Question about the outputs on my JP EBM w/ Peizo

[Not Steve Vai]

Ok, I admit this might be a stupid question.

But I glanced at my Control Function diagram and read the description of the outputs. The output description for the Magnetic pickup reads:

When used with a mono cable, this output proivides a passive signal from the magnetic pickups only
when used with a stereo (TRS) cable, tip outputs passive magnetic signal; ring outputs buffered piezo signal.

What the heck does that mean!? I thought I could only use the piezo w/ the piezo output jack!?

Thanks in advance for anyone that can explain this a little bit better for me!

 

[NorM]

If you plug a stereo ¼” cable into that jack then you will only need one cable from your guitar and still the different pickup outputs separate. So at the other end of your stereo cable just put a splitter and run the prospective signals to their respective amplifiers. I also think the task of splitting can be accomplished via an EM stereo pan pedal. (That would be cool)

 

[kbaim]

Also, you can use a mono cable on the stereo output (magnetics), and blend in some nice additional sounds depending on the amp with the Piezo pickup. Use the middle position, where both piezo and magnetics are on.

This method doesn't sound near as good though with just the piezo on, better to do what Norm said for that.

 

[francric]

So, are you guys saying, use a stereo cable from the magnetic pickup jack and you can use it, magnetic, piezo or combined. Do I have it right?

 

[SteveB]

francric,

read my post at this thread and your questions should be answered, and if not I'll add this:

You can use a MONO cable in the Piezo/Mono jack to get the combined Piezo and Magnetic signals. You just plug the other end into your amp as normal. When the piezo/mag selector switch is pointing toward the floor, you hear only the magnetic pickups. When the selector is pointing toward the ceiling, you hear only the piezo. When it's in the middle, you get both. The max amount of Piezo signal being added to the magnetic signal can be changed with the 'mix' potentiometer on the back of the guitar (set with a screwdriver). Also note that there is a volume knob for the piezo, which can also be used to control how much Piezo output you hear.

 

[francric]

Thanks Steveb!!!

 

[SteveB]

francric,

You are welcome. As has been pointed out in other threads, you really need to route the piezo output through a full-range sound system (PA or keyboard amp or acoustic amp) to hear it best. Any way you use it, you'll like having the option.

 

[fsmith]

I still laugh about the time I had my Petrucci in my local store trying out acoustic amps. I was just fooling around with some fingerpick and acoustic songs when this guy walks by and stops to stare.

The look on his face was priceless as his head kept going from the guitar to the amp and back again. If you didn't see what I was playing you'd swear it was an acoustic with pickups.

I love the piezo option. I especially like the fullness you can get when you mix the two outputs.

 

[NorM]

The same thing happened to me the first time I tried one out. "OMG! Some one is really shreding on a Martin!" is what I heard. So then I took the whammy for a dive. It's so cool on how many things you can do with the piezo that are just wrong.

 

[fsmith]

So then I took the whammy for a dive. It's so cool on how many things you can do with the piezo that are just wrong.

NorM,
Thanks for the visual, I almost spewed coffee all over my monitor...

fred