Cannibalizing Piezos

[St Ginger]

I've got my eye on an under the bridge style piezo: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UKULELE-BRIDGE-PICK-UP-PIEZO-/18096100381...

But i don't have the real estate in my cello body to fit a preamp. does anyone reckon it would be possible to cut off the 2.5mm jack on this guy and get at the wires, then just solder them straight to the jack. I can then run it straight to the amp if its strong enough, or through a pedal that should boost the signal.

what do you reckon? thanks a lot

[Bruce Ferrero]

I just built my first CBG with one of these under the bridge. I cut the connector off and soldered the lead to the volume pot.  the center wire is + and the shield is -.  Works good with no preamp. I cut a slot in the top of the box and put the pickup in the slot and have a brass bar for the saddle resting on top. I have no experience with a cello, though.  I used this pickup from  CBGitty  https://www.cbgitty.com/cubecart/1pc-ukulele-rod-piezo-pickup.html  
i

[Randy S. Bretz]

  This bridge has a rod under the arched bone saddle, soldered directly to the input jack 

[St Ginger]

excellent. thanks randy for all your help, your design shows definite proof of concept. and thanks for the info bruce. i needed to know the polarities and don't have a multimeter.

the guy selling them said i wouldn't be able to dismantle the cable, but i had a suspicion he just didn't know how sneaky we are :D

[Randy S. Bretz]

I cut down rods all the time...a pair of sidecutters and snip it on the side of the rod...what i have is one of those special input jacks for the rod plugs. Then when i snip the rod shorter i can test it out right away by just tapping on it. If it doesn`t work i know to just resquare the cut end with pliers and that works. The shortest rod i ever made was 1 1/4" long for this 2 stringer...plus it`s one hell of a neat bridge...lol

[Bruce Ferrero]

You're welcome