Winter Build Off 2020 - Get Ready

[Jisch]

I think I'm going to go with a semi-hollow body rather than an acoustic build. I'm planning on putting piezo discs inside and a magnetic pickup at the bottom of the fretboard. Rather than putting in a mixing pot, I'm thinking about using a stereo jack and make a cord that has two 1/4" outputs, or having two output jacks, one for each source. Is this a good idea? It sounded good in my head yesterday, but now as I type it out, it sounds too complicated for general consumption. Thoughts?

 

[ctmullins]

Honestly, it depends on how you envision using it. If you need split outputs for what you want to do, then you need them.

I’m not the type of person who needs them...

 

[Reedt2000]

I think I'm going to go with a semi-hollow body rather than an acoustic build. I'm planning on putting piezo discs inside and a magnetic pickup at the bottom of the fretboard. Rather than putting in a mixing pot, I'm thinking about using a stereo jack and make a cord that has two 1/4" outputs, or having two output jacks, one for each source. Is this a good idea? It sounded good in my head yesterday, but now as I type it out, it sounds too complicated for general consumption. Thoughts?

I think a blend knob is more functional. IMHO the whole point of including a magnetic pickup the way you're planning to do it is to warm up the harshness the piezos can give. The piezos pickup the articulation and that acoustic-y-ness and the magnetic pickup adds bottom and warmth with the blend letting you control how much. I don't know if either would sound sound good separate, the effect is the two together.

 

[Jisch]

Good point. I was thinking that I would sum them in the mixer, but that only works in the studio. Probably should just add a mix knob.

 

[charlie monroe]

Good point. I was thinking that I would sum them in the mixer, but that only works in the studio. Probably should just add a mix knob.

I suggest some kind of trim pot for the piezos. They can come across as pretty brittle. Be prepared to tame them.

 

[Max Bogosity]

If you want to blend the the piezo and magnetic pickups on the bass do you need some kind of buffer to deal with the different impedance?

 

[Will_White]

If you want to blend the the piezo and magnetic pickups on the bass do you need some kind of buffer to deal with the different impedance?

Yes

 

[Jisch]

yes, I used an Aguilar preamp that had a buffer for a piezo the last time I mixed the two, I wasn't impressed.

(edit - I meant Bartolini preamp)

 

[Beej]

I do have a bass in my list of future projects that would fit this build off, but I hadn't planned on starting it any time soon. I have two half finished guitars on the bench right now, if they're done by the time the build off starts I guess we'll see...

I think you should go for it and join anyway. Haven't you heard that old saying? "bite off more than you can chew" ? There might be more to it, I dunno, I can't remember...

 

[Jisch]

I was just looking at the JJB Electronics website and their FAQ for their piezo system which I just ordered, I'm going to try just a mixing pot and passive EQ. Oh how many builds have I started out with passive and ended up with a preamp? all of them.

Q Do I need a preamp with your systems?

A Aside from our PPS-200p which is designed to be a replacement for under saddle piezo's in guitars with existing on-board preamps, no you do not. However, the addition of the right preamp can really bring out the full potential of our systems. If you don't already own one you might try it without. You may just be pleasantly surprised.

(edit and...):
Q Is my preamp compatible with your systems?

A The most important thing to look for is an input impedance of 4Mohm or less, with 1Mohm being ideal. Many on the market are rated as high as 10Mohm. Although these should still work, they may boost the bass response to an undesirable level.
This can generally be rolled off using the EQ functions on your preamp, but we cannot guarantee that. We do not have a list of specs for every preamp on the market. If you would like to know if yours is compatible, we recommend using the model number to check the specs that are generally listed on the website of the manufacturer. When we are asked if "XX" preamp is compatible, we just do a web search for the specs of the model number and check for an input impedance that is within the
range mentioned above.

 

[dwizum]

This is why I love build offs with a twist. You get everyone solving problems together.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I think I know the answer to this, but I didn’t see it explicitly in the rules: are pre-slotted fingerboards permitted?

 

[Jon Clegg]

I think I know the answer to this, but I didn’t see it explicitly in the rules: are pre-slotted fingerboards permitted?

Yes. Always have been.

 

[Will_White]

I think I know the answer to this, but I didn’t see it explicitly in the rules: are pre-slotted fingerboards permitted?

Full necks are permitted.

 

[Scoops]

I think I know the answer to this, but I didn’t see it explicitly in the rules: are pre-slotted fingerboards permitted?

As others have said,Yes. With anything prefabbed, please site the source.

Thanks

 

[BishopJP]

Perhaps a silly question, but are there any requirements other than the basic rules previously outlined?
Such as...
a-do you need to be a Supporting Member?
b-does it need to be an original design?
c-do I have to know what I'm doing?
Thanks

 

[Scoops]

Perhaps a silly question, but are there any requirements other than the basic rules previously outlined?
Such as...
a-do you need to be a Supporting Member?
b-does it need to be an original design?
c-do I have to know what I'm doing?
Thanks

A - No
B - No
C - No

All you really need is a desire, a plan, and a pile of wood to start.

Anything else?

 

[Fat Freddy]

A - No
B - No
C - No

All you really need is a desire, a plan, and a pile of wood to start.

Anything else?

A plan eh?......how cunning.........

 

[Scoops]

A plan eh?......how cunning.........

You could

it

 

[5tring]

Or you could

It