Help! Technical Piezo Saddle query

[Spudmurphy]

I posted last week that I had just acquired a worn Petrucci, which in it's original guise was a Mystic Dream fully loaded. It has received a respray which is kind of a shame. You can just about see the green tinge of it through the white sparkle re spray, and is certainly evident in the control/trem cavities. I was looking at getting a Mystic Dream a while ago but a certain hardtail EVH appeared instead !!
The original thread is here:-
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/35916-look-what-turned-up-today-my-pet-2.html

It has a problem (through neglect) with the Piezo

The top E : A : Bottom E - has the small piezo "saddly bits" missing

It's going to be difficult to get a good set up until I can sort out the Piezo .- the top e is "pinging" as it quite clearly isn't seating properly.

So onto my query - would it be advisable to replace the whole saddle which I assume would come with the Piezo and wire to solder into the pre amp(no problem with that) or should I just go for a new Piezo to insert into the existing saddle? I'd prefer a reply from someone who has experienced this type of problem rather than just an opinion (in the nicest possible way you know what I mean )

Loving the guitar but have to temporarily sort out the Top E (it sounds like a sitar just resting on the saddle) as I would really like to use it at a benefit gig next Thursday for a friend of 30 years who just passed away with Cancer - RIP Andy Beever

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Spud,

You can get replacement saddles w/ piezo crystals from EB, probably through Strings & Things. I don't know if they sell the crystals separately, but it is certainly easier to replace the saddle than the tiny crystal. Make sure you take off the old saddle first and note what color it is. You want to make sure you get the same color so the output levels all match up properly!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks Pete.

I thought that was the way to go but didn't have the experience.

I'll contact Pete in S & T and get something sorted.

The guy in Cardiff Guitars (EB dealers) has said that he would help me with it.

I've managed to sort out the top E temporarily - I used a stick of solder that I use in making Stained glass and ground a piece down to the same size a s a Piezo crystal.

It now plays nice but I'll do the final set up once I get the saddles put right.

Spud

 

[Eilif]

I can confirm what Pete says. (Not that Pete's credibility or knowledge is in question...)

A few years back, I had an in-warranty problem with my piezo on just one string. No output whatsoever for just that one string. EBMM sent a replacement saddle (with piezo) to my dealer, rather than a replacement "crystal", which was easily swapped out with the existing saddle. Problem solved.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Thanks Eiif - Looks like thats what I'll be doing then.

I'm in touch with Pete from S & T to see about getting replacements.

I'll take some photos when I do it.