Journey OF660 with Hyvibe install

[gearhound]

Thought I would share

Tired of hauling the tonewood (and it don't work so good for CF) so decided to get the hyvibe
You might ask why its reversed....well it only fits in a very certain spot with the curves and the cable install to the unit was a NIGHTMARE with the off to the side sound hole and it facing the "normal" way.....in the end I actually prefer it like this as its more natural with tilting my head to see it.

The acctuator install is a little tricky because inside there are all these "spikes" on certain parts of the soundboard unfortunately but I got it as close to the bridge as I could.

Overall very happy!

[gearhound]

moar pics!
See the tricky part with the cables...having the connectors not so **** close to the install edge would have been nice lol

Gearhound;

That's very interesting. I've liked the Journey CF offerings but have always felt the company short-changes itself with its limited electronics. You've demonstrated one alternate possibility, it seems like there should be a number of possibilities available with special orders.

And, are you happy with the sound?

[gearhound]

Originally Posted by EvanB

Gearhound;

That's very interesting. I've liked the Journey CF offerings but have always felt the company short-changes itself with its limited electronics. You've demonstrated one alternate possibility, it seems like there should be a number of possibilities available with special orders.

And, are you happy with the sound?

Hi Evan,
I always found the tonewood wasn't the best for the CF and you could have a little bit "underwater" sound sometimes. This isn't the cleanest sound but for me its more for backpacking/hostel enviroment etc (which pretty much is over now anyway with COVID ) but I'm pretty happy with the extra vol/effects and onboard tuner!

One thing I will note for anyone considering it is the bridge saddle is quite shallow sitting in the slot when the pickup is installed...I did have a little string balance issue at first but used a little cell tape now no issue.

It was quite an install mainly due to not having a place to do it! I tried at the back of my apartment block but cutting and drilling the CF was quite loud so I went down the carpark

I looked like something out of mad max with a mask/gloves etc cutting into this thing

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by gearhound

It was quite an install mainly due to not having a place to do it! I tried at the back of my apartment block but cutting and drilling the CF was quite loud so I went down the carpark

I looked like something out of mad max with a mask/gloves etc cutting into this thing

LOL- I like your description of wrecking the CF. You are a madman for taking on such a task indeed. It looks really good!

I'm curious what that set up sounds like though- can you post a video maybe?

Oh, and you meant "parking lot" right

[Aspiring]

Very cool. I have a Journey RT660 that I quite like except that it is on the quiet side.

I have a Tonewood on it which helps some but as you mention has some limitations.

How is the acoustic volume increase in the guitar vs the Tonewood?

A Barbera or K&K pickup would avoid the problem of a saddle pickup. Those are not offered by Journey and I was hesitant to do the install myself.

[mountainmaster]

Alistair mentioned in a video that he was considering an HyVibe option for the Emerald 3D builder. I hope he will have some demos once that happens.

[gearhound]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

LOL- I like your description of wrecking the CF. You are a madman for taking on such a task indeed. It looks really good!

I'm curious what that set up sounds like though- can you post a video maybe?

Oh, and you meant "parking lot" right

sorry yes a parking lot! It doesn't help its a few blocks from the police station and there are unsavory types around the area....one random guy pulled over
and asked what I was doing and when he saw the guitar he knew lol

I'll see if I can upload a vid

Originally Posted by Aspiring

Very cool. I have a Journey RT660 that I quite like except that it is on the quiet side.

I have a Tonewood on it which helps some but as you mention has some limitations.

How is the acoustic volume increase in the guitar vs the Tonewood?

I think its very close if not louder with the tonewood, another thing is if you really boost the gain it almost becomes this wild electric/acoustic hybrid and you can get a almost controlled feedback off it......its a lot of fun!

Originally Posted by mountainmaster

Alistair mentioned in a video that he was considering an HyVibe option for the Emerald 3D builder. I hope he will have some demos once that happens.

Thats a pro and con about Emerald....they do some really cool updates but it sucks if you were an early buyer! I would have loved a pinless bridge in my chimaera ...I also updated the pickup system as I found the b-band was noisy as hell

[katwel]

interesting thing, i consider to install the hyvibe sstem in my of660 too.
What you did with the original pickup? are you still pleased with the result after this longer period?
I see you are using power pins. do the strings dont falling off when the neck is removed?