Hey this might be a dumb question, but I've been playing awhile and just recently ordered a Petrucci signature guitar from Ernie Ball. I'm jacked about the piezo options, but unfortunately, have never used an option like this before so I'm completely oblivious when they talk about stereo and mono modes/cables. Also, EXACTLY how do you get JUST the piezo, JUST the magnetics, and then how to get both mixed together? I know I know..........I should already know this......but if someone could fill me in on this, i would GREATLY appreciate it!
- Thread starter Natek_07
- Start date
phatduckk
Well-known member
the switch near the top horn controls piezo, magnetic or both. check out this diagram off the MM website for more info ... hope it helps. im sure someone else will chime in w/ answers as well
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_pzo_jp6.jpg
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_pzo_jp6.jpg
No problem guys, try this.... (I hope this is less confusing than the diagram! 
EXACTLY how do you get JUST the piezo:
On the mode switch (up by the neck) pull the switch all the way towards you (if you're holding the guitar in the playing position). Use the Piezo/ mono output.
JUST the magnetics:
Push the mode switch all the way away from you (should be pointing down if you're holding the guitar in the playing position). Use the magnetic stereo output
how to get both mixed together?:
Here's where it gets a little tricky, and depends on how your setup runs.
If you have a single amp, you'd move the mode switch to it's middle position, and use the piezo/ mono output
If you choose to run stereo (2 amps) then use both the magnetic and piezo outputs (using regular (mono) guitar cable into each amp).
There's another setup you can use if you run a TRS cable, but I'll leave that alone for now...
It seems a little confusing at first, but after a while it gets a little more intuitve. (plus, I keep the schematic near by, just in case)
EXACTLY how do you get JUST the piezo:
On the mode switch (up by the neck) pull the switch all the way towards you (if you're holding the guitar in the playing position). Use the Piezo/ mono output.
JUST the magnetics:
Push the mode switch all the way away from you (should be pointing down if you're holding the guitar in the playing position). Use the magnetic stereo output
how to get both mixed together?:
Here's where it gets a little tricky, and depends on how your setup runs.
If you have a single amp, you'd move the mode switch to it's middle position, and use the piezo/ mono output
If you choose to run stereo (2 amps) then use both the magnetic and piezo outputs (using regular (mono) guitar cable into each amp).
There's another setup you can use if you run a TRS cable, but I'll leave that alone for now...
It seems a little confusing at first, but after a while it gets a little more intuitve. (plus, I keep the schematic near by, just in case)
Last edited:
SteveB
Well-known member
a little more..
One more, obvious yet easy to overlook item:
The JP also has volume pots for the mags and the piezo. So, if you have the 3-way switch on the upper horn in the middle position, you can 'mix' the blend there as well.
If you wanted to ask about how to run your wiring using a JP w/piezo, check some of the posts in this thread and possibly others via the search function.
If you have still have questions, I'll do my best. I have a JP6 w/piezo, as do many of our forumites.
One more, obvious yet easy to overlook item:
The JP also has volume pots for the mags and the piezo. So, if you have the 3-way switch on the upper horn in the middle position, you can 'mix' the blend there as well.
If you wanted to ask about how to run your wiring using a JP w/piezo, check some of the posts in this thread and possibly others via the search function.
If you have still have questions, I'll do my best. I have a JP6 w/piezo, as do many of our forumites.
Ok..I'll take a shot at it. I'll explain it by describing 3 separate configuration options, in order of increasing complexity.
Config 1. Plug a standard guitar cable into the upper output and run it to your amp. This is also sometimes referred to as a mono guitar cable.
- The switch on the upper horn controls which pickups are on: up = piezo only, middle = magnetics+piezo, down = magnetics only.
- The lower switch controls the magnetic pickup configuration when the magnetics are on - (neck only, inner coils, bridge only)
- The volume knob closest to the outputs controls the piezo volume when the piezo is on using the switch on the upper horn. The volume knob closest to the neck controls the magnetic volume when the magnetics are on. The middle knob is the magnetic tone.
- The mix pot on the back of the guitar will set the MAX amount of piezo signal allowed by the piezo volume knob.
Config 2. Plug a standard guitar cable into the upper output and run it to an acoustic amp. Plug a standard guitar cable into the lower output and run it to an electric guitar amp.
- The piezo signal will be automatically sent to the acoustic amp.
- The magnetic signal will be automatically sent to the electric guitar amp.
- The magnetic volume & tone knobs control the magnetic output, and the piezo volume knob controls the piezo output. The mix pot on the back is disabled.
- The switch on the upper horn again controls which pickups are on (magnetic and/or piezo), and the lower switch controls the magnetic configuration.
Config 3. Plug a stereo/TRS cable into the lower output. This type of cable looks like a normal guitar cable, but has an extra 'ring' on the plug. It's also referred to as a stereo, or TRS ('Tip-Ring-Sleeve') cable, because it has an extra conductor allowing it to carry 2 signals at once.
- The tip outputs the magnetic signal
- The ring outputs the piezo signal
- The switch on the upper horn again controls which pickups are on (magnetics and/or piezo), and the lower switch controls the magnetic configuration.
- In this configuration, you will need a separate signal splitter in order to separate the signals before sending them to an amp or mixer board.
- The advantage of this configuration is that you can send the signals separately (like Config 2 above) but using only one cable from the guitar.
Does that help?
Mike
Config 1. Plug a standard guitar cable into the upper output and run it to your amp. This is also sometimes referred to as a mono guitar cable.
- The switch on the upper horn controls which pickups are on: up = piezo only, middle = magnetics+piezo, down = magnetics only.
- The lower switch controls the magnetic pickup configuration when the magnetics are on - (neck only, inner coils, bridge only)
- The volume knob closest to the outputs controls the piezo volume when the piezo is on using the switch on the upper horn. The volume knob closest to the neck controls the magnetic volume when the magnetics are on. The middle knob is the magnetic tone.
- The mix pot on the back of the guitar will set the MAX amount of piezo signal allowed by the piezo volume knob.
Config 2. Plug a standard guitar cable into the upper output and run it to an acoustic amp. Plug a standard guitar cable into the lower output and run it to an electric guitar amp.
- The piezo signal will be automatically sent to the acoustic amp.
- The magnetic signal will be automatically sent to the electric guitar amp.
- The magnetic volume & tone knobs control the magnetic output, and the piezo volume knob controls the piezo output. The mix pot on the back is disabled.
- The switch on the upper horn again controls which pickups are on (magnetic and/or piezo), and the lower switch controls the magnetic configuration.
Config 3. Plug a stereo/TRS cable into the lower output. This type of cable looks like a normal guitar cable, but has an extra 'ring' on the plug. It's also referred to as a stereo, or TRS ('Tip-Ring-Sleeve') cable, because it has an extra conductor allowing it to carry 2 signals at once.
- The tip outputs the magnetic signal
- The ring outputs the piezo signal
- The switch on the upper horn again controls which pickups are on (magnetics and/or piezo), and the lower switch controls the magnetic configuration.
- In this configuration, you will need a separate signal splitter in order to separate the signals before sending them to an amp or mixer board.
- The advantage of this configuration is that you can send the signals separately (like Config 2 above) but using only one cable from the guitar.
Does that help?
Mike
well hey guess what.......haha, i feel somewhat ashamed for even asking that question now . I knew it would more than likely be incredibly easy to run........but i'm definately not the type that can read those kind of schematics and easily understand them.....and the terminology. but hey, thanks a BUNCH for clearing things up. helped a ton! But I DO have another question. I know that the piezo won't sound near as nice through regular amp due to the limited frequency response (right?), which is understandable. But what would the best choice be? An acousitic amp or PA system? Also, is there any killer pedals that sound great in particular with this guitar?
. I knew it would more than likely be incredibly easy to run........but i'm definately not the type that can read those kind of schematics and easily understand them.....and the terminology. but hey, thanks a BUNCH for clearing things up. helped a ton! But I DO have another question. I know that the piezo won't sound near as nice through regular amp due to the limited frequency response (right?), which is understandable. But what would the best choice be? An acousitic amp or PA system? Also, is there any killer pedals that sound great in particular with this guitar?Ahh man, one more question too. Nothin real big........but I wanted to replace the knobs on this guitar as well when it gets here. I've never done that before so i was wondering if it's possible on the Petrucci model, and if I should even attempt to do it myself or if I should just take it to the local music store? thaaaaaaaaanks again if someone could help me out......
GHWelles
Well-known member
Natek_07 said:
Why replace the knobs? They are bullet shaped to match the inlays. Plus they have the rubber grip strip.
Let's see...regarding an amp for the piezo, we all have differing opinions on what we like. I have heard that it sounds great through an acoustic amp. I suspect it would also sound good through a PA - since a PA is closer to full range. I happen to like the sound of it through my JC-120, but the JC is known to be more of a cleaner, full range amp. I'd suggest trying it through your regular amp first, then make some decisions based on what you hear.
On the knobs, I'm not sure. I like them a lot - especially the rubber grip. If you must change them, I think I read somewhere that there is a set screw under the rubber strip - so you should be able to do it yourself. I have no idea on whether this would void your warranty, so you might want to ask EB first....
Mike
On the knobs, I'm not sure. I like them a lot - especially the rubber grip. If you must change them, I think I read somewhere that there is a set screw under the rubber strip - so you should be able to do it yourself. I have no idea on whether this would void your warranty, so you might want to ask EB first....
Mike
