Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in Variax Guitars User's Group
3649 Views 13 Replies Latest reply: Aug 15, 2012 12:29 PM by google50002 RSS
mudgel Just Startin'
mudgel
4 posts since
Nov 26, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Dec 12, 2009 3:18 AM

Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

I'm in the process of buying a Variax 700 electric and want to install a Roland GK-3 Pickup system. I know the Variax's output is a TRS balanced line that provides Phantom power either from the floor pedal or even through the POD XT Live (which I also have).

 

I haven

t decided yet whether I'll use the GK-3 removable unit or install a GK-2a unit.

 

With the GK-3 its recommended to route the guitar Audio Output into the GK-3 Audio Input so you can balance between the MIDI and Audio pickups.

 

Is the GK-3 able to take the VARIAX output cable and still provide the necessary power and audio feeds? The MIDI (13 Pin) will go to an AXON AX-100 while the VARIAX audio and DVI cables will go the POD XT-Live.

 

I'm looking to minimize the number of cables needed. eg

Usually a VARIAX has its TRS cable got to the foot switch or a floor POD and the DVI goes to a POD XT-Live

 

A GK-3 can accomodate a guitar's normal audio and its MIDI in one cable going to in this case the AXON AX-100.

 

Otherwise I'm left having to run 3 cables.

1. DVI (Variax) to POD XT-Live

2. TRS (variax Audio) to POD XT-Live

3. GK-3 13 PIN to AXON AX-100

 

Any suggestions.

  • skeletonpete Just Startin'
    skeletonpete
    73 posts since
    Feb 17, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 12, 2009 7:38 AM (in response to mudgel)
    Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

    Hi -

     

    I've been doing what you're considering for several years with my VAX 600>Pod XTL combo mounted with GK3 which drives a Roland GR33. It has really helped flesh out the sound of the trio I play with.

     

    Unless I misunderstand your goals, you can forgo the TRS-XPS connection completely since the VDI>XTL powers the Variax. Two cables coming off the guitar is not so unmanageable on stage. I use some Radio Shack cable wrap to keep them together and unknotted.

     

    BTW, I never put the guitar sound through the GK3, I treat the output of the XTL and GR33 as two separate instruments and mix them live by ear throughout the show. I have no backline (amp) or monitors, I'm using the FR/FF Bose L1 PAS system, which affords me the opportunity to hear exactly what the audience is hearing as far as my place in the mix goes and the balance of guitar versus synth.

     

    If you're curious, hit my band's website and give a listen to the promos on our "media page". Everything there was recorded using the routine outlined above.

     

    Hope this is of some help.

     

    Best,

    Pete

    http://www.dancehalfdone.com

    • trouthead54 Just Startin'
      trouthead54
      57 posts since
      May 10, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 12, 2009 12:04 PM (in response to skeletonpete)
      Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

      With considerable hacking, you could get this whittled down to just the 13 pin, but like I say it would need a significant amount of work with someone with the right nous.

       

      A 13 way middi guitar cable  supplies +7V & -7V @100mA...but a variax needs +7V @400mA (give or take), therefore you could conceivably upgrade the 7V regulator in your Axon (and likely the PSU for the Axon!) & have the +7V needed by the Variax supplied down the 13 Pin. The output from the Variax could go down the 13 pin too.

       

      There aren't many people with sufficient knowledge to pull that kind of cunning stunt off though!

       

      Therefore unless you know one of those few, the best you can likely hope for is two cables to your Variax - eg your TRS & 13 pin.  It's still need a little bit of hacking to breakout the Variax output into your 13 pin (GK3 'instrument in')- most guitar techs with a head on their shoulders should be able to suss that one though.

    • harlanlampert Just Startin'
      harlanlampert
      10 posts since
      Feb 8, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 27, 2009 4:46 AM (in response to skeletonpete)
      Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

      Which kind of installation did you to with the GK-3 and your 600.   I think I see from the instructions that you can attach in to the bridge and the circuit board unit to the strap peg on the bottom.  Did you do it this way?

       

      Also I'm not sure I understand about the need to connect the piezo with the hex pups.  Can't you just set it up as two totally separate chains.  600 to xtlive   and  GK-3 to the midi converter/synth (I'm not sure which one to get).

       

      As for the last part...(which one to get) any thoughts on Roland vs Axon.

       

       

      Harlan

      • skeletonpete Just Startin'
        skeletonpete
        73 posts since
        Feb 17, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Dec 27, 2009 10:40 AM (in response to harlanlampert)
        Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

        I used the bracket style installation. (see photos) I had it done by my guitar tech when I first brought the VAX in for set-up, fret dressing, nut adjustment, but it is easily do-able without tech knowledge. The attached photos show how it's installed on my 600.

         

        As I outlined above, I use a simple two cable system. DVI to XTL (which powers the VAX as well) and a 13 pin to Roland GR33. Those separate outputs are routed to two different inputs on a Bose L1 Classic PAS system and mixed by ear (by me) on stage. It has proved a successful solution for me, though not without it's "tap-dancing" requirements during a show. That's simply based on how intricate I want to get with guitar and synth changes during the course of a song.

         

        I have no experience with the Axon system but can tell you that the Roland GR33 has met all my needs patch-wise in my cover bands over the last 8+ years. If I were to have to replace it I'm not sure which of the current choice of solutions I'd choose. I have considered VG-99 but prefer Line 6's guitar emulations to Roland's. If next iteration of VG incorporates the GR33 sounds then I may rethink. In the meantime I'm waiting to see what Line 6 has up its sleeve for VAX2.

         

        Hope some of this is helpful.

         

        Best,

        Pete

        Attachments:
        • harlanlampert Just Startin'
          harlanlampert
          10 posts since
          Feb 8, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Dec 27, 2009 11:17 AM (in response to skeletonpete)
          Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

          Pete     

           

          Great pix...thanks....looks like you need one hole on the bottom  to attach the electronics.

           

          I'm not sure how the pick-up is attached.  On the Roland website it looks like there is a piece that will attach to the bridge posts...did you do it that way?

           

          Thanks, Harlan

          • skeletonpete Just Startin'
            skeletonpete
            73 posts since
            Feb 17, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Dec 27, 2009 11:49 AM (in response to harlanlampert)
            Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

            No additional drilling is required for the bracket. The other screw you see is what holds the bracket bottom and top together tightly to the guitar. The bracket is slotted to fit underneath your end-pin. This has been problematic with Schaller strap lock system, since the supplied replacement screw is thinner than the hole already drilled in the Vax. It has worked itself loose on a couple of occasions.

             

            As you can see from attached photo, we used the screw on method for the pickup itself. It just misses having to be screwed through the pick guard. Considering the electronics underneath the pick guard I'd never do that on a VAX.

             

            Best,

            Pete

            Attachments:
            • harlanlampert Just Startin'
              harlanlampert
              10 posts since
              Feb 8, 2009
              Currently Being Moderated
              Dec 28, 2009 1:56 PM (in response to skeletonpete)
              Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

              Pete

               

              So, despite what the manual says...you were able to get the pickup attached to the posts on the bridge without drilling with the Vax 600.  Just want to make sure before I go ahead and spring for it.

               

              Have you made any adjustments to the bridge, like raising it to get it to work?

               

              It's difficult to make sense of this with conflicting opinions.  So pardon my persistance.

               

              Harlan

              • skeletonpete Just Startin'
                skeletonpete
                73 posts since
                Feb 17, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                Dec 28, 2009 3:19 PM (in response to harlanlampert)
                Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

                harlanlampert wrote:

                 

                Pete

                 

                So, despite what the manual says...you were able to get the pickup attached to the posts on the bridge without drilling with the Vax 600.  Just want to make sure before I go ahead and spring for it.

                 

                Have you made any adjustments to the bridge, like raising it to get it to work?

                 

                It's difficult to make sense of this with conflicting opinions.  So pardon my persistance.

                 

                Harlan

                Harlan -

                 

                Just so we're on the same page jargon wise, let's call the piece that goes under the strings "the Pick-up" and the piece that attaches to the back of the guitar "the Controller".

                 

                "The Pick-up" required drilling to attach to my VAX 600. See attached photo.

                 

                "The Controller" required no additional drilling to hold it to the body, it clamps on with the supplied bracket.

                 

                Best,

                Pete

                Attachments:
                • harlanlampert Just Startin'
                  harlanlampert
                  10 posts since
                  Feb 8, 2009
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  Dec 28, 2009 5:04 PM (in response to skeletonpete)
                  Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

                  Pete  -  Thanks again.  NOW I get it!  Circles and arrows in pictures make it clear.  Now, I just need to figure out if I want to do this...perhaps I can just try with the tape at first and see how well it tracks...see if it works as an accurate midi controller.  My techniques is probably good and clean enough to just need some tweaking for my end of it...wondering aloud if you can adjust the height of the 'pick-up' part to get it properly positioned beneath the strings.

                   

                  Harlan

          • skeletonpete Just Startin'
            skeletonpete
            73 posts since
            Feb 17, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Dec 27, 2009 12:04 PM (in response to harlanlampert)
            Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

            BTW,

             

            Yes there was a "platform" supplied with GK3 pickup that fits to the bridge stands and allows it to be properly attached to a Les Paul's curved top without any drilling required. That did not work for the VAX 600 - not enough room under the strings to accommodate. Not sure how this will apply to a VAX 700 electric.

             

            Pete

          • Hey_Joe Iknowathingortwo
            Hey_Joe
            606 posts since
            Jan 24, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Dec 27, 2009 12:19 PM (in response to harlanlampert)
            Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

            harlanlampert wrote:

             

            On the Roland website it looks like there is a piece that will attach to the bridge posts...did you do it that way?

             

            Thanks, Harlan

            I have been following this thread and have close to the same set up as skeletonpete.

            I use mine with the X3L but that's another story.

            That bridge post piece is for attaching the p/u to Les Pauls

             

            "Owners of Les Paul-type guitars can install the GK-3 safely
            without drilling using a special attachment plate included in the box."

            see page 2 of the GR-20 brochure I have attached

             

            I typed this up before I saw that skeletonpete answered the question but I'll post anyway

            It took me awhile to find it in print.

            Attachments:
  • JimboTN Just Startin'
    JimboTN
    1 posts since
    Jan 5, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 4, 2011 11:59 PM (in response to mudgel)
    Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

    Well, re-read everything and MY question was answered at the very front of this thread...which I somehow missed in the excitement of finding it and reading through all the excellent input.

    Thanks to everyone who so long ago (in internet relativity) provided such excellent, pertinent, and just plain good stuff for we who follow...

     

    JimboTN  Always in a "Volunteer State" of Mind

  • google50002 Just Startin'
    google50002
    13 posts since
    Oct 2, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 15, 2012 12:29 PM (in response to mudgel)
    Re: Variax 700 Electric (new) and GK-3 MIDI Pickup

    Hi evryone

    I have a couple of questions.

    I have bought and install the GK-3 Pickup pn my variax 700. i have connected my guitar to 1/4 jack with cabele that been in the box and connected to GR-55.

    but when i put my GK pickup to Guitar position i don't here any sound from my guita.

    1) do i need a preamp or maybe the signal is to low? (I'm usiing baterys)

    2)I connect my guitar as a midi to computer to run a virtual instruments like base and pino and so on. but when i bending the string an my guitar nothing chenging in virtusl instrument.

       how can i setup my GK pickup to bend the noutes in the program? (i'm using kontakt)

     

    Please help me!!!!!

     

    Thanks.

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)