Piezo for Solidbody - Teach me!

[zebra]

I'm considering installing a piezo system on a solidbody.  The only systems I've really heard anything about are Graphtech's Ghost/Acousti-phonic and LR Bagg's X-bridge. 

I'm not necessarily interested in creating "realistic" acoustic sounds - I'm more interested in having access to a different texture, and what Swarfrat has referred to as "liveliness at volume". 

- What have you tried, and liked/not liked?
- What are some things to consider?
- If I wanted to mix with magnetic pickups, do certain types of magnetic picks or wiring arrangements work better than others? 

Thanks for your input!  :icon_thumright:

 

[TBurst Std]

Well I have a Godin Flat Five X with has a setup similar to the LR Baggs. Works quite well.
Make sure you use a separate preamp for the piezo side. You also want dedicated tone controls for the piezo side as all possible.
The way wine is setup, I have 2 output jacks.  1 allows a single cord out and the ability to pan between mags and piezo. Or You can use both and 1 cord is for mags and the other for piezo.

Very good looking playing and sounding guitar.  Due to financial needs, I am considering selling it. If interested PM me.

 

[zebra]

Well I have a Godin Flat Five X with has a setup similar to the LR Baggs. Works quite well.
Make sure you use a separate preamp for the piezo side. You also want dedicated tone controls for the piezo side as all possible.
The way wine is setup, I have 2 output jacks.  1 allows a single cord out and the ability to pan between mags and piezo. Or You can use both and 1 cord is for mags and the other for piezo.

Very good looking playing and sounding guitar.  Due to financial needs, I am considering selling it. If interested PM me.

Thanks for the input.  I used to have a Godin Freeway - they make good stuff!

 

[Lbpesq]

RMC in Berkeley, CA makes excellent  piezo saddles.  I have them on a heavily modified Fernandes Masterhand guitar.  I have a blend pot where I can pan from all magnetic pickups, to a blend, to all piezo. 

Bill, tgo

 

[DustyCat]

I have a piezo on one of my guitars and yeah it sounds different from the tone of the magnetic pickups but it wasn't until I finally tried plugging into a Fishman Loudbox acoustic amp that I noticed a night and day difference.

Piezo ==> Guitar amp Noon/afternoon

Piezo ==> Acoustic amp Noon/midnight

I'm not sure if an acoustic preamp can coax that kind of difference out of a piezo from a "regular electric guitar amp"  but again for the third time don't judge a piezo until you plug it into an acoustic amp.

 

[Lbpesq]

don't judge a piezo until you plug it into an acoustic amp.

Or a P.A., or a keyboard amp.

Bill, tgo

 

[TBurst Std]

Actually more important than that is the appropriate IR. An acoustic amp gets you closer to that than an electric amp

Here’s a clip of a strat into a decent IR

http://www.javajunkiemusic.com/Audio/acoustic2016.mp3