Q and A

My Puck'n Stompa sometimes slips around while I'm playing it. If you don't want to purchase a Megastomp stand, here's a trick! Instead of using a roll of Gaffa tape to stick it to the floor, you can use a small carpet square or mat (preferably with loop pile) along with some Velcro. Stick two Velcro pieces together, creating a strip or coin with hooks on both sides. Secure this to the carpet and place your Puck'n Stompa on top. It will stay in place, and you can easily remove it when needed.

Will using Blue-Tack mark my guitar? While Blue-Tack itself won't mark your guitar, leaving it permanently in one position may cause the area under the pickup to fade differently from the rest of the guitar. To prevent this, make sure to move the pickup every few weeks or months, depending on the age of your guitar (newer guitars fade quicker) and whether it's exposed to sunlight or stored away.

I'm experiencing feedback issues with the Peterman piezo guitar pickup when using my Acoustic Amp. This problem often occurs when the amp input is too hot for the already sensitive Peterman pickups. The input signal is too loud, resulting in high-frequency distortion and feedback. The solution is to use an attenuator. No preamp is required since the signal is already too loud. You can find an adjustable attenuator available here: [link].

More on feedback: Feedback occurs when the sound from the amp is directed back towards your instrument, resulting in amplified vibrations and a howling sound. The nature of the Peterman piezo pickup is to make the guitar part of the pickup itself. When unattached to the guitar, the pickup doesn't produce any sound. Unlike vocal microphones, the piezo bug needs to be attached to the soundboard, effectively turning the guitar into part of the microphone. While these pickups offer a natural sound, they can also be prone to feedback.

To minimize feedback, follow these suggestions:

  • Treble feedback is highly directional, so try moving slightly away from or facing away from the sound source (speaker) to avoid it. This can also be effective for midrange feedback.
  • Note that most guitar amplifiers are midrange-focused and often have open backs, which can be problematic for this type of pickup. Closed-back amplifiers with a flat frequency response, such as keyboard amps or PAs, are preferred.
  • Avoid sitting directly in front of your amp, as it's more important for the audience to hear the full sound. If you need to hear yourself, consider using a small foldback speaker at ear level or using an earphone.
  • For open-back amps, you can place a pillow or similar object in the back to reduce sound escaping.
  • Experiment with different amps, preferably ones designed for acoustic guitars rather than electric guitar amps.
  • Position the pickups as close to the bridge as possible and play harder and louder to minimize the need for amplification.
  • Avoid using excessive compression or use it sparingly.
  • Use an equalizer to adjust problem frequencies.
  • Try using a feedback destroyer, which can be a rubber plug placed in the soundhole or an electronic device that targets and suppresses feedback.
  • Some players reduce feedback by filling their guitar with old "T" shirts or similar materials.
  • Explore different positions for the pickups to find the optimal balance between volume and feedback.
  • If you're using a specific acoustic guitar amp, try different inputs. These pickups work well in line inputs (not XLR) as well as Hi-Z inputs, although the latter can sometimes be too "hot" for the Peterman pickup, causing unwanted compression and feedback.
  • Avoid using distortion effects or effects that compress and limit the sound, as they can accentuate low notes and contribute to distortion and feedback.
  • Keep the line-in trim fairly low and adjust the master volume accordingly, ensuring the signal is slightly below the range of the preamp. You can follow the old trick of turning it up until the red lamp comes on and then dialing it back a bit more.
  • Make sure your pickups are securely mounted and not too loose. They should make contact with the soundboard in the center only. If the entire pickup is in contact, it can result in volume loss and increased amp gain, leading to more feedback.

If you have discovered other solutions, please let me know, and I'll include them in future lists. Good luck!

Best regards,

Peter Sesselmann