Bigtone problem?

Jack

Hi all,

I've been having an issue with my Bigtone lately and am wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem. What happens is pretty basic: it stops working, then will suddenly come back to life. So my volume on the last couple gigs has been all over the place. I thought it might be a cable or amp issue, but I've ruled all those out.

I'm able to control it a tiny bit by applying pressure to the bridge, which will make it either fritz out or come back on, but I can't tell if it's a wiring issue or something in the element itself...and I'm supposed to be playing in front of several thousand people over the next couple of weeks.

Help!

Jack

Bob Holo

The connection between the ground plane and the Piezo element is a small solder joint. Essentially the element looks like a fat toothpick sitting in a small metal tray that fits it very well... there is a very small spot-solder joint at one end where the cable comes in... in other words, the tiny little wire goes through a non-conductive substrate that is plated on one side and that plated (washer essentially) is spot-soldered (wave soldered, likely) to the ground-plane tray. This is one reason that many Bigtone builders pot them in CA prior to or during installation. I know Josh does, I know I do - I don't know if Dupont does - he probably does, he's pretty knowledgeble about all things Bigtone. At any rate, if that joint has popped, it would give the symptoms you're describing. Severe quick heat/humidity changes and/or a blow to the bridge might cause a separation. Pressure from the top would seat that plated washer into the tray directly below it... just my guess though. I can't imagine how a person would open a Bigtone without ripping it to shreds. The only repair I can envision is if you can find a machine shop willing to machine the element out by slotting it through the bottom of the bridge and then getting a luthier to re-pot a new piezo bar... but that repair would likely cost more than a new one.

Jack

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the feedback. My local luthier confirmed this morning that it's an internal problem and not the wiring issue I was hoping for...kind of a drag. I've only had this one a little over a year, but I don't think I'm going to get another. I bought a cheap external pickup today just to get me through the next few weeks, then I'll probably start looking for something new.

Thanks again!

Jack.