Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bernie Mango on April 2, 2014 at 2:51pm

Hey bud!
You're not going to get around that issue due to one important fact. That Artec circuit is an amp, not a preamp. And, it's rated at 2.5 watts RMS to boot. It WILL pick up every single bump, knock, ding, scratch, ping, etc.
That's exactly what an amp is designed to do--amplify the input signal.
Now, the solution is simple. Take that amp out and replace it with a preamp circuit. Yes, preamps are sometimes active circuits (like the Artec preamps) but those do not amplify the signal--they power the components to make the sonic flavors happen.
You could also try building a simple circuit instead, if you're handy with a soldering iron and can read schematics and/or layouts.
There are plenty of simple onboard guitar circuits that will work.
Doo a Google search for "onboard guitar circuit" and see uf you find one you like.

What exactly are you looking for, anyway???
I once built a sweet, yet simple onboard OD circuit that fit right in the control cavity of one of my electrics--sounded AWESOME!!!

I'd be glad to help you work this out further, as this type of stuff is my specialty. Just drop me as many messages as you need to--I'll see those quicker.

Cheers

Permalink Reply by G.S.Monroe on April 2, 2014 at 3:29pm

I wasn't exactly "looking" for anything really.... it was more like, I have this... and this... and this... I wonder what will happen "IF"...

I have done a number of builds using the EQ-7545R pre-amp, and I was wanting to try something different. well I found "different". I'm no wiring wizard but I'm willing to experiment and try different things. 

Clearly this configuration is not going to work out, so I need to find some other solution. I want it to be a battery powered pre-amp, but I don't have room in the box for a 4 channel EQ pre-amp unless I tear it down and rebuild it inside the box.... I don't really know... but I definitely want it to be unique, and cutting edge...  

Permalink Reply by Bernie Mango on April 2, 2014 at 3:46pm

You could always pick up a small used EQ pedal, take the guts out and put that in.
DanElectro has some really small ones.
You could also build an active tone stack and install it--like the Bandaxall circuit.
Even a simple one-knob job BMP tone stack would work.

Permalink Reply by G.S.Monroe on April 2, 2014 at 4:35pm

I think I found something that interests me....

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Mid-Boost-Circuit-Clapton-Woman-Tone-at...

Would something like this do the job?

Permalink Reply by Bernie Mango on April 2, 2014 at 4:45pm

Yes, but it's an overpriced version of one of the Artec preamps!

The Artec ones are very good and easy to install.
I've put a few different ones in a few electrics.
I just replace the tone pot with it.
The Artec Active EXP is one of my favorites--put one in my Ibanez Destroyer and another in my RG20062.

http://guitarheads.net/products/electronics/electronics.html

Permalink Reply by G.S.Monroe on April 2, 2014 at 5:05pm

If I wired in the Artec Active EXP ahead of the existing Artec Amp in series, would it clean up the microphonic issues?

Ultimately I'm considering building a similar instrument with an in box speaker system. Sort of a Guitar and Amp combined...

Permalink Reply by Bernie Mango on April 2, 2014 at 5:11pm

No--you would compound the problem!
You'd need 2 batteries, loose more space and get a TON of extra noise.

The only way to correct your existing problem is as previously stated--remove the Artec amp.
Use it for another project, say--a cigar box amp.
It's not ever going to work properly in a guitar.

Permalink Reply by G.S.Monroe on April 2, 2014 at 5:45pm

I guess I'm trying to optimize the tone from the rod piezo...

Yea, I'll pull the amp circuit in the morning and put a pre-amp on order.

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on April 3, 2014 at 1:13am

Hey Greg,

Here's a thought...I presume you are running the Artec circuit from the guitar to an external practice amp, yes? Perhaps the answer is more simple. Rather than using an external amp, use a simple speaker cabinet. I mean, basically you have half of a combo amp (amplifier with speaker in same cabinet) inside the guitar body, without a speaker. So it makes sense that if you send the signal from the Artec inside the guitar to an external speaker cabinet , and not another amplifier, you may see better results.

Just a thought.

Cheers

Permalink Reply by Bernie Mango on April 3, 2014 at 1:35am

The problem will still remain--that Artec amp is picking up every little noise from the piezo rod.
It will still do that.

Permalink Reply by David L. on April 3, 2014 at 11:13am

Have you tried turning the gain down (the blue box with the posidrive centre)?

or add a magnetic pickup instead and a couple of onboard speakers.