replacing piezo pickup questions

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

I need to replace the saddle pickup on my friends guitar. I have a few questions..

1. Can I just replace the pickup and use the existing preamp? It has 3 pots.
2. Where should I look to buy a new one?

One of the 6 pieces that goes under the strings was lost. I tried making a new one out of plastic and aluminum but neither worked. The pickup works with the 5 strings.
3. Can you just buy a new set of these pieces?

thanks, Ron

Michael Brebes · From: Northridge CA

More information please. Model of guitar? Model of pickup or at least preamp model? A picture would help.
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Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso

Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

Ferrington Kramer guitar.

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

Why don't you just take it to a music store and have it done properly? Rolling Eyes

You had this post up a few weeks ago & we tried to help you.
The pickup, if it works at all, must sit flush in the saddle slot. NO SHIMS as are in your picture.
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Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not.

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

As I said, the problem is a missing piece from the 6 that the strings sit on. It's old and not to be found. I tried making one from platic and alum, but no good. The only option now for my friend is acoustic or replace the pickup which was what I asked. No reason to be nasty!!!

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

Nobody is being nasty. It's frustrating when trying to help someone out & they keep doing the same thing wrong.
Someone, before you got ahold of it, tried to fix it with shims. Thats what I see in your picture. Someone "lost" one of the shims that should not be there in the first place.
Idle hands are the devils playground. Laughing

No shims - the pick-up should sit flush.
It's a job for a guitar repair person that knows what they are doing.
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Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not.

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

As I said above, the 5 strings work. As a handmade piece doesn't work for the 6th string, the pickup needs to be replaced. It fit's into a slot in the saddle, not sure if something like this is still available. The ones I see are like a small rod.

Jerry Jones · From: Franklin, Tenn.

Ron, I've seen your post around for a while and I'm guessing that the Steel Guitar Forum is not the best place for advice on an acoustic piezo pickup. That said, I would contact Shadow Electronics with your problem. If they do not have a properly sized replacement, the only option is to have a qualified repairman fill the current saddle slot with an ebony piece and re-route for a new sized pickup/saddle. Wink

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Jerry Jones

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

Jerry, thanks!!! Already contacted them.

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

Ron - What you need to do is take out ALL the shims.
Someone probably put in shims to raise the pickup/bridge to an acceptable height. If the pickup does in fact work, all strings should work. If the 6th string does not, I would bet my bottom dollar it's because that spot in the pickup is not making flush contact with the bottom of the slot. Even a slight gap will prevent the string from activating the pickup in that spot, the 6th string.
If you need to raise the action at the bridge, try making ONE long flat shim, the length of the pickup, to raise the pickup in the slot. Good hard plastic should work, but it must be extremely flat. Any gaps between the pickup, long shim, and saddle slot will effect the string from activating the pickup, in that particular spot..If the pickup works at all, ALL strings should work. Not just 5 of them.
Did you try stringing it without ANYTHING between the pickup and saddle slot? And the action is too low right? Thats why someone put in shims. but they don't work, They prevent the pickup from making solid contact with the saddle slot, across all 6 strings.Can you raise the string height on the other side of the pickup? That would solve your problem but we can't tell from your photo because we are looking at the bottom of the pickup.

Hope that helps.
Bud
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Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not.

Jim Kennedy · From: Brentwood California, USA

Every ovation acoustic electric I have had has shims under the pickup. They are a single piece if what looks like fiber reenforced plastic. They are a single piece that sits under the pickup. Works great. As suggested give a single solid piece a try. bet that will fix it.
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ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin,

Jerry Jones · From: Franklin, Tenn.

One of the problems I've encountered with piezo pickups is unequal contact with the bottom of the saddle slot. The saddle slot in a new uninstalled bridge is always routed dead flat, however, over the years an acoustic guitar top may develop a slight center hump. The bottom of the saddle slot will follow the body's curved contour and create unequal piezo contact with the bridge. In that case, a single shim of consistent thickness may not do the trick. Just my experience. Confused

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Jerry Jones

Paul Arntson · From: Washington, USA

Jerry speaks the truth.
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Excel D10 8&4, Supro 8, Regal resonator, Peavey Powerslide, homemade lap 12(a work in progress)

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

got a reply today from Shadow Electronics and they have the part. Great news!!!

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