Piezo Guitar Pickup. Fix Strings That Aren't Loud Enough. Scott Grove

[@groovydjs]

My New Acoustic Guitar Lessons Channel: kzbin.info/door/UT74DzWIwfhKOYyfK36OsQ

[@leejaylampman2222]

First vid. I like the banter. Never know what gems you can glean from an old pro's ramblings. Plenty of other vids if they don't care to listen. And your heart comes through. Ramble away man!

[@fabian_v2449]

i’m having trouble with a 4-string acoustic/electric dean bass guitar with the same piezo as the one you were showing. the only problem is that my D string isn’t giving any sound through my amplifier. is there any way I can fix that?

[@fabian_v2449]

never mind, I attempted the guitar pick method and it worked! thank you so much!

[@VajrahahaShunyata]

I have to replace just the piezo pickup and I am wondering if there is a brand that is known to sound better than others? Or ones to avoid? Does it make much of a difference? I have been asking the forums but people don't mention "just" the piezo. They discuss the whole system.

[@dalepal]

I appreciate you showing how the whole piezo pickup system goes together and works. I’m glad you’re back to keeping vids on KZbin again and hope nasty people don’t ruin it for the rest of us that appreciate your sharing your knowledge.

[@Arkenboutmusic]

The guitar pick trick worked for me, thank you! I had the problem of my high e being too soft. It was because my bridge was sanded further down by the high e and not sitting level. I put a peice of .73mm yellow Dunlop tortex pick just like you've got (since I have a lot of those), cut it to fit and placed at the very end of the bridge by the high e. Worked great and now all strings ring even. Much appreciated sir!

[@KyTaundry]

I have this issue, going to test this trick out tonight, hopefully it rectifies it! :)

[@johnandersen9219]

Hey!! Thank you for the Video👏👏 It was a HUGE HELP in me fixing a problem I caused on my Taylor when filing the saddle down. The “High E” fell way off in volume, but after watching your video I pulled the saddle & filed the bottom perfectly flat which it wasn’t before! All is now working perfectly 👏👏 Thank you!!

[@groovydjs]

Glad it helped!

[@PerryFogelman]

This is great! I managed to fix my issues with this video. My pickup was a braided cord though and it both wasn't pulled through far enough and I had a small chunk of wood that wasn't filed away that was creating too big of a hole where the pickup laid down and saddle contacted. Pulled the pickup through a little bit more and added a few pieces of high density plastic from a piece of packaging and everything sounds great! Thanks a million.

[@philbungey4198]

I brought an acoustic/electric bass guitar. Love everything about it. Equal volume on all strings playing it acoustically then I plugged it into my amp again great sound except for the e string which was muffled. So I was desperate for an answer or a reason for this happening.Then I stumbled onto your page Piezo Guitar Pickup. Fix Strings That Aren't Loud Enough. Scott Grove. Thank you for helping me visualise what is inside my guitar and how easy a fix this will be even if I have to replace the pick up now that I can see how it all fits together

[@ozskipper]

Man.. What a simple fix/hack.. I have had a Tenor guitar that I just couldn't get to sound even.. Bam.. I chopped up a pick and its finally balanced... Thanks so much..

[@123elvislives]

Love watching you Dr groovy you have just helped me solve my problem And I'm so happy that you have gone to church with your wife keep going Dr groovy keep going Thumbs up from Geelong Australia 🦘🇭🇲👍

[@MikeFloutier]

Thanks so much for this. I had just fitted a new Fishman Presys+ to my old Levin which is a beautiful acoustic. It had an old piezo pickup going direct to a jack socket and the resulting electric sound was poor compared to acoustically. The fitting went well but I was left with a low volume D string. I had ironed out the rest by re-filing the saddle completely flat - my A string had been louder than the rest resulting from a high spot under the saddle which got lowered when I flattened the whole lot. As a finger style player I didn't have any picks so I just used a thin piece of plastic (probably slightly thinner than a light pick). I fitted it just as you recommended and the result was perfect. Thanks again!

[@jimmydalton8723]

Thank you Scott for the informative tech info. The nut is located at the end of the fretboard near the headstock. The saddle is the plastic or bone piece that fits into the bridge slot. Thanks for sharing such an informative video! Blessings my friend.

[@geldner]

Long-winded video but your fix and info was just what I needed to make my cheapie Mitchell acoustic-electric sing again. I originally thought just replacing the saddle with bone would do the trick but no. After watching your vid (and reading in a forum), I put a flattened out 1/2" wood matchstick piece just under the high E (along with getting the saddle perfectly flat) and it worked! Very cool since i really like the way the Mitchell plays.

[@billybiggs6766]

Decided to add electric option to my garage sale find acoustic guitar. Spent hours looking at options and this video was the best I found on my decision on how to add the electric option. Want to thank you for such an informative video on piezo pickups even though I wasn't looking for a repair. The video still had info that I needed to make my final decision on how to add electric to my guitar Will be adding you to my subscribe due to this video. Thanks again for such an informative video.

[@xttocx]

Scott, you're a god damn genius. I had an issue on 2 of my Turner guitars and I'd bought those silly sound hole pickup replacements that sounded dreadful and look ugly and now that I've done this on both THEY WORK... I have a wedding show on Saturday (2 days from writing this) and you've saved the day. Thank you!

[@groovydjs]

AWESOME! I'm glad that this fix worked out for you. Play well my friend.

[@mikethomas926]

I've learned so much watching your videos, I'm trying to watch them all. Thanks for fighting the good fight against guitar ignorance.

[@edgarlee2802]

Watching your videos is an education. Cheers, Scott!

[@canadianshadowrider]

Thanks Scott... I have a beater 12 string Yamaha acoustic. I bought the piezo w/mic preamp system off eBay for around $15.00. Installed the system in the 12 string and used your advice here... works mint.Lots of vids on You Tube on how to measure & cut your acoustic to install system.DON'T BE AFRAID... IT'S REALLY QUITE EASY

[@groovydjs]

Awesome my friend. I'm glad it all worked out for you. Once someone gets IN THERE and sees what is REALLY going on with this whole setup.....easy as pie. Play well and thanks for writing in to let know how it worked out for you.

[@jonathanelser590]

Really cool video! Glad I found this. It's awesome that this piezo system doesn't require soldering.

[@johnd942]

It's your sincerity that I like - as well as your experience and knowledge of your craft. Hopefully, Jesus is in your heart too! Hope you don't block my sincerity. God bless you Scott Grove!

[@the-darksicilian5207]

I have a 1980s Warlock and she is amazing. Great sounds and probably the best build ever for a bolt on. And my if she keeps tuned. Never let me down.

[@lindsmo0812]

Thank you for the lesson Scott, fixed 2 of my acoustic-electrics today with your video , many thanks L~

[@francol3261]

Very good. It all makes sense now. thank you for sharing your knowledge. What you do is priceless my good friend. Stay who you are... and be good as well and keep going to church, because it will help you grow. It helps me because i keep an opened mind. Be blessed.

[@rough44]

Great tip! This idea fixed my piezo pickup on my Ovation Legend. Thanks Scott.

[@AndyHayner]

Still saving my bacon in 2020. God bless you sir!

[@Newwaver2007]

Cool, I just tried it today, because obviously, I was looking to fix stuff. I have some old plastic around the house, because every bread I buy has a small plastic lock on it, and that I thought was perhaps cheaper than a plectrum. So I used that, hoping for the best and It actually works! Thank you for the video, you saved me today. :D Greets from Holland

[@Stam799]

Great video , very useful to see the full system out of the guitar , certainly helped me , ignore the trolls man , just cowards who hide behind the keyboard.

[@MyFirstGen]

Glad to see your back on youtube. I've learned a lot from you and other like yourself on here. keep up the good work. Hope you have a great holiday season.

[@myacousticblues]

Another great video! I love the DIY tips! I have a collection (nothing like yours!) of about 30 and I'm always working & adjusting something. I'm always learning something and have learned a lot from you! Thanks for all you do! I've got a quarter for someone who cares....for all those haters!! watched your vaca video (my wife's from Ft. Meyers) I walk out of Guitar Center saying the same thing every time too!! Glad you're healthy! wealthy......and wise!!! Best wishes to you and yours!

[@hull_k0gan641]

Dude, you are awesome! Seriously remind me of every musician I grew up learning from. I can tell you’re patient and passionate. I appreciate this. I’m going to try it with my acoustic that I made electric awhile back. Never could get it right. This seems legit though

[@davewettlaufer7885]

Thanks for you showing us the piezo pickup and how it works, never seen one before. 👍

[@groovydjs]

No problem 👍 Happy to show you around one. Pretty cool little things huh?

[@CesarAllGuitar]

Is great seeing you around Scott. Take care.

[@Riffman42]

Scott, I would love to see you show us how to set the intonation on an acoustic. Thanks for all that you do, and Merry Christmas!

[@bobdemers2398]

Thx for the in depth description and the entertainment Scott. :)

[@brianyork5510]

Thanks Scott, I'm going to buy a cheaper acoustic because it sounded awesome when I played it. Now I know how to lectrify it. Very Groovy.

[@EmbelekoBand]

Mr. Groovy, always a good learning experience watching your videos. Thanks for what you do. Happy Holidays.

[@GregsGarage]

Thanks for the look inside a piezo system.

[@Quicknessband]

Awesome! Thx brother! This helped me fix a new guitar in about 10 minutes!

[@declanmurphy729]

I've done so thing similar only I used an old debit card to cut a strip and it worked just fine

[@seandebosscher656]

You are alright brother you were very articulate with the lesson taught me something new .some asshole smashed an old Ariana electric acoustic I took it out of the fire pit took the wiring set up but didn't get the bridge with the piazo pic up that I had no idea about. Tried to use the wiring for my guitar but after inspecting new something was a miss. So thank you for the free lesson and don't be as o hard on yourself everyone does something that some might consider crazy or out of line fuck me all if they can't forgive admitting your mistake is a great thing and takes a good man to do it and try to change . Keep up the positive thoughts and keep it real . I apeitiate you bro take care . Keep sharing the knowledge . Peace, words,and music.

[@jromasterofone]

Wow! I see you have a stack of what look to be Rolls midi buddies. I've been using one for 20 yrs now. Still works great.

[@groovydjs]

+J Ro In AK You saw correct! Good eye. Same here. They are nice and easy and I've always had a couple laying around since the days when EVERYBODY used MIDI rack rigs. They are indispensable and are a great DO IT ALL unit.

[@jromasterofone]

Yep! Their rivals at the time, the ADA boards had such small red buttons that I hated, kept tapping the wrong button with boots on. Was glad to find the Rolls.

[@jvin248]

For an experiment, I cut a small groove in a Tele style body under the bridge plate where the saddles sit. Then I hooked it with a small toggle switch to the rest of the guitar (Esquire setup with three-way Tele switch, small toggle just swaps pickup source). Needs an external pre-amp but provides acoustic guitar amplified sounds.

[@Shortybeard]

Came for the technical knowledge - 4:35 You are a monster!! Love it! Subbed.

[@p.kriskarl715]

Man, thanks a lot that you made this video. I tried to lower the action of my guitar and sand the saddle but then i got a lot of unbalanced string volume then I tried every tips I found till my problem is only the high E string. Then found this even it is long video but then thanks to your tip I finally able to fix and balance my guitar sound, cause I always play in live and it bothers me when the high E doesn't sound a lot then now I'm very happy to recommend doing this when you are out of ideas.

[@groovydjs]

I'm so glad that it helped out. Sometimes the fix comes from a really goofy idea that just happened to work. lol

[@okie-rider]

Have a Groovy Christmas Doc!! Glad you're feeling better!!

[@loasidasortiz9716]

I don't know a dame thing bout Guitars but I love learning I just bought I Ciger box Guitar and plan to build my own one day thk u that was groovy God bless you.Oh u do have a great voice.

[@davidmc107]

Thanks Scott. Was watching your other 2 vids where you mention this but this vid went into depth on the area under the bridge where I was unsure

[@petemilsom7175]

Brilliant fix, great video, saved myself time and cash going to the repair guy.

[@JsnDszkwcz]

Thank you for your expertise. it was just what I needed. Quiet modest.

[@AdmiralJuicy]

Great video, very informative. I have the same problem on my 11 year old acoustic, I'll be trying this fix myself. Wish me luck!

[@leonwchristensen9256]

Thanks Scott. This is just what I needed. You're the greatest.

[@kade5005]

2 scott grove vids in a day?... it must be Christmas.

[@Nucleozoid]

Merry Christmas Scott! Thanks for all the informative videos!

[@wildbillhackett]

A lot of times you can just cut a piece of paper twice the width of the saddle slot, double it over, and cut it to about 1/2" in length and place it over the piezo on which ever side needs more volume. It's almost always the bass side that isn't loud enough. It's just a matter of getting a more solid contact.

[@Joseph124269]

Lol😂 I laughed hard when you cut the strings 😅😊

[@eagle49]

Thanks Scott, very informative.. Just about every acoustic with a Piezo I owned or others I played sound too tinny ( too much treble) and open chords sound like hell. I would like to replace just the Piezo ( no preamp, etc) so what brand would you recommend for a nice full body sound? Also my A wasn't being picked up so I tried wrapping aluminum foil around the whole Piezo but it did not help. Thanks again, love your gear.

[@russpettifer5216]

thanks Scott! i've had a dead high E on an Ovation for years and now i know how to fix it...

[@kindface]

Just stumbled on your series, Scott. This is very educational. You're very cool, man!

[@newyork8194]

Hey Scott - where would you place the "shim" if you d need more volume on highE and B? - about the "top" of this piezo undersaddle: Is it hard and solid? or does it have a soft top? - does the bottom of the saddle even touch the piezo under middle strings (ADGB)? (0.73mm is quite thick) Thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips - i got here precisely because my guitar (nylon string cordoba) has uneven string volume (High E and B sound too weak). I m trying to "fix" this with very thin shims (wood, plastic, metal) under the saddle, but not super convinced yet. You seem to be using way thicker shim, so i m wondering what the pros and cons are. Much appreciated if you have an answer!

[@PaulSmith-oy8xp]

Hi; I have the same situation...low E and B output on a home-installed piezo: Did you/anyone try a thin shim?

[@Miyagi92]

hi its my 3rd string G that doesnt pick up out of them all,tanx for showing how to understand how it worx

[@newbbietrader9918]

jesus christ you look like meat loaf!amazing

[@Antjan46]

I was thinking the same!

[@BryanParnala]

makes you think that he'll do anything for love, but he won't do that

[@LeonEvans_Guyver1]

thanks for this, fixed my booming low E and low A on my Yamaha silent guitar, although I had to run cuts of tortex across the entire length of the pickup otherwise the middle two strings were dead quiet.

[@jeffmilkey]

I have a booming Low E....how did you fix it?

[@briguylor]

Hey Scott, great to see you are still alive, I was a bit worried there a few months back in "15" when you were having some medical problems. I just want you to know that I have followed your "Tube" posts for 3 years and appreciate all of the knowledge that you have given us here for free. I appreciate your no BS approach because at 64 and after 47 yrs of playing gigs, I can still learn from you. Forget all the negativity that's thrown at you Scott, that's just the typical BS that any human who chooses to speak their mind goes through. I look forward to more SG vids here. All the best, Brian

[@davidgouin8420]

Great Direction Scott! I actually have this problem Awesome Thanks!

[@AndrewKahnn]

The Video was very helpful! I like the Paul Stanley guitar!

[@paulwalton1844]

Thanks for the info Scott, I like your no non-sense approach!

[@ChallisVenstra]

I'm getting in here a little late, but damn it's good to watch you again. I had a rough year in 2015, and when I got back your channel had changed! Anyway, my sweet wife got me a new Washburn guitar for Christmas, and the high E kept going in and out at gigs, I thought it was the damn sound guy, but I saw this video as I was surfing around and BAM! Dr. Groovy saves the day again! I have some free time on Wednesday and all this is going to happen. Anyway, good to see you again, and I'm glad your doing better. Stay groovy! I know you will. Out!

[@dhirenjazz8100]

Good info video by you actually I'm facing same issue noise humm ground issue so do I need to change saddle pick up or there can be issue in pre-amp also???.?? Regarding hum

[@dhirenjazz8100]

Hi great info by you, I'm getting bit of humm in my piezo pic up guitar, do I need to change pick up from saddle that you changing in this video?????

[@shaunthompson9046]

Hi Scott I've just had this type of pick up fitted buy a guitar tech and now my low e string is suffering from low volume when plugged in and when played acoustically do think the problem is the same as what you're describing in your video thanks a bunch for the kids cheers. Shaun

[@ljtuggle5067]

Wow great tip mine always falls out when changing strings Thanks for another great video

[@lauranceemory4448]

got me right off the bat with correct pronunciation of piezo.

[@rAndomlight1069]

Here checking out how install a Piezo Under-Saddle Pickup Stick Rod. Thanx for the invaluable information sir. Also you said you suffered from bipolar and I think you mentioned having a stroke too? Bravo for continuing to care enough to want to share your knowledge with anyone who needs it. Screw the trolls. They will always be around, just like them pickups factory made in China, made to look expensive, but really just " ten a penny" to coin an old british idiom. Hope things are going ok in these dark days of the pandemic. As I write, over here in London [20.01.21] we are still in the grips off this awful virus. [1.600 died in hospital yesterday]We are in also in another major lockdown, although this time around, awe have several vaccines which hopefully, I pray, will eventually free us all to return to some kind of normality. Just for the history books. Today is the day Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the U.S.A. and Donald Trump left the White House. Good luck America.

[@thefreese1]

I don't think I wouldndo it at full tension... I back them down just a couple cranks ... takes 15 or 20 seconds.. no biggie... My question is: if you're sticking a piece of pick on each side doesn't that deaden the center strings some ? Also on a saddle that been sanded down quite a bit I was thinking it may sag in the middle over time ... I made a deer antler saddle for my Martin and it woke it up big time ... I put a new Martin thinline pickup in and it doesn't want to pickup the treble strings... Note.. I ran it directly into the mixer without a preamp.. which a preamp( pedal , cant bring myself to cut a hole in my Martin) is my next step before I do any more work on it ..

[@iggyward]

IT WORKED!!!! thank you soooo much buddy

[@groovydjs]

Glad it helped. Gotta love a cool guitar hack. Enjoy the axe now. Cheers!!!

[@avielkrutinsky4147]

Thank You - it helped! But I had to install 3 pieces of material, because I got low sound on two middle strings. By the way - I found a better and cheaper material, than a good tortex pick - wooden matches!

[@bigmikerocks]

So you put a piece on either side and then a 3rd one in the middle of the same length?

[@avielkrutinsky4147]

@@bigmikerocks You need to get a good and tight resonant contact with the piezo for every string - for this you may need to cut the material in pieces - it depends on the situation - sometimes it works well when you add just one solid wooden splinter, but sometimes you need to cut a small piece for just one string or two. And sometimes you need to cut the resonance of the other strings that are much louder - for this purpose you can experiment with a different material than the one that's used for the strings that sound not that loud.

[@avielkrutinsky4147]

And sometimes the reason is not in the physical contact with the piezo - sometimes it happens that the piezo itself is just partially working - they can be broken.

[@cavanimakesthenoise]

Hello,great video!!Sorry about my English,I have a question.In ur opinion is possible to install this type of pickup inside the guitar?Of course in the proximity of the bridge.I ask this because,I am makeing a solid body ukulele and I don't want to work on the white saddle.So I am wondering if strings vibrations can be caught by the piezo even under the top.Thanks so much.

[@carlporter4009]

i found a yamaha guitar with a broke neck it has every thing you just showed me now i know what it is and what it does. im going to put it on a four string cigar box thanks for your info go figure the four string does not use the high or low e strings thats again

[@timwood958]

'Ow!!! Active Circuit!' LOL You always make me giggle. I appreciate your vids.

[@adreanifamily9370]

Thanks Scott, very entertaining and informative.

[@nathanmedford9493]

Awesome video man. I really appreciate that. What can you tell about neck piezo pickups??

[@mikemagnum7987]

Wow Scott! Thanks so much for this information. My guitar has one of the kits you showed and now if anything goes wrong with it, I know just what to do and don't have to pay someone to do it for me. I really enjoy your videos brother and I like your personality as well. Stick around and keep em coming!

[@PeterKruseMusic]

Thanks for this. Will try. Much appreciated

[@blu3me304]

I used to remove my strings the same way with a lighter! Full tension!

[@damianzelazny5785]

Brilliant, thank your for sharing!!!

[@DaveWalshMusic]

Thanks! Just got the dumb piezo working evenly been messing with for too long! You remind me of a cool version of Eugiene from Walking Dead with better hair of course.

[@TheColodrummer]

I shaved my nuts and my pickup works no differently.

[@LHudsonARTLIFTS]

Try shaving the shaft as well that usually works

[@theunnamed4863]

Keep up the great work Scott!!!

[@RorysStrat]

Just stay on here Scott!! We all dig ya bro!

[@groovydjs]

+RorysStrat Many thanks! Writing from my sick bed today....well, for my 3rd day. I was able to get one guitar makeover done last night, so I'll pull that thing out when my last piece of matching clothing comes in. lol

[@RorysStrat]

Love you Scott! You have taught me so much and have given me the dose of reality that I needed. I can just keep you on my pc in the background even if I have heard and seen it a dozen times because as we all know, repetition is the key to learning. (unless you are a complete dumbass!) LOL.....

[@theversestudio1982]

I have trouble with my pick up. I heard static when i plug in. When i touch the wire inside, the static gone. What suppose the problem? Hope you can help me out sir.

[@gr8wh8orca53]

11:35 if never had it electrified before...you have to shave your nut below 🤣🤣🤣 Great video 🤘🎸

[@pauliespats112]

Thank you! Great learning experience!

[@nickhearmon5248]

Hey Thank you Scott for the info , Obviously a one of a kind guy , I hate boring ones , gonna fix up my guitars !!!!!!!!! LOLzzzzzzzzz

[@outerrealm]

Thanks for enlightening the general public on the correct pronunciation. That has always annoyed me when people mispronounce it

[@Velvetspoonful]

Hey hey Thanks for demystifying piezos for me. So, that's how to solve piezo lack of contact - therefore, I imagine... On the opposite hand, if a piezo saturates, is it because the contact is excessive? I have a bass that saturates on both A and D, but E is okay at the moment, and G too. They could probably do with a slight boost, but my real problem is the bass going Tame Impala on me when I'm looking for a responsive, punchy tone - not brbling. Are the things that precise? Is the contact surface more or less important than the pressure between the bridge's nut and the piezo itself? I'm kinda considering the following options: 1° Narrowing down the underside of the nut for A and D hoping the surface contact lessening could be a justification for less saturation 2° Adding a paper thin layer of...Paper between E and the nut, because the guitar pick solution made E nice and clear but killed A and D - which implies a further interrogation. Would different materials interefere with a proper rendition, or eventually help dampening the signal? 3° Flat Sanding down below A and D, hoping that that would relieve pressure and therefore, saturation, as well as boosting E properly and G a bit too. Just throwing that out there, I'll be testing some neutral solutions this week end - stuff that doesn't imply any sanding down yet. Even a short sentence with a likely solution would be welcome, I'd rather not let this go on for ages. I'm not cutting my strings, so to speak x )

[@sachachanyan]

FYI in case you didn’t know.... Piezo is Greek and it means „press“ as in pressing a button. I guess because pressure has to do with the way it works.... 🤷🏻‍♂️ And that is indeed the way it’s pronounced in Greek.

[@groovydjs]

Thank you for the facts on this. I wasn't aware. Cheers.

[@darkiee69]

You can get one of those pre amps with two mics, one piezo and one condensator mic, and a mix slider on the pre amp.

[@groovydjs]

Sure enough. The Fishman in my Martin came with that setup. The mics have to be kept all the way off or it will feedback like crazy. When recording......those mics sound so bad that you REALLY want to simply put a few REAL mics on the guitar anyway. Not sure why they ever bothered putting the mics on these things.

[@koicarp0]

Hi Scott. really great really helpful video. thank you very much. best wishes to you man

[@stevepethel6843]

Thanks for the help'I am going to try this to riase big e volume.God bless you.

[@bigkid757]

I had a BC Rich mocking bird back the 70’s. It was an awesome guitar.

[@yowla]

Thank you SIR, great job, that really helped me. Cheers

[@throb9]

Merry Christmas from one old country feck to another! Keep up the good work, man.