Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Alex, Nov 11, 2005.

  1. I hear a lot about piezo switches and pups and what not and I have no idea what it is. some1 please fill me in :crying:
  2. Certain crystals produce voltages across themselves when a mechanical stress is applied, or alternatively deform when a voltage is applied. In the case of a piezo bridge pickup, the string rests on a piezo electric crystal (of the bridge itself could be on the crystal) and the vibration of the string causes a mechanical stress on the crystal, which responds by generating a voltage. These crystals are also commonly used to make tweeters, which work in the opposite way. A voltage is applied across the crystal, which deforms it, and this is used to moved a speaker cone.