another piezo question

[fogman]

This might be a stupid question, but I don't know the fine details of how it works or is made.
Do the piezos sound the same from one guitar model to another? i.e. piezo on a Luke to a piezo on a Silo or piezo on an Axis......
Are there slight variations to sound/tone because of body shape, woods, etc...
Or do none of these things actually matter because the peizo just works differently????

 

[73h Nils]

Ooh, that is a good question. One thing I know for certain is that, depending on the EQ setup, when I tried a BFR JP6 and then a JP6, the BFR sounded thicker with just the piezo, so it is possible that the wood affects it, but don't take my word for it!

 

[Eilif]

I'd guess that the wood does make a difference, just as it does for magnetic pickups. But does it make a substantial difference? On that, I can't say but would guess that it depends on the ears of the listener.

I've had the Axis SS with piezo and the Luke with piezo, and I don't know that they sounded any different. But keep in mind that I didn't really compare the two piezos.

 

[robelinda2]

what about trem vs hardtail with piezo? Ive heard some say that hardtail sounds better, but I'm not sure myself. My Dargie Silo special is hardtail piezo and i think it sounds great, my old ASS trem/piezo was just as good.

 

[glockaxis]

Figure in string gauge as well. I have the JP as my only piezo equipped guitar and it sounds phenonmenal. I haven't tried any other so I can't make comparisons. Before I bought many said the JP had the best piezo sound but that's not a scientific statement. Maybe Dubaldo can chime in or even do a demo.

 

[robelinda2]

Yeah string guage has to be a factor, my dumb band has always been in Eb, so me using 9's means I probably dont get a strong piezo tone compared to using 11's and tuning down to Eb, I really should just use 10's for gigs.

 

[jbhafner]

I sold a Brian Moore I9P to buy my JP6 with piezo. The piezo on the BM was too bright and thin sounding. It took our sound guy forever to eq and mix it in the house. The JP6 piezo is completely different and authentic sounding and is easier to mix and eq. Hope this helps.

 

[DaPatrooch]

I would assume that woods and everything play a role in the sound of the piezo. The JP6 piezo sounds very authentic. I was never really sure about the hardtail vs. trem thing, but they say hardtails have more sustain. And string gauge is probably a big factor too, because the saddles are picking up the vibrations from the strings. You're supposed to use heavier gauge strings on an acoustic guitar for a better acoustic sound, so I'm guessing that the piezo sounds more like an acoustic with heavier gauge strings.

 

[Colin]

Foggy are you looking to get a piezo with your next Ball?

 

[fogman]

Foggy are you looking to get a piezo with your next Ball?

I'm not sure yet. Maybe not until my third.
When I get one, I'd much prefer having the switch that allow me to blend the mags. with the piezo. That of course limits me to only certain guitars which are not necessarily the guitars that I want for my no.2

 

[robelinda2]

why do you prefer the switch foggy? it doesnt make any difference does it? Having the 3rd knob to dial in the piezo and blend with the mags is great.

 

[glockaxis]

I like the piezo switch on my JP. Just personal preference knowing I have an on/off switch, so to speak, and can quickly flick it on or off depending on what you're playing. W/ the knob only I can't tell vusually where in the spectrum the piezo signal is at. Of course you can hear it, but there is a comfort for me knowing I can see it. Also, you can

 

[Jimmyb]

I prefer having a switch, but it probably is just a personal thing.

What I have found quite good, is rolling the volume off on the piezo and then using the switch as a kind of 'kill' switch, to get the 'stutter' effect.

Obviously it only works when you're using the combined output...

 

[roburado]

I like the switch too.

 

[fogman]

If I understand it correctly, the switch goes on-off-blend!? right?

 

[Eilif]

On - Blend - Off

 

[Colin]

I'm not sure yet. Maybe not until my third.
When I get one, I'd much prefer having the switch that allow me to blend the mags. with the piezo. That of course limits me to only certain guitars which are not necessarily the guitars that I want for my no.2

Third????

 

[fogman]

Third????

can't I have a third?
you can't just have one or two!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Foggy - another way of doing it, is to take the stereo output from the guitar into a splitter box then into one of these
https://store.ernieball.com/product/part_number=P06165/574.0.23625.23625.0.0.0
Then take your mags into one amp and the piezo into an acoustic amp.

I'm gonna pick up one of those pedals when I get to the states - unless someone has one for sale

 

[fogman]

thanks Spud!
love the new avatar!