Piezo pickup

A pickup that generates a signal from the mechanical pressure of a vibrating element, rather than from a magnetic field, so it works with any string material.

Most commonly it is a thin strip under the saddle of an acoustic guitar, where the strings' pressure changes as they vibrate and the crystal produces a voltage. The sound is immediate and articulate but also harder and more even than a magnetic pickup, with a strong upper midrange that can become harsh; because it senses the saddle rather than the string, low-end thump and a slightly artificial attack are typical. Blending it with a microphone or an internal magnetic pickup is the usual fix.

Example: an under-saddle piezo on an acoustic needs the low end trimmed before it stops sounding quacky.

Piezo pickup

See also