Mitch - Posted - 11/18/2024:  10:29:20

Hi all,

I have a question regarding replacing a carpenter jack on an LR Baggs Peizo Bridge.

An old friend of mine asked to build him a carpenter jack, with a 1/4 inch barrell jack but also wants to include a volume pot.

He is retired, and on a strict budget so before ordering in a whole new set up, I agreed to try and re wire his existing one for him, as the bridge is good still.

The issue I'm having is that I cannot seem to figure out how to wire it so it looks presentable like the factory version attached.

I made a prototype, which finctiosn great and am awaiting the proper mini pots in the mail, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how they neatly run all the wiring in the factory version, from the pot to the barrel jack, and have it look so clean. Pictures coming soon.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch - Posted - 11/18/2024:  10:32:31

Below is my prototype carpenter jack. The blue line represents the wire from the bridge - the black and white are the hot and ground that run to the end of the jack.

Blue = from Piezo
Black = hot and ground

I'll be using the same shielded branded wire that the LR Baggs currently has on it for all wiring.

Any thoughts on how to wire it like the next Pic in this thread?

Thanks!

 

Mitch - Posted - 11/18/2024:  10:34:41

Edit to above - info the diagram the there is no white, the black is both the ground and live.

This is my hope for an end goal, finished production for my friend.

I realize this is a mando pickup, but I'm more focused on the wiring - how are they able to come in at the barrel jack, without the wire heading to the pot first? That I can't find an answer for online anywhere short of purchasing one and disassembling it or cutting ot open and ruining it.

Thanks ya'll!

Edited by - Mitch on 11/18/2024 10:49:20

 

ChickenMan - Posted - 11/18/2024:  11:36:58

Not sure what you're asking really. Are you asking how it is so tidy?

farmerjones - Posted - 11/18/2024:  11:46:31

I searched on "piezo pickup wiring diagram."

Some are better illustrated than others, but better than I could draw.

The production model is probably board- level components, with potting poured on top. 

Edited by - farmerjones on 11/18/2024 11:59:44

Mitch - Posted - 11/18/2024:  12:00:18

quote:

Originally posted by ChickenMan

Not sure what you're asking, really. Are you asking how it is so tidy?

Hi Billy,

Yes - wording things the way you did would have made things much simpler. I'd like to know how they've wired it so tidily, but also how they've avoided running an outside line and have it all contained (possibly?) within the barrel jack.

Currently, the prototype had to be wired like this below in Photo 1 - a line into the pot and then coming right back out of the jack casing to the barrel jack. None of the factory-manufactured ones seem to do that.

I'd like to hide the wiring highlighted in pink in Photo 2 to tidy things up and have less wiring outside of the mount.

Thanks for taking the time to help me along!

Mitch

 

Mitch - Posted - 11/18/2024:  12:01:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mitch

quote:

Originally posted by ChickenMan

Not sure what you're asking, really. Are you asking how it is so tidy?

 

Hi Billy,

 

Yes - wording things the way you did would have made things much simpler. I'd like to know how they've wired it so tidily, but also how they've avoided running an outside line and have it all contained (possibly?) within the barrel jack.

 

Currently, the prototype had to be wired like this below in Photo 1 - a line into the pot and then coming right back out of the jack casing to the barrel jack. None of the factory-manufactured ones seem to do that.

 

I'd like to hide the wiring highlighted in pink in Photo 2 to tidy things up and have less wiring outside of the mount.

 

Thanks for taking the time to help me along!

 

Mitch

---

Photo 2:

 

Mitch - Posted - 11/18/2024:  12:02:43

quote:

Originally posted by farmerjones

I searched for "piezo pickup wiring diagram."

Some are better illustrated than others, but better than I could draw.

The production model is probably board-level components, with potting poured on top.

Thanks for that insight Steve - I appreciate it. I'm new to the whole wiring thing, and it's been fun, although sometimes I'm stumped like in this case. I'll read up on what you've noted and go from there!

Thanks!

Mitch

Edited by - Mitch on 11/18/2024 12:03:07

ChickenMan - Posted - 11/18/2024:  18:35:53

I suspect it's internally attached. The dotted line would be inside the unit

Edited by - ChickenMan on 11/18/2024 18:37:15

Maybe this

 

RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 11/18/2024:  19:37:14

Here is a nice article with clear diagrams about hooking up a piezoelectric transducer to a jack cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-b...diagrams/

It looks like the second "Piezo, Volume and Jack" diagram is what you want.

pete_fiddle - Posted - 11/19/2024:  13:15:41

You can cut those smoke alarm piezzo's about with some old scissors or shears, as long as the soldered terminals are ok they still work. just don't hit em with a hammer you'll get a spark Lol.

DougD - Posted - 11/19/2024:  14:16:00

Mitch, I wish I could help you more, but I've never really looked closely at a Carpenter jack. The original did not have a volume control, and they still don't do they? If the lead from the pickup goes through a hole to the pot, you could bring the output wires back out through the same hole to the jack, and use heat shrink tubing and it would look pretty neat I think. I don't know how much extra room there is in the 1/4" jack barrel, but it might be possible to drill a hole in the barrel and route the wires internally from the pot. Might take some fancy woodworking though.
As I said, the Carpenter jack doesn't hve a volume control. Here's what L R Baggs has to say, from the manual for the pickup:
"Do not put passive volume or tone controls between the pickup and the preamp; this will destroy the sound of the pickup." Its quite possible they know what they're talking about!

DougD - Posted - 11/20/2024:  15:29:56

Mitch - Don't know if you're still reading your thread, but here's a link to the violin version of the mandoin pickup you showed, with lots of photos: sweetwater.com/store/detail/VV...e-control
I think you can see how it was made. The rear of the barrel jack is pretty lumpy - there's a lot going on back there. There's also a rubber covered bundle going to the bottom of the "Carpenter jack," which is completely covered in cork. I think they bore a hole for the pot, with a smaller centered hole for the shaft, then rout a channel to the back of the ebony piece. The leads from the pickup go to the pot through the channel as well as the return to the jack. Then the whole bottom is covered with the cork.
At least that's my guess. Good luck!