Mike Christian Strat Piezo Saddles

Piezo electric vintage strat saddles installed with Bartolini preamp 7 years ago.

vintage strat

with the preamp the sound is pretty nice and rounded, but the strings all have different outputs, something I have encountered on two seperate systems. This is a bug they may or may have not worked out over the years, possibly just a matter of consitency in install and or elements.

No, maybe, I would probably get a parker or something that I can try out before I install another one of these with dubious results.

Pickup features: acoustic sound from electric guitars
Impedence or other specs: unknown

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: gary moore has a guitar with them on it.
You musical style(s): Rock, Pop, Alternative, Hard Rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to gain the benefit of acoustic sounds without having to drag an acoustic guitar to every gig.

Perceived output level: kinda lite...you definetly need to EQ and boost them. I installed the Implant preamp in the guitar just for this reason. worked well.
Tone: Pretty much what I get out of my Ovation Balladeer, not an acoustic sound exactly..but a good useable ovation-like tone.
Sonic evaluation: I tried this in all kinds of situations. You really need to use a PA or an amp made for this kind of signal. I went through the PA. Good, but a massive low end around 100hz that would eat 15s for lunch!! I tried removing it..it was so dangerous..console EQ not enuff..para EQ not enough..eventually compressed the signal and then EQ the 100hz down by about 20db. Kinda ruined the low part of the sound..but now usable without damage to speakers/monitors.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play original and cover rock,pop,reggae,alternative stuff, even 60s.

Comments: In conclusion a difficult system to work with. The signal HAS to be treated with an implant onboard preamp or similar to sound "refined". You really need a good way to amplify the sound (PA is best). The low end problem would still need to be fixed at this point. The saddles change the electric-sound a tad (about 25%). The implant requires some routing. The Jack may require some routing. You'll need a special cable to send the two signal out from the guitar. I couldn't find a repairman who had done many installations of this system..On and On... The idea is so promising. In some instances it succeds. But I am real finicky and hated losing some of the sweet bell-chime tones from my electric signal..after all my efforts. The new company that makes the Mike Christian line is real responsive to input (they returned 2 calls..both on Sundays!! thats customer service!!)..but I think this system still needs tweaking. In addition the Implant Preamp (By Bill Bartolin) is good but not great. BTW: Bill will NOT return your calls for info.But I hear other circuits can replace that one. Hopefully the new owners of the Mike Christian Line will invest the time and effort to tweak this system to perfection.. It'll be amazing once the complication,expence and boom are gone.