GK-13 - Please help me source GK-13 DIN plugs

Started by MusicOverGear, July 30, 2014, 08:58:22 AM

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MusicOverGear

I have 3 old Roland branded cables and only one of them is reliable. I assume the last cable could go at any moment. I was just using GK stuff at home with my GI-20, but I have switched over to using the new BOSS GP-10 for everything. I am extremely nervous about this cable situation. I ordered another cable from DET Audio on eBay but it is slow getting here.

I thought I would cut down the cables I have and rebuild them as shorter, more reliable cables, but the plugs seem to be really junky. IMHO it looks like really low end 1970's manufacturing. I want to get some better quality plugs. Or at least plugs that are serviceable - solder terminals like standard XLR and a strain relief clamp that has two sections instead of one closed loop.

I'm glad I didn't look inside one of these plugs before I considered the GP-10. The best word I have for my feelings on the stock factory plugs is revulsion. I don't get why engineers would work so hard on the GP-10, only to let it die horribly at this obviously weak point. Maybe I'm missing something - I'm just an ignorant musician; I have no engineering credentials...

Anyway, I would love it if someone could give me a mfgr or catalog number for a USA supplier - e.g. Digikey, Mouser, Newark - for good quality plugs. Barring that, if I could get some choice search terms/criteria. I spent a good 20 minutes combing through the Mouser catalog a couple different ways - I probably skimmed right past what I wanted but I need a little more info to find it I think. I did find this thread but I couldn't cross-reference any of the numbers to items in USA catalogs that I know about.  https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2359.0

If that is not a good option, what are people converting their gear to instead of this connector type? I'm 99% sure I read something on this forum about converting to another connector type but now I can't find it.

Basically I want to put in the work now and not have to worry about this issue on the job.

I appreciate all help, advice, tips, etc. Thanks.

BTW I have no trepidation about hacking my GP-10. I think my soldering skills are good for an autodidact, though I do lack a hot air/rework tool, which I imagine might be handy for changing connectors on the GP-10. I use braid and a spring-type solder sucker for low tech guitar stuff.

Elantric

#1
In 1997 Roland moved away from the old 24 pin GR-300 type connector and use the Circular DIN 13 plug  (same as used in Kenwood / Clarion Car Stereo remote CD Changers)   



While 10 years ago, there used to be several quality suppliers of circular DIN 13 plugs and jacks ( Preh, Deltron, CUI Stack, etc) 

(details here)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10242.0


- today in 2014 all are sourced from the far east, and frankly most are sub par for professional use - to the level that I have seen Tour Managers for major acts inform the hired gun Guitarist NOT to use Roland 13 pin cables (and their related gear) on tour  - due to potential high risk of failure during guitar changes on stage mid show.


Here is a Locking 13pin DIN Male plug for the GK13 end of the cable.

http://www.iec-usa.com/cgi-bin/iec/framefly?;DN13MS-L

http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/cabled/DN13MS-L




Here is Right Angle
H.S.P. Connector Co., Ltd.
No. 10, Lane 204, Jhongsing N. St., Sanchong Dist., New Taipei City 24158, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
TEL: +886-2-2995-2388 FAX: +886-2-8512-4298
Copyright © H.S.P. Connector Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.hspcon.com/product/d/multipole-connector/multipole-plug/d-6006.php




Many rewire all their 13 pin gear to use VGA style HD15 connections,

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=359.msg40918#msg40918





still  other use expensive "Lemo type" connectors from Hirose
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=6247.msg42967#msg42967



and I have suggested Roland dump the 13 pin and employ Locking Display Port Connectors instead 
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11687.msg84773#msg84773





All I can say is good luck and maintain your 13 pin cable.
(Details here:)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3132.0

Myself - I ordered in bulk Chassis DIN 13 pin jacks - and intend to use these on both the guitar side (internal GK install) and the floor side( modified US-20) as these encircle the full 360 degrees of all available GROUND contact with the Male DIN 13 pin plug,
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4765.0


(Gumbo sells precut Locking version of above - Synth Lynx 13 pin Jack
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8888.0


and avoids the dreaded "rice crispy / vibration noise" typical of most Roland Gk 13 plugs  - seen here:>

This video explains all the above problems.


 

MusicOverGear

GREAT! Thanks so much. Gonna chew on this for a moment before I choose a path.

MusicOverGear

#3
I am waiting on Gumbo's jacks for my guitar and GP-10. With the full metal housing/contact, is it superfluous to use pin 9 as ground? I'm wondering whether to skip that mod.

Elantric

#4
QuoteWith the full metal housing/contact, is it superfluous to use pin 9 as ground? I'm wondering whether to skip that mod.

If you use a 13 pin jack that looks like  this -


the Duplicate GND on Pin9 is not as crucial, and most GK 13 cable handling noise due to cable movement is minimized because this type jack fully encircles the full 360 degrees of the Ground Shell on the male DIN 13 pin cable plug   


But the "Stock internal GK-KIT-GT-3 Jack does include a special "spring metal" contact that is designed to place high torque contact directly to the Round shell of the attached DIN 13 male plug on the GK13 cable   

mrowley

Hello, does anybody supply right-angled 13-pin GK cables off the shelf?
I have a Roland Ready MIM strat with the GK socket on the bottom edge of the strat body and the straight plug version gets knocked around.
Alternatively has anybody ever successfully switched the standard strat 1/4" jack position with this GK-on-edge position (right-angled 1/4" jacks being easier to find).

GuitarBuilder

#6
Quote from: mrowley on April 09, 2016, 10:16:55 AM
Hello, does anybody supply right-angled 13-pin GK cables off the shelf?
I have a Roland Ready MIM strat with the GK socket on the bottom edge of the strat body and the straight plug version gets knocked around.
Alternatively has anybody ever successfully switched the standard strat 1/4" jack position with this GK-on-edge position (right-angled 1/4" jacks being easier to find).

Have you tried contacting CodeSmart on this forum?
Synth Lynx 13 pin Jack
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8888.0
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

admin

#7
QuoteHello, does anybody supply right-angled 13-pin GK cables off the shelf?

Gittler right angle GK 13 pin
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11243.0


http://www.amazon.com/Gittler-Synth-Guitar-13-pin-Roland/dp/B00PIUMBS6/

mrowley

Wow. You guys are all on the ball here!  :)
Thanks for all the quick responses to my question on the right angled GK plug.