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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on February 1, 2012 at 6:21pm

   It would be helpful if you could state exactly where the piezo is placed...

   Placement is key with these little buggers (buzzers?).

   Also, without a preamp, piezo's are screwy as blue heck at higher volumes.

   Hopefully, someone more into piezo's will see this... me, I prefer mag-pup's.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Wickham on February 1, 2012 at 6:34pm

I attached it to the lid with some double sticky tape. It's just about in the middle of the box. 

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Permalink Reply by Careless John on February 1, 2012 at 7:20pm

I Glue mine on the inside of the lid just above the top string of the bridge. I have only done 2 builds, but both seem to work really well with the pietzo in that position. Hope that helps.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on February 1, 2012 at 8:54pm

Simple piezo discs are notoriously fickle. Choosing the right one in the first place can help, as some have different frequency responses, and I usually go for the ones that are rated for lower frequency.  Don't be discouraged, give it another go..I sometimes just stick another one inside the box, re-wire and see if that improves things. Putting a simple volume pot can help tame it too.  Mag pickups are more predictable, but sometimes you can get a fantastic sound with the cheapest piezo disc...frustrating when they don't work right, great when they do.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on February 1, 2012 at 9:05pm

i havent used them for a long time, but i know that piezos are terribly toppy, and it really helps to sandwich them in some soft wood.  Cedar has worked best for me, glue it intoa little sandwich of cedar, even the little bits you cut from the box for your neck slot.  Also it really helps to use a couple of piezos in parallel, cos this halves the impedence

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Permalink Reply by Robert Wickham on February 2, 2012 at 3:06am

Sweet, thanks guys. Up until now I've been using magnetic pickups, so this is a whole new world. I'll try relocating it and sandwiching it in some wood, and just see what happens.

 

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Permalink Reply by Ted Crocker on February 4, 2012 at 7:54am

Completely cover the disk in the hot glue.  Another tip to limit feedback is to put bubble wrap or crumbled newspaper inside the body.

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Permalink Reply by Richard G Caudill on February 5, 2012 at 6:40pm

I am like kevin ,, i use the piewzo a LOT . I had been just sticking em to the bottom of the lid .. I screwed one up and had to remove it ,, left a gob of the hot glue on bottom ,, I didn t scrape it off   .. just added another glue spot .  That made it approx 1/8 inch thick .. Immediately noticed much ,, much better sound , as i was working on another ,, I really made a big spot of hot glue ,, and again got the really loud clear sound as kevin says ,, I have done em all that way after .. the big amt of the hot glue really  makes a b ig difference .

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