Question Piezo Question

[EvilEmuOfDoom]

I picked up a JPXI today (NGD post to follow as soon as I take pics) and it's awesome! However, being my first piezo guitar I have an odd question. Can you play it through a normal amp or do I need an acoustic amp? The reason I ask is because when I played it through my Mark V on either Clean or Fat it sounds like it's clipping/distorting with any amount of pick attack. It's not subtle either, it's pretty bad. I changed the battery thinking maybe that was it but no luck. Is this normal and I'm just an idiot for playing with the piezo through this amp?

 

[littlephil]

Its not uncommon for the piezo to sound like its clipping when you run it through a guitar amp. Ideally you'd run it into an acoustic amp or PA, but it will work through a guitar amp.
Try turning down the piezo output, there is a mini-pot on the preamp that you need to turn with a screwdriver. I had the same problem with my JP7, and the output was just a little too high.

 

[Lou]

Yeah, the piezo generally sounds like poo through a standard amplifier. You can also use a keyboard amp.

 

[EvilEmuOfDoom]

I played some acoustic amps today and was really impressed by the Fishman Loudbox Mini. I think I'll be picking one up next month.

 

[misterB]

If you can, do yourself a favor, and at least check out an AER 60. Crazy good!!!

 

[e.mate]

As the piezo output is an active signal, it's just like Phil said before... the output level is quite high.

The point is, what do want to do? If you opt for simulating acoustic sounds, go seperate the signal to an acoustic amp or mixer. The AER 60 is a brilliant recommendation, if you can afford it. I have an older Rocktron Rampage Acoustic that serves the need quite well.

However, especially for small to very small venues I don't like to carry so much equipment with me. So I have a small 6-channel mixer with integrated digital effects with a switchable splitter in front of it, which makes it possible to switch between two different acoustic sounds on stage. The mixer signal goes directly into the console and is fed back through the ordinary monitoring we use. Works brilliantly

 

[Spudmurphy]

If you can, do yourself a favor, and at least check out an AER 60. Crazy good!!!

I have one and they are VERY good.