Question The Purpose of Piezo

[Bass Control]

To the players who have ordered piezo bridges on their basses in the past or currently have said bridges on their current instruments.

What do you usually find yourself using the piezo for? What do you think it adds to the sound? Essentially, I want to know why you ordered a piezo bridge and how and when you actually use it.

Thanks guys!

 

[nicjimbass]

I bought a Bongo used earlier this year, and since it had the piezo's on it, it won out over other Bongo's I was eyeing. For me, it adds a little more versatility. I can cop a better P-Bass tone (IMO) with the neck pickup full on, and the blend between mag and piezo at 50%. It adds some attack and high end that get's lost with the neck pup. That's the thing it does well- adds some nice attack/ highend that isn't clanky, it's just enough to cut through. Also, if you go with 100% piezo, with a pick, it sounds to me like an acoutic bass guitar, ala Violent Fems.

 

[TheAntMan]

I have a Fretless Bongo 4HHP and I use just a modest amount of the piezo (25% - 30%) to add an extra overtone to the ambiance of the bass. I find it a little weak on its own and can be a little intrusive on the overall tone. I absolutely appreciate what it adds to the fretless sound.

Not sure if it helped but that's my $0.02

-- Ant

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I bought a Bongo used earlier this year, and since it had the piezo's on it, it won out over other Bongo's I was eyeing. For me, it adds a little more versatility. I can cop a better P-Bass tone (IMO) with the neck pickup full on, and the blend between mag and piezo at 50%. It adds some attack and high end that get's lost with the neck pup. That's the thing it does well- adds some nice attack/ highend that isn't clanky, it's just enough to cut through. Also, if you go with 100% piezo, with a pick, it sounds to me like an acoutic bass guitar, ala Violent Fems.

Exactly wot he said!

I didn't have a choice I wanted a Bongo like yesterday, and the only one available had a piezo, did I regret forking out the extra dough?

HELL NO!

 

[strummer]

I got piezo by accident, and the extra knob is a bit confusing to an old dog like myself. But, I find I use the piezo sometimse, and when I do it's exclusively piezo, when we play real old-typs music that was maybe recorded by a big band originally.
When I rock, I turn it completely off.

 

[Duarte]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rNKuYuex1I"]YouTube - 2001 Sterling H with piezo bridge[/ame]

 

[iamcatwarrior]

I bought one of these basses several months ago, a Stingray 5 H with a piezo bridge. It's a great instrument, and not even two months into ownership, I already started recording with it.

In fact, I was using it for bass tracks on a friend's songs; he plays acoustic guitar and sings and we're doing full-band versions of his songs for an album he wants to release. The piezo bridge was perfect for this because it did add a certain acoustic characteristic to my tone. The lows seemed a little extra boomy and purred a bit, while the highs sang out a bit more. Everything was a bit more pronounced with the inclusion of this tone option.

 

[Sting]

I played a Stingray 4 Hp at Guitar Center. I started playing some solo stuff with chords. Sounded really good, the piezo really made the chords ring out clearly.

Makes me really want a Bongo 6 HSp.

 

[maddog]

to be contrary, I went without the piezo because I wanted the 3 band eq.

 

[Spudmurphy]

That is a fantastic clip - the first time I have heard/seen a demo of a bass with Piezo.
I'm a big piezo fan on the EB guitars, and I think by having one gives you so many more options.

Mmmm now I want a 4 stringer with Piezo !!!!

 

[AnthonyD]

Must Have Option...

Piezo is a must have option for me. I love the sparkle it adds to the top and the thump it adds to the bottom. I dial mine in on the detents all the time...50/50/50

 

[five7]

Very nice!

 

[thunder]

i got a stingray single H with a piezo. i really never used it. i don't regret buying the bass. i would love to hear how it would sound with a double H.

 

[MingusBASS]

I'm glad I have the piezo option on my fretless Bongo but I can take it or leave it on my fretted with rounds.

 

[Alvabass]

Piezo is a must have option for me. I love the sparkle it adds to the top and the thump it adds to the bottom. I dial mine in on the detents all the time...50/50/50

Same here. I love the added color to the already superb Bongo tone.