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Piezo only Precision Bass

#42
randy.jpg
 
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#43
I agree with others. Definitly synthy, definitly got a sorta retro vibe to it, like something you'd hear out of a keyboard. It would make an excellent starting point for someone looking to make electronic music while keeping instruments involved! And of course, nobody could resist picking up and playing such a nice looking bass ;)
 
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#45
BioWeapon said:
I agree with others. Definitly synthy, definitly got a sorta retro vibe to it, like something you'd hear out of a keyboard. It would make an excellent starting point for someone looking to make electronic music while keeping instruments involved! And of course, nobody could resist picking up and playing such a nice looking bass ;)
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Absolutely NOBODY!

I love that tone that is coming out of the Piezo-only bass and it's perfect for lots of things. But I still keep thinking that having a standard P-bass tone to switch between or mix in to control the tone would be a killer addition to the bass (although I must admit that the pickup-less look of the instrument is absolutely killer).

Again, your clip makes me all the more motivated to try a mod of my PJ 5er to see what a P-bass/Piezo could give. Trying to match a J pickup to a P pickup is a hassle and I'm really thinking a p-bass/piezo combo may be some kind of ultimate answer after hearing your sound clip!
 
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#49
bassbenj said:
Absolutely NOBODY!

I love that tone that is coming out of the Piezo-only bass and it's perfect for lots of things. But I still keep thinking that having a standard P-bass tone to switch between or mix in to control the tone would be a killer addition to the bass (although I must admit that the pickup-less look of the instrument is absolutely killer).

Again, your clip makes me all the more motivated to try a mod of my PJ 5er to see what a P-bass/Piezo could give. Trying to match a J pickup to a P pickup is a hassle and I'm really thinking a p-bass/piezo combo may be some kind of ultimate answer after hearing your sound clip!
Click to expand...

You're right. That would make a much more versatile bass. And I confess. I bought a set of EMG P-X's and a standard cut pick guard for the build. It was only when I had installed the piezos and tried them out I decided to go "piezo only" on this one. The look is simply too cool. And the sound IS what I was looking for...
 
#50
Awesome bass!
To those that have piezo/p setups, is there any interplay between the pickups in the way that basses with two mag pickups have? If they both stay pure to themselves I'd want to try it in my squier and maybe mim p!
 
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#52
Dogbertday said:
Awesome bass!
To those that have piezo/p setups, is there any interplay between the pickups in the way that basses with two mag pickups have? If they both stay pure to themselves I'd want to try it in my squier and maybe mim p!
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I don't see how the two systems could interplay the way that mags do as they really are two separate systems that only get blended at the output jack. This bass is piezo only. But I have tried a few that have both mags and piezos (and actually own a Steinberger Synapse, which also has both), and my experience is that there is no interplay like the one you describe.

If anyone with better electronics skills could confirm this, it would be great.
 
#53
Funny you should mention this. I have a stereo jack on my bass with mags and piezos:

SideBy.png


By design, I felt that when recording I would want to have a direct line and dedicate an input channel for both. I am now finding that I would prefer to have the piezo blended with the mags. I have an ETS German bridge with a German Richter Preamp. It just to happens that Richter also makes a blend pot which functions as a mixer. I know this is nothing revolutionary, I think other companies make a blend pot like this as well. This one is close to a steep $100 delivered, and I would love to find an equal but cheaper solution.

I want to be able to just plug into my Aguilar db680 or into my amp with a standard mono cable and go, without dealing with a stereo output.

This is kind of an eloquent design as it allows you to impedance match the input of both the mags and piezo and then "mixes" or blends them into one output signal.


Screen shot 2014-07-18 at 8.54.45 AM.png


BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
 
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#56
For those of you that are interested in getting piezos I just want to mention that there are piezo replacement saddles for Fender style bridges available (incl. screws and springs). This means that you don't need to replace the whole bridge. Easier installation and cheaper.

http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/ghost/ghost-pickups---bass

After all, I guess it's not everyone who wants a 4-to-5 conversion mod. Heh.
 
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#57
This sounds like a fantastic idea - I think I'll set this up on a fretless I get (or build).

I wonder, though, how this would respond to bridge muting (foam or such) or Palm muting. Does it get even more of an upright sound, or does it get even weirder?
 
#60
JustForSport said:
Fishman has made/makes individually buffered preamps which then blend the signals going to the jack.
Bartolini also make one, and I think EMG does also.
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After a little research, I found a piezo/magnetic preamp buffer from Bartolini:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-preamps-piezo-buffer.htm Looks like it is $79.99 some places.

Also found lots of DIY options for those who are handier than I am. Here is one:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wasn't able to locate anything by Fishman or EMG, but that doesn't mean they don't make one.

Looks like I can save about $20 bucks going with the Bartolini over the ETS above but I think for 20 bucks I will get the Richter which comes recommended with the ETS stuff.

Thanks JustForSport - much appreciated!

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
 

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