alternative GK mounting systems

Started by Tony Raven, May 24, 2015, 01:27:45 PM

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Tony Raven

This has certainly been covered before, but I want to pull it into one post.

THE PROBLEM -- it's easy to install a GK-3 if you're willing to commit: just drill two holes, find the right shim, & you're done. The problem here being that musicians (excepting J.J. Cale) tend to be reluctant to intentionally deface their instrument. The other option, then, is to use double-stick foam tape, multiple layers if necessary to get the pickup properly close to the strings.

The BEST solution (IMO) would be to simply attach individual mini-pickups directly to each of the string saddles, as Ibanez did with their IMG2010:
http://www.joness.com/gr300/pics/IMG2010/details/2010-ELEC-03-LRG-S.jpg
But, of course, that's best left alone as it just opens up a whole new can of worms.**

What we WANT is something that's (1) easy to install, (2) won't mar the guitar or GK, & (3) doesn't bear an insane price. As part of my "journey of discovery," I dug around a little. Considering the prices of most, I remain surprised that there's not more competition, especially considering eMachineShop.com & the burgeoning "create" movement.

THE STANDARD -- John Mann is sort of THE aftermarket parts guy/shop for PRS guitars. Apparently, PRS owners are more likely to use Roland gear, because MannMade provides a solution, in three standard colors, list price $60 (or $75, they're kinda wacky), but readily available for $40.
black -- https://store.guitarvaultusa.com/product_p/6019b.htm
white -- https://store.guitarvaultusa.com/product_p/6019w.htm
beige -- https://store.guitarvaultusa.com/product_p/6019i.htm
Comparing photos, though, you'll see that the GK-mounting holes may or may not exist. Using bolts means that one end or the other would be pressed into the guitar's finish, so maybe this was an error & the adapter is intended ONLY for stickytape.
DOWNSIDE: fits only standard humbuckers; goes under pickup ring, which (a) assumes your pickup isn't back-mounted & (b) might require that you buy a shallower ring; seems a bit pricey for a not-pretty chunk of plastic sheet.
UPSIDE: super-simple install.

Not so pretty but a few dollars less ($36 to me), this seller solves one problem:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Support-plate-for-Roland-GK-2-GK-3-designed-to-meet-Les-Paul-type-guitars-/321486435635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ada15b533
The plate goes ABOVE the pickup ring, so my first thought is I'd only have to take out two screws & not even detune the strings... except the GK would be touching the strings! Oh, well; new ring. (The seller says the rings should be swapped around, which is :o because on many (if not most) LP/SG/PRS-type that would put the neck pickup assembly at or above fret level, something an occasional guitarist might find annoying.) But the "genius moment" here is the included hardware that spring-mounts the pickup (safely away from the finish).
DOWNSIDE: variants on Mann adapters, & same plastic (black only) but uglier execution
UPSIDE: cheaper, slightly easier to install, function-over-form design, & adjustable clearance

This seller totally (again IMO) totally rocks it. When I first saw the photos, I had to stare at the screen for most of an hour before it finally made sense, but I get it now. If it actually works IRL, it's ingenious & just $16.95:
http://www.shapeways.com/product/935FWV9XP/roland-gk-pickup-mount-quick-release-version?li=search-results-1&optionId=43362210
Made using a "3D printer," so build cost is about zero & mostly materials & finishing; this also means you've got a choice of 12 colors. (The two silvery will cost you $2 or $3 more.) You'd break the casting into its two components (& file down the sharp edges). Hardware isn't provided, so that's on you as well; this spring-mounts the GK to a baseplate strip. The other piece wraps over the edge of your pickup ring. The design means that your GK is no longer mounted (directly or not) to the guitar, & can be readily removed when you want to (say) put the guitar into a case. Buy another, & swapping a GK system between guitars takes seconds.
DOWNSIDE: still HB-ring-only; also probably requires a new ring***; doesn't include ~$1 worth of hardware
UPSIDE: cheap; colorful; height adjustable; quick pickup removal

The most elegant solutions are from one Peteroni, in Essex -- also, the ONLY solution I found for Strat-type guitars. Not cheap -- I'd pay $54.26 & $44.96, respectively -- but nicely designed. Not a bad price for handmade, really.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pickup-mounting-plate-for-Roland-GK-2A-GR33-VG88-/230382219884
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roland-GK-2A-GK-3-Pickup-mounting-plate-for-Strat-/261112301703?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3ccb818887
The Strat model might cause some scuffing of the pickplate, though maybe a layer of tape could head that off. Nice that the HB version apparently includes hardware.
DOWNSIDE: costs as much as a new GKC :( ; only available in shiny metal finish
UPSIDE: solid, great-looking

Well, there we go. Did I miss any?


________________
** -- now readily available in convenient sizes, so you can open a can whenever you desire!!

*** -- you'll probably need a new ring, so why not get something colorful, also from a 3D printer, for $16-$18/set?
http://www.shapeways.com/product/N33GC2JYY/modern-pickup-mounting-ring-for-prs-pair?li=search-results-1&optionId=41538054
http://www.shapeways.com/product/M63YRQLE3/pickup-mounting-ring-for-prs-pair?li=search-results-1&optionId=43109935
Stay alert, though: they seem to all be for flat-top guitars, which is fine for an SG but kinda sucks for most LPs.