Fender Roland Ready GK-2 vs Roland GC-1 GK-3

Started by mosdev58, March 30, 2008, 09:37:30 AM

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mosdev58

Hi,

I'm a hobby player from Scotland. I have the 99 with FC-300 and currently 4 strats as follows:-

A Hybrid Roland Ready with USA maple neck and USA hardware

A highway one body with internal GK pickup and Mex neck & hardware (from the Roland Ready above)

An '06 USA strat with a Sound Garage setup

A Custom Shop "Blackie" strat which currently has an external GK-3.

I have bought an internal GK kit for the "Blackie" but am rather nervous about fitting it. Does anyone know where I could source an original Fender GK pickup as fitted to the Roland Ready or VG Strat? they seem to be unobtainable in the UK and I don't really wish to have to steal it from the Roland Ready.

Why bother with all of this you might ask?

I bought a VG-8ex with a Highway One Strat on Ebay and loved what it could do. Because there was a significant learnig curve I opted to abandon the VG-8 and get a '99 and learn that instead. I already has the '06 strat, and I fitted an external GK. Loved the Strat, hated the external GK. I then got the Roland Ready but preferred the USA Maple neck, so the hybrids were born.

I had heared that the Sound Garage setups were very good and got the chance to acquire one and fitted it instead of an internal GK kit to the '06 strat. This is a lot less destructive than fitting an internal GK kit as the 13 pin socket is of the front in place of the tone control.

I then got the "Blackie"..

The '06 and the Highway Onq will now have to go though...

Elantric

In the USA we order the Roland Ready Strat hex PU (with white cover) direct from Fender, or an authorized Fender parts distributor.
Might try emailing them

http://www.fender.com/support/contact_fmic_consumer_relations.php

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
Attn: Consumer Relations Dept.
8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Telephone: (480) 596-7195
Fax: (480) 367-5262
E-mail: consumerrelations@fender.com


This is a custom order item - In the UK try here:

http://www.brand-f.co.uk/

http://www.allparts.uk.com/


mosdev58

Thanks for this help.

I have the part number - 0047921000 - and have tried various places in the UK - including Brand-F - and they can't supply. I have emailed Fender and allparts and await their reply


philflood

Unless you are really hot on having the White pickup rather than the black one, the Roland GK-3-KIT has similar parts to the Roland Ready. The Roland Ready used a GK-Kit, which is based on the GK-2A, and the GK-3-KIT has a slightly different board, although it is the same size, and it has the GK-3 pickup unit, which allows better fine tuning of the string to pickup distance. Here is a source that will ship outside the US:

http://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail~prod~roland_gk_kit_gt3.htm

mosdev58

Thanks for your input.

I already have an internal GK-3 kit - they are readily avaiable here. What is not available is the white pickup.

I spoke to Maddys in NY today - my wife and daughter are going shopping there next week - and am getting quoted a price of about $200 + shipping for the pickup only. Given what you are saying here it may be that it wouldn't work with the rest of the internal GK-3 kit which I have purchased, so I am most greatful for your assistance on this. I suppose I should make the decision and getthe internal GK fitted, but my local guitar tech is not that happy about fitting it to an new Custom Shop Clapton Strat.

My reason for wanting to do this is not just that the Clapton is much nicer to play the Roland Ready but it is also significantly different. When changing between one and the other it takes some time to get used to the differences. I am not the best player in the world by a long shot at the best of times, and chopping and changing makes things even worse.

philflood

Interestingly enough, I also have a Clapton strat (87 7-up green), and a Roland Ready strat. As a matter of fact, when I received the Clapton strat from the prior owner, it had an external Roland GK-2A on it.

As for the pickup units, I just checked an older Roland Ready kit vs. the new GK-3 kit, and the cable connector on the Roland Ready pickup definitely is larger than the connector on the GK-3 internal. I believe that both have the same number of wires, so a skilled technician might be able to splice the old pickup onto the new connector, but that would not seem to be advisable, as it would clearly void the warranty. I don't know if the new VG strats use a GK-3, but if so, that might provide a possible alternative. Unfortunately, from appearances only, it looks like a GK-2/GK-2A. I can't find a wiring diagram with the specifications for the VG-strat.

As for adding the pickup to the guitar, I understand your technician's dilemma. Nobody wants to alter a higher end instrument. But, when it really comes down to it, the question is what do you want or need to make you happy. If you want a Clapton Custom shop with an internal GK kit, and you  obviously have the wherewithal to have one, you should have the install performed.

I am having an internal GK kit installed in my one of a kind Brian Moore Custom shop C-55. So I am sympathetic to your trepidation.

mosdev58

I've decided that I am going to get the internal kit fitted. If it reduces that value of the guitar then that will be a problem for the executers of my will, as I will never sell it. The only way to keep a guitar pristien is not to use it - or at least use it very little. I was given a Hummongbird to years ago for my birthday and have played it most days since. The result? visible fret ware, ware to the finish on the back and pick guard scratching. It has been polished, never gigged and never dropped, but it is obviously  not a new guitar.

Similarly my '76 SG Standard. Bought new in Nov 76 for £220 with my first term University grant. "Ruined" according to the purists by the fitting of a DiMarzio rear pickup. It was my teenage guitar and I will never sell it, so to hell with the reduction in value.

Guitars are for playing and enjoying - not for looking at or for an investment.


technog0d

#7
I just purchased a Fender Roland-Ready Strat with a GK-2A. Previously, I Was using a guitar with a GK-3. Is there any advantage of the GK-3 over the GK-2A? Performance? etc...

Thanks,

Mike

Elantric

#8


Although I know the RR Strat uses a white cover over a GK 2A Hex PU. The white plastic Cover means the Mag PU is actually a bit further away from the strings - so adjusting the string sensitivity a tad higher is appropriate - to compensate for this increased PU to string distance. 
Should you change Necks - say to a Warmoth with a flat radius - then the GK-3 PU - with adjustable Radius will be a benefit.  Also the Gk-3 Introduces a "GK - 3-way Mode Switch Sense" voltage feedback signal on pin #9- which typically gets in the way of connected MIDI Gear

After the the GK Sensitivity for each type has been set on the target 13 pin processor, they sound and track similarly and equal to other Mag GK PU's, like the Yamaha G1D, or Axon versions. 

technog0d

Thanks for the quick response. I really appreciate it.

Mike

MeanMrMustard

#10
Hello Everyone,

I just picked up a 2011 fender roland ready strat. It's got the gk2, I think? How can you know for certain?
Other than the radius adjustment on the gk3, are there any other differences? When setting it with the gr55, are there some parameters that must be set differently for the gk2? Does the gk2 track the same as the gk3?

Thanks.
MeanMrMustard
MeanMrMustard

www.myspace.com/addisonbrady

Elantric

#11
Quote2011 fender roland ready strat.

I would verify the year, as there was a gap with very little production between 2009 and the late 2011 release of the very similar Fender / Roland GC-1

Just set the GR-55 / VG-99 GK Type tto "GK-2A"

Read all docs here to optimize GR-55 tracking

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;cat=18


VGuitar Forums > Guitars and Pickups > Mag Hex (GK-2A,GK-3)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=11.0

GK-2 vs GK-3
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2500.0

For more reading- Use search and enter "fender roland ready strat"
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=search;advanced

Gellert

#12
I just bought a new Roland GR-55 and am looking at purchasing a Fender GC-1 "Roland Ready" Stratocaster.  I have seen older models of the Strat on Craigslist incorporating the GK-2 and GK-2A selling for several hundred dollars less.  While the newer Fender guitars have the pre-installed GK-3 pickup, what exactly is the difference between the two?

Does the GK-3 track better...have a better signal/noise ratio..or something else that makes it a better purchase than an GK-2(A) pre-equipped Strat?

Please fill me in!  If there is any difference, what is it exactly?

Elantric

#13
GK2A vs GK-3
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2500.0

Info on what "GK Type" setting to use for  Fender  / Roland GC-1 ( Set GK Type to "GK-3A" on VG-99 / GR-55/GP-10)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=5173.0

If you correctly set up your 13 pin processor ( GR-55 / VG-99 / GP-10) I find no difference in tracking between GK-2A and GK-3


Read the GR-55 FAQ to learn  best methods to setup your GR-55
GR-55 FAQ: TOP THINGS TO KNOW
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4006.0

luthierwnc

#14
Thanks.  I've since found some other vendors using the exact same sentence except with GK-3 instead of GK-2A.  Same pictures, same prices (more-or-less).  Two of them stated they were on the verge of getting new stock so I'm wondering if the others are clearing out older inventory.  I'll ask before I buy.

The reason I'm being so finicky is that I built the neck using a compound radius.  It is 11"ish at the nut and 14" at the 20th fret.  A splay like that will be around 16-17" at the saddles which can help with fixed-slug magnets but sounds like it would favor the radius on the GK-3 pup.  I've seen shredders and acoustics that approximate that saddle radius but IIRC, the Roland Strats use a 12" consistent radius from nut to bridge.  Again, probably nothing to worry about.

Wish me luck.  I'll post pictures when I get it out of the shop.  sh

luthierwnc

#15
FWIW, I purchased the kit after checking with the vendor beforehand.  The respondent said that the language hadn't been updated since the previous iteration.  There will need to be some cramage with the petite body size but it should all fit. sh

Moja

#16
I've taken both apart. All Fender Strats have a fixed 9.5 inch neck so the GK-2 and GK-3 Radius are a Fixed at 9.5* via the white plastic cover.
   The GK-2 vs GK-3 have different size Magnets , the PRE-Amp circuit boards are different, and the actual 13-pin female connector in the guitar is DIFERENT !! they are not Interchangeable.
The two cables assemblies, 7-pin & 8-pin from the pre-amp to PCB of the 13-pin connector are the same. Even though they look similar, the pre-amp PCB and 13-pin PCB have different pin allocations.

Sadly, they tell u to adjust the HEX PU within 0.10" ( enclosed feeler gauge ), but the white plastic cover is about a 0.050" . So one ends up with 50% more distance between strings and PU.
    So, my feeling is that the External ( without white plastic shroud ), with adjustable Radius screw, makes more sense.

Elantric

#17
QuoteI've taken both apart.

Sounds like you are referring to the Fender Roland Ready Internal GK-2A vs the GC-1 internal GK-3.


QuoteThe two cables assemblies, 7-pin & 8-pin from the pre-amp to PCB of the 13-pin connector are the same. Even though they look similar, the pre-amp PCB and 13-pin PCB have different pin allocations.
See all Additional details are here:


Schematics
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=73.0

Quote
Sadly, they tell u to adjust the HEX PU within 0.10" ( enclosed feeler gauge ), but the white plastic cover is about a 0.050" . So one ends up with 50% more distance between strings and PU.
    So, my feeling is that the External ( without white plastic shroud ), with adjustable Radius screw, makes more sense.

A few owners of Roland Ready Strat's and GC-1's modify the white plasti cover - remove the top area to allow the PU pole pies to get closer to the strings - and report improved tracking.



white cover on gk pickup on a roland ready strat
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2281.0

Moja

Yes, the differences between original old MIM Roland Ready, the rare old MIA Roland Ready,  new type RR GC-1 and also the older MIA Fender VG Stratocaster, the MIM Fender/Roland G-5, and the MIA Fender/Roland G-5A.



Quote from:  Elantric on November 08, 2014, 10:08:55 AM
Sounds like you are referring to the Fender Roland Ready Internal GK-2A vs the GC-1 internal GK-3.

Additional details are here:


Schematics
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=73.0

A few owned of Roland Ready Strat and GC-1's modify the white plast cover - remove the top area to allow the PU pole pies to get closer to the strings - and report improved tracking.



white cover on gk pickup on a roland ready strat
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2281.0

Moja

I just painted my KG-2 to match body color.  I did not want to gum up/spray the actual PU magnets, so I took it apart and masked off the magnets/coils.  Spray paint followed by couple of clear coats.