GK-3 - GK hex PU Clearance Problems on American Strat

Started by ( . )( . ), March 25, 2016, 12:02:56 AM

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I have a 1999 SSS American Strat which is set up just like I like. There isn't enough clearance between the pickguard and the strings to install the GK-3. I could cut the pickguard, but I'd rather get a new one that will work. My current one is a 3 ply, 11 hole. I'm looking for a single ply 11 hole I guess in white, but can't find one.

What is the thickness of my 99 3 ply? Is it .09"? If I could find one about half the thickness, I think it would work.

I found this, but it doesn't really match the guitar, and I don't even know if it's thin enough: http://www.stratcat.biz/099-1360-100.shtml

I also found this, which is just a tad thicker (.06") than the chrome, but will match the guitar. http://www.warmoth.com/Pickguard/StratPickguard.aspx

Help please...

stratrat

Just shim your neck angle back a bit - that gives you better string clearance over the body, making more space for the hex pickup. It'll make a world of difference to your whole setup too.

A few strips of wood veneer on the body side of your neck pocket is all it takes. Adjust saddles and pickups to suit, and you're sorted.

Trevor

#2
Most hex pickups are housed in a radiused plastic housing, you can carefully remove said housing, place the hex in some shrink tube, carefully heat/shrink (carefully, the circuit boards are flexible/meltable plastic) to radius and it will give you a few MM's on all sides.Warning, won't be as pretty.

Details here
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=410.0



Elantric

#3
If it's a 1999 Fender American Strat,
http://wurlitzerboston.myshopify.com/products/1999-fender-american-deluxe-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-ash-body



learn how to use the Microtilt Neck angle adjuster Allen Screw  on the Neck Plate




Gk-3 install on a Strat follows identical principals as explained for a Strat FTP Pickup install doc here

http://www.fishman.com/support/tripleplay/pdf/tripleplay_tut10.pdf



and follow GK-3 Install here
http://roland.com/V-Guitar/howto_st.html

( . )( . )


Tony Raven

While I've been known to shim a neck up, in every case I can hear a reduction in the guitar's tonal quality, even when using brass shim stock. The "micro-tilt" screws aren't much improvement. In general, I prefer keeping a Fender-style bridge as low as possible, & having dead-flat wood-to-wood contact in the neck pocket, to maximize tone & sustain. If the GK-3 is possibly a passing phase &/or maintaining the guitar's value is paramount, shimming is just fine as a kludge.

In this instance, I'd suggest get an inexpensive pickguard & rout a channel, as in this Squier piece --



Ten bucks & no fancy tools necessary. ELEGANT METHOD: drill a series of holes, file them together, sand until it's all smooth. FAST EASY METHOD: give up on that little strip of plastic between the hex & the bridge, just carve until there's room for the GK, so long as you leave room for its two screws AND the two pickguard screws (& maybe a notch for the cable).