Piezo Question

[fgeorge097]

Just scored a P245 SH , absolutely killer. I run it through a Mesa amp, and would like to get better authentic sounds from the Piezo. Are there any pedals out there I can stick into my fx loop, or other hardware that would allow me to get good piezo sounds with my current electric guitar amp?

Or do I just need to buy an acoustic guitar amp to really enjoy the piezo?

 

[Kazz]

I don't have one yet, but most of the people with piezo pickups I've seen posting say (other than blending a bit with the magnetic output) you get the best results by using a pedal (LR Baggs makes the piezo pickups in PRS guitars and they also have a pedal some here have recommended) into a PA or acoustic amp.

 

[rugerpc]

Since PRS doesn't make one...

 

[shinksma]

Acoustic amp (or PA) is required - electric guitar amps are voiced "all wrong" for an acoustic sound, you need a (relatively) flat EQ response. Try plugging a regular acoustic guitar with pickup into your Mesa, won't sound very acoustic. (And conversely, plug your electric guitar w/ mag pups into a PA and it sounds all wrong in the opposite fashion.)

Good pedals are the Fishman Aura (I suggest the Spectrum so you can load up all kinds of images) and apparently the DTAR Mama Bear (not a pedal per se) to help really fill out that acoustic-guitar-with-microphone sound.

 

[RGM]

I've been curious as to why acoustic amps seem to have relatively smaller speakers. As an example, the Fender Acoustisonic 90 with an 8" speaker. Anyone know about this?

 

[ViperDoc]

The ONLY way to maximize, or in my opinion even legitimately use, the piezo signal out of your P245 is to RUN IT SEPARATELY THROUGH AN ACOUSTIC AMP. That signal is a completely different animal. It needs its own channel. While several options are out there, I can vouch for Fishman. They make excellent acoustic amps at unbeatable prices. No complaints.

 

[LJD]

Maybe the Fishman Pro EQ? http://www.fishman.com/products/series/platinum/platinumpro.php

 

[goat-n-gitter]

The ONLY way to maximize, or in my opinion even legitimately use, the piezo signal out of your P245 is to RUN IT SEPARATELY THROUGH AN ACOUSTIC AMP.

Actually, a PA or other full range monitoring system works great too (although you probably had this in mind without saying it). My piezo signal is normally sent through our PA system, but when I've gone to jams where I wasn't sure of the PA, I have taken a 12" 2 way powered monitor and it has worked just fine. I do use an acoustic processor, but the untreated piezo signal through a cheap passive direct box sounds pretty darn good as well.
There are those who like the piezo through a normal guitar amp, but it is more of an alternate electric sound, and doesn't even begin to do a decent mimic of an acoustic IMO.

Tom

 

[shinksma]

I've been curious as to why acoustic amps seem to have relatively smaller speakers. As an example, the Fender Acoustisonic 90 with an 8" speaker. Anyone know about this?

In my experience, if you are using (just) an acoustic amp with an acoustic guitar then you are trying to boost your sound a little, possibly with a vocal mic mixed in, to cut above a small cafe noise level. So a smaller (more portable) 30w or 50w 8" combo is ideal. If you need anything louder you will typically have a full PA anyway, and you just run the guitar into the PA (direct or via the acoustic amp if you want a local monitor of your own). This still holds true when using an electric guitar with piezo.

I could also point out how your home speakers (not including subwoofer) are likely no bigger than 8" (for the mid-range or mid-woofer) and are just fine for producing good quality sound.

Electric guitar amps, traditionally, sound better at higher gain/volume, whereas an acoustic amp should sound fine a moderate volumes. Now-a-days with the good modeling amps that doesn't have to be true for electric guitars, although I love the sound of my Archon at 100w...

 

[watelessness]

Fishman Loudbox

 

[django49]

One more vote for a "Mama Bear".

 

[bricel24]

I run mine to a PA, does the job well.

 

[Goldfixer]

Fishman Loudbox

 

[DaveNJ]

I've got a Fishman SA220 waiting for my PS P245SH when it's done. Has anyone tried the TC BodyRes pedal with a piezo? I was going to order one when my guitar is done, but would love to hear if anyone has direct experience...