Piezo size and sound

Posted by Dave S on January 10, 2015 at 2:01pm

My most recent build was my first electric.  I was surprised to see how well a piezo pickup actually works, since it was my first one.  However, it is a little quiet and a LOT tinny.  If I don't turn the "high" setting down to about zero on my amp it sounds awful. It is a manolin, so it's high pitched to start with. But my question is, does the size of the peizo effect the sound in any way?

Lilhotrod3.jpg

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Henry S March 25, 2015 at 2:05pm

    I'm going to keep my first CBG pretty simple and go with a piezo (or two) and probably a Tillman preamp mounted internally.  I've seen several articles - videos on potting the piezo between wood wafers and hot glue and one guy even uses a pop bottle cap with the piezo potted on hot glue. Anyone haves any direct experience on using potted vs non-potted piezos ?

    Thanks

    • Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans > Henry S April 23, 2015 at 4:30pm

      Henry - I saw a Justin Johnson video describing the process to 'pot' the disk in a bottle cap as you describe - Justin commented that he liked the end result a lot.  I've 'glopped' hot melt glue over and under piezos in a few of my builds, and it does seem less tinny.  But my next piezo plan is to hot melt pot one into a cap of some sort.   The suggestions about mounting it near the bass side of the bridge also seems to be good advice in my experience.

    • Henry S > Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans April 26, 2015 at 3:50pm

      Yep - still working on my first build I plant to use 2 piezos that are switch selectable - either one or the other: One will be mounted in the glued bottle cap under the bass string to the box lid, other will be counter sunk into the neck under the bridge and potted with hot glue. Which ever is selected will go through a Tillman preamp that is mounted in the CBG. 

    • Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans > Henry S April 27, 2015 at 4:47pm

      Cool idea - be sure to update here on how it turns out!  Maybe one or the other becomes your preferred method...

  • Slow Slough Guitars January 10, 2015 at 6:25pm

    Another hint is to mount it on the side of your lowest tone string. For most builders it's the top string. That makes the bass side the dominant.

  • Slow Slough Guitars January 10, 2015 at 6:23pm

    A preamp is essential for a better sound out of a piezo. I have a Behringer PB100 pedal type preamp that I use. Costs about $25 from Amazon and runs on a 9v so you can use it busking. I've also used the type that mounts on the git and had satisfactory results. Disc placement as has been pointed out can make a big difference. Most people like some separation between the disc and your lid, whether it's gobs of hot glue, thick double sided tape, or as Marcus suggested recessing it in the neck (hadn't thought of that, I might try that one) direct contact will have a price to pay. I have one that is in direct contact with the license plate and it sounds gritty, grimy, and dirty. The sound is breaking up before it even gets to the amp. Just how I planned it. But the other side of it is that every time you touch it you make a sound with it. So it lacks any control at all.

  • Servaas (Der Groovemeister) January 10, 2015 at 5:25pm
    A piezo will often sound tinny if you don't use a preamp. It's because of the impedance mismatch between piezo and amp. Lookup the Tillman preamp for example. Some tube amps don't mind the mismatch and therefore won't need a preamp.
  • Marcus Darwell January 10, 2015 at 4:26pm
    Size don't count at all. I also don't mount them on the box lid anymore.....to much external noise gets picked up. Assuming you have a gap between the lid and your neck (which I think you should but opinions may vary) I counter sink a shallow hole in the neck under the bridge and mount it there....you don't have to be too close to the bridge but not more than an inch or so away. I use either thick double sided tape or hot glue to hold the piezo in place. This way you pick up the string vibes and not too much interference.
  • smilingdog1 January 10, 2015 at 2:55pm

    Traditionally, I place them under the bridge glued against the box lid. The amp you use also is a factor in sound quality.

  • Seasick Mick January 10, 2015 at 2:21pm

    Hullo Dave.I'm by no means an authority on Piezo's but as far as I'm aware,size doesn't matter (thank God!).It sounds as if you haven't shielded the piezo yet,so make sure you do that or it will always sound tinny and harsh.....

This reply was deleted.