Piezo - should I or shouldn't I ????

[fogman]

Hey gang!
Before I go to place an order I've been scouring the dealers to see if they have any colour combinations that interest me. I have noticed that most guitars including the gazillion pics that I have don't have the piezo.
I think it's a really cool add-on to the guitar but am questioning if I'd miss it if I didn't get it.
I've tried one out, but unfortunately the guitar shop didn't have any acoustic amps for me to get a realistic feel for it.
I've heard JP use his on the Live at Budokan DVD and I liked what I heard. (except I won't have his expensive equipment)
So, as some of you know, I'm looking for a Silo. I wish it had a switch for the piezo too!
So with that, what do you think???

 

[dan desy]

IF you want to use it for acoustic parts, then it's definitely required. I play in a cover band, and I love having a piezo equipped guitar for those parts.

Also, you need an acoustic amp, or a PA available. Otherwise, it's just a waste.

 

[fogman]

I don't plan on jammin'. Just playing for me and maybe do some recording.
I do know I'll need another amp or PA.

Those of you that have piezo is it a must have!?!
Do you absolutely love it??

 

[phatduckk]

i have an Axis SS w/ piezo ... and i love it!

im a bassist too so im assuming that for a guitarist its gotta more fun than for me. i play it thru a bass amp and it sounds good thru there too. i really, really like how it sounds with the magnetic pups and the piezo blended ... IMO its the best clean sound

get one!

 

[g_man]

I don't plan on jammin'. Just playing for me and maybe do some recording.
I do know I'll need another amp or PA.

Hi fogman,

I am in the same boat, wondering if it is worth it. One note however, if you plan on doing mostly recording, why not use the Piezo into a DI box, like the Sansamp Acoustic or Para driver? Or maybe even the new Fishman Aura which apparently does an amazing job at modeling various acoustic guitars with just a piezo input.

 

[jeffrey]

Honestly?

I have two WITH piezo because it was all I could get at the time.

Well, that's not entirely true. I got my first one about three years ago (ordered the hard way) thinking I'd use the piezo; it hasn't had a battery in it in two years.

My second one has piezo because it's what was in stock.

It's not that it sounds bad, it doesn't at all. But I just don't ever use it. If I want an acoustic sound when I record, I use my Taylor and a 1" condensor. Live I have no use for acoustic tones (or want to tote around a second rig for it).

It's really up to preference and what you plan on doing with it.

 

[dwf1004]

Before I go to place an order = whenever I decide to place an order.

Fogger, get the piezo...it's a one shot deal, you either get it or you don't, and you'll have to buy another one in order to get it...and then we have to go through all of this rigmarole (sp?) again.

727, dude...

 

[fogman]

Before I go to place an order = whenever I decide to place an order.

Fogger, get the piezo...it's a one shot deal, you either get it or you don't, and you'll have to buy another one in order to get it...and then we have to go through all of this rigmarole (sp?) again.

727, dude...

LOL!!!
I feel so loved!
The reason I've been looking around is to possibly bypass the whole 3-4 month wait. But it doesn't look as if though I'm going to find anything in the stores. I especially don't want matching headstock! Everyone seems to match.
I guess better safe than sorry.
Buying a second EBMM won't be as hard (take as long) The possibilities would be reduced by 1!

Thanks everyone!

 

[edensdad]

The Piezo is a must if you have any leanings toward acoustic/clean tones. I don't have a PA or an acoustic amp, I have a Mesa with a super clean channel reminicent of the old Roland Jazz Chorus I used in the 1980's for clean sounds. Anyway - The piezo adds so much more than just an acoustic sound - If you mix it with the magnetic pickups (I have a JP, not sure if you can do this on others)it sounds incredible - especially the middle (split) position of the JP. I also mix the Piezo with the neck pickup and play it with overdrive for a gritty blues sound. I think it gives you more options.

As far as the acoustic sound - I can't really judge - two reasons - I don't have a proper acoustic amp or PA, and I'm really biased by the sound of a real, solid wood acoustic like my Martin and Taylors.
>^..^<

 

[GWDavis28]

Foggy, if you can afford it, get it I've never heard anybody regret getting it. Even if you don't play acoustically, you might not now, but you might someday.

Glenn |B)

 

[MikeVt]

Fogger (like how we're all messing with your nick?), I'll offer a slightly different perspective. If you were going to be playing live, I'd probably say go for the piezo - mainly for switching ease. However, since you have said that you will be using your guitar mostly for jamming/recording, I'd say just buy the guitar you like, with or without the piezo. Here's my opinion on why...

I bought my Pet with the piezo, and I DO love it. However, I was pretty surprised to find that all of my multi-effects units with acoustic simulator capability did a pretty darn good job of approximating the sound. I was actually a bit disappointed when I noticed this - the piezo option didn't seem so special after that. It's kinda funny - the AC simulators never really did a good job of making my electrics sound like full body acoustics, but they do a pretty good job of making my electrics sound like electrics with a piezo pickups!

My 2 cents...remember, we all have different ideas on what sounds good to us...
Mike

 

[ernie1966]

I just can't believe that our man Foggy is finally getting an EBMM!!

Seriously, get exactly what you want, even if you have to wait. I mean you've waited this long to get an EBMM, what's another 3-4 months?

 

[fogman]

THANKS GUYS!!!

Fogger, Foggy, Fogman.... the variations simply make me feel like I belong!

Yes, I've waited this long, so another 3-4 months won't matter.
I'd rather take longer doing the process and doing it right rather than rush in and do it again.
So piezo it will be!! I know I'll love it.

 

[dwf1004]

...settle down, ernie. It isn't midnight; the duck hasn't flown just yet.

Until Fogger posts with "I ordered! I ordered!" (and I want that thread titled that way, letter for letter, Fogger! ), I'm not holding my breath just yet.

713, dude...

 

[fogman]

...settle down, ernie. It isn't midnight; the duck hasn't flown just yet.

Until Fogger posts with "I ordered! I ordered!" (and I want that thread titled that way, letter for letter, Fogger! ), I'm not holding my breath just yet.

713, dude...

Sorry Darrell.

That won't be the title!!! I already have something in mind.

712

 

[beej]

Well best of luck to ya buddy- I agree with Ernie; get what you really want!

Not having a piezo, I LOVED it when I got to play Keith/DaveB's piezo Axis that I had for a few days. So much so that I'm retrofitting my Morse with one.

For jamming/at home I usually play through a PodXT into a full-range Keyboard amp. The Pod has a great Piezo preset and the Axis sounded phenomenal through that.

My next order (other than the Y2D where it's not an option) will have a piezo.

 

[fsmith]

Hey Fog,

Cool, go for it. I have that option on my Petrucci and love it. My next guitar will have that option too, I'm waiting to see what comes of this 30th anniversary Silo...

 

[kbaim]

Well best of luck to ya buddy- I agree with Ernie; get what you really want!

Not having a piezo, I LOVED it when I got to play Keith/DaveB's piezo Axis that I had for a few days. So much so that I'm retrofitting my Morse with one.

For jamming/at home I usually play through a PodXT into a full-range Keyboard amp. The Pod has a great Piezo preset and the Axis sounded phenomenal through that.

My next order (other than the Y2D where it's not an option) will have a piezo.

Glad you got a chance to bond with that guitar, J. And many thanks for fixing it up for that british Horsepower guy.

So will it be a Luke, albert, silo or ASS with piezo?

 

[beej]

Glad you got a chance to bond with that guitar, J. And many thanks for fixing it up for that british Horsepower guy.

So will it be a Luke, albert, silo or ASS with piezo?

My pleasure ... I had hoped to get it home one way or another

Good question ... I'll have to have at the Y2D for a while first. I did love the Rosewood Axis at the open house ... that one with a piezo would be nice ... then again, another Luke would be great too ...

 

[NorM]

Hey Fog,

Cool, go for it. I have that option on my Petrucci and love it. My next guitar will have that option too, I'm waiting to see what comes of this 30th anniversary Silo...

The silo came out in 1986. So 2006 will be the 20th anniv. Please don't make me wait 10 more years for this guitar. It's in white so Big Poppa won't see this. He would make me wait.

F2N
I think you are just yanking everybodies chain. You are never going to order and you are just trying to get everyone to go through their daily affermation.

Piezo = Hell Yes! (Duh)
Ordering exactly what you want = Hell Yes!
Waiting = AAAARRRRGGG!
Playing your guitar built espically for you by the EBMM Custom Shop (It's the only one they have) = Hell Yes!

Shut up and go order a guitar.