Hello, I have built a few CBG's. With my very first one I used a paper covered box and used a piezo rod pickup underneath a bolt that I ground a channel. It sounded GREAT. I like the sound to be crunchy and with Drive. However, the next three CBG's I built I used wood boxes which I preferred and used the same pickup system. Unfortunately, it does not sound nearly the same. Lots of reverb and rather hollow. I tried using a piezo disc on my next one and had the same sound. Do any of you have any tips/suggestions. What have others used for pickups and setups? Thanks for any input you could give me.

Views: 237

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I'm going with Erasmo's last thought....Install a single coil with volume and tone controls. 

I have good luck most of the time with disc piezos.  I think the main things are getting a good seal between the piezo and the box - I use hot melt glue  - and then coating over the piezo with more glue - sandwiching it.   And placement under or near the saddle area is key as well.  Good wishes.

As with all thing CBG, no 2 will sound exactly the same, but built nearly identically and wired nearly identically ought to at least sound similar.

Check the size of your piezo disc too!  I find 25mm to be weak and 27mm to be good... They also have to be under one corner of the bridge.   

What Uncle John said:  when you glue it down, make sure you press hard to get the hot melt to spread out and glue the full surface with the glue as thin as possible...  Cover the exposed side with hot melt... 

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

Uncle John commented on J. D. Woods's photo
3 hours ago
Uncle John commented on J. D. Woods's photo
Thumbnail

Current Instrument Line-Up

"Nice line up.  Unusual pick guard on the big git that looks like a Martin.  What is that…"
3 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

Four projects

"Nice, nice trio."
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

"Looks great.  That looks like one I could really like playing.  Four strings too. …"
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Anti-Body Guitars 18,19 and 20

"Great theme, workmanship and guitars!"
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Angel 2x Anti-Body #17

"Very, very nice.  I hope it got to a good home and that it will be enjoyed.."
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Darryl Tuttle's photo
Thumbnail

Old portable heater

"Yup.  Good eye deer.  Maybe find a use for that fan too.  If not on this amp,…"
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

Cigar Box Guitar 106 now for sale 🙌

"Looks and sounds good. Built under the solar eclipse!"
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"I thought you were going to say 'cross roads'.  Rockin' along the roads. …"
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Gary O'slide's video
Thumbnail

Western song cigar box guitar @RhialtoPurple

"Pretty guitar. Sounding good too."
4 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->