An Idea for Crowd Sourced Research on Piezo Systems

I have an idea that I would like to propose that I believe would provide data we might benefit from. I have a piezo design based on information gathered from around the web, as well as a very practical implementation that @Duplo42 came up with. This thread has some of the details, as well as some sound files from his experiments.

My proposal is this: I will build and test a piezo pickup system similar to what @Duplo42 put together. Sound files will be provided, as well as pertinent details of how the sound files were captured (e.g. piezo on top of headstock secured by double sided tape, etc.). Once I am done with my tests I will mail the system to the next person in line and they will do the same, ad infinitum.

My hopes are that others would be interested in this and participate, and that a body of data could be amassed from a variety of different builders, players, etc. I realize that there are a LOT of variables, and let me be clear that this is not intended to prove anything, but to compare results. I also realize that there could easily be concerns with privacy, potential financial issues with international shipping, etc.

Before I get too far into this I thought it would wise to query the TalkBass community to see if there is any interest. I also thought that the Luthier's Corner the most appropriate forum for this thread, but if I am in error please move it to where it's most appropriate.

Thoughts?

 

Awesome to hear guys! With the holidays coming up I expect it will be a week or two before I get this started, and we can add people as they desire to join.

 

I have not abandoned this idea, but my current build is soaking up all my free time. When I get some breathing room I will be pursuing this. I need to get a system that works well before sending things out as well.

 

@reverendrally - I know there are a LOT of good piezo systems on the market. My goal in this is to gather as much information as possible and make sure it's shared publicly for everyone's benefit, and licensing another's solution would not help with this goal. I appreciate the thought though!

 

I certainly not saying they don't deserve to be compensated for their efforts and research, not do I mean to imply that I can come up with a "better mouse trap". I am a curious lad, and I like to share what I find.

 

Word!

 

Just a quick update to set expectations. I need to get a piezo system put together, but want to make sure that it works halfway decently prior to sending it out.

 

I am going to have to put this on hold for a while. The pickups I made need to be better engineered to be workable, and I cannot prioritize this effort in the midst of the other things I am working on. Sorry guys! I am totally willing to send out the basic unit I built, but it needs quite a few changes to work as I had hoped.