Community: Message List

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:09:37 GMT

Just an update,

The "wedge" method of GK-3 p.u. installation is still holding steady.

The Fishman Triple Play will be in Sweetwater's warehouse the week of 3/31/13.

But in the meantime, I discovered this simply amazing piece of software that works great!!!

http://www.jamorigin.com/midi-guitar/

No extra cables, etc, just the guitar of your choice, ( JTV-59 in my case), cable from guitar to audio interface, then set up in your software program. The web site provides set up instructions for a wide range of DAW.

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:02:24 GMT

The finish on the JTV-59 is indeed beautiful, but I need frequent access to the S1/S2 to switch octaves and volume knob that I don't mind the GK-3 module on the front. I'm still amazed that the installation was easier than anticipated coupled with the tracking accuracy with low latency.

I'm pretty certain that the GI-20 doesn't have a a parameter to reverse the pickup order.

In terms of triggering external MIDI sources, in my case software instruments, the now obsolete GI-20 + GK-3 smokes the GR-55. I understand that the design of the GR-55 is all about a closed-system that produces amazing results. On the other hand it's very hard to unstand why Roland would deliberately release a new product that performs unbelievably worse than one of it's very own previous designs in terms of triggering external MIDI. I was actually hoping for a release of an updated version of the GI-20 module.

At this point, this product might be a game changer if/when it actually gets released:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_nKhlmJ4EeI

Hence my dilemma in actually screwing in place the GK-3.

Cheers

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 18:35:31 GMT

The combination of the the JTV-59 with the GK-3 is "Absolutely glorious!!!"

The JTV-59 has a neck radius of 12".

The GK-3, fresh out of the packaging also has a 12" radius. No need to make any further adjustments.

String height and bridge height measurements were taken in case I really got off track. It looks like the distance from the bottom of the bridge to the body surface is 4mm. The height of the two thicker pickup spacers adhered together place the GK-3 at the recommended 1mm from the strings. Perfect! No need to fiddle around making micro adjustments.

It took me a while to realize that I couldn't attach the pickup bracket to the JTV-59 bridge. (The bracket worked great with my SG when I still had the GR-55). I used screws with a GK-2A in the past and wouldn't hesitate to use them in this case. While getting ready to do a test setup with the double-sided tape, I started thinking crazy things like maybe using a rubber band or floral wire wrapped around the the humbucker mounting ring to laterally secure the GK-3 to avoid having to use screws or the tape. As shown below, I sandwiched a thin C spacer between two thicker B spacers to fill the gap between the Bridge p.u. and GK-3, then used several of the remaining C spacers to fill the gap on the bridge side.

This is definitely not a recommended way to mount the GK-3, but it's wedged in the space very snuggly! However, a firm push can move it. I played it as is for several hours today without it ever shifting the least bit out of place.

Here's the final set up for the time being...

On the Roland GI-20, I tweaked the G2 play mode sensitivity preset, and selected the Soft Picking Play Feel preset which gives me near perfect triggering response: loud to soft dynamics, low latency, and accurate tracking with minimal false triggers.

Having access to all of the excellent Variax guitar models (the J-200 is my favorite acoustic) while being able to trigger MIDI (not necessarily at the same time) from the same guitar as good as it gets!!! I'm incredibly happy with the results.

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 16:52:42 GMT

Hi Pete,

In all seriousness, the combination of excellent singing, musicianship, and music production combined with humorous interludes is very business smart.

A guitar player friend of mine uses SampleTron and loves it.

Back in the day I went through two pieces of vinyl playing In the Court of the Crimson King. The CD ought to be more durable.

I'm hoping to have the GK-3 installed by next weekend.

Best,

Wally

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:06:23 GMT

Skeletonpete,

Your music clips sound great!!! Humerous as well.

While I do believe in the physical and mental health benefits of live music, I don't personally play live. Amp sims I use are NI Guitar Rig 5, and amps in Logic 9. Software sounds include: Komplete 8 (Kontakt, FM8 etc), MachFive 3 and instruments in Logic.

I do have a couple of good mics and an acoustic guitar, but I'm more geared for direct input recording, and more MIDI than audio.

Having the GK-3 on the variax really wil be a treat: More time focused on the music vs changing guitars, connections and such.

Thanks for checking in.

Best,

Wally

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:12:32 GMT

Thank for that useful tip.

Estimated date of arrival is 9/12-14/12.

Having Variax sounds and MIDI on the same guitar is gonna be the ultimate set up for me.

Re: External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:41:31 GMT

Thank you for confirming fit with an image.

Beautiful finish on your JTV-59.

I'll post images and a report once I finish the GK-3 set up.

Cheers

External GK-3 on a JTV-59: Will it fit?

support@line6.com — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:02:44 GMT

Has anyone installed the external Roland GK-3 pickup on a JTV-59?

I'm absolutely thrilled with the vari-ous electric and acoustic sounds on my vari-ax but want to add MIDI out to record software instruments.

Workable?

Issues?

Thanks.

Side note: I actually sold my GR-55 in order to purchase the JTV-59. Absolutely no regrets!!! Yes, the GR-55 is an amazing bundle of sound sources for the live performer. But I mostly record external MIDI sources. For that, the GR-55 was a huge disappointment. I can play MIDI bass lines on my open E and A strings using the now obsolete GI-20. Same with piano chords with open string pedal tones. Glorious! However latency on the GR-55 was a step backwards. Shame.

Re: XPS pedal and JTV59

support@line6.com — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:15:48 GMT

http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-4699/diff?secondVersionNumber=11

Being a new user, questions like yours grab my attention.

I found this from an old variax 300 Pilot's manual on line.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/25/001/430/260/DV040_PDF_Copy_149CE416-6008-4732-9AC0-E6D5DF4B8FD4.pdf

NOTE: If you have batteries installed in your Variax,

they will be bypassed when using your XPS. If the

guitar is connected to the XPS and the XPS power

is disconnected, any batteries installed in the Variax

will be drained.

My JTV handbook doesn't specifically state that.

Looks like a matter of paying attention if the battery remains in the compartment.

Re: Drain battery when not in use?

support@line6.com — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 02:13:55 GMT

Thanks for input on the battery.

The cabled power kit works great in the absence of a Pod HD. It's just a matter of keeping cable organized and out of my way. Having said that, things got a bit crazy when adding the USB workbench device to the mix to upgrade the firmware.