Outboard pre-amps for piezos

[Goldilox]

This is more of a live than a recording question really, but I've just fitted a passive pickup to my resonator guitar and I wondered if anyone had recommendations for a good pre-amp. I've currently got a cheap graphic EQ, which does the job OK, but I suspect something more purpose built will work better.

There seems to be so many pedals professing to do the job at virtually any price I'm somewhat bewildered by the choice.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

The most important thing with a piezo is to connect it to a very high impedance load measured in megohms. Some guitar pedals will be okay. An active direct box would be a good option. There are also purpose-built preamps for piezoelectric pickups.

 

[YeshuasFan]

I've found in over 30 years of dealing with piezo "quack" that a lot of the problems can be eliminated by some careful EQing. It's especially a problem with a 12-string and a passive piezo. The basic nature of the piezo beast is that it tends to boost the high mids to the point of overdrive. I simply boost the lows and highs slightly while cutting the mids. I've also found adding a slight touch of compression [but sparingly, very sparingly] helps to "warm" the sound. I use a Zoom A2 and have it set so everything uses 6-band EQ instead of 3-band and have been pleased with the results.

 

[loveofjazz]

I've tried a few different preamps. Seems like the most solid preamp choice for my acoustic guitar (piezo only) or my dobro (has both a Lace Sensor and a piezo) turned out to be a tech21nyc Para Driver DI. My mandolin even sounds good through it.

 

[Jeff Ling]

You'll want an active direct box with a very high input impedance ( 3meg ohms to 10meg ohms ). The balanced low impedance out can then be connected to any standard mic pre-amp and you're good to go. The tech21nyc Para Driver mentioned in a previous post has an input impedance of 4.7 meg ohms so it should work great.

 

[Bonafide]

L. R. Baggs Para DI is a few steps above the rest in terms of sonic excellence, low-noise and tonal options for your Dobro. The Sansamp Para DI is good for some applications, it works much better for electric instruments as it is noisy in the gain stage. Adding considerable gain is a requirement for piezo pickups. I own both and I record with both but my acoustics and dobros always always go through the LR Baggs. I have experimented many many times. It is ALWAYS the baggs for Dobro or acoustic. Do a search online and you will see literally 1000s of reviews touting the sonic excellence of the Baggs from professional players. It really is all what you read about.

BTW, I do have recorded clips of my dobro using the Baggs Para Acoustic DI and an under the (biscuit) bridge pickup (highlander) mixed with a mic if you are interested.

Much respect and many blessings.