Anyone put a midi pickup in thier acoustic?

[Jakespenart]

Thinking about doing it and looking for ideas.

[MikeTX]

Yep - I have a Gretsch Jumbo Westerner that I had the Roland synth pickup kit permanent install done. Works great. Not a very expensive guitar, my "work" guitar, so I didn't mind drilling the holes, etc.

Did it on a Taylor also, regretted that a little bit...

[jackstrat]

I attached a GK-3 roland pickup to my Babicz Tribeca. Used the tape to attach it. Works great.

Jack

[deepnback]

Yep, I got an RMC Pickup in my Ayas. Check
http://www.rmcpickup.com/
Works wonderful. Also a great normal guitars sound!

[dcopper]

I use a Roland GK2 and GK3 on two of my T5s. I just used the tape and it was a perfect fit. The tracking is amazing. Easy install since there were no mods involved. The mounting fit on the end pin and sits nicely on the guitar.
Fun stuff.
davidc

[trion12]

I am using a GK-3 mounted on a Martin OM-28 to drive a Roalnd GR-33 synth. Works fine but I found that using PB strings that I could not get enough signal into the pickup from all strings as the radius of the pickup and the radius of the saddle are different so the low E and A strings in particular were a bit too far from the pickup. I have put DR Zebra strings on the guitar and that has solved the problem and tracking is now much better, but that has been at the cost of less impressive acoustic sound. It's a trade-off I can live with.

Originally Posted by deepnback

Yep, I got an RMC Pickup in my Ayas. Check
http://www.rmcpickup.com/
Works wonderful. Also a great normal guitars sound!

I have been thinking of putting an RMC into the Martin but have been reluctant due to the bridge modifications required. I am told that it tracks better than any other midi pickup but I have little experience playing one.

My other concern is how those RMC saddles affect unplugged acoustic tone and how the amplified sound of the RMC sounds for normal steel string amplification.

Aaron

[Jakespenart]

Thanks! I am finding that this is a difficult subject to find info on. Thinking about picking up a GR-20 w/GK-3 pickup.

[magwa]

I have a GR3 pickup I have used on several guitars. All electric, to date (Strats). It's running a GR-33. I had a midi pickup in an ES335, but sold that guitar (shame on me), and subsequently started using the GR3.

I've been thinking about one of two directions: 1) An acoustic pickup install in a mid-bodied guitar (Larrivee L-70) or, 2) Selling the GR33 synth and the GR3 pickup and paying more attention to practicing "off the juice".

Shouldn't be this way, but for me, those two options are mutually exclusive!

I'd appreciate it if anybody might want to prod me in either direction.

[Jakespenart]

The GK-3 Divided Pickup

I cannot find anything that says that it is ok for acoustic guitar.

From Roland
http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...x?ObjectId=651

GK-3: Divided Pickup
Features
The GK-3 Divided Pickup attaches to any steel-stringed electric — no drilling necessary — and delivers accurate performance data to guitar synthesizers such as Roland’s popular GR-20. The GK-3’s slim-line design enables ideal placement on the guitar.


Mounts easily on any steel-stringed electric without damage to guitar
Features an adjustable curve design and pickup cable length
Includes attachment plate for Les Paul-type guitars



So I am apprehensive. I am glad to hear that others have used it.

[magwa]

Originally Posted by Jakespenart

The GK-3 Divided Pickup

I cannot find anything that says that it is ok for acoustic guitar.

Okay. You guys inspired me. I pulled the Epi Masterbuilt campfire guitar off of the wall and installed the GR3. Not a big deal to install, of course.

But you have to be willing to use some Velcro on your axe. And take some time to get the GR's pickups placed "just so". I like the Epiphone well enough for it's tasks. I paid $275 and it was second hand in perfect shape. So I wasn't too upset when I found the best placement of the pickup was slanted (as opposed to parallel to the bridge) across the rear of the sound hole with the treble portion further toward the bridge, and the bass portion of the pickup. In fact, it's about a "slash" (angle from parallel) of 2.25 inches.

Then, with the height so temperamental, I didn't want to simply use Velcro to "stick on" the p-up as I did with the control and input portion. I was going to glue it. Then I thought, "...that's *sure* to screw up the finish".

So, being the minimalist I am, and not too much risk in the $$$ department on this axe, I drilled two tiny, tiny pilot holes, found the smallest wood screws I could find, and nailed the puppy down. I figured, a couple of small holes (one's in the pick guard) are better than a big glob of glue.
I was incredibly careful in that thin spruce.

It works very well. I've been playing patches of strings and some sax to an "A" run for about an hour. BTW, the Epi has no other electrics installed, so I have to forgo the ability to "mix" (between synth and guitar) from the control. I simply pulled the 1/4" input and am running (for now) with only the MIDI.

Long story short...Take your time in the placement of the pickup, and it will work as well as it did on my Strat on your acoustic.

Wish I knew how to post a picture directly to the Forum.

[Jakespenart]

Great to hear! Thanks for the time and effort. That why I love the internets.

[jackstrat]

Here are three pics of my installation. I did not use velcro for the control mount, rather I inserted a second strap button so I could use the standard GK3 mounting bracket. The 2nd button may look stupid, but it provides a very solid mount.







I added a soundclip at the following thread:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=146064

Jack

[Jakespenart]

Thanks again!

[kramster]

I put one on one of my Yamaha Silent Guitars.

[tony_cb]

I know it's not a true "acoustic" but I installed and internal GK-3 on my T-5 and it's given me a great range of tonal possibilities. I've just recently started using a Roland VG-99. Previously I had used typical guitar/midi/synth setups and I must say that I'm really impressed with the Roland VG system. You don't get the range of sounds that you can get from a synth but there's no tracking or ghost/drop out note issues.

I also have a Breedlove nylon acoustic which has an RMC pickup for both audio and 13-pin "midi" output. They also make a steel string version.

You can see photos in the link to "Photos of my Guitars" below