pick ups

Posted by Roger Franklin Weston on February 10, 2012 at 6:42pm

I'm new to CBGs and for my first attempt at making I'm not sure what pick ups etc to use.

I'm ok with the woodwork and mechanics but the electronics is a bit of a mystery.

And the wiring?

Any help would be appreciated

Rog

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Replies

  • Charlotte Henry February 21, 2012 at 12:30am
    There are only 3 places to look then, the jack, the pickup and the cable. The jack and piezo are cheap to replace, the cable is easy to rule out with another guitar. Are you using two discs or one, or an undersaddle type?
    • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill > Charlotte Henry February 21, 2012 at 1:03am

      Single disc piezo, the cable is brand new so not sure why. It was my first CBG, the next one will have a volume control which I hear can help with humming sounds. Is it anything to do with grounding? not sure how that works. Thanks for your help so far by the way, appreciated

    • Ron "Oily" Sprague > Mark "Fatt Max" Hill February 21, 2012 at 1:54am

      Mark,

       

      Take a lot of pics of the connections, and the guitar, and post them here; makes analysis easier. Often, other people will spot something you (not just you, but me, and everyone else in the personal build hotseat - the general you) would miss.

      Some typical to slightly advanced "Help Desk" questions beyond those already asked (Q 1 is really the only appropriate one for your situation; the others are just there for future reference):

      1) Are your leads from piezo to jack shielded? Shielding will reduce hum. Right now, you basically have an antenna. Any 60-cycle noise from nearby flourescent lights, computers, TVs or other electronics (even your amp) can induce hum in such a simple circuit. You can do very cheap shielding by just making them a twisted pair. Twist the leads together, like a cable harness, all the way from piezo to jack. Just make sure to connect the "red" and "black" (or "green") leads from the piezo to the appropriate  + / - on your jack.

       

      2) Does your git have a metal bridge or tailpiece? Won't matter with your piezo circuit, but if this were a mag pup, you'd have to ground the bridge / tailpiece.

       

      3) How is your piezo attached to the box / neck? May not affect the hum, but placing the piezo in a wooden sandwich, either as part of your bridge / saddle combo, or in a bed of hot glue or silicone, as already noted, can reduce unwanted highs and give you a more mellow sound.

    • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill > Ron "Oily" Sprague February 21, 2012 at 3:01am

      Thats a great help mate, I'll twist the leads as you suggest and also silicone the pick up. Thanks mate, really appreciated

    • Ron "Oily" Sprague > Mark "Fatt Max" Hill February 21, 2012 at 3:41am

      Mark,

       

      No worries. Post a vid or sound clip of you playing something awesome on it;-). And if my suggestion doesn't work, come back and say that, too. We're all learning here, every day, and need the feedback.

       

      So to speak >:-E

    • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill > Ron "Oily" Sprague February 21, 2012 at 4:02am

      Hey mate

      I've added a song called 'Watercolour'  using the guitar as it is now. Its the title track of my current album. Hope you enjoy

      Thanks again for your help

      Watercolour.mp3

    • Ron "Oily" Sprague > Mark "Fatt Max" Hill February 21, 2012 at 12:50pm
      Mark,

      Thanks for the Friend request, and the mp3 of "Watercolour;" it's now in rotation on my iPod. I'm diggin' it!

      Hope the hum goes away...
  • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill February 20, 2012 at 11:47pm

    Hey guys

    Ive used a Piezo in my first CBG but I get a really nasty hum. I want to use it live but that isnt looking too good unless I can sort the noise out. Any tips from you fine people?

    • Charlotte Henry > Mark "Fatt Max" Hill February 21, 2012 at 12:17am
      Are you using a volume pot or are you going straight to the jack?
    • Mark "Fatt Max" Hill > Charlotte Henry February 21, 2012 at 12:19am

      Straight to the jack for this one

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