Optimizing Piezo Pickup Wiring for Guitar: Tips and Techniques
When it comes to optimizing guitar pickup wiring, especially for piezo pickups, a well-thought-out approach is essential. This guide will explore the best practices for connecting a piezo pickup with specific switching configurations, including the benefits of using onboard preamps and the practicalities of various switch and control setups.
The Best Way to Wire a Piezo Pickup: 3-Way Switch Considerations
The question arises: is the best way to wire a piezo pickup with a 3-way switch before the volume with one side to a tone pot, three double coils, and a 5-way switch, and the middle to the double coils and piezo, while the 3rd is connected just to the piezo? This configuration can indeed be effective, but it's important to consider the specific needs and desired functionality of your guitar setup.
Onboard Preamp: A Must for Piezo Pickups
While designing or rebuilding an electric guitar, it’s crucial to think about the best way to integrate piezo pickups effectively. A key consideration is the use of an onboard preamp. Piezo pickups can suffer from signal degradation if there is too much cord capacitance between them and the amp. An onboard preamp helps mitigate this issue, as it boosts the signal and provides better clarity.
A popular choice for an onboard preamp is the Fishman Power Jack, which not only includes a preamp but also the ability to blend piezo and electric outputs or to split them using a TRS to dual TS cable. This versatile device allows for a seamless switching experience between different pickup configurations.
Simple Configuration Using the Fishman Power Jack
For a simpler setup, you can wire up a Fishman Power Jack directly, and then use it to blend or split the piezo and electric outputs. This approach can be done in two ways:
Wiring the 3-way switch before the volume control, with one side to the tone pot, three double coils, and a 5-way switch, and the middle to the double coils and piezo, while the third is connected just to the piezo. Using a volume inline with each piezo and a 5-way switch to turn each pickup on/off and blend them.Designing the Functional Utilization
Designing the functionality of your guitar's pickup and control systems requires a clear plan. Start by mapping out how you want to use the various sources, pickups, and signal processing, tone, and volume controls. This can be done through a switching matrix or chart, which will reflect all the desired configurations and corresponding devices and pickups.
Selecting the Right Switching Arrangement
Once your functional connections are mapped out, it's easier to decide on the switching arrangement needed to implement them. Several factors need to be considered:
The number of conductors associated with each device you want to switch. The simplicity of switching just one side of your source signals, such as having a "hot" and a "common or shield" side for each pickup, which can reduce the number of poles required on your switches. The type of contact used in the switches, either break-before-make (BBM) or make-before-break (MBB), to avoid audible pops when changing switch positions.Avoiding Signal Degradation
A significant issue in piezo pickup designs is the signal degradation caused by excess cord capacitance. By using an onboard preamp like the Fishman Power Jack, you can ensure that the piezo pickup signal is boosted and remains clean, even at longer signal paths.
Ultimately, the best way to wire a piezo pickup depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you opt for complex configurations or simpler setups, the key is to achieve a balance between functionality and control while ensuring that your guitar's piezo pickups sound their best.