Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on December 16, 2011 at 7:17am

Hi Bob...nice job on that one!

Piezos are very susceptible to feeding back, and they need to be insulated which will help cut down on the feedback. I use hot glue to attach them, and then cover the whole disc with more hot glue. You can also sandwich them between some piece of thin wood, or leather, and then glue them to the lid/neck.

There are a variety of different tunings that will depend on the strings you choose.

A very simple way is to tune it like a tenor guitar, and use the 1,2,3 and 4 strings from a regular guitar, and tune to E, B, G, D, or the 4 skinniest strings from a regular 6 string guitar. Then you can use any 6 string chord chart to figure out where to put your fingers to play the chords.

You can also tune a variety of open tunings. I am sure other folks will jump in here with links to other threads that have the information you are looking for.

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 16, 2011 at 7:21am

That's a great start. Ill try that out tonight!

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 16, 2011 at 7:22am

By the way Dan....thanks for the help!

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 16, 2011 at 7:27am

Sorry, one more question....my piezo is from radio shack and is in a plastic case. I'm guessing it is best to remove it from the plastic shell before glueing it in?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on December 16, 2011 at 7:43am

Yea, gently pry it out of the plastic case, then glue it down. I glue them metal side down, but I don't think it makes a difference.

Bob Pugh said:

Sorry, one more question....my piezo is from radio shack and is in a plastic case. I'm guessing it is best to remove it from the plastic shell before glueing it in?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on December 16, 2011 at 7:51am

If you wind up making more CBGs, which most of us end up doing, you can buy the piezos from our sponsor, all ready to wire up.

https://www.cbgitty.com/cubecart/guitar-electronics/piezo-elements/...

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 16, 2011 at 8:24am

Thanks again Dan! Now I just need to learn how to play the dern thing!

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on December 16, 2011 at 8:35am

This is a good place to start learning:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/page/how-to-play-cbg

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on December 17, 2011 at 3:20am

Hello Bob,

I offer a series of lessons for 4 string CBG (CD 5)

I think you will find it useful with your practice.

I use string Dgbe from a standard pack and tune Dgbd (Open G)

http://www.ebay.com/sch/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from...

Please feel free to write if I can be of any further assistance.

Happy Holidays. Enjoy playing your new build, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 17, 2011 at 4:06am

Thanks Keni, I will definetly keep that in mind.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on December 17, 2011 at 9:13am

One more thing to add about the piezo. Make sure your gain on the amp is turned all the way down. You can add some in as you play and experiment but piezos don't always like much gain especially if inside the box for some reason.  I put all mine outside the box, sandwiched in the bridge and I have no more feedback issues. Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 17, 2011 at 9:24am

Thanks for the avdvise. I'm helping my step son build his. We'll try that on his. Then we'll be working on another after that. Gonna have a bunch so I can try different things out.

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