Guitar Gear Forum

Hello All,

I'm starting a project which involves using a piezo pick up on an acoustic cello. i have a few questions, and any advice or guidance is appreciated!

First off, I was planning on using this as the sensor/pickup:

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... 0-028K%2fL

am i looking at the correct component for this? any feedback on this component?

Second, i was planning on following these plans for the pre-amp:

http://www.scotthelmke.com/Mint-box-buffer.html

these plans call for a 2N5457 FET, which appears to be obsolete (according to Mouser anyway).

i was thinking about using this instead:

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... 610-2N5486

would i need to manipulate resistor values with this FET swap?

anyway, just looking for advice or suggestions on the pick up as well as the pre-amp before i start this project...i'm kind of just learning to build this stuff - so i'm still a little unsure.

thanks for any help!

As somebody that uses a piezo on an acoustic violin, I'll just mention that your preamp plan may or may not work out. If you're confident in your ability to manipulate it after testing to alter the tone, you'll probably be fine. What I've found is piezos tend to have a really harsh top end that needs exactly the right preamp to beat it out of them. The preamp I bought with the piezo pickup was pretty useless in that regard, while a tube mic pre I bought years later with impedance adjustability and an EQ section sounds pretty alright with it.

YMMV, and best of luck. Be interested to hear how it shakes out for you either way.