Make your own pickup?

[cfordummies]

I found this site that tells how to make your own pickup here. The thing is, I don't wanna modify my guitar. Is there any way at all for this type of pickup to work effectively without altering the guitar? Thanks!

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by cfordummies I found this site that tells how to make your own pickup here . The thing is, I don't wanna modify my guitar. Is there any way at all for this type of pickup to work effectively without altering the guitar? Thanks!

 

 

Sure...place the piezo disc between two 3/8" thick discs of hardwood (maple, oak or whatever) and attach a longer cable (10' or so) w/ a 1/4" male end. Cut a groove in the wood for the cable to come out, epoxy everything together, and clamp it over-night.

 

Then you just use some heavy two-sided tape or "poster gum" to attach it to your guitar's face (the wings of the bridge is usually a good spot).

 

Should you later decide to install it permenantly, don't drill a hole in the side and use the jack suggested...instead, buy a Switchcraft "tailpin jack" that serves as both a jack AND a place to attach your strap...much better for your guitar!

[Chicken Monkey]

I bet you're really missing that search function, eh, Terry?

[cfordummies]

Ah, so I guess this gets asked a lot. Well thanks a bunch for your help!

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by Chicken Monkey I bet you're really missing that search function, eh, Terry?

I've adapted...there's some doubt that it'll ever be fixed!

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by cfordummies Ah, so I guess this gets asked a lot. Well thanks a bunch for your help!

Glad to be of any help I can be!

The subject of "home-brew" pioezo p/us comes up occasionally, and I've made several for my banjos, mandos, other stringed odd-balls, as well as my stomp board.

If we ever get the search function back, and if all the back threads aren't wiped out, you'll find that some folks think that making your own is a dumb idea, but I like to tweak stuff...

[cfordummies]

Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall some folks think that making your own is a dumb idea, but I like to tweak stuff...

Any particular reason people think that? Is it risky or tough to make them? Or more expensive or anything?

[pfoster]

i've made that exact thing not long ago. i put it in my cheap yamaha acoustic. it took about 20 minutes to make after i was able to get the damned piezo out of the buzzer.

soundwise, it's not very good, but it's an easy option if you want to spend less than like $10. i've since replaced it with a jazzmaster pickup in the soundhole near the neck and i added a volume pot. this setup sounds better.

good luck.

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by cfordummies Any particular reason people think that? Well, some think it's better to buy than to make stuff...I like to make things, myself. These same people probably wouldn't undertake building their own guitar, but ask Brother Freeman what he thinks about playing an instrument he, personally, created! Is it risky or tough to make them? Or more expensive or anything? Not at all...a bit less than $2 for the element, another buck or two for the wire and jack...maybe $5, total. If you decide to mount one internally, add about $10 for a tail-pin jack. And properly done, it's EXACTLY the same as a store-bought piezo contact P/U...piezos are piezos...just a lot less $$$-outlay! And you have the satisfaction of knowing that YOU built it, yourself!

[Chicken Monkey]

Originally posted by cfordummies Ah, so I guess this gets asked a lot. Well thanks a bunch for your help!

 

 

I asked it about 2 weeks ago, and lord knows how many people asked it before me. Good to have you in the club.

 

By the way, I came to the conclusion that it was easier/less expensive for me to buy a soundhole pickup than it was for me to get the necessary DI/preamp setup to get it up and running.

 

But if you've got the urge to create, I guess you don't have a choice.