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1657 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Apr 23, 2010 9:49 PM by Now_and_Then RSS
robmorley Just Startin'
robmorley
5 posts since
Mar 16, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Oct 19, 2009 2:22 AM

Synth Controller?

Does anyone know if it is possible to use a Variax guitar to run a Roland guitar synth? As I understand it, both the Variax and the Roland GK2A/GK3 use hex pickups, so I would have thought that it was possible to get a lead with the Variax connector at one end and the midi connector at the other, or maybe I'm just being too logical here. The reason I ask is this, I have a Variax guitar (or at least will have when it comes back from repair) and have just bought a Roland GR30 guitar synth, in order to use the synth I will have to get a GK2a/GK3 midi/hex pickup and fit it to my guitar, but why when the Variax already uses a hex pickup system? Is there any reason why the 2 systems would be incompatable? So does anyone know

a) if it's possible?

b) if there is an after-market lead already available to connect the Variax to the synth, if so how can I get one?

c) if it is possible but there isn't a commercially available lead, does anyone know the 'pin-out' configurations so that I can knock one up myself?

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and in advance for any help offered.

 

Rob

  • Hey_Joe Iknowathingortwo
    Hey_Joe
    600 posts since
    Jan 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 19, 2009 4:31 AM (in response to robmorley)
    Re: Synth Controller?

    You would have to mod the bridge with one of these and add the 13 pin seen here

    http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?CategoryID=2

    GraphTech ghost pickup systems

    I just put a GK-3 on to make it simple.

    • trouthead54 Just Startin'
      trouthead54
      57 posts since
      May 10, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 9, 2009 5:18 PM (in response to Hey_Joe)
      Re: Synth Controller?

      I did this very thing a year or two ago - it was quite a hack & not for the faint of heart (certainly not a beginner's project).

       

      it involved tapping off the hex piezo signals just after the Variax mainboard opamps & then level adjusting them to suit my Axon unit (they signal was to hot & needed taming a little) - it worked well, but alas I never documented it properly (you may find an old post of mine outlining the pins involved on the old Variax group.

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