Igor gets the Blues, The FrankenLab Reso Project.

[Simon Barden]

You can get endpin jack pre-amps, which you should be able to fit inside quite easily, though they don't have an adjustable volume control. The Graphtec Ghost pre-amp would be ideal, as it's designed for accepting both a magnetic and piezo input. It comes with a 'summing board' for summing individual Graphtec piezo saddle signals (such as Ghost saddles fitted to a Strat), but you can ignore that and just wire to the piezo input directly.

I'll link to the web page and the manual.

http://www.graphtech.com/products/br...e-56e990a16102

http://graphtech.com/docs/default-do...l.pdf?sfvrsn=0

It's not particularly cheap but it is compact and should fit inside the control cavity (maybe with a touch of enlarging). You can use the basic model and add the pots and extra switches yourself (you can solder the connections to the header pin arrangement) http://bmusic.com.au/index.php?main_...ucts_id=3481or there is a more expensive kit with the switches and a piezo volume pot included (you use your own magnetic pickup volume and tone pots). http://bmusic.com.au/index.php?main_...oducts_id=3482

Or you might find something really cheap on eBay you can modify.

[nitroburner1000]

You can get endpin jack pre-amps, which you should be able to fit inside quite easily, though they don't have an adjustable volume control. The Graphtec Ghost pre-amp would be ideal, as it's designed for accepting both a magnetic and piezo input. It comes with a 'summing board' for summing individual Graphtec piezo saddle signals (such as Ghost saddles fitted to a Strat), but you can ignore that and just wire to the piezo input directly.

I'll link to the web page and the manual.

http://www.graphtech.com/products/br...e-56e990a16102

http://graphtech.com/docs/default-do...l.pdf?sfvrsn=0

It's not particularly cheap but it is compact and should fit inside the control cavity (maybe with a touch of enlarging). You can use the basic model and add the pots and extra switches yourself (you can solder the connections to the header pin arrangement) http://bmusic.com.au/index.php?main_...ucts_id=3481or there is a more expensive kit with the switches and a piezo volume pot included (you use your own magnetic pickup volume and tone pots). http://bmusic.com.au/index.php?main_...oducts_id=3482

Or you might find something really cheap on eBay you can modify.

So to need a preamp that would make the piezo active, yea? So you would think the factory would include a small preamp and pre routed cavity to match or just send a passive piezo, am i correct?

[nitroburner1000]

So I spent a fair amount and f time addressing the other issues.
Firstly, the pup lead through hole for the bridge piezo.


So I drilled through adjacent or as near as possible to where the spider leg will sit, so that the lead can be run along that leg and not just flop down into the cone.


To get It through I had to use a long series 1/8” bit but it did the job.



Then I turned my attention to the lead hole for the neck pup.



I used an 8mm auger bit for this, thankfully the standard bit was long enough to get all the way through.



So this also highlighted that I will need to extend the lead, as it won’t reach the control cavity as is.

I will also have to look at how to connect the piezo, as it has a little stereo jack end, not bare wires, and there is no instruction as to how this should connect or operate with the controls.


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Wow this is very poor for a new kit, to have soo many faults, and it looks so cool, one for me to steer away from. Good luck Franken, if anyone can do it , you can.

[Simon Barden]

Have you let Adam know about all these issues? I doubt he's got time to read all the forum threads. It's not a kit PBG should be selling in its current state - certainly not as an 'everything included' kit.

[FrankenWashie]

I will do that Simon, you make a good point. The intent wasn’t so much to trash the kit as it was to highlight the workarounds. I can shall get an email off to Adam re the whoopsies I have found, though o may leave out the whoopsies I am in the process of creating.😁🤪

[Guvna19]

the frankenlab's attention to detail is inpirational to see, will be watching this build in awe. wise words from simon too

[Simon Barden]

At the very least it should be referred to as a kit for experienced builders only, with a need to purchase a few extra items to complete to your own taste.

[FrankenWashie]

So the unrecessed cover is now recessed, but still in need of a little finessing.


I was considering what to do about the pre amp, when I remembered something I had eBayed after getting inspired by Robin..



However this one won’t work as it is designed for a full bodied acoustic, and my Reso is a wee bit skinnier.
We shall continue to ponder.....


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[Simon Barden]

This one Keith Walters found looks very thin, certainly thin enough to fit in the body, but it may be far too wide for the amount of flat real estate you have left.

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...l=1#post162786

[nitroburner1000]

Are these any good, they are very small.




Small writing reads.........Applying the BTL circuit could generate higher output (2.5 W) than the other similar products (less than 1 W)
LED, Head Phone Jack can be installed without any additional parts.
Trimmer controls the gain in a low frequency range, allows you can control Clean and Heavy drive sound.
The Power push/pull switch volume and the SMT (Surface Mount Technology) take up very little space to make installation easy.
Various version for the various installation.

Applications : Electric Guitars and Electric Basses