50M input impedance buffer?

[takodabut]

Has anyone done design on very high impedance preamp buffers? I'm need to create a 50M input impedance buffer for a guitar pickup preamp. I haven't found a FET that is a good fit, and the chip options have been either way to low or extremely high impedance.

Much thanks.

[Nico Ras]

Originally posted by takodabut
Has anyone done design on very high impedance preamp buffers? I'm need to create a 50M input impedance buffer for a guitar pickup preamp. I haven't found a FET that is a good fit, and the chip options have been either way to low or extremely high impedance.

Much thanks.

The best method is to put the pre-amp at the pick-up and power it over the long lead, then the whole system is low impedance and not prone to noise.

Nico

[Terry Demol]

Originally posted by takodabut
Has anyone done design on very high impedance preamp buffers? I'm need to create a 50M input impedance buffer for a guitar pickup preamp. I haven't found a FET that is a good fit, and the chip options have been either way to low or extremely high impedance.

Much thanks.

What is the specific application? Most hi Z gtr pickups like 1M.

cheers

T

[Speedskater]

It's hard to build a 50Meg input amplifier. Leakage resistance everywhere. You need special wire, p.c. board material and every thing needs to be cleaned with alcohol then de-ionized water.

[Bo Hansén]

Takodabut,


Do a experiment and build this very simple FET impedance converter, http://web.telia.com/~u31617586/
and use a good JFET as 2SK170 Y, GR or BL.
(there are other good JFET as 2SK30, 2SK68, 2SK163 or the old workhorse 2N3819)

Change the orginal 1 megohm gate bias resistor to a 50 megohm, and I think it will work for you.

You can build it in a small metal "mint box" or similar, and use a very short cable (some decimeter) direct to your guitar mic connector, and from the FET amp output you can have some meters cable to your usual DI-box or amp input.

Of course there are more complex and better hi-ohm circuits, with a input FET connected in a cascode or bootstrap configuration.
(can bee find in capacitor microphones when the capsule front end amp impedance must be 500 megohms and up)


--Bo

[takodabut]

I am building a preamp/EQ for a B-Band piezo undersaddle guitar pickup. This particular type of pickup has very high output impedance.

[Bo Hansén]

Takodabut,

I think 10 megohms is normal input impedance for a piezo microphone, but try with different "gate bias resistors" (10 to 100 megohm) on my JFET buffer, and check if you can here any different.

--Bo

[mlloyd1]

i was going to suggest a bootstrapped jfet follower , but it looks like bo has already mentioned that.
are you really sure you want that high of an input z?

mlloyd1

[Terry Demol]

Originally posted by takodabut
I am building a preamp/EQ for a B-Band piezo undersaddle guitar pickup. This particular type of pickup has very high output impedance.

B-Band already make pre amps for their pickups don't they?

T

[takodabut]

Thank you to all who responded. Bo, thank you in particular for your analysis and circuit. I will try your JFET buffer.

Yes, B-Band does have a preamp available for their pickups. I have a goal of building as much of my gigging gear as possible. This is what I meant by "I need to". By building gear for myself and friends, I'm learning about construction that needs to work in rough environments. I find it satisfying to perform using gear that I've built myself.