Pedals to bring out the best in a piezo signal?

[jappy]

I'm thinking of updating my gear setup to accommodate my soon-to-come fully loaded JP6.

I will be feeding the piezo signal into an acoustic amp. At the moment, I don't think I will be able to pass the piezo signal through my current modulation effects (part of the electric signal setup), so I thought I'd just construct a new pedalboard (no more than 5 pedals) specifically for the piezo!

I have a spare Boss DD-3 and MXR Phase 100. I think I will take out my Boss CH-1 from my electric setup and put it into the piezo setup.

Are there any types of pedals which you guys would consider essential or beneficial to bringing out the best sound possible from the piezo pickup? I was thinking a compressor and an EQ.

Of course if there are suggestions/experiences as to how to route the electric/piezo signal, they are welcome too.

 

[roburado]

I don't know, man. I think the JP6 piezo sounds incredible bone dry, but I suppose it depends on what amp/PA you're sending the signal through.

 

[robelinda2]

i tried mine through an acoustic amp, sounded crap. even through the crappest PA it sounds great!

 

[jappy]

The acoustic amp is a Marshall AS50R. My electric amp is a Peavey Classic 30.

I have no doubt the piezo will sound good, I'm just thinking of maybe some things to add some ambience? A compressor is probably a good idea just to smooth out the acoustic-style strumming - I'm a little worried about increased noise though.

 

[jappy]

i tried mine through an acoustic amp, sounded crap. even through the crappest PA it sounds great!

Unfortunately I don't have access to a PA

I don't play gigs or anything.

 

[kneeoh]

A few weeks ago I took my JP on an amp testing run. I had the pleasure of testing an Egnater Mod 50. The set-up was guitar-cable-amp. The piezo sounded huge and very natural. So much so that Frank, the amp engineer working with us commented on how much like a classical guitar it sounded. (Yes, he said classical ) Bear in mind that the Mod 50 isn't a dedicated acoustic amp.

Like roburado, I feel the piezo sounds incredible bone dry. The only thing I suggest is you route the piezo through a direct box, then to your PA/acoustic amp, to eliminate any grounding problems.

 

[Rossie]

You can try running your piezo into an acoustic simulator pedal. I've seen quite a few local guitarist doing this, with great results.

 

[SteveB]

I like my piezo directly into the PA with some reverb added at the board.

The only pedal I'd put in that signal path would be an Ernie Ball volume pedal!

 

[jappy]

If I flick the switch to magnetic + piezo signal, does the signal come out from both magnetic and piezo outputs, or just out of the mono output?

 

[SteveB]

If I flick the switch to magnetic + piezo signal, does the signal come out from both magnetic and piezo outputs, or just out of the mono output?

Assuming you've got the mag/piezo switch in the middle, and the volume pots for mags and piezo turned up:

If you've only got a mono cable plugged into the mono jack, you'll get a 'mix' of both signals on that one cable simultaneously.

If you have two mono cables, you'll get the magnetic on one cable and the piezo on the other, simultaneously.

If you have a stereo cable into the stereo jack, you'll get both (separate) signals simultaneously along that one cable which can be separated downstream via a splitter box.

 

[Astrofreq]

doing both is THE coolest effect, especially if you have the magnetic pickups really distorted with a ton of effects. With the piezo, it is both scary and beautiful at the same time.

 

[augustyn]

i run the piezos through an aphex acoustic exciter pedal and then into PA.
i also love to use both OPs at the same time and w/distorted amp for magnetic.

 

[Lance Romance]

The only pedal I'm using with the piezos in mine is the excellent Diamond optical compressor. It's really transparent, and when used just a bit really perks-up the sound without screwing with your attack. Next I want to try the Fishman Aura pedals they introduced at NAMM...hmmm, Silo Special sounding like a Collings...-Eric

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

I run through an Yamaha AG Stomp. Adds great variations on the tone.

 

[jazzbo jim]

depends on the application-
If you're talking live w/PA I recommend buying yourself a good DI box and sticking it in your gig bag (nothing bags your tone like a bad DI)
As far as effects are concerned a little compression and EQ at the board can be helpful. However, due to the output impedance of the piezo, I'm not sure whether conventional (stompboxes) would be as effective. Maybe someone else can provide more detail.
BTW, I've been using my piezo live for a couple of years in 500-900 size venues with lots of success. I love the flexibilty!
Good luck.

 

[Lou]

When I use mine on gigs, I use a bit of chorus, delay and reverb.

 

[Jimmyb]

I've tried some light chorus to thicken things up and give it a kind of twelve string vibe.

The best thing to do is to try different things and see what works for you.

 

[jappy]

However, due to the output impedance of the piezo, I'm not sure whether conventional (stompboxes) would be as effective. Maybe someone else can provide more detail.

Good point - maybe someone with experience can chip in?

 

[mr.b]

I'm thinking of updating my gear setup to accommodate my soon-to-come fully loaded JP6.

I will be feeding the piezo signal into an acoustic amp. At the moment, I don't think I will be able to pass the piezo signal through my current modulation effects (part of the electric signal setup), so I thought I'd just construct a new pedalboard (no more than 5 pedals) specifically for the piezo!

I have a spare Boss DD-3 and MXR Phase 100. I think I will take out my Boss CH-1 from my electric setup and put it into the piezo setup.

Are there any types of pedals which you guys would consider essential or beneficial to bringing out the best sound possible from the piezo pickup? I was thinking a compressor and an EQ.

Of course if there are suggestions/experiences as to how to route the electric/piezo signal, they are welcome too.

i have to say. i send my piezo in my ASS straight into an AER cube and it sounds better than my takamine!!! just add a touch of reverb and hey presto.

 

[NorM]

i tried mine through an acoustic amp, sounded crap. even through the crappiest PA it sounds great!

I have a crappy with even crappier FX (Not really but I just like to say crap) and I think it sounds GREAT!

I like my piezo directly into the PA with some reverb added at the board.

The only pedal I'd put in that signal path would be an Ernie Ball volume pedal!

I also like to add a touch of chorus to help cover sloppy playing. I would like to add an EBVH (Ernie Ball Volume Hammer) to the line but so far I've made the volume pot on my guitar work just fine.

Stay on Target!

A small cheap acoustic FX processor couldn't hurt to much. Kudos on the acoustic amp.