VG-99 - Top E string goes almost silent on some patches

Started by Athelstan12, August 14, 2013, 01:08:46 AM

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Athelstan12

I'm aware the subject has been covered in some previous threads, but I'm having a recurring problem (as above)-I have checked the string-response levels, (making sure they are at 25-30 each on average) also, I have checked thr GK-3 pickup height from the strings,-even changed the strings, but the problem persists, can anyone here tell me what I am not doing right please?

Elantric

Could be a bad intermittent cable connection - The Recent  Roland cables are not as good was the ones from 8 years ago IMHO.

Follow the procedure in this thread

Roland GK 13 pin Cable Maintenance Tips.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3132.0


Also know that some GR-55 presets intentionally only have 5 strings working.

musicman65

+1 on cleaning the cable and sockets.

Also check the individual string volumes in COSM guitar settings.

bd

Athelstan12

Thanks for the advice-I've applied de-oxit on the 13-pin plugs/sockets, and checked the string-settings, it has improved the string response/volume.

Athelstan12

Update- after cleaning both male plugs on the GK cable, plus the female inputs on both the GK pickup and the VG-99, the G string started playing-up-totally silent, did the usual :- deoxit pins-insert, withdraw-insert (this is beginning to sound pornographic. ..) still no signal, did what I shoulda done in the first place-used the lead from my GR-55, (6 months old) connected it :voila! -now to get that older cable tested, and maybe get new plugs fixed.

musicman65

Great. Glad you found it. Intermittent cables are frustrating. I've been gigging with 13pin gear about 7 years and worn out 1 cable but never lost a pin signal. My cable got microphonic as constant flexing broke down conductors.

One of the connector killers is strain from pressing on it while sitting or having a stand the torques the connector. I've always been anal about not torquing the cable ends and attribute that to my cable's long life.

bd

Radley

I have noticed that I have to set the level of the hi E string hotter than the rest for it to translate evenly when playing acoustic guitar & synth patches... I also have to lower the level of the low E string for most steel string acoustic models.

Athelstan12

@Radley-when I get back home to my VG-99, I'll give that level thing of yours a try-out, I'm still experiencing some level problems occasionally, which are very distracting, but I'm confident I will get sorted-out soon, I notice you only obtained your VG-99 recently-you getting your head around it OK? -every time I crank mine up-I find out something new, its like Pandora's Box-always a pleasant surprise!

Radley

Athelstan12 - Like you, I'm finding new stuff to try every day. I bought my first VG99 soon after they came out, but didn't like the presets & got sidetracked with other equipment.... only within the last week have I rediscovered it - now it's like a new piece of equipment for me & I'm much more serious about learning it. :D

Athelstan12

@Radley-sorry, didn't realize you were an 'old hand' with the VG-99!
Its a strange one for me, I too, find myself leaving it alone for periods at a time-then setting it up, then I can't leave it alone for weeks on end! Great machine though-just wish they were around 40 years ago......