Piezo on JP's - Keep or Leave?

[Codyyyn]

For those of you with JP's -- do you use the piezo tone a lot? Clearly this will vary from person to person, but do you think it is a usable tone? Haha, more importantly, is it a tone that is worth the extra hundreds of dollars to you?

I ask because I'm saving up for one, which is a rather slow process with no job (I'm a high school student, and one still covered under child labor laws... ie nobody wants to hire me). Heh, you probably could have figured out such info from all the dumb questions I've been asking

But anyway, part of me wants to pull the trigger on that JP7, no inlays no piezo (I can definitely deal without the inlays) to save some money. Also, I'm not sure I would use the piezo so much (It is a 7 string, after all). But the other part of me feels like I'm cheaping out and I'm not getting the instrument that it could be.

Yes, ultimately this is a decision for me to make, but I've only tried the piezo option on a JP a long time ago, and I was rather new to the whole piezo thing to formulate a good opinion on it. So, is it something worth the price, and worth having to you? I honestly forget if it was anywhere near a usable tone....

On a more sarcastic and yet somewhat serious note.... I think the extra toggle and knob actually adds to the aesthetic awesomeness of the guitar....

 

[the24thfret]

First, I use the piezo all the time. The tone is incredible.

Think of it like this. You'll probably want a piezo eventually. Most people do, I've read these forums well. Which just means if you buy one without now, you'll be buying another one with a piezo later.

If you never use clean tones, you'll probably never use it. But if you want a seriously versatile axe, you need it.

Be creative with the job search, there are a million and a half ways to make money when you're a kid. Just don't spend all your cash on pizza and beer (I had that problem)

Best of luck getting one!

And I agree the piezo versions look better

 

[Danserrano]

piezo 100% i use it quite often thru the house when playin cleans w a bit of chorus and the piezo sound absolutely amazing......if i were to give up an option its the inlays, or headstock depending on the color, but piezo for me is a must have.

 

[roburado]

Well, I thought the best thing for me to do at the time I was looking for my first JP was to just get a non-piezo model. I thought that I'd just be playing it at home, not really planning to go out and play live. So, I figured I'd just get the base model. No options. I think that was great idea, actually. I got the magnetic pickup sounds I wanted, which is really what I got the guitar for anyway. I figured if I wanted acoustic sounds, well...I have an acoustic guitar.

I think that the non-piezo guitars sound different. To me, they have a fuller sound, but that might just be individual variation. Who knows? I think that the extra wood that's carved out of the piezo guitars has an impact on the tone. I don't know how many will agree with me. Anyway, I am convinced that they sound different. I may get another non-piezo JP--maybe a JP7, if I don't get a BFR JP7. We'll see.

I will have a piezo-equipped JP guitar in the future, though.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, the non-piezo JPs sound great. So, don't feel bad about getting one. If you compare one to a piezo-equipped JP, you might find the same thing I found. I think that either guitar will be worth your money.

 

[Danserrano]

Codyyyn it's absolutely a great guitar in my opinion none like it. Either way u go u won't regret it believe me, just remember that the tops suck....he,he

 

[petruccirocks02]

Codyyyn, if you don't mind putting out the extra cash, I would go for the piezo. As the24thfret said, if you don't get one now, you may end up buying a jp with one later down the line. When I ordered my JP6, I knew automatically that I wanted the piezo. Its especially handy if you play all kinds of different music. There's nothing like going from a heavily distorted tone to a nice, convincing acoustic tone with the flick of a switch. I say go for the piezo.

-Phil

 

[whitestrat]

The piezo is a must for me. So much so, my incoming Silo also has the piezo. Also, any and all future Balls I buy must have the piezo as well.

When I play stuff with strumming chords like "Torn" from Natalie Imbruglia, or "Kiss Me" from that sissy band (yeah... but I'm a musician at heart, so I'll play anything!), "I remember you" from Skid Row or even "Through The Barricades" from Spandau Ballet (tough one this is...), nothing beats the piezo acoustic tone. And short of actually lugging around a real acoustic and an acoustic amp, the closest I can get to this would be the piezo.

Furthermore, the Piezo on the EBMM guitars is so versatile, that you can really tweak the sound to be as real as you want! Love that system.

But if you're playing music like Metallica, etc etc, maybe the piezo has less uses. But I'm sure, as we all do, musicians generally grow and expand their musical repertoire. The piezo will come in handy.

 

[Jimmyb]

I don't have the JP, but I've got a Super Sport and a 20th Silo, both with the piezo.

You need to ask yourself if you'll get the use out of it. Like Whitestrat says, if all you are going to play is metal or thrash, then you may not need it, but if you'll be mixing up the styles that you play, then I'd say that it's a worthwhile addition.

 

[dannymusic]

I won't consider owning a EBMM without the piezo.

As a matter of fact, I just upgrade my acoustic amplification end.

 

[Dreamrycher]

Me too. Got to have the piezo.

 

[kneeoh]

The piezo is a great thing to have. You can get some really nice sounds from it on its own but I think it really shines through when you blend it with the magnetics... it just gives something extra to one's clean tones. I feel its a must for those who perform a variety of styles cuz it saves time having to do alot of guitar swapping during a performance. For recording, I'd still prefer an actual acoustic. In a live situation, the piezos used on EBMM's do a great approximation of the actual thing.

Now having said that, if you are mainly playing music that is all balls and chunk, it might not be necessary. If you don't need it, don't get it. You can always pick up a piezo equipped one later on when you have the money.

I truly feel that the chunk of wood that's hacked out to accommodate the piezo controls makes a huge difference in overall tone of the guitar. I will always maintain that the warmest sounding of my JP's is the one with the most wood in it... my bone stock, non-piezo, black sparkle, number 1. For as much as I love the piezo-equipped ones, #1 has a certain mojo that can't be topped and is the one that I use to record stuff.

 

[glockaxis]

I wanted at least one piezo guitar in my arsenal and decided to outfit my
JP with it. It does sound awesome as I finger pick and strum some acoustic songs as well. It's also cool for late night recording here at the house w/ 2 children---when I can't mic up my acoustic guitars.

In adding the piezo I sacrificed the headstock, upcharge color, and inlays----all of which I didn't want to begin with.

 

[beej]

... is it a tone that is worth the extra hundreds of dollars to you? ... I ask because I'm saving up for one, which is a rather slow process with no job ...

The piezo is cool, but really it just gives you the acoustic guitar sound on your electric. If you're playing live and need one then it's invaluable. If you have lots of extra cash it's a cool option.

If money's an issue and you don't NEED it, save your dollars. Really, if cash is an issue I'd look for a good deal on a used Pet- they happen all the time.

 

[MN246]

I got the piezo option on my JP because it saves me from carting around an acoustic guitar to gigs. Also, I don't have to switch guitars to get a very full acoustic tone. I think it is well worth the extra money.

 

[Codyyyn]

Very interesting about the change in tone of the magnetic pickups with the piezo installed...

Thanks guys, if I can afford it, I'll get it. But hey, I won't fret if I don't...

....because something tells me I might be buying another EB in the future

 

[SteveB]

For me, the piezo on the JP is essential if you're playing for an audience. I get a HUGE, beautiful clean sound by routing my piezo directly through the PA (with a little verb, and send a bit of the piezo to my floor monitor) and simultaneously using the clean channel of my amp with some delay, verb, and chorus.

Nobody can hear that tone without being impressed that it's coming out of one guitar.

 

[greenwizard]

For me, the piezo on the JP is essential if you're playing for an audience. I get a HUGE, beautiful clean sound by routing my piezo directly through the PA (with a little verb, and send a bit of the piezo to my floor monitor) and simultaneously using the clean channel of my amp with some delay, verb, and chorus.

Nobody can hear that tone without being impressed that it's coming out of one guitar.

Piezo is a must have!
I know where you're coming from though. I saved all through high school to get my JP. But I knew I couldn't stand to look back and wish I'd saved more and gotten the piezo.
good luck!!
Greenwizard

 

[HighGain510]

I'd say go for it man! I loved the piezo on my JP7. One of the higher quality systems on the market IMHO, EBMM made the right choice for the preamp. Get it, at worst you'll just have something extra on the saddle (that doesn't interfere with your playing at all ) so if you find you're not using it, at least you tried it.

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

I use the piezo a lot for the clean and acoustic sounds live!!!

So, +1 on the piezo

 

[Codyyyn]

Well, I think I would be able to downgrade to Pearl Redburst if it gave me enough to get the piezo.... oh no..... too much thinking....


One question that just came to mind -

I've only seen one pearl redburst in person, and it was like a purple to red burst... Is it usually black to red, or purple? Pics would be very helpful