tonal difference:mm piezo bridge vs non-piezo

[gtrman66]

Hey everyone.I am probably going to order luke #2 (should that be luke 2 #2 lol)this week and have decided to go with a standard in blue pearl.i can't afford a bfr this year although i'd love to have one in my arsenal...oh well maybe 2011....anyway I've been toying with the idea of getting the piezo in this one but I wanted to ask the forum what their experience has been with a standard vs piezo bridge on their particular mm guitar.My question is directed to those on the forum who own 2 lukes,one with piezo and one without although anyone who owns or has played other models of ebmm can chime in.My question:Has anyone noticed a difference in tone,action,or tremolo use between their piezo-equipped mm guitar tremolo and the same model with the standard tremolo.I once owned a Brian Moore c90 that had the wilkinson piezo bridge and didn't care for it.The tone,sustain and vibe between it and my friend's standard wilkinson trem Brian Moore was radically different.I don't want to make the same mistake with the Luke that I'm about to order so any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[ScoobySteve]

I'm all speculation here, but since the piezo pick ups are in the saddles and are captured where the string clanks against the saddle, so I imagine that the guitar's tone would not be affected in any noticeable way whatsoever.

Dunno, I could be dead wrong though.

 

[DaPatrooch]

Did your guitar that you previously owned have a trem, and your friend's had a hardtail? Because that would make a huge difference. There should be no difference in tone between a Luke piezo and non-piezo, but I could be wrong, because it's possible that the saddles are made from different materials. But if they're made of the same metal, any tonal difference would probably be because no two guitars, even if they're made exactly the same, there would be slight differences just depending on the wood, for example two of the same guitars could have different weights.

 

[jbhafner]

I played a BFR Koa in GC in Austin last year for the better part of an hour. I now own a Luke with piezo. I can't tell a difference in tone or length of resonance. In fact, I think that the piezo from my Luke sounds better than my piezo on my JP6! The only thing that has been a big difference is the battery life in the Luke with the piezo gets chewed up pretty quickly.

 

[glockaxis]

Call me old fashioned per se, but I own 2 Lukes and neither have the piezo option. I contemplated getting a Luke with one but decided I want my electrics plain and simple and if I need an acoustic sound, my Martin and Ovation come out. If you will use it often enough to justify getting it, do so. As far as it sapping tone, I've heard it both ways so I can't really tell you.

 

[Roubster]

There is absolutely nothing about the piezo option that will make the guitar sound drastically different or take away from the tone of the guitar. I have a Silo Special with a trem and piezo set up to float like a regular LUKE would, and it is my favorite guitar to play right now. I think it might sound a bit fatter though due to the solid steel saddles compared to the vintage saddles on the regular LUKE. I prefer this anyway. The main thing here is, whether you are going to use the piezo option or not. I honestly dont use mine that much right now, but its always there when I do, and there is no inconvenience there at all.

By the way, I have a LUKE coming my way as well !

 

[jcm900]

The piezo bridge have different saddles, which are a bit more comfortable for your palm. (vintage saddles vs. modern saddles)
My piezo equipped Luke sounds a little bit darker than its sisters, but the difference is subtle, really, and I'm not sure, that it has anything to do with the piezo electronics.
I rarely use the piezo pick ups, but when the music requires that sound, it can be really handy.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I have a AL with Piezo (and a JP6).

The tone of the guitars are not compromised with the piezo and I would say definitely go for the piezo option.

It's great seeing the look on peoples faces when I fade between my tube amp and my AER - it's like "How the hell is that guy getting his guitar to sound like an acoustic?"

 

[azazael]

Personally I don't think any piezo system sounds like an acoustic. I mean on an acoustic as well. It was kind of a deciding factor when I was looking for a gigging acoustic. I ended up going with Fishman Aura preamp. I believe it comes as a kind of pedal also although I have never tried it. Would be interesting to hear how it converts a piezo input from an electric guitar to a more realistic acoustic sound.

 

[gtrman66]

Did your guitar that you previously owned have a trem, and your friend's had a hardtail? Because that would make a huge difference. There should be no difference in tone between a Luke piezo and non-piezo, but I could be wrong, because it's possible that the saddles are made from different materials. But if they're made of the same metal, any tonal difference would probably be because no two guitars, even if they're made exactly the same, there would be slight differences just depending on the wood, for example two of the same guitars could have different weights.

Sorry I was in a hurry last night and missed a couple of things.I've re-worded the post for accuracy.

 

[NorM]

The only tone difference I have noticed is that you CAN'T get the piezo tone from a non piezo bridge.
OK I'll quit being a smarty pants now.

I have not been able to here a tone difference in piezo vs non piezo bridges. (For magnetic Pups)

Maybe
I could say that the piezo bridge saddles feel sturdier.

I have SiLOs with EMGs and Piezos. Fresh batteries about once a year for all. Of course unplugging the guitar when not playing it saves battery life. But as a safety rule for the guitar. (Active electronics or not)
UNPLUG YOUR GUITAR WHEN NOT IN USE!
That is a tough lesson to have to learn the hard way.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Personally I don't think any piezo system sounds like an acoustic. I mean on an acoustic as well.

I'm pleased with the sound I get with the Piezo - it's not gonna sound like a Martin miked up, but hey just listen to the piezo on this thread s'not bad you havta admit?
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...have-been-wondering-about-jpx-piezo-tone.html

 

[e.mate]

Cannot say for the Luke....but for Silo and ASS (I guess it's basically the same trem anyway). With both I found no noticeable or relevant difference in tone, except for the one there ALWAYS is, as guitars sound different always, even if being out of the same production range.

I made the test with Silos once, that were absolutely the same....except for the color: one was black, the other Candy Apple Red. And there was definitely a slight difference in sound in certain PU constellations. But that's all very subtle, and limited to nuances.

I wouldn't believe you would find an significant impact on tone from the piezo...at least I didn't.

 

[jcm900]

I'm pleased with the sound I get with the Piezo - it's not gonna sound like a Martin miked up, but hey just listen to the piezo on this thread s'not bad you havta admit?
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...have-been-wondering-about-jpx-piezo-tone.html

there is another advantage of a piezo equipped Luke, there won't be any feedback (unlike some real acoustic guitars).

 

[jcm900]

The only tone difference I have noticed is that you CAN'T get the piezo tone from a non piezo bridge.
OK I'll quit being a smarty pants now.

I have not been able to here a tone difference in piezo vs non piezo bridges. (For magnetic Pups)

Maybe
I could say that the piezo bridge saddles feel sturdier.

I have SiLOs with EMGs and Piezos. Fresh batteries about once a year for all. Of course unplugging the guitar when not playing it saves battery life. But as a safety rule for the guitar. (Active electronics or not)
UNPLUG YOUR GUITAR WHEN NOT IN USE!
That is a tough lesson to have to learn the hard way.

The other safety rule: HAVE A BACKUP BATTERY IN YOUR CASE!

 

[gtrman66]

Thanks for all your help and insight.I went to the dealer on Monday and,as luck would have it,he had a JP with the piezo in stock.I checked out the piezo system in both an electric and an acoustic amp and,while it doesn't sound exactly like an acoustic guitar it's a pretty good sounding piezo system,and didn't seem to effect the sound or sustain of the guitar.It didn't cost too much more to get the upgrade so.......
New Luke has been ordered!
Blue pearl,natty headstock with piezo.It'll probably take 8-12 weeks to ship so hopefully the G.A.S. pains won't be too bad
Thanks again and yes I'll post pics when it gets home