cigar box pickup?

[circuit_breaker]

I'm wanting to try building my first stompbox out of a cigar box, then move on to a more nicer box of custom wood. My question obviously is about the pickup, what type of pickup is the most efficient for the stompbox?

[ACS]

Hi circuit, not sure what you're asking here...  but at a guess, are you talking about a literal 'stomp' box? as in one that you stomp your foot on to produce a percussive sound for amplification?  If so, have got some ideas for you...

FYI 'stomp box' in the context we use it here refers to any floor based guitar effect; for example a distortion or fuzz, or perhaps a delay or chorus unit...

Let us know what you're after, and we'll see what we can come up with

Aidan

[circuit_breaker]

Yes, that is exactly what I was referring to(the percussion stompbox). Sorry about the misunderstanding and thank you for clearing up the site meaning.

[ACS]

Easy 

You're after a basic 'piezo' speaker or buzzer - these sell for a dollar or two at most electronics stores.  Here's one from Mouser that could be suitable.

At it's most basic level, you need to break the piezo out of its plastic casing, then epoxy it to the inside of your box - hook up the wires to a 1/4" socket and you've got an instant stomper.  From there you can get more clever with it...

For example, I've made one that is a flat board about 300mm x 300mm, with the piezo on the underside in the middle.  The whole thing sits on neoprene (mousepad/wetsuit material) to give it some 'give', some protection and also stop it from slipping too much on the floor.  I've also added a passive tone circuit (basically a low-pass filter) to drop some of the top end out as required...

Easy build, very useful

[circuit_breaker]

Outstanding. I truly appreciate your advice.

[circuit_breaker]

One further question. What is the basic difference between 100dB / 108dB, and the rest. I'm looking for a very bassy sound(which i know alot of it comes from the amp, but what would apply to my want?

[petemoore]

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/dB.html
 "db explained" brought a google search with this and other links.

[circuit_breaker]

Thank you for the info on dB. Since I'm new to making these what would you suggest for this occasion of a cigar box or small wood box?

[petemoore]

  Whatever you've got [at your risk of your equipment].
 Try a hifi speaker, watchguard the level and attack strength, these speaker as microphone devices may have amazing dynamic range and output, one hard pop and the cone/coil can send one whompin' input to your amplifier/speaker used to amplify the speaker=microphone output.
 The response is not flat, the range isn't extended [maybe toward the bass side].
 Depends on the speaker, what it's being used to pickup, orientations, the amp used to amplify it's output, other things, like I say watch you don't cause some kind of damage with 1 big hit, also was nice to have a kill switch or volume control handy because as a Mic, feedback @ volume is a possibility.
  Pretty interesting electric drum with just the speaker played with the fingers, brush and soft tapping techniques.

[jimbeaux]

Is this what you're wanting to build?

(scroll down for a youtube demo)

http://www.baba.com.au/stompbox.html

+ some Pic's & DIY instructions:

http://hooksandladders.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/making-a-stomp-box-the-instructions/

[jimbeaux]

Another demo (using a bass pickup w/ controls & recycled license plate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QsUOFgSwtI&feature=related