Piezo, or not?

[Ripper]

First of all, got to thank BP and gang for giving us the option of adding piezo feature to ALMOST all EBMM models. Couldnt ask for much more.

Here's the question: why wouldnt you want a piezo on your equipment then? Its really a good time to own one now, just look at the piezo equipped instruments offered by forumites in the WTS thread..

Reason for me not wanting a piezo:
1. Bought all of my Balls thru a relative in US, would not be able to handle any possible failure in technical issues in my country.

2. I still have the stupid mindset of "electric is an electric, let the real acoustic to do its job".

My fellow ballers, your take on this please.

 

[straycat113]

Well reason to buy is that it is a great option to have on a guitar, especially if you are playing live and are the only guitarist in the band doing songs that need you to switch between electric and acoustic parts.To keep it real if you here an acoustic part on a song by a pro recording band, it is going to be played by a real acoustic but live it is a whole different ballgame, and the Piezo's sound so good today there is no problem pulling it off. Reason not to buy would be if you never really play acoustic guitar at all, I personally love playing acoustic guitar and though I do not play out anymore I still like jamming with friends, and find the Piezo comes in very handy.

 

[roburado]

Another thing that I love about putting the piezo and the electric on the same guitar is that I think that it adds a dimension to one's clean sound. I love playing the BFR JP6 on the middle position with a piezo on. It's so great to put a little chorus and delay on the magnetic pickup signal and get the piezo going. To me, it thickens the sound beautifully. I'm all for a real acoustic, but I think that the piezo/magnetic combination can really make for a compelling sound.

 

[Laguna]

I had Luke with piezzo, best part is that u can play magnetic and acoustic at the same time. I am the only guitar player in my band, and there is one output for magnetic, and one for piezzo, so you have practicly two guitars in one, two diferent sounds at same time, but when i play only acoustic, i use my Ovation

 

[threeminutesboy]

a lot of sound experiment with the Piezo, I guess everybody needs one at least

 

[ily]

EBMM piezo is a killer
i use it in my cover band for some acoustic parts
or with cleans electric sound in the same time to have some originals texture

but if i'll have to play entire gig in acoustic
sure that i'll have to play with a real acoustic guitar
also for sensation and feeling

in september i'll want to find a Adamas 1597 SMT 4 not to replace my luke
but for playing also with friends around a good beer
and another project with only acoustics instrument

 

[nathanhny]

It's a great feature to have, but it's not the end of the world without it

 

[andynpeters]

Never had or tried a guitar which had one....I can see the usefulness if you need to fake an acoustic sound........I used a Boss Acoustic Simulator pedal for such moments.

 

[beej]

It's certainly a great feature to have, but it does add cost. So if you're cash sensitive I could see why people opt not to get it.

One other point worth mentioning is that the piezo saddles are the block saddle type. In the guitars that usually get the vintage saddles (AL, Sil Spec, etc.) this makes a difference to my ears. (I'm in the camp that prefer the brightness of vintage saddles, though I appreciate that many here seem to like the block saddle type.)

 

[French Kiss]

EBMM piezo system is a great experience ; both magnetic and piezo open large tones experimental opportunities ...

Have you ever played accoustic with a wham bar ?

Love the middle position (no sex at all )

 

[Lou]

I play all my acoustic gigs with my JP. Can't go wrong.

 

[Mephistofes]

Another thing that I love about putting the piezo and the electric on the same guitar is that I think that it adds a dimension to one's clean sound. I love playing the BFR JP6 on the middle position with a piezo on. It's so great to put a little chorus and delay on the magnetic pickup signal and get the piezo going. To me, it thickens the sound beautifully. I'm all for a real acoustic, but I think that the piezo/magnetic combination can really make for a compelling sound.

This. I love to blend magnetic and piezo mics together. Especially with chorus and delay it gets a kind of a harp-like sound. Not sure how to explain but it definitely adds another dimension to the guitar IMO

 

[kbaim]

This. I love to blend magnetic and piezo mics together. Especially with chorus and delay it gets a kind of a harp-like sound. Not sure how to explain but it definitely adds another dimension to the guitar IMO

I'm the same, the blended sound just seems so much fuller and richer. And Beej is right about the added cost.
That being said, i feel its well worth the cost. Even if you dont play clean a lot, you might find that adding a piezo inspires you to play that way more than you might otherwise because its depth is so appealing.
You just feel like noodling and experimenting more.

 

[ily]

EBMM piezo system is a great experience ; both magnetic and piezo open large tones experimental opportunities ...

Have you ever played accoustic with a wham bar ?

Love the middle position (no sex at all )

agree with you magnetics and piezo in the same time are

but for me whamy bar isn't good the strings are not always in contact with piezo and a small noise appears perhaps i've setup action too low the saddles are in her minimal height
i love piezo with custom position 4 i've add resistance and capacitor on the switch and cut the shunt my Luke deliver a straty nice sound like sultan of swing +piezo it's a dream

 

[Spudmurphy]

Playing in a band with another guitarist and a bass player I find that my AER DI'd into the desk gives another dimension insofar as the blended signal sounds like you also have an acoustic guitarist playing with you.

Now I'm no audio/techno phobe but you know when you can hear high frequencies above everything else (ever been in an auditorium when someone brings a crowd to order by tapping a glass?) well the piezo seems to ride above everything else and really fills out the rhythm part.

I for one am a big fan of piezo on EB guitars.

Caveat emptor -A piezo equipped guitar takes no prisoners - every fret buzz will show up !!!

 

[kbaim]

I for one am a big fan of piezo on EB guitars.

Caveat emptor -A piezo equipped guitar takes no prisoners - every fret buzz will show up !!!

I havent noticed fret buzz per se...but I find that string squeak is definitely more pronounced with the piezo. I'd say that i am much more focused on trying to minimize that through more careful fingering

 

[Sweat]

I think a peizo equipped guitar is a needed accessory and sounds great, yea cost more but worth it, I am now realizing how much I missed it

 

[paranoid70]

Well I must admit, I am not convinced. None of my guitars have piezos, I never thought I needed one. Maybe I need to spend more time with one, but I thought acoustic effects pedals sound just as good - and can be used for all your guitars.

 

[ily]

I havent noticed fret buzz per se...but I find that string squeak is definitely more pronounced with the piezo. I'd say that i am much more focused on trying to minimize that through more careful fingering

+1
the guitar needs a very good setting v
very low action with some frets buzz are more pronounced with piezo

on my luke the trem is no floating
and for my next(s) EBMM 1 was with piezo and the other trem standard

 

[odur]

I owned one JP6 without piezo, but some weeks ago I traded it for a new JP6 with piezo...and what I have now is the ultimate axe with great electric and acoustic sound (beats any acoustic pedal on the market)...definitely worth the extra cost IMHO.