Demo: Benefits of Piezo Acoustic Output From An Electric Guitar (JP-15)

Demonstration of the benefits of Piezo acoustic output from an electric guitar, featuring the Ernie Ball Music Man JP-15 electric guitar.
Read reviews of the following items featured in this video:
Ernie Ball Music Man JP-15 Electric Guitar
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Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 40 Amplifier
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L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I.
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‪@ernieballinc‬

[@SolaChristus]

I can highly recommend Scott’s book on Modern Guitar Rigs to anyone wishing to get a handle on this sort of routing. Helped me out a lot and it’s still a great reference from time to time…

[@musicplayersnow]

Thanks for that! considering doing a third edition… Scott

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Love the acoustic tones in this setup Scott!

[@musicplayersnow]

Thanks! mostly those were the LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI coupled with a hall reverb, and the sounds with the more etherial stacked sound had the Piezo output running through the Eventide Space plug-in (which sounds just like the pedals)

[@thomass6988]

Great demo, this was super helpful -- thanks!

[@musicplayersnow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonathancheung9350]

At 5:47 I would LOVE to know how it sounds like without the piezo and roughly how to get that modulated reverb type of sound! very cool!

[@musicplayersnow]

Thanks! I love that dreamy sound. I have the magnetic output on the middle position with the coils split, so the JP-15 is giving its best clean Strat-like sound into the H&K amp on a clean channel with just a hint of delay. The acoustic output here is running through the Eventide Black Hole plug-in on the computer, but in a live setting, I have the Eventide Space pedals which can create the same Black Hole algorithm for the dreamy sound. My LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI has an effects loop, so for live, I put an Eventide pedal in the loop of that for dreamy acoustic tones (I have an H9 as well but haven't used it this way yet). Obviously the DI runs to the PA system, while my magnetic output would run to my live guitar rig (ENGL gear).

[@mrc2662]

Great review and astonishing sounds

[@musicplayersnow]

Thank you! The majority of players never run the Piezo to a PA or dedicated ACOUSTIC guitar amplifier, and they don't add an acoustic guitar DI... when you do that, it really transforms the sound and usefulness.

[@kenmasters007]

I just came for the pink jp15

[@musicplayersnow]

Yeah, I know the feeling... when that BFR was released, something inside told me that I had to deviate from my usual blues and dark colors... :-p. -- Scott

[@CHECOMEXvlog]

Awesome vid!! I’m thinking about buying the para acoustic box!! I own a jp… Could you make a video how you set up the para acoustic? 🙂 New subs here

[@musicplayersnow]

No need. Literally set it flat and you're off to a good start. On mine, it's all flat, I boost the Presence to around 3:00, and the volume is boosted in the 2:00-3:00 range based on the PA mixer it's running to. Other tone controls can be handled by EQ on the mixer's channel strip (in my personal studio, that's a PreSonus StudioLive mixer). Scott

[@daysbeforetomorrow]

If you want to see how Scott uses his JP guitars, check out the new video from the progressive arena rock band, Days Before Tomorrow here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpKYpaJjoN5-iZI

[@aaronshortmusic]

Nice review. I like Oasis too! I just got one of these but if I played it like you did during the video and then checked the tuning it would be out of tune. Does your hold it’s tuning well?

[@musicplayersnow]

These guitars keep their tuning VERY nicely. The Music Man JP custom bridge is renowned for tuning stability. If you have an older/used JP that you acquired, you might need new springs, or add an additional spring. If it's new, did you switch to heavier strings? I'd never go heavier than .10s on a JP, personally I use .09s which is what they ship with, too.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@musicplayersnow I ended up returning it as it would not stay in tune. Otherwise it was an excellent guitar.

[@GonzzGarcia]

Cool video! are you using two mono cables in each output from the guitar?

[@musicplayersnow]

Yes, those are two mono (TS) cables. Alternately, you could use one stereo cable (TRS) to a splitter/breakout box, but TRS guitar instrument cables aren't quite as common.

[@willman100]

Great informative video. I guess the neck to super thin. Is it thin like an Ibanez?

[@sixcoyotetributoacaifanes2236]

Awesome review, are the two cables mono?

[@musicplayersnow]

Sorry I didn't make that clear in the video. Yes, those are two mono instrument cables (standard guitar cables). But alternately, you could run a single stereo cable from the guitar to a small breakout box that separates the stereo cable to dual mono jacks and then from there, route the signals to your guitar amp and to your PA system. That's how JP runs his guitars live. If you want to go wireless, though (which I usually do), you need two transmitters on your strap as the popular instrument systems are all mono. -- Scott

[@robskylink]

Hi, Thanks for the review and nice job. Do you know how long the battery may last, just curious if they go quickly? Also that lower switch seems to be right in the way for aggressive funky strumming? What do you think on that. Thanks much.

[@musicplayersnow]

I change the battery maybe every 6-8 months when using the guitar just a couple of nights per week. The lower switch -- for the magnetic pickups... I play a lot of funky clean/disco-ish rhythm parts and never hit it, nor when playing high-gain stuff. Maybe just the angle of the video camera makes it seem questionable?

[@Akukog]

Hello I like the soundof your acoustic piezo. Is the LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI is connected with your piezo output direct is it with or without a reverb on it its just the LR BAggs itself? because the sound is erally realistically acoustic guitar. I have JPX 6 BFR musicman, and I have the boss AC-3 simulator but I don’t like teh sound of it, for me its ok sounds acoustic but there’s something not there… when I heard this LR Baggs from you suddenly the sound of acoustic in a piezo system… that’s why I wanna upgrade and asks you if its worth an upgrade?, it’s somewhat expensive though.. Thanks

[@musicplayersnow]

Thanks. Yes, guitar Piezo output into the LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI then into a channel in my Antelope Audio interface. There is TC Electronic 8210 hall reverb on it. What's cool about the Para Acoustic DI is it has an FX loop -- get a stereo/Y cable from Hosa that has balanced (stereo) quarter inch male at one end and two mono quarter inch male jacks at the other end to go into a loop on a pedalboard or a dedicated reverb pedal for great live sound. And the DI can be powered by 48V phantom power off a mixing board -- no batteries required. When we first reviewed the DI we tested with the JP6 specifically and loved the difference in sound. musicplayers.com/2007/05/l-r-baggs-para-acoustic-d-ultimate-direct-box-acoustic-electric-guitars/

[@Akukog]

@@musicplayersnow Hello thank for the reply. For me for now I think battery is option for me now, a 9V battery will lasts for 12 hours though for practicing that is more than enough… but for gigs always I’m fixed infront of the house with Phantom powered mixer. What I’m intrigued about is , does it dounds good or awesome as well even without the reverb? Yes regarding that FX loop first time I encountered that hehehehe…it needs a Y split cable for it. Does the presence, is as good as th reverb? Because I dont plan to buy a reverb on my pedalboard, I rely the reveb on the mixer or on the amp… Thanks for your infos … really thinking of buying one. Cause of it’s sound realistically acoustic guitar.

[@musicplayersnow]

@@Akukog You really want to add some reverb, even if it's from the PA system. When you play a real acoustic guitar, sound resonates out of a soundhole which is cavernous and creates an ambience of its own. Think of the Piezo output as being an acoustic guitar without any natural space around it... you need to place it in a room (think Hall reverb) for best sound quality. So, dry, it still sounds waaaayyyyy better than straight into a mixer, but you really want to add just a little bit of reverb for it to sound natural.

[@Akukog]

@@musicplayersnow Oh hmmmm…. thanks a lot for the info …. appreciate it.

[@Akukog]

@@musicplayersnow I'm sure you’ve used the boss AC-3 acoustic simulator, between the LR bags, what do you prefer? Sound wise? because I cannot decide really hehehe… it both sounds acoustic, boss even have a reverb on it, but… it’s lacking something, the boss AC-3, that’s me. But when I heard LR baggs para acoustic, something opens up my ear and I’m satisfied … but I don’t know what it is. hehehe I hope you get me.. hehehe..

[@punmanasoon]

What color is that? such a perfect combination of JP15

[@musicplayersnow]

Thanks. That is my JP-15 BFR in limited edition Paradise Pink. The name of the color is misleading as it's a bit more red than pink. Love it, though :-) -- Scott

[@valdanit0o0o]

Thanks for the video. Do you have a link for the cable ?

[@abdullah_lxl1681]

Can we use just the piezo by itself with just one output? Without the second input?

[@musicplayersnow]

Yes. When you use a single cable, both the piezo and magnetic pickup outputs go through it. The three way toggle still selects piezo only, combination of both, or magnetic pickups only but all output goes to one amp.

[@abdullah_lxl1681]

@@musicplayersnow okay so i don't need the second cable to be able to use the piezo right?

[@musicplayersnow]

@@abdullah_lxl1681 correct. It’s just the best sounding way to do it if you have a secondary way to amplify the piezo. But you can set your guitar amp to a clean channel and get decent acoustic results if your amp’s clean tone is really really clean.

[@abdullah_lxl1681]

@@musicplayersnow okay thank you for your answer 😊

[@OmarGabra]

Hello, does the tremolo arm have a slight rattle sound when doing vibrato?

[@boimesa8190]

where to buy piezo for electric?

[@musicplayersnow]

You can add Piezo output to many guitars depending on the bridge you have. Check out the GraphTech Ghost system at graphtech.com/pages/ghost-pickup-systems

[@boimesa8190]

@@musicplayersnow also available for strats?

[@musicplayersnow]

@@boimesa8190 yes