Variax 500 piezo on G string issues

[gnostiquette]

I'm having a very specific problem with the G-string piezoelectric pickup on my Variax 500. Much of the time, the signal goes dead; there is no sound coming from it. However, after pressing down on it, for a few seconds to a few minutes the sound will return, but it will then get fuzzy and fade out to nothing again. This started a week or two ago. Is this a grounding issue, a signal wire issue, or something entirely different? And how can it be fixed?

 

Thanks!

[silverhead]

It's likely a dirty contact point in the saddle where the piezo sits or a failing piezo. Try moving the string aside and applying some electronic contact cleaner to the piezo surface, If that doesn't resolve things you may need to replace the piezo - sometimes they fail.

 

If replacing one I would replace the whole set; the rest may not be far behind in terms of failure. Contact Line 6 for availability.

 

 

[psarkissian]

For original Variax piezos,...

https://www.fullcompass.com/prod/114557-line-6-11-11-0001-piezo-pickup-for-variax-300-500-700

 

[janjanjan]

Or put in Ghost saddles. A bit tricky to solder but this will give proper ground and improved improved sound quality for each string. https://graphtech.com/collections/ghost-pickup-systems-guitar-saddle

[amiroliez]

I replace dead piezo with diy piezo built from acoustic piezo then i cut, it working perfectly