TUESDAY TIP - Should I get a Piezo or Humbucker Pickup on my Cigar Box Guitar?

Cigar box guitars normally come with either a piezo, single coil or humbucker pick up. Compare the sound of a piezo and a humbucker.
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Buzz Box Guitars
Premium slide guitars in the cigar box tradition.
Player tips and lessons.
Mark Wilkes
Oatley NSW Australia
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Mark Wilkes
Guitar Teacher
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[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

Long ago, after hearing builders play their piezo CBG's and they sounded so weak and tinny, I opted to put humbucker pickups in all my guitars. No piezos for me.

[@philiphtube]

The piezo picking up all the scratching noises from hand movements is a real drag. Humbuckers all the way.

[@alwayslearning8365]

Good explaination of the dfferences. TY 👍

[@edt.5118]

A better comparison would be to run the piezo pickup through a high impedance preamp. That would cut out a lot of the icepick treble.

[@buzzboxguitars]

Yes, agree. That's what do when I'm demonstrating them. Makes a big difference.

[@TheCavemancam]

Team Humbucker here... I'm using a very small amplifier with Gain. I can't make that sweet sound with piezo only.

[@buzzboxguitars]

Yep its tricky. Pull the treble right back and up the bass. It seems to help.

[@jptheflipper3825]

I've built a few hundred Cigar Box guitars and I tend to choose pickup based on the size of the build and the size of the body, bigger bodies resonate too much for the acoustic piezos and you get too much feedback as a result and of course there are single coils for the medium size bodies that just need a little boost

[@crackerjack3359]

Recently I have standardized on a single coil pick up placed under the box lid for fancy cigar boxes, and on top for hand built boxes. Some at the neck position and some at the bridge.

[@buzzboxguitars]

Yes, I reckon it does make a difference. Lately I have been placing them under the bridge, under the neck timber.

[@TATTOOTLAN]

Nothing better than humbacker!!

[@buzzboxguitars]

Totally agree.

[@Da_Publick]

Contact (Piezo) pickups sound best with Acoustic/Electric amplifiers, and those 2-5 watt amps that you see some builders selling.

[@daniellorca4452]

Best explanation ever. Thank you. D

[@buzzboxguitars]

Hi Daniel. Glad it was helpful!

[@bombercountyblues]

A lot depends on playing style.. piezo's are amazing for doing the body slap percussion thing.. but if you're not into that,, the scratchy handling noises can get annoying.. especially at high volume..

[@buzzboxguitars]

Hi Jon. I made one for a Blues player a few years ago. He wanted a piezo and a humbucker in his. And seperate controls to adjust each to suit.

[@tv-cx8gv]

I'm enjoying your videos, can you tell me what you used behind your nut to hold down the strings? Thanks

[@buzzboxguitars]

Hi. It is a string tree. It pulls down all strings. Stew mac - www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/bridges-and-tailpieces/bridges-and-tailpieces-for-electric-guitar/floyd-rose-tremolos/floyd-rose-special-series-string-retainer-bar-with-screws/

[@Jonathan_Brose]

coldplay my eggs

[@richarddegen6184]

Crapp audio!!