My GK-3 wart has died

Started by kickaxe, August 18, 2017, 11:52:44 AM

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kickaxe

Hi folks, my gk3 wart has died.  I know it's the problem as I have another that I swapped in to ensure it wasn't the pickup or cable.

I will likely buy another kit to replace it however, I am left with just the hex mag pickup.  Is there anything I can do with it to make it useable somehow on the cheap i.e. I don't need controls other than perhaps volume as I can control what I need from my GP10.  I am not an electronics expert by any means but can solder components...

Thanks

gumtown

#1
unusual that it would just 'die' for no reason.
has a gk kit board connector plug become dislodged?
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

gumbo

#2
Quote from: gumtown on August 18, 2017, 03:07:18 PM
unusual that it would just 'die' for no reason.
has a gk kit board connector plug become dislodged?

I agree that is unusual..I too would suspect a bad connection with (at least one!) of the connectors on the GK3 mainboard..
Cleaning these (with Caig's Deoxit) has cured problems for others in the past.

The only other quick thing to check is that you haven't lost 'ground' connectivity (the black wire on the pickup loom) between the pickup and the mainboard...that will certainly take everything out fairly quickly...

HTH
Peter

Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

kickaxe

#3
OK thanks folks, I will give your suggestions a shot.  Failing that, is there an easy way to get a signal out of the pickup itself, perhaps even as a conventional pickup?


gumbo

#4
Quote from: kickaxe on August 19, 2017, 04:18:07 AM
OK thanks folks, I will give your suggestions a shot.  Failing that, is there an easy way to get a signal out of the pickup itself, perhaps even as a conventional pickup?

Unfortunately the hex pickup is "just that", and it needs the associated smoke-and-mirrors (the wart!) to make it do anything except be a fridge magnet...  ...and not a very good one at that...   :-\

We all wish you well, and hope you will find the problem ...  Let us know if you need help or direction in digging into things..

Cheers,
Peter
Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

kickaxe

#5
I'm wondering if I could create a much simplified version of the wart somehow (with just a volume pot) using an Arduino Uno.  If anyone has tried this, I would appreciate you sharing your experience.

Regards,

Denis

Elantric

#6
Learn what the Gk-3 is

( I suspect you may have a bad GK13 cable - very common)

MUST READ
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3132.0

GK-13 Interface Top things to know
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=65.0


Schematics
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=73.0


GK-2A



GK-3

gumtown

The main function of the GK electronics is to provide a buffer interface between the hex pickup and the GR/VG hex controller unit.
It amplifies the hex signal and converts the signal from high impedance (somewhere around 100k ohms) to very low impedance (100 ohms),
which allows hex signals to pass through a common screened/shielded cable with minimal cross talk between conductors and noise.

The added features of S1/S2 buttons and GK Volume are purely analog voltage control.
You can remove them if required, but make sure the GK Volume is sending 5 volts back to the control unit, to tell the controller that the volume level is 100%
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

kickaxe

Thanks all for your help and suggestions.

Regards,

Denis