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Rod piezo with pre-amp and tone controls

I just got hold of my Holy Grail of boxes - an Artdesanos de Obelisco - and want to build something very special with it. I don't want to spoil the top with a mag pup, so I'm planning to use a rod piezo under the bridge. I've read mixed comments about the effectiveness of tone controls with piezos - worthless with a disc, so-so with a rod? On one of my earlier builds I used one of those PS-900 passive vol/tone controls with a rod. I didn't think much of it. Has anyone used Gitty's Pre-Amp Unit? https://www.cbgitty.com/cubecart/guitar-electronics/pre-amps/great-...? If so, how did you like it, and do you have a sound clip going through it's paces?

I've not yet done an active powered on-board pre-amp and wonder if there would really be any noticeable tone adjustment difference, or should I just forgo any tone control.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by PhilUSAFRet on June 10, 2012 at 3:26pm

I've considered using a passive system with a external pre-amp/eq. I wondered if I could install pre-amp/eq unit in another, small, cigar box???? Or buy a cheap external pre-amp/eq. A nice tube pre-amp sells for under $30

Maybe this one? http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&tok=kZgLZKhF_-vXcW...

Permalink Reply by Suspect Device on June 10, 2012 at 3:31pm

No offense -and I don't have any experience with the onboard pre amps- but man, if you don't want to spoil the look of a beautiful box, keep that ugly plastic thing away from it!

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on June 10, 2012 at 3:54pm

No offense taken. If I use an on-board pre-amp, it'll be mounted on the side of the box where it won't really be seen. I might also re-do the mounting plate.

BTW - this is the box:

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on June 30, 2012 at 9:27pm

Yup, it's ugly! Didn't expect it to be so BIG! A 4-pole mag pup with a hardtail bridge will look and (I'm sure) will sound much better. The pre-amp/rod piezo will go on something else. Which brings me to a new discussion......

Permalink Reply by Don Tucker on June 10, 2012 at 4:02pm

I used one of these on a non-descript box and was VERY happy with the performance of it, but must agree with Suspect Device it's rather ungainly looking. I would only use it on a player's piece, not a beautiful box such as yours

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on June 10, 2012 at 5:45pm

Thanks, Don. How would you describe the sound/tone? Any pics of the install?

Permalink Reply by Don Tucker on June 11, 2012 at 5:41pm

I find it hard to describe sound but I guess I would say it's smoother and ballsier. The signal is also increased to a level that I think is probably matched better with an amp than the straight piezo signal. Like you said you might do I also cut off the mounting flange so it would sit flat. That was a bit of a pain and then I had to glue it in. It looks kinds ugly and hacked in but sounds good and is now my "player" when I plug in to play with others.

Permalink Reply by Jillian Baxter on June 12, 2012 at 9:16am

I think the pre-amp/EQ units work well with the rod pickups. I have built them into smaller boxes when they won't fit well into the body of the instrument. You just need to add a 1/4" jack for the input.

Permalink Reply by PhilUSAFRet on July 1, 2012 at 10:09am

I have seriously been considering putting one of these in my smallest cigar box, with in and out jacks, and using it for an external preamp/eq for my instruments with passive pickup sysems. Anyone try? Any reason why it wouldn't work?

Permalink Reply by Don Tucker on July 1, 2012 at 11:18am

I've done it and it works fine

Permalink Reply by David L. on July 1, 2012 at 11:31am

It works well - It is also really easy to add a smokey mini amp so you can have it as a battery mini amp with preamp controls, or by using a switchable jack socket have it bypass the miniamp and send the signal to an external amp.