Piezzo pickups advice ?

Joli Gadjo

Dear all,

I am looking for advice, info and lived experiences about piezzo pickups.

Here's my dilemma :
My previous GJ guitar, a Park Encore had a Bigtone that I liked to couple to a AT 831b lavaliere mike. I plugged all of that into a Fishman Loudbox.

Guitars I have now don't have a bigtone, and I don't want to put one, drill holes or stay stuck to one bridge... plus I like the idea of having something I can use with different guitars, ie a non permanent solution.

So I am interested in some of those little flat round things like the Shertler, K & K or others... I only want to sound acoustic and stay with a decent budget.
Tell me what you think, why you like them or not ?
Thanks !
-JG

MichaelHorowitz

You can read an overview here: viewtopic.php?t=3850

If you already like the bigtone I'd just get another (Dupont's seem to be much better then the rest) and have it rigged for an external mount so you can move it between guitars if need be. Although, I doubt one bridge height would work on numerous guitars, but you can you use shims if need be.

Almost all the other piezo and/or semi-permanent solutions are not nearly as feedback resistant. Anything mounted to the top, like a Schertler or top mounted piezo tends to feedback a lot easier. The bigtone is best in terms of feedback resistance. A Stimer is even better, but magnetic, not a piezo.

'm

HCQ

Hi,

I recently got the K&K Pure Floating Bridge Pickup. This is the one that sandwiches between the bridge's feet and the guitars top. I also use it with a Fishman amp.

I can't really compare it to other pickups, but it has a ton of output, is very feedback resistant and is very quiet. My worry with this kind of pickup was that it would pick up a lot of body resonance. This happens to a small extent, but it can be dialed out. I also have to mildly adjust my picking for the pickup as well.

It has a lot range in that it reads where I pick along string length and reacts to this instantly. I like it a lot as I can get an amplified sound that is very close to my acoustic sound. It has no piezo quack either.

I wanted the same thing you express in that I could still use the pickup in another guitar if I ever get another Sel/Mac. I could also use with my achtop too if I so desire.

A caveat I would relay to you is to stick it on the metal of the tailpiece. Not the wood or leather. After that, wedge some tiny pieces of foam/sponge between both exposed parts of the metal jack to stabilize it from accidently moving around radially. Reason is if any of the metal jack inadvertently bangs against the guitar's body, it can sound like an explosion coming out of your amp.

For my needs, I am pretty happy with this pickup and amp combination.

constantine

Hey Joli - Do you use D-Holes or Oval Holes.

Joli Gadjo

I have a D and I am waiting for my new o to arrive sometime soon.

BluesBop Harry

I have a Bigtone in my guitar and I recently found an old Dimarzio piezo that sticks on the top with putty. I was really surprised when I tried it on, it sounds great! Better than the Schertler basik or the Bigtone. Sounds natural and balanced, only problem is it's very low gain and has some feedback issues, maybe a preamp could fix this. Though maybe at a higher level quack would show it's ugly face.
Since the Dimarzio is less than $50 and can be found almost in any guitar store it's worth your while to try one.

frater

I've been using that Di Marzio for years in conjunction with a Passac preamp (sorry, those are no longer available) and agree... It works great, a really underrated transducer.

As for the K&K: doesn't it raise a lot the height of the bridge? Plus, I'm wondering how can the two transducers follow the curve of the top...

HCQ

Hi,

The K&K raises the action slightly over 1 millimeter. I think they say 1.3 millimeters.

Its made out of a very thin brass-like plate that faces the guitar top. The other side is black vinyl-like stuff that's can squish down a little bit. So it does follow the curve of the top.

This side is also slightly tacky, so if you take all the strings off they will stay somewhat stuck onto the bridge's feet. But overall, this stiction is not very solid.

patterry

After using a Dupont bigtone in my Dupont MD50 with excellent results over a year and a half of regular gigging, I tried a K&K pure floating pickup in my new Dupont VRB. The idea was to avoid drilling the new axe, and check out a different system. In my experience the K&K changed the acoustic sound of the instrument, robbing its complex tone and volume. The pickup sound was darker and more electric sounding than the dupont bigtone in my MD50,which by the way didn't alter the acoustic sound of that instrument at all. I know some guys have had some luck with the K&K, but I've ordered a Dupont bigtone for my VRB, and would be happy to sell the K&K Pure Floating Pickup (barely used) if anyone wants to try one on the cheap.

constantine

I use an LR Baggs M1 for my D hole. I attach small strips to the ends so it can reach across each side of the D hole. The pickup is a mix between a mic and a humbucker, quite unique. I have a sound sample at this post
viewtopic.php?t=4974&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

The oval hole sample is more indicative of the mic/humucker blend. But of course this would not be easy to move from your D to your O.

Caravan GSE

Mic it says I!!!