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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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! :)

[@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.

[@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 🦘🇭🇲👍

[@edgarlee2802]

Watching your videos is an education. Cheers, Scott!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Quicknessband]

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

[@CesarAllGuitar]

Is great seeing you around Scott. Take care.

[@rough44]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@lindsmo0812]

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

[@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

[@jonathanelser590]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@bobdemers2398]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@okie-rider]

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

[@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

[@Shortybeard]

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

[@GregsGarage]

Thanks for the look inside a piezo system.

[@EmbelekoBand]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@Nucleozoid]

Merry Christmas Scott! Thanks for all the informative videos!

[@AndyHayner]

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

[@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?

[@leonwchristensen9256]

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

[@declanmurphy729]

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

[@petemilsom7175]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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 ..

[@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

[@JsnDszkwcz]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?????

[@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.

[@mcbigswig1569]

The G string is not getting picked up on my Takamine. Assuming that the piezo is bad in the middle, not the ends, would the same repair procedure shown here be useful? Why would the middle of the piezo be shorted? (I haven't begun inspecting inside the guitar yet). TIA!

[@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.

[@Coverswithchords1]

What if the Gstring sounds a lot less than the others?

[@kindface]

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

[@caseylee12]

''Pizza''...lol... But, Scott, my problem is that my piezo is not picking up on the ''B'' String only (Schecter C1-E/A...2 humbuckers and piezo) . Any ideas? Can I fix it or does the whole piezo need replaced?

[@Chingaderia]

Just found my saddle is making my action way too high and fuck my intonation because the piezo on my hellcat is thick under the saddle... I removed the saddle and pushed the cable inside as a temporary fix, but I would need to sand half of my saddle if I ever wish to put the piezo again.

[@colinfitzpatrick6711]

Hello I am reworking an old Kramer acoustic bass guitar replacing the Piezo pickup. Does it matter which direction/postion the pickup goes in? My new Piezo pickup does not match the old one and is longer in length. I have a thin wall condition on the one end of the saddle and want to move to through hole to the opposite side for the Piezo wire going to the preamp. Thank you

[@jeffmilkey]

What to do if the problem is one string (The Low E) just booms louder than all others?

[@samuelj.rivard]

i got a new saddle but its the D string that have almost no output... any tips?

[@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?

[@davidgouin8420]

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

[@loasidasortiz9716]

Dr Groovy my piezo stand to proud and it keeps pushing the sandle out...How can I fix it?

[@Miyagi92]

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

[@Joseph124269]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@Successwithefrain]

Hello I have an Esteban guitar and is not loud or you can hear the piazza do you recommend replacing does the Piezo on replacing the whole piece

[@kade5005]

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

[@iggyward]

IT WORKED!!!! thank you soooo much buddy

[@groovydjs]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@WickedFesterBand]

Merry Christmas Scott!

[@samirmalhotra6094]

Hi! Can I put piezo from any side i.e high E or Low E. Does it make any major difference.

[@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?

[@russpettifer5216]

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

[@kofimokome]

My own case a different the d and g strings are not picked up but all other are are picked up. How do I solve it?

[@groovydjs]

In your case I would add super glue to the bottom of the saddle to build up that area a bit. Check it after it dries by putting it on a table or anything flat to make sure it's straight across, just sand off anything that may have any sort of hump in it.

[@kofimokome]

thanks I don't understand. The saddle is straight. I used a sand paper to straighten it. Actually it was a normal guitar. i added the electric system to it, so i reduced the height of the saddle with a sandpaper

[@adreanifamily9370]

Thanks Scott, very entertaining and informative.

[@theunnamed4863]

Keep up the great work Scott!!!

[@throb9]

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

[@billmills1296]

can I cut the piezo pickup to fit the width of the fridge?

[@groovydjs]

Yes you can. As long as it's the "bar" type and not the kind that have 6 individual crystals that are really easy to spot.

[@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.

[@AndrewKahnn]

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

[@damianzelazny5785]

Brilliant, thank your for sharing!!!

[@1sylvan1]

I didn’t hear why you were shimming with the pick material. Did I miss something? Thanks!

[@groovydjs]

Howdy. I use the pick shim to raise the pickup up a bit to ensure that it is making good contact with the bridge and will get the same volume as the other strings are putting out. Sometimes the pickup doesn't make contact with the under side of the bridge due to a bit of a hump on the bottom side of the bridge causing some strings to not get the same pressure on the pickup as the other strings are getting.

[@1sylvan1]

@@groovydjs Thank you! I’ll be giving that a try.

[@huntermancuso8737]

the higher strings are louder but the lower strings are quiet now. How do i fix that?

[@paulwalton1844]

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

[@MrNonaste]

Damn, I thought that you retired or something. Good to see you still kickin'.

[@ljtuggle5067]

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

[@LysgaardLightning]

My high E string is not coming out enough. Would this fix the problem. Just payed for a guitar adjustment and a new saddle but it didnt fix the problem

[@groovydjs]

Should do you fine and dandy my friend.

[@pauliespats112]

Thank you! Great learning experience!

[@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 )

[@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.

[@garyeggleton1142]

hmm, so I took what I thought was a shim out of my Alvarez, to get action lower.....and I pulled the Piezo out , thinking it was a second shim....after realizing what it was, I put it back in, replaced the saddle and restrung. Now my pickup doesnt work when plugged in. Maybe that shim looking thing had another purpose???

[@PeterKruseMusic]

Thanks for this. Will try. Much appreciated

[@patrickpalmer3374]

Are the silent yamaha 200s guitars the same

[@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

[@nicholasjohngarofalo8216]

what is that square plastic thing that comes with all piezo kits...that you threw back in tha bag ?

[@groovydjs]

It's just an adhesive clip to stick on the inside of your guitar to pull all of the extra slack of all of the wires out of the way of the sound hole so the audience doesn't think your guitar is full of little snakes or something. lol

[@TheColodrummer]

I shaved my nuts and my pickup works no differently.

[@LHudsonARTLIFTS]

Try shaving the shaft as well that usually works