Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on August 14, 2019 at 9:36pm

First LOVE Wampler. Natural sounding stuff. I have their 'Tweed 57'. OK, my experience with piezo with any volume + crunch is feedback. Anything above low volume. But there's better than I here. Someone may have a cure for the piezo screech. 

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Permalink Reply by Rick Tish on August 15, 2019 at 9:58am

I've used piezos on a few builds, but then I switched over to magnetic pickups from the old pickup pile (I build partscasters from budget guitars and the original pickups are pretty much always replaced with something better) and then ended up using budget p90s when the used pickup supply was exhausted.  This is an attempt to revisit the piezo pickup and improve on my results.

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Permalink Reply by François on August 15, 2019 at 7:50am

Insulating the piezo a bit inside the box with foam does help with feedback.

Also, using a pre-amp does let you shape the sound more precisely in order to get the most out of it.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Tish on August 15, 2019 at 9:50am

How  thick a piece of foam would you suggest?

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Jordan on August 15, 2019 at 9:09am

Piezo's do like to feedback, but trial and error usually finds a solution. I find putting the piezo directly under the bridge saddle helps, or a rod piezo in or under the saddle. Usually I tack the disk down with a drop of wood glue, then cover the disk with hot glue, while it's still tacky I put a square of cardboard on top to make the hot glue layer an even thickness., some wrap their disk in leather before gluing it down.,.,others use the plastic dip they make for tool handles, and sell at the hardware store..,I have also sandwiched my disk between 2 thin layers of wood, using hot glue as the adhesive.,.,I am sure there are other good suggestions on the way.,.,.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Tish on August 15, 2019 at 10:02am

The plastic dip method would make for a cool look, although it would just be for me.  Sounds like it is going to pretty much involve damping the response from the vibrating top.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Jordan on August 15, 2019 at 10:15am

Cut a circular impression right below the saddle on the neck just deep enough for the disk,., install upside down in a bed of hot glue,., you can cover or opt not to.,. A good strong signal right from the source helps,.,.. left of the saddle sounds good, but you need dampening to curb feedback 

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Permalink Reply by Rick Tish on August 15, 2019 at 11:57am

I'll give it a shot.  It would be a slicker look than the p90s that I've been using.  It's hard to beat that p90 sound, though. . . 

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