As for the radioactive pod, I'd rather leave it alone as it can be quite dangerous even if the radiation level is quite low.
Hi, I normally use two volume pots, this way I can balance the mix between a mag and a piezo. I turn one all the way down for off when needed.
If I'm playing on the acoustic p/u I like to slowly bring in the mag p/u enough so as to add a bit more bottom end or fullness to the sound. You need room for three pots if you want tone control too, or a push/pull pot saves space.
Taff
James Pobog > Taffy EvansFebruary 18, 2020 at 9:19am
I have several 7545R preamps, and some passive preamps (those don't work well) and I hadn't figured how to mount the 7545's in cbg's all the time, but then I hit on the idea of building a stand-alone preamp box. Got a little hobby box, mounted the preamp in the top, hacked the input wire (cut off the rod piezo, wired it to a switching input jack) and mounted the input and output jacks in the front. No more +$10 for cbg's. As a stand-alone it works fine. Now maybe I will use some piezos...
I've done that a while ago and it works just fine. You just have to remember to unplug the lead that goes to the amp when you're done as it also works as a switch.
Took me a while to figure out why a battery didn't last long in mine.
I like em for that skwank, hahaha
Add a cap at the output jack and let it wail
That being said, most of my builds end up magnetic/piezo and a 2 way switch
James Pobog > Ben RidgewayFebruary 12, 2020 at 2:49pm
I have thought about switches, mostly spst, just an on/off for each, then I'd have acoustic, mag pup, piezo pup and both...
Hi James, I suspect, but I don't know for sure, but many builders new to the game install a piezo pickup into their cbg due to its ease of installation and low cost. This is the quickest easiest way to get an electric guitar. And it could be, up to a point.
The role of the piezo pickup is to amplify an acoustic instrument whilst maintaining the acoustic tone of the instrument, which most don't. When they fit a magnetic pickup they are more pleased with the sound, why? because now they have a true electric guitar, without the issues associated with piezo's in hollow bodied acoustic instruments played at high gain.
Could be a matter of horses for courses. The right pickup in the right guitar for the right reason.
This is a related topic so I hope you don't mind me asking. Has anyone had any experience of these 'flat' pickups? CBGitty do the wickedbucker and there is also the boxbucker by MGB.
I assume they are better than a piezo but not as good as a genuine guitar pickup? I've searched for reviews but they are few and far between.
Replies
Per the YouTube, I found that smoke detectors have piezos inside. I have a box of old detectors I just replaced and sure enough was able to pull out two with a dremel and some prying.
I’m using one now - the positive lead kept popping off the solder with a little handling. I got smart and encased it in hot glue before it detached again. Attached a business card so it’s stable and working.
Price is right! Are there variations in quality of piezo? Seems to work as usual.
(I feel like there should be a use for the little bit of radio active material too - it has a cool Radio Active symbol on it - hehe).
Piezos don't come in many flavors or quality. Disk or linear, big or small, and that's about it.
As for the radioactive pod, I'd rather leave it alone as it can be quite dangerous even if the radiation level is quite low.
Hi, I normally use two volume pots, this way I can balance the mix between a mag and a piezo. I turn one all the way down for off when needed.
If I'm playing on the acoustic p/u I like to slowly bring in the mag p/u enough so as to add a bit more bottom end or fullness to the sound. You need room for three pots if you want tone control too, or a push/pull pot saves space.
Taff
I have several 7545R preamps, and some passive preamps (those don't work well) and I hadn't figured how to mount the 7545's in cbg's all the time, but then I hit on the idea of building a stand-alone preamp box. Got a little hobby box, mounted the preamp in the top, hacked the input wire (cut off the rod piezo, wired it to a switching input jack) and mounted the input and output jacks in the front. No more +$10 for cbg's. As a stand-alone it works fine. Now maybe I will use some piezos...
I've done that a while ago and it works just fine. You just have to remember to unplug the lead that goes to the amp when you're done as it also works as a switch.
Took me a while to figure out why a battery didn't last long in mine.
i tend to pop the battery door too...
Add a cap at the output jack and let it wail
That being said, most of my builds end up magnetic/piezo and a 2 way switch
I have thought about switches, mostly spst, just an on/off for each, then I'd have acoustic, mag pup, piezo pup and both...
Hi James, I suspect, but I don't know for sure, but many builders new to the game install a piezo pickup into their cbg due to its ease of installation and low cost. This is the quickest easiest way to get an electric guitar. And it could be, up to a point.
The role of the piezo pickup is to amplify an acoustic instrument whilst maintaining the acoustic tone of the instrument, which most don't. When they fit a magnetic pickup they are more pleased with the sound, why? because now they have a true electric guitar, without the issues associated with piezo's in hollow bodied acoustic instruments played at high gain.
Could be a matter of horses for courses. The right pickup in the right guitar for the right reason.
Just a thought. Taff
This is a related topic so I hope you don't mind me asking. Has anyone had any experience of these 'flat' pickups? CBGitty do the wickedbucker and there is also the boxbucker by MGB.
I assume they are better than a piezo but not as good as a genuine guitar pickup? I've searched for reviews but they are few and far between.
Wickedbucker
Boxbucker
Thanks.
Edit: also MGB do this one too. micro pup.
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