Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on September 28, 2011 at 1:28pm

If you are using a piezo, you don't need to ground the bridge or the strings. Just follow this diagram. It sounds like you have you ground wire on the wrong tab on the jack.

 

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Permalink Reply by Jason Wirges on September 28, 2011 at 1:41pm

My piezo, jack, pot combo I purchased pre assembled on ebay from Windy City Blues Box, it's possible that it's wired incorrectly but it looks the same as your diagram.  I was under the impression that I needed a third wire running from the pot to the jack (at minimum), even better another wire running to bridge, like I said I am a COMPLETE novice to wiring.

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Permalink Reply by Julian Perry on September 28, 2011 at 8:22pm

Hi Jason, I too am rubbish when it comes to electrics, but I always follow the diagram Dan has attached and have had no problems. It's a bit difficult to see from your photos, but it doesn't look as if the earth wire is soldered from that right-hand tab to the pot casing. If it is, it may be worth checking the solder joint is good. I have a heck of job making the solder stick to the pot and have to rough up the surface pretty good.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on September 28, 2011 at 11:40pm

If you can get a piece of wire with an alligator clip on both ends, you can try clipping it in place of one of the ground wires just to see if the solder connection is bad or not.

 

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on September 29, 2011 at 12:01am

You bought with all those taped splices?

1- You know why regular electric gits have all the knobs in one place? Less wire = less trouble

2-make sure the pot itself has a ground wire going from the ground tab to the case

3- ground the jack here also

 

 

AFKAM

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Permalink Reply by Jason Wirges on September 29, 2011 at 2:44am

ha no, I had about 8" from the jack to the pot which was about an inch short from where I wanted to place the pot, so I spliced it. I looked at the diagram again after reading your second question, there is no wire going from the tab of the pot to the case, I was a little confused by that part of the diagram.  Ok, I am going to try and fix this.

Artist Formerly Known as Matt said:

You bought with all those taped splices?

1- You know why regular electric gits have all the knobs in one place? Less wire = less trouble

2-make sure the pot itself has a ground wire going from the ground tab to the case

3- ground the jack here also

 

 

AFKAM

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on September 29, 2011 at 9:19am

I skip the volume with my piezo's. The amp has one and I bet you use full volume on the box most of the time and tone and volume on the amp. Simplify for less chance of troubles.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Wirges on September 29, 2011 at 10:55am

I hear ya but I really want to play this out, on the fly amp adjustments wouldn't be practical for me and I don't currently run a volume pedal on my board.  This is my second build and other than the electronics I am very pleased though I think I'm ready on the next to graduate to pups.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Wirges on September 30, 2011 at 8:25am

Ok, so I rewired today same as the diagram above and no hum.  I'm worried though because when I tap the piezo I hear it through the amp but when its attached to the inside of the lid (right now it's just taped in place) i cant hear any tapping I do on the outside of the box.  I'm afraid I'll get the strings on and not hear anything

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on September 30, 2011 at 9:19am

Jason,

Tape the piezo to the lid, string 'er up, plug it in, and see if it works. If it does, then you've solved yer problem. Apparently, your piezo will transmit vibration. If the hum has gone, but you can't transmit any sound from the strings, then try mounting the piezo directly beneath your bone string saddle (assuming it's removable from your cedar bridge).

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Permalink Reply by Jason Wirges on September 30, 2011 at 12:49pm

ARGH...I really screwed the pooch somewhere, I got everything in place, put a string on it, plugged it in, now nothing from the amp..grrrrrr.  I took the string off, opened it up, now the piezo isn't transmitting at all.  Damn guess I have to troubleshoot and I have no idea where to start.  BTW...thanks for all the help guys!!

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on September 30, 2011 at 5:45pm

Jason,

 

Start at the piezo end, with the wires connected to it. Check all your connections / solder joints, with a multimeter if you have one, starting from there and working forward to the pot, then the jack, then the guitar cable (maybe this is bad? Mine frequently go wonky just after they've been working perfectly), and then the amp (it is plugged in, ain't it? Don't laugh, I do this on a routine basis, leaving the amp unplugged and then wondering why no sound comes out). Looks like you're about to enter the fun-but-frustrating world of DIY electronics. I understand your frustration Make yourself a checklist. Check everything at least twice.

 

If nothing works, then start over with a new piezo. They can be temperamental beasties.

 

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