A question I often get is... how do you electrify so many different acoustic instruments? The easiest way is to simply add a piezo disk pickup and jack. All you need is a drill and a hot glue gun. This video demonstrates the process using a diddley bow I recently built.
Intro - 0:00
Parts & Tools - 0:37
Preparation - 1:44
Drill, Solder, & Mount Jack - 2:24
Mount the Piezo - 4:09
Reassemble & Test - 5:50
Sound Samples - 6:42
Final Thoughts - 7:40
See the Diddley Bow Build Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4q_PVCv7rY
And more DIY Videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwIixlr7C6KUbPfAgFP6Sn4D46L0i0CQD
Comments
Thanks for checking it out Doug. The proverbial piezoelectric disc is definitely a useful tool in the builders kit.
Disc piezos are such a simple way to electrify a CBG. Thanks for showing how easy it is Kale.
I don’t use hot glue, but the thick double stick tape on both sides of the piezo and then peel and stick it in place one the bass side of the bridge (doesn’t matter with a single string). It also allows me to make up a bunch in advance that are ready for a quick install.
I remember that too. Those Radio Shack doorbells contained piezoelectric transducers. You can actually still by those. Nowadays though that doesn't make much sense because you can buy 10 or 20 raw piezos for what the doorbell assembly costs. LOL.
I remember back pre 2010 seeing a vid on making cbgs and electrifying it - using a door bell (which contained a piezo) I did a few like that with doorbells from Radio Shack.