PiezoPickups

PiezoPickups are electroacoustic transducers that convert the vibrations of a solid object into an electrical signal through the piezoelectric effect. They are widely used to amplify acoustic and semi-acoustic instruments, including guitars, violins, cellos, and other string and percussion instruments. They offer a more natural representation of body and soundboard vibrations than many magnetic pickups.

Most PiezoPickups rely on piezoelectric materials such as ceramic PZT elements or thin films. When the sensor is stressed by the instrument’s top, bridge, or other structure, it generates an electric charge that is amplified into a usable signal. The output is inherently high impedance, so proper impedance matching and buffering are important to preserve high-frequency detail and avoid loss of clarity. Many systems include a preamplifier or buffer, either on-board or in the external electronics.

Common configurations include contact (surface) piezo pickups, which are bonded to the top or soundboard, and under-saddle pickups, which reside beneath the saddle and sense bridge-induced movement. PiezoPickups can be passive (no external power) or active (requiring power for a preamp). They are frequently paired with DI boxes or preamps to shape tone and provide adequate gain.

Advantages of PiezoPickups include wide dynamic range and faithful pickup of body and top resonance, with the flexibility to install without extensive modification in many cases. Limitations can include a bright or quacky tone if the sensor is poorly coupled, sensitivity to handling noise, and reliance on proper impedance matching and amplification to reach a natural balance in a mix.