I've given up looking for/ordering one and figure I just want to convert my current EBMM. Anyone do this before? Whats the best route? Order a piezo bridge from EB? Somewhere else? Or is it just the saddles? Drilling another hole for the jack is no biggie but what about the electronics? I go through a Sansamp now with my Godin. Thanks guys,,
- Thread starter Pktaske
- Start date
beej
Moderator
It's doable, but requires a bit of cash + effort. (I added a piezo to my Morse.)
You'll need new saddles (you can get them to fit your bridge), pre-amp, control (volume at least plus possibly off/on toggle), cavity or spot for a battery and possibly a second output jack (depends on how you want to wire it).
You have a couple options for systems- Graph Tech Ghost, Fishman, L. R. Baggs, etc. Pros and cons with each system, so I'd look at each of the sites, read the reviews, etc.
For the money you spend, you may well be better off to flip your Axis and look for one with the factory piezo, unless you want to do this as a fun project.
You'll need new saddles (you can get them to fit your bridge), pre-amp, control (volume at least plus possibly off/on toggle), cavity or spot for a battery and possibly a second output jack (depends on how you want to wire it).
You have a couple options for systems- Graph Tech Ghost, Fishman, L. R. Baggs, etc. Pros and cons with each system, so I'd look at each of the sites, read the reviews, etc.
For the money you spend, you may well be better off to flip your Axis and look for one with the factory piezo, unless you want to do this as a fun project.
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threeminutesboy
Well-known member
beej
Moderator
Well, I don't know if I'd say that. I actually prefer the sound of the Ghost on my Morse to a few MMs I've tried with factory piezos. But that's more of a personal choice and depends on your rig as well.
I wish I knew this before I let this one slip...just what I wanted.
eBay: MUSIC MAN AXIS SUPERSPORT HH/PIEZO/V-TREM STEREO FLAME (item 290063435626 end time Dec-19-06 11:20:38 PST)
I might still try to convert my little trans orange SS...I love her so.
threeminutesboy
Well-known member
be patient there are a lot of opportunities on Ebay, it's just the matter of time 
Beej - Cand you give me a little bit more info on this? I'm going to do it with my Axis SS. I know I need the saddles (which though? Not offset, right?). Do I also need the pre-amp if I use and off board pre (Sansamp)?
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Understand that when you modify a guitar you decrease its liquidity and marketability....flip[ your guitar and buy a factory one used...if you dont like it you can always get out of it with out having to find someone that wants a non stock mod
PS Beej is usually spot on...but ours is better than the ghost......But also real.ize that most people that have babies uglier than E.T. think they are cute.....
PS Beej is usually spot on...but ours is better than the ghost......But also real.ize that most people that have babies uglier than E.T. think they are cute.....
beej
Moderator
Thanks Sterling - don't tell my girlfriend I'm usually right ... she'll never believe you
Pktaske- Poppa's speaking the truth. A full install will affect the market value and ain't cheap - you'll be out a few hundred $$$ for all the bits. I echo the sentiment that it's a better idea to find a factory installed one for both cost and money recovered down the line. (FWIW, a few months back a forumite tried to flip his home-installed piezo Axis SS and had a tough time doing it.)
In my case I did the install for fun, and there was no piezo option available. I actually had some issues with the Ghost preamp, but wired it up to be totally passive for the mag only sounds. If I were to do it again, I'd probably go with the Fishman system for a variety of reasons. But I do love the sound of it and this guitar will never be sold so I'm happy.
If you still want to do it ...
> I know I need the saddles (which though? Not offset, right?)
No offset. But call your prospective vendor and tell them what bridge you've got and let them make the call. If they send you the wrong ones, it will be their recommendation that was wrong so you shouldn't have trouble with an exchange.
> Do I also need the pre-amp if I use and off board pre (Sansamp)?
I don't know the specs. But probably fine for just piezo only ouput.
Here's the "but"- if you want to mix the sounds (mag + piezo in a single signal) then you'll need an onboard preamp as you can't mix active and passive signals.
If that's cool then adding just the piezo saddles would be an easy way to do this. Don't install a switch, volume control, etc. Just take the output of the saddles and wire them to a stereo output jack which you'll have to install. Then run a stereo cable to a TRS box and run the piezo output to your Sansamp and the other to your normal rig (watching out for ground loops). Should be ok and it's a fully reversible mod without affecting the guitar's value.
I'm still in the "buy the factory installed one" camp, but hey it's your guitar and you could totally do that.
Pktaske- Poppa's speaking the truth. A full install will affect the market value and ain't cheap - you'll be out a few hundred $$$ for all the bits. I echo the sentiment that it's a better idea to find a factory installed one for both cost and money recovered down the line. (FWIW, a few months back a forumite tried to flip his home-installed piezo Axis SS and had a tough time doing it.)
In my case I did the install for fun, and there was no piezo option available. I actually had some issues with the Ghost preamp, but wired it up to be totally passive for the mag only sounds. If I were to do it again, I'd probably go with the Fishman system for a variety of reasons. But I do love the sound of it and this guitar will never be sold so I'm happy.
If you still want to do it ...
> I know I need the saddles (which though? Not offset, right?)
No offset. But call your prospective vendor and tell them what bridge you've got and let them make the call. If they send you the wrong ones, it will be their recommendation that was wrong so you shouldn't have trouble with an exchange.
> Do I also need the pre-amp if I use and off board pre (Sansamp)?
I don't know the specs. But probably fine for just piezo only ouput.
Here's the "but"- if you want to mix the sounds (mag + piezo in a single signal) then you'll need an onboard preamp as you can't mix active and passive signals.
If that's cool then adding just the piezo saddles would be an easy way to do this. Don't install a switch, volume control, etc. Just take the output of the saddles and wire them to a stereo output jack which you'll have to install. Then run a stereo cable to a TRS box and run the piezo output to your Sansamp and the other to your normal rig (watching out for ground loops). Should be ok and it's a fully reversible mod without affecting the guitar's value.
I'm still in the "buy the factory installed one" camp, but hey it's your guitar and you could totally do that.
OK BP ... I'll keep my eye out but I won't let go of my SS ... there's a few more that would go before her. I do have a question for you Ernie Ball people but I'll head that up in another post.
thx.
Totally NOT into the whole blended sound thing...have that option with my Godin LGX (which is, along with Music Man, the other greatest electric guitar for your money IMO) and I never found much use for it. Just looking for the pure acoustic sound. I might take a shot as the saddles themselves can be had for under $100. I'm pretty handy so maybe I'll take a shot. No drilling so no harm, no foul.
Tired of leaving my EB at home because of the LGX's versatility. Our sets usually work out to half acoustic/half electric and you never know what's coming next. I need to switch on the fly to keep the people on the floor. Nothing worse than killing the vibe by having to grab another guitar.
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beej
Moderator
Colin
Well-known member
Dudley mentioned something about doing a piezo for one of Steve's (Morse) guitars. Did that ever happen?
augustyn
Well-known member
i installed a lr baggs into one of my TCMs but the result is worse than a stock EBMM w/piezos. what i was able to compare, the EBMMs piezos sound even better than godin and parker (thats all i've tested).
i use an aphex acoustic exciter too and thats a really great sound through PA...
i use an aphex acoustic exciter too and thats a really great sound through PA...
robelinda2
Well-known member
wild west has great pics, that ones a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!
be patient there are a lot of opportunities on Ebay, it's just the matter of time
You can sell me this: Axis SS MM90 Trem with Piezo Natural 2000
and I'll send you one of Jerzy's CD's...FREE!!! lol..
http://www.myspace.com/jerzyjung
thats some honeyburst you have there...wow.
augustyn
Well-known member
i have a ASS MM90 rosewood /piezos on the way. i am curious how it will sound.
JP w/piezos is great. silhouette also.
thats the reason why i am still looking for a luke w/piezos....
JP w/piezos is great. silhouette also.
thats the reason why i am still looking for a luke w/piezos....
