Parker mod with Ghost Hexaphonic and Sustianic

Started by ZenSonic, June 21, 2015, 12:17:11 PM

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ZenSonic

I am about to modify a Parker PDF105 with a Ghost Hex System and Sustainiac in order to make a kind of Working Man's Adrian Belew Model. I would love to hear from any members who have done the same of similar modifications to their Parkers. I am trying to avoid installing additional knobs and switches where possible and of course, unforeseen pitfalls.. thanks!

bigdough

Hey! Sorry Im getting aware of this post only now...
I might be of some help as I went throught he whole process. Only difference beeing my guitar is an old Fly Classic (about 1995-1996).
If you didn't do it yet and are still willing to do it, I cand send you material & pics and, even better, answer to your specific questions.
So, please let me know...

ZenSonic

#2
Thanks dude, I installed a Graph Tech Ghost Hexpander in the Parker. It works very well but stopped there as I have been doing allot of electronic pitch shifting and alternate tunings via GP10 in my compositions and did not feel like transposing live from standard tuning when a Sustainiac would be in use. Plus, I am de tuning the actual guitar a whole step and electronically pitch shifting up or down from there.  I could transpose but would prefer that all sounds coming from my guitar be on the same sonic page so to speak. Been using an Ebow with good effect.  Do you know if there is a way to install a Sustainiac that just resonates the strings but does not pick up the corresponding sound though the dedicated pickup? If so, I am ready to proceed and would appreciate your guidance!

Elantric

#3
 Perhaps there is a misconception of how a sustainer works in conjunction with the GK  pick up.
when you are using DSP alternate tuning you will have less sustain , particularly if you expect to be playing bottleneck slide. Using a Fernandez sustainer or  Sustainiac  will re-energize the string vibration, but you still only hear the DSP Alt tuning from your speaker , when the GK-3 three way switch ( or built in equivalent three position toggle switch is in the "GK/Synth" position

ZenSonic

Ah! Eurika! So I can opt for the GK only setting and activate the sustainiac through a separate dedicated switch/knob. Sweet! That is my next mod. Thanks Elantric.

Bigdough, yes, please send or post all pertinent material and pics. thanks!

Elantric


bigdough

Affirmative. I di confirm what Elantric just explainsed in such a brief and clear way (he's definitely the Duke here).
So that's good news, bad news: it's major and delicate work, i.e. you need an extra battery...
If you live in US I strongly suggest you to let them (Sustainiac) doing the work, if not well, I had to find a good and bold specialist to do it, but your model is not as thin as the Fly so it should be easier. First thin I'd go and check on their web page (sustainiac.com, unless you'll opt for a different brand like Fernandes) and get some useful information. More soon (and picks).

ZenSonic

Thanks Bigdough, I am going to use the battery and compartment from the Piezo that is never used for driving the Sustainiac. I have a guitar tech that can handle the mod. I would not attempt it! Your pics might help him in his process though.

vanceg

#8
Quote from: ZenSonic on October 06, 2015, 07:32:51 AM
Ah! Eurika! So I can opt for the GK only setting and activate the sustainiac through a separate dedicated switch/knob. Sweet! That is my next mod. Thanks Elantric.

Bigdough, yes, please send or post all pertinent material and pics. thanks!

I am using a very similar set up on 4 of my custom instruments.  This one, for example, has a magnetic pickup (stacked humbucker) in the bridge position and it's ONLY purpose is to feed signal to the Sustainiac in the Bridge position.  While I DO have a physical output for the magnetic pickup (1/4" on the guitar and through the 13pin cable) I never ever use it; I just use the GK3.

Oh, Here's a photo of another guitar I designed with a similar setup - Two pickups plus a sustainiac and a GK-3.  In that case, I was using the magnetic pickups sometimes. (This guitar has been sold).

Oh, there's a photo of yet ANOTHER guitar I designed with the same concept.  This one was made for a specific player who, unfortunately, passed away just a year or so after it was created. It is now for sale again. 

But that's an aside.  The concept is: Here are examples of guitars which do what you suggest:  Sustainiac and Mag pickup for sustain, and GK-3.

I STRONGLY CONCUR that if you are getting a Sustainiac installed, have someone who has done it before install it for you. The instructions are.....somewhat cryptic (and occasionally contradictory).  If you don't follow every word (even the apparently contradictory ones) you often end up with a device that works...but not really, really well.   The sustainic reinstall that David Myka did for me on the first guitar shown here is extraordinary. I've never heard a Sustainic work that well. Near instant, very strong and compelling sustain.  I hate to say it but, it was even better than when I played a Belew Fly!

Note that I am in the process of getting rid of my Sustainiac on some of these instruments and putting in one of the Aescher Europe D1 6 channel sustainers in their place. 

http://www.aescher.eu/download/D1_Drone_User_Manual.pdf


This allows me to sustain each string independently (the sustainiac is great, but it's monophonic. I really like the ability to sustain ALL of my strings at the same time if I'm holding a chord).  The Aescher works more independently in that, like an ebow, the "pickups" which feed the "sustainer" it's information are built into the device. therefore they don't require a separate pickup to feed signal to the "sustainer".  I don't mean to digress - The Aescher is a different product but I mention it here because it's UNlike the Sustainiac in that it doesn't require that other pickup that was causing you some confusion about how the Sustainiac works).

bigdough

Ok, here's some pics: a diagrams to show how I changed/converted the controls/pots:

ZenSonic