Electric Guitars

[docjeffrey]

I'm a huge fan of the idea, and I love my Lifeson LP Axcess. I have never tried Parker's version, but I've heard that they are very good too--there are others out there, so let me know which ones you like.

My Ghost system is voiced darker than most but it has plenty of top end,and it works great through a clean amp like a Vox AC15/30. I'll stop there, but I could talk all day about the tonal possibilities.

What I really wanted to share is how I have mine set up for live gigging. I use my Pod HD500, effects only, and run the humbucker output into the guitar input on the Pod. The piezo output goes into the Pod's Aux input. I keep the signals completely separate by panning the mixer hard left/right. Each pickup gets its own set of effects and is then routed into either an electric amp or an acoustic amp. 

The volume pedal effects only the humbuckers, so it works like a blend control with the piezo engaged. The piezo has a push/pull volume on the guitar to engage/disengage. I have a lot of control over the system and more importantly, it sounds fantastic. Here are my Pod settings:

 

The top row has the effects for the electric humbuckers. The bottom row is for the piezo, so it's easy to find things on my floorboard.

The Lifeson is a gorgeous guitar with top drawer materials!

I'd really like to hear from other people who use piezo equipped electrics. Share your setups or any cool ideas you have for using them live or in the studio.

[photon9]

My Parker p38 has one. Not a fan. Could easily do without it, and probably will since the power chip crapped out.

[kayd_mon]

I use either a Boss AD8 or a Zoom A2 into a PA with my Hamer Duotone's piezo. They do a good job, and they're inexpensive pedals. I have used an acoustic amp before (SWR Strawberry Blonde), which is quite nice. Depending on how involved the set is, I may have two volume pedals set up (one for each output, electric and acoustic).

[docjeffrey]

I noticed that Parker has gone with the same Graph Tech Ghost system as my Gibson on their higher end models. Wonder if you could retrofit your P38 with one of those?

[docjeffrey]

I made this video just over a year ago right after I got my Lifeson for Christmas. I was not using the Pod HD500 at the time, just the Piezo directly into the acoustic amp and the humbuckers into my pedalboard and then into a Marshall amp.

[docjeffrey]

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kayd_mon wrote:
I use either a Boss AD8 or a Zoom A2 into a PA with my Hamer Duotone's piezo. They do a good job, and they're inexpensive pedals. I have used an acoustic amp before (SWR Strawberry Blonde), which is quite nice. Depending on how involved the set is, I may have two volume pedals set up (one for each output, electric and acoustic).

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I would love to see pics of that Duotone. I've always loved those guitars--very classy!

[lukebe]

I'm a big fan of piezo-equiped guitars. I have two Godin LGX models. One of them is a LGX 3, that produces strat sounds and has a tremolo, the other one has two Seymour Duncan humbuckers. I always use the separate outputs and run the piezo through a Zoom A2.1u (acoustic effects pedal) and then straight into the P.A. Good monitor setting is important.

It's a simple setup, but I have complete controle over the two sounds. I use a volumepedal for the electric output and the piezo volume/equilizer on the Godin. Together they sound very nice, but the Lr Baggs piezo produces acceptable acoustic sounds even used solo. Big advantage: no feedback, acoustic solos are always clear and loud enough.

Since I have two LGX models, I use a Stratocaster as a back up for the LGX or my favourite guitar of the moment: a Duesenberg Starplayer TV for the LGX3.

On stage I always can choose between  piezo/humbucker/single coil/tremolo. A big comfort, that's all I need.