A Couple of Novice Piezo Questions

[mb99zz]

I have a couple of questions about the Piezo option on EBMM guitars. I haven’t had a chance to play a Piezo equipped model, so bare with me here. The wiring diagrams for the Silo, JP6, and AL all say:

“When only the Piezo/Mono jack is connected, the mix pot controls the maximum level of the Piezo signal. When the magnetic/stereo jack is connected, the mix pot is disabled.”

So here are my dumb questions:

1). When the magnetic jack is connected, does the Piezo’s volume level go to some type of default setting? In the scenario, I’m assuming you control the Piezo volume through your PA or amp – not on the guitar itself.

2). I noticed that the Silo and AL don’t have a switch like the JP6 which enables magnetic only, magnetic and Piezo, or Piezo only outputs. I’m assuming this means the AL and Silo can only handle a combo output (Magnetic and Piezo) when both jacks are connected. Is that correct? In that scenario, I’m assuming I could “switch” between the combo output (Mag and Piezo) to just Piezo by turning down the magnetic volume pot to zero…..thus silencing the magnetic jack. Is that correct?

 

[roburado]

1). When the magnetic jack is connected, does the Piezo’s volume level go to some type of default setting? In the scenario, I’m assuming you control the Piezo volume through your PA or amp – not on the guitar itself.

There are trim pots on the back of the AL, the JP, the Luke. Not sure about the Silos. You can set the mix level as well as alter the EQ (2-band). I believe the 20th Anniversary Silo and the ASS have their trim pots inside the control cavities somewhere.

2). I noticed that the Silo and AL don’t have a switch like the JP6 which enables magnetic only, magnetic and Piezo, or Piezo only outputs. I’m assuming this means the AL and Silo can only handle a combo output (Magnetic and Piezo) when both jacks are connected. Is that correct? In that scenario, I’m assuming I could “switch” between the combo output (Mag and Piezo) to just Piezo by turning down the magnetic volume pot to zero…..thus silencing the magnetic jack. Is that correct?

I believe the connections work the same way in all the piezo equipped guitars. So, mono cable for one jack. The other is for the stereo TRS cable. In the mono jack you can put one cable in and get both the piezo and magnetic pickups blended. As you said, there is a switch on the JP to select what signal is being put out (i.e. magnetic, piezo, or both). IIRC, the Luke, ASS, and 20th Ann. Silo have a similar switch. You can also use two mono cables, which will have the magnetic pickups going through one cable and the piezo through another. The simplest thing in my mind is to use the stereo jack with a TRS cable going into an EBMM splitter box. Then, the signal gets split into mags and piezo. After that, you can send the signals wherever you want.

I would use a DI box with a ground lift for the piezo signal. Put the box in between the splitter box and the amp/PA/whatever you are using for the piezo signal. The ground lift is used to eliminate "ground loop hum" that will likely be created once you have the two paths to ground (i.e., the cable for the magnetic pickups and the cable for the piezo).

 

[mb99zz]

Thanks, Rob!

 

[dannymusic]

i like to use a wireless for the piezo even if I cable the mags.

1) breaks the ground loop
2) you can use inexpensive (true diversity) wireless because there is no tone suck; it's already preamplified