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Isolating the piezo

Hello, new here.

Ok, I just went and bought some cork sheeting, about 1/8" thick, and put a layer of it on my cbg, with little noticeable affect on scrape sensitivity, etc.

I have an acoustic box (top floats freely), cork layer, maple bridge layer, hollowed out underneath, rod piezo, wenge layer with slot cut out to partially accommodate rod piezo (it sits on top of the rod, but the slot if not deep enough to let the wenge lie flat on the maple), then a threaded rod for the saddle.

I still hear any little rustle and scrape of the guitar body. Possibly the feedback is less, but I was hoping for a lot more isolation. Any suggestions? Cork above and below the rod?

I also have this running through one of those little preamps that cbgitty sells.

Tags: cork, isolation, piezo, preamp

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on November 20, 2011 at 10:23pm

Piezo's will always pick up some of the scrape and rustle. Its juts how they work. I put mine in the bridge outside of the box and it is reduced but still picks up some. Reading your description sounds like you have the rod in the bridge, where is the cork layer?

Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 20, 2011 at 10:48pm

cork is between the box top and the maple bridge. then the rod is between the maple bridge and a smaller wenge layer on top of the maple and rod. then a bolt on top of that.

bolt

wenge

rod

maple

cork

box top.

Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 20, 2011 at 10:52pm

I just found some neoprene while looking for something else. might try sandwiching that around the rod and see what happens.

Just watched a WHO documentary on HULU, and how I want to be a guitar hero!!!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Marcus P. Clarke on March 22, 2012 at 3:39pm

I was wondering about piezo placement within the box. I sandwiched a piezo with 1/8th plywood and double backed tape. My question is where to stick it. I tried cutting a relief in the neck under the box lid...no good I could even tap on the neck and hear both box and lid noise. I also tried a rod piezo in a groove in the bridge a bit better but a real pain to get the groove right. The best I've done so far is a small piezo in a bed of silicon glue right underneath the lid with a piece of duck tape over the back side of the piezo. I have no controls just piezo to the jack. I hate the rustle when playing and my hand hits the box lid.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 13, 2012 at 10:10pm

piezos worked in as a "sandwich" between the top and the bridge can be feedback proof and very quiet as far as touch/scrape it the piezo is installed with the active side upward toward the bridge (direct contact) and the void of the sandwich filled with something soft like silicone caulk. I tripped across this set up and now use it exclusively when I use piezos.

hope this helps,

Wichita Sam

Permalink Reply by Marcus P. Clarke on April 14, 2012 at 9:49am

Sam, Do you cut a groove into say a piece of dowel then lay the rod piezo into the groove then attach it to the base of the bridge. I like a floating bridge to help adjust intonation. Bridge making is one of my weaknesses. I've built about 15 guitars since starting last October and most have turned out pretty well. I'll post some pics on your bridge ideas. I'm sure your right.

Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on April 14, 2012 at 10:01am

Banjo type rod piezo bridge with bone saddle

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 14, 2012 at 11:38am

Marcus,

I take a bridge plate and hollow out a cavity(s) for the piezo(s) using a fostner bit. I work with thin material (1/4") so it takes some patience to get it right. the piezo(s) is glued to the bridge plate and then the remaining void is filled with silicone caulk. (what you fill the void with is important. It must remain pliable over time). Drill hole in top for leads and glue the bridge plate assembly to top. I use a thin brass rod for the saddle just resting it on the bridge plate to fine tune intonaton. At that point you can groove the plate for position, or flatten the rod slightly for stablize it's location for play....

here's an example

201 top

the best,

Wichita Sam

Permalink Reply by Marcus P. Clarke on April 14, 2012 at 11:43am

Thanks Sam, I'm going to give it a try. It will be my first rod piezo project. ...Marcus

Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on April 14, 2012 at 10:03am

Disc piezo bone/wood bridges

Permalink Reply by Marcus P. Clarke on April 14, 2012 at 11:34am

What is that white covering over the bridge...Marcus

Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on April 14, 2012 at 12:22pm

Bone...their carved from bone and the saddle is all one piece, i chamber out underneath, apply hot glue, stick in the piezo and cover with hot glue wires and all. No feedback !! Been making these for years now, their one of my best sellers. The tone is in the bone...lol.