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What's the best pickup choice for use with a Lowecone reso cone?

Howdy, trying to figure out the best (cost effective) way to approach amplifying a Lowe cone.

First I was thinking of siliconing a piezo disc centered directly under cone on the inside.

I was also thinking of imbedding a piezo rod in a biscuit but not sure about cutting rod to size & exactly how I should place the rod for best sound, like how to get the wire to route to the center hole in cone & where exactly to mount the rod in the biscuit itself- is it best to sandwich directly under the bridge in the slot with pressure from the strings...or?

If anyone can lend any advice on this or know of a better method, I'd be eternally grateful ;)

Many thanks

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on April 22, 2014 at 1:17am

The Lowe cones are great. One challenge is setting the cone in the right spot relative to scale length. This is because if you wish to have great intonation, finding the "adjusted" location of the bridge before cutting the box is key. There is not enough room/play to adjust the bridge if you have a piezo & it's wires running through the hole in the Lowe cone.

In order to locate this adjusted spot, set up the guitar as if it has a floating bridge, set at your desired scale length, based on your fretboard. Tune the guitar, adjust for intonation, then place a piece of masking tape on either side of the bridge, and make a reference mark on the tape(s).

Unwind and remove strings from tuners, and carefully wrap the strings, keeping them attached to the tail piece, then remove neck from box and you can continue marking and cutting your box to install the cone, wiring, etc., re-assemble, string her up and make it sing.

Hope this helps a bit.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on April 22, 2014 at 8:35am

Buy a rod piezo biscuit from Mojobone Works. Contact Randy Bretz.

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on April 22, 2014 at 2:37pm

That's a cool tail-piece, Eric.

Now if you could figure out how to tune the beast with a single hand-crank ;-)

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on April 22, 2014 at 1:34pm

Ted and Eric give excellent advice. Especially the part about it being crucial to get the nut, saddle and scale length correct.

I have built two gits with Lowe cones. I put disc piezos under the box lids and they worked fine. That is a simple solution. I am thinking about putting a mag pup on one of them.