Best Piezo bridge system?

firepaulmusic

maltingsaudio said:

Just realised @firepaulmusic where are you in Somerset I’m in Shepton your welcome to come and try my strat if you want

Hi,

I'm at Martock near Yeovil. That would be cool, thanks. 

ICBM

firepaulmusic said:

maltingsaudio said:

@firepaulmusic have you installed the powerchip?

No, just the bridge...

What does it then go to? A passive volume pot, or a separate output and straight to a very-high-impedance preamp/amp input (preferably 10Mohm)?

If it's connected directly to a normal guitar pot, or to the electric guitar output, or to a low-impedance amp input of any kind it will sound thin and harsh.

firepaulmusic

ICBM said:

firepaulmusic said:

maltingsaudio said:

@firepaulmusic have you installed the powerchip?

No, just the bridge...

What does it then go to? A passive volume pot, or a separate output and straight to a very-high-impedance preamp/amp input (preferably 10Mohm)?

If it's connected directly to a normal guitar pot, or to the electric guitar output, or to a low-impedance amp input of any kind it will sound thin and harsh.

It’s connected to the normal guitar output through a dedicated volume control. A push-pull pot switches between electric and piezo.

ICBM

firepaulmusic said:

It’s connected to the normal guitar output through a dedicated volume control. A push-pull pot switches between electric and piezo.

That's the problem - a normal volume control is too low impedance for the pickup, even a 1M. You typically need a 10M input impedance to get the full tone from a piezo.

What you need is a Fishman Powerchip, which is a dedicated preamp with a volume control built in, and allows you to split or combine the magnetic and piezo outputs as well. You can still use a push-pull to select - although if you want to use it on the piezo volume control you'll need to modify the Powerchip since its pot is mounted on the board.

firepaulmusic

ICBM said:

firepaulmusic said:

It’s connected to the normal guitar output through a dedicated volume control. A push-pull pot switches between electric and piezo.

That's the problem - a normal volume control is too low impedance for the pickup, even a 1M. You typically need a 10M input impedance to get the full tone from a piezo.

What you need is a Fishman Powerchip, which is a dedicated preamp with a volume control built in, and allows you to split or combine the magnetic and piezo outputs as well. You can still use a push-pull to select - although if you want to use it on the piezo volume control you'll need to modify the Powerchip since its pot is mounted on the board.

Thanks for the heads up, sounds like the way to go.

firepaulmusic

Decided to go the VG Strat route, snagged a beauty on EBay...