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to pre-amp or not to pre-amp?

Posted by Old Fingers Green on September 24, 2012 at 8:23pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

O.k so I'm embarking on my first build, not technically a CBG as I'm building an 8 string ukulele (four strings paired an octave apart) already got my box its an Oliva 25 cigar box (wasn't even going to buy one but I've just had a son called Oliver and I saw it as a bit of serendipity), cut my F-holes and got my hardwood for the neck and inside supports. The neck is all marked out and getting band sawed to a rough shape this week so I can form it. I've got my designs and am fairly confident of the build as I've given myself 4 to 6 months for it. My question is this; I'm installing a uke piezo in the bridge (gonna be antler) and i know I can just cut the adaptor head off and run it through a jack input but what are the benefits of installing a pre-amp? I don't want to cut a hole in the outside of the box to fit it as it will ruin the look, I'm leaving the lid open and could install a pre-amp inside but I'd raher avoid having to open the box to fiddle with the volume and levels if it isn't really necessary. So is the sound ok out of one of these run just through the jack or does it depend whether you have a decent amp to run it through?

All advice gladly taken! I'm sure there will be plenty of questions to follow!

Excellent site by the way, I've been trawling for a few days and there are some gems of information and amazing pieces of craftsmanship in these forums!

Cheers in advance

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Replies

  • David L. September 25, 2012 at 4:45pm

    Hi,

     

    It depends on what sound you want.  A preamp can always be added later in a separate box outside the guitar so it can be used on any guitar you have (also for around £10 off ebay you can get one which has a built in tuner).

     

    There is an old thread here which covers some of the info you are after.

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/class101/forum/topics/another-p...

     

    Regards,

    David

     

    • Old Fingers Green > David L. September 25, 2012 at 5:28pm

      Cheers for the info, didn't know you could pick up the tuner pre-amps so cheap, with it being paired strings its gonna be important to keep it tuned up so I think I way go down that route, just have to find somewhere to mount it where it won't look too bad.

      Thanks again for the advice!

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