Piezo Bridge Pickup

[FunkDubias]

Howdy all,

I'm looking at getting myself a new Stingray 5 and noticed they have an option for a piezo bridge pickup. Can anyone enlighten me as to the benefits of a piezo bridge pickup? Does anyone out there have experience with it?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[bovinehost]

Had one on a SR5 I owned. It can be described in a lot of different ways - some say it has a URB tone, some say it adds "air" to the tone, I don't know about any of that, but....

...it does take the edge off the classic Stingray growl. Used alone, it's much mellower.

If you're playing acoustic stuff or maybe with Shawn Colvin or a polite jazz gig, it might be worth trying.

But it tends to get lost in a loud R+R kind of mix.

as always, YMMV
jacko

 

[Masamax]

What you will find is that the more you mix in the piezo the more you will lose the highs and see a larger amount of lows. IMO it really adds versatility to the instrument. While some say on a fretted it's pointless, I really disagree. While it sounds fantastic on a fretless SR5, the piezo really adds warmth to the tone and helps allow you to use your instrument in many more musical styles by mellowing it out.

I generally keep my piezo at 50/50, which leaves the growl but adds warmth. Luckily you can turn it off entirely when you don't want that, but I find in almost every aspect I like the sound of the piezo, ESSPECIALLY when playing chords.


EDIT:

Here are some samples I just recorded. Not very good sound quality but you get the idea. Recorded with everything on amp and bass EQs flat.


Piezo at zero
Piezo at 50/50 with Mag pup
Piezo at 100, mag pup at 0

 

[FunkDubias]

Thanks a bunch for the quick feedback! Masamax, your mp3's are invaluable. I really like the boosted warmer low's that the piezo adds. I think I'll get it...

 

[Masamax]

My pleasure! I certainly fell in love with it!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

COOL

 

[Masamax]

BTW, Rod, I finally got those pictures of the SR with 2 Jazz pups. I am getting them developed sometime this week, and will have them scanned over the weekend I imagine. Stay tuned!