Question about Piezo Operation...

[Butch Snyder]

More specifically, the Axis Super Sport HH w/Piezo...

How does it work? I see two outputs, a 3-way toggle, and a separate knob for the piezo's volume. I believe that if I use 2 mono cables and plug into each input and run one cable to the PA and the other to my amp, I'll have the routing correct. It's when I am running one cable that I don't understand the operation. I have the PDF of the wiring diagram but I still don't get it.

Can you guys help me out here?

Thanks!!!

 

[mbgreene]

Using a mono cable from each output jack will give you the independent mag and piezo signals from each lead. Each signal has independent volume control.

The toggle will set the output for Piezo only (away from you) - both (center) or magnetic only (toward you).

A stereo cable from the combined jack (the lower one) will give you the independent signals through the same lead which you can split later in your signal chain. The toggle and volume controls will run the same way giving you the choice of each signal independent or combined.

Its really just a matter of wanting to run two leads from you guitar or one and then split the signals later.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Okay, let's see if I'm following correctly. If I run one cable, say through either input, I then use the toggle for choosing either mag, piezo, or both?

 

[mbgreene]

one mono cable from piezo output (top) will only get you piezo signal when the toggle is in the piezo or combined position - no mag pickups at all

one mono cable from the magnetic output (lower) will only get you the mag signal with the toggle in the mag or combined position - no piezo at all

two cables (one from each output) or a Stereo cable from the lower output as described above.

 

[Spudmurphy]

On my Albert Lee, I run a stereo cable from the out put jack into a splitter box.

The splitter box splits the stereo signal into 2.
1 - piezo to my AER acoustic amp (the mags will not come out of this amp) and
2 - mags to my Marshall - the piezo will not come out of the Marshall.

This saves me having two leads coming out of my AL.

I hope this hasn't confused the issue

Back to you Sir (mbgreene )

 

[Butch Snyder]

Okay, so if you want both, use two cables....

What about a stereo TRS cable?

 

[Butch Snyder]

On my Albert Lee, I run a stereo cable from the out put jack into a splitter box.

Which jack on the guitar?

 

[beej]

There's one stereo jack and one mono jack. Here's the switching diagram for the ASS Piezo-

 

[SteveB]

Trust the diagram.

If you use a single, mono (TR) cable in the MONO jack, you get:
1) magnetic pickups when the toggle is at 'mag'
2) piezo signal when the toggle is at 'piezo'
3) a combined signal with both magnetic and piezo when the toggle is in the middle.

If you use a single, mono (TR) cable in the STEREO jack, you get:
1) Only the magnetic pickups if the toggle is on 'mag' or 'both'.
2) nothing at all if the toggle is on 'piezo'.

If you use a stereo (TRS) cable in the STEREO jack, the magnetic signal is carried on the tip, and the piezo signal is carried on the ring. Obviously, one or the other or both signals will be present depending on the toggle position. You need to split the signal somwhere downstream to route the desired signal (magetic or piezo) to your choice of amplification.

Likewise, if you use two MONO (TR) cables, the magnetic signal is carried on the cable plugged into the STEREO jack and the piezo signal is carried on the cable plugged into the MONO jack. Again, the signal may or may not be present on either cable depending on the position of the toggle. (for example, there will be no signal on your piezo cable if the toggle is set to magnetic only.)

 

[Spudmurphy]

Which jack on the guitar?

Well it doesn't show on this picture

but my jack sockets are labeled

Magnetic/Stereo

Piezo/Mono

so I know what to plug mine into.

I don't know whether you have the same piezo set up on your guitar?




Edit
SteveB seems to have nailed this for you.
I guess I'm just confusing matters because I have a volume for the Mags, a volume for the piezo and a tone control.
I then have the 5 way selector switch for the mags

You appear to have a toggle switch that I don't have - I'll but out!!

 

[SteveB]

Actually, Spud.. the jacks are labeled if you look at the guitar from the edge, as if you were looking into the input jacks.

I think the 'Mix' pot only affects the buffered signal when only a mono cable is used in the MONO jack.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Actually, Spud.. the jacks are labeled if you look at the guitar from the edge, as if you were looking into the input jacks.

I think the 'Mix' pot only affects the buffered signal when only a mono cable is used in the MONO jack.

Yeah Steve - mine are labeled - it just doesn't show on the picture above.

I guess his are labeled too?

As I say I think you (and the prince of Darkness beej) have nailed it - good job sir !!!!

 

[Jimmyb]

Trust the diagram.

If you use a single, mono (TR) cable in the MONO jack, you get:
1) magnetic pickups when the toggle is at 'mag'
2) piezo signal when the toggle is at 'piezo'
3) a combined signal with both magnetic and piezo when the toggle is in the middle.

If you use a single, mono (TR) cable in the STEREO jack, you get:
1) Only the magnetic pickups if the toggle is on 'mag' or 'both'.
2) nothing at all if the toggle is on 'piezo'.

If you use a stereo (TRS) cable in the STEREO jack, the magnetic signal is carried on the tip, and the piezo signal is carried on the ring. Obviously, one or the other or both signals will be present depending on the toggle position. You need to split the signal somwhere downstream to route the desired signal (magetic or piezo) to your choice of amplification.

Likewise, if you use two MONO (TR) cables, the magnetic signal is carried on the cable plugged into the STEREO jack and the piezo signal is carried on the cable plugged into the MONO jack. Again, the signal may or may not be present on either cable depending on the position of the toggle. (for example, there will be no signal on your piezo cable if the toggle is set to magnetic only.)

+1

I run my ASS with piezo through my main guitar rig with one cable. I plug into the the top socket and use the 3-way to toggle between mag and piezo.