Need some advice on guitar synth pickup

[Rossie]

I'm looking into some guitar synth pickups for my guitar(s). Been looking into the Roland GR20 + GK3 set. Anyone have any experience with them? Can I fit them on my JP? Or my other guitars for that matter, without actually needing any major modifications?

Jennifer Batten did a clinic here a few days ago, and briefly introduced her Roland synth pickup (GK-2), she had it routed in her guitar, so there are only the actually synth pickup and a switch visible.

I don't want to drill holes on my guitar...

Help?

 

[cherub]

I'm looking into some guitar synth pickups for my guitar(s). Been looking into the Roland GR20 + GK3 set. Anyone have any experience with them? Can I fit them on my JP? Or my other guitars for that matter, without actually needing any major modifications?

Jennifer Batten did a clinic here a few days ago, and briefly introduced her Roland synth pickup (GK-2), she had it routed in her guitar, so there are only the actually synth pickup and a switch visible.

I don't want to drill holes on my guitar...

Help?

Hi there, there are a number of options available to you me thinks.

1. External Roland GK3 pickup. You dont need to drill any holes into the guitar to have this and its quite easy to attach the driver and connector box with the switches/volume pot to the guitar yourself. Only issue is that you will have the connector box on the body of the guitar. Some say it takes the look of your baby, especially if you have a JP my friend !

2. Internal Roland GK3 pickup. This is similar to the one Jennifer Batten has, but you would need to get a pro engineer to set this up for you as it does involve some adjustments and drilling into the guitar for the pickup,switches, pot, 13 pin input.

3. Purchase a Ghost Hexpander system, Similar to the above but you wont need to have a synth pickup installed, just the switch's,pots etc as the signal is picked up via the Ghost saddles. Or, you don't need to have the pots,switches, if you dont want to control the sound on the guitar,just the Ghost saddles and the 13 pin connector.

4. Purchase a Roland Ready guitar( eg. Fender Strat ) where all the synth stuff is pre installed, basically same setup as Internal GK3 as above.

I have used all the options with various guitars listed above as I use a VG8, VG88 and GK33 in a studio environment and my preference is the Internal GK3 option. I am currently getting a custom made Flying V built from Les Evans Custom Guitars near to where I live in Liverpool and this is the option I have asked him to incorporate into the V.

Hope this helps you buddy !

 

[Colin]

After having owned roland and yamaha midipickup systems in the past and using midi for nearly 20 years, my advice would be try before you buy.

 

[threeminutesboy]

After having owned roland and yamaha midipickup systems in the past and using midi for nearly 20 years, my advice would be try before you buy.

ditto I have owned a GR50 and GK2 on a strat for at least ten years. I am now back to the true organic sound of the guitar This type of system is not for me anymore

 

[Rossie]

Thanks for all the inputs!

A few more questions...

The external GK-3 pickup, do I need to use something to "stick" it on my guitar?
That's the problem, I don't want to mess with my JP, so if I can install and remove the GK3 anytime I want, maybe I'll use my JP with the GK3. Just by thinking I can mix all three sounds together (piezo + magnetic PU + synth PU) excites me!

I think it's quite impossible for me to get the internal GK3. First, absolutly no drilling of my JP. Secondly, my other guitars are just loaded with stuff internally, most notably the two-battery mod I did a while ago on my EMG RG, I heard a hard time getting those batteries in them.

I was told by the salesperson that the GR20 +GK3 set is a top-of-the-line synth pickup and effects set from Roland. But judging by some research I did, and the model numbers you guys gave (GR33, GR50, VG8, VG88, I assume the higher model number denotes higher end models), is the GR20 + GK3 any good?

 

[Colin]

The external GK-3 pickup, do I need to use something to "stick" it on my guitar?

It also comes with double sided tape and suction cups

 

[cherub]

Thanks for all the inputs!

A few more questions...

The external GK-3 pickup, do I need to use something to "stick" it on my guitar?
That's the problem, I don't want to mess with my JP, so if I can install and remove the GK3 anytime I want, maybe I'll use my JP with the GK3. Just by thinking I can mix all three sounds together (piezo + magnetic PU + synth PU) excites me!

I think it's quite impossible for me to get the internal GK3. First, absolutly no drilling of my JP. Secondly, my other guitars are just loaded with stuff internally, most notably the two-battery mod I did a while ago on my EMG RG, I heard a hard time getting those batteries in them.

I was told by the salesperson that the GR20 +GK3 set is a top-of-the-line synth pickup and effects set from Roland. But judging by some research I did, and the model numbers you guys gave (GR33, GR50, VG8, VG88, I assume the higher model number denotes higher end models), is the GR20 + GK3 any good?

From what you are saying, I would go for the External GK3 with either double sided tape/velcro to stick the pickup and box to your JP and a Roland GR33, which is the most up to date Roland guitar synthesiser. GR33 is purely a guitar synth system. (eg. piano,strings,horns etc... but with a massive amount of synth & effect options). The VG8/88 are guitar/amp/effect modelling systems with specialist synth effects.

Blending the GR33 and VG88 via a Roland GP4 connection box gives some unique and amazing sounds. Imagine a Rhodes type piano sound from the GR33 blended with a 12 string Electric Acoustic sound from the VG88 !!! The GR33 and VG88 have on board volume/expression pedals so when you use these live you can control which sound you want to stand out the most !!! Just make sure you can move your feet like Michael Flatulence, the Lord Of The Dance guy though.... Ha ha ha !!!

 

[Colin]

you can easily attach it without damaging your guitar, but you may have to adjust your playing style to suit. Playing piano sounds involves playing with your fingers and no strumming...

 

[Rossie]

I have a friend that uses the GK20 +GK3 combo. He's not satisfied with it though. And he recommended me the hexaphonic pickup by RMC used in Godin guitars. Is it same with the Ghost Hexpander system?

My friend also pointed out the GK3 had some triggering problems, it's great for recording, but live use could be a chore. Jennifer Batten briefly talked about the triggering problem (briefly, because she was doing a Digitech clinic, didn't want to be kicked out for asking to much about the Roland synth pickup lol), JB said she had some triggering problems too, but this was solved by using heavier gauge bottom strings (48 on the 6th string), and normal 9s on the 1st to 3rd strings (JB said she didn't like to use heavier gauge strings because she's too lazy lol). Heavier gauge strings are easier to trigger the synth pickup, could this solve my friend's problem? Does the action affects the triggering too? As in the closer the strings are to the synth pickup, the better is would trigger it?

Thanks for all the inputs!

Just make sure you can move your feet like Michael Flatulence, the Lord Of The Dance guy though.... Ha ha ha !!!

I feel you there. I used quite some pedals in my rig before. At one point, I was looking into the GT8 and the xt LIVE. I really like what these pedals do their best respectively (amp modelling and effects), so I just got them both. I set them up by using the xt LIVE for amp modelling, and the GT8 for effects. And have quite a pedal board(s) to use live. My drummer said that my double pedalling had improved much since I got these two pedals for my live setup lol. Anyway, I ditched them after sometime, I found it extremely hard to move around/setup at gigs, now I just use the simplest of setup, Keeley modded DS1 + BOSS DD6, that's all I need for now. Building my ultimate rig in the mean time, and hope to incorporate some synth sounds.

 

[Lucidology]

You're getting loads of good advice here..

I've been using my a guitar synth for ages now...
it can really add quite a bit to your band's sound,
especially when playing without a keyboard player..

I never try to imitate piano patches or such in that vain...
(because you do have to change your technique
as Colin mentioned above & it's difficult to get it right)


The hold function is what's extremely valuable:
Using your foot you can sustain a string or synth pad (i.e. a big fat chord)
& then solo or comp over that with just your guitar sound.
Actually, the first person I ever saw do this in a trio setting was Steve Morse.

I also do lots of studio work using synth sounds....
Makes my work just a little more valuable to any client who hires me.

 

[Colin]

I never try to imitate piano patches or such in that vain...
(because you do have to change your technique
as Colin mentioned above & it's difficult to get it right)

my technique today is totally different because of trying to play synth on my guitar. I like where it has taken me, but I won't be in a hurry to get another midi pickup...