Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 8, 2011 at 3:12am

Dunno how you mounted them but I put a dime sized glob of hot glue on on the lid near the bridge and press the piezo in until there is 1/16" gap. Other than that, mount the piezo inside the bridge if possible.

 

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on January 8, 2011 at 1:47pm

Hi Paul. I read elsewhere that the type of wire isn't nearly as with piezos as it is with mag pickups. Looking at what is soldered on to some of the piezos that you buy, the wire doesn't exactly look high end. How about de-soldering the wire from the volume pot and connecting it direct. That would at least narrow things down a bit. Easy enough to solder back if the pot is not at fault.

 

I've been playing around with a couple if different piezo discs to compare makes and have connected with some pretty average wire and haven't had a problem. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on January 8, 2011 at 1:50pm

Excellent, that's where I will start. The pot might be a little iffy... I took it off an old stomp box. Thanks, I will let you know what I come up with.

John Maw said:

Hi Paul. I read elsewhere that the type of wire isn't nearly as with piezos as it is with mag pickups. Looking at what is soldered on to some of the piezos that you buy, the wire doesn't exactly look high end. How about de-soldering the wire from the volume pot and connecting it direct. That would at least narrow things down a bit. Easy enough to solder back if the pot is not at fault.

 

I've been playing around with a couple if different piezo discs to compare makes and have connected with some pretty average wire and haven't had a problem. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Jerryrig240 on January 8, 2011 at 5:06pm

You may try to add a old rag, hanky, part of a t- shirt or something in the box to help mellow down the vibrations.....other than that, I am not sure....make sure your lid is down good also.  I just built a cbg to sell, and when I had it all wired up and was trying it out, the box lid was a bit open, and it was giving me a different sound, more high pitched, but when I closed it, I got more a a full, deeper sound.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on January 9, 2011 at 2:57am

Thanks folks! The problem is solved. Like you guys said, the wire wasn't the culprit. In an effort to save time, I super glued the piezo, insead of hot glue. I checked the wiring, bypasses the pot, no difference. I popped the piezo out, reglued it with hot glue, now she sounds as good plugged in as acoustic! Thanks again guys. I'll post a pic soon.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on January 9, 2011 at 3:39am

Here it is...

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on January 9, 2011 at 5:09pm

Oh Wow! What a beauty! What kind of wood are you using on the neck & head? I see you are using the full nails instead of cutting them. That's a lot easier. I should try it, but I wonder if you get cut/caught up on the sharp nail points?

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on January 10, 2011 at 10:31am

Thanks guys! Rand, I'm using oak for everything. I was concerned about the nail points too, but I dull them down just slightly before putting them on and it works just fine! I really like the way it looks, I probably get more complements on the frets than anything else! I'm considering going to fret wire, but I hate to give up the folksy appeal of the nails...

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Permalink Reply by Jason W. on January 12, 2011 at 9:12am

That looks fantastic! It's got a nice rustic look. 

 

If you don't mind me asking, what did you use for the nut? Is it custom made or did you rig something up for it?

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on January 12, 2011 at 11:32am

Wow, I agree, that is a fine looking build. I love the nail frets and must try that! Are those brass nails??

Jason W. said:

That looks fantastic! It's got a nice rustic look. 

 

If you don't mind me asking, what did you use for the nut? Is it custom made or did you rig something up for it?

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on January 12, 2011 at 12:46pm

The nut is custom made, from brass flat stock, roughly 1/4''x1/16'' - you can get it at ACE hardware, it's great stuff! Yes, those are brass nails, finding 1 1/2'' brass finish nails was difficult.  Thanks for the complements folks!

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on January 13, 2011 at 10:34am

Wo-to the izz-ow.  Very nice work.

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