Ukulele w/ Thin body...how to install 13-pin jack?

Started by dayn, June 30, 2010, 05:44:41 PM

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dayn

Allright, I want a 13-pin Uke!

Problem is the body is 3 cm thick...and the Graphtech GHost 13-pin output jack plate is 3cm wide, with the ROland GK-3 internal kit jackplate being only slightly smaller.

Seems to me to not be enough wood left to get a solid jack on the body.

Other than a GK-3 external, any other ideas?

How about an RMC-esque 8-pin jack and then the internal kit in an outboard box?

Anyone can help?

Thanks!

MCK

Do you mind a little bump on the back? You could mount in as normal flush with the front of the uke and then say about 4 mm would show on the back and you could cover over that with a wooden cowling of sorts. Just a thought. Good luck!

MCK

Alternative idea. You could route the 13 pin connection to a DA-15 ... and then cut the end of a 13pin cable and put a DA-15 there as well. Seems like these are very slim. Check it out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-subminiature


Jim Williams

try mounting it at an angle on the top kinda like a strat jack or on the back like the brian moore guitars. Both options would take some carful craftsmanship but it would be cool.
Skype: (upon Request)

Everything from modeling to the real deal, my house looks like a music store.

dayn

QuoteAlternative idea. You could route the 13 pin connection to a DA-15 ... and then cut the end of a 13pin cable and put a DA-15 there as well. Seems like these are very slim. Check it out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-subminiature


This is the kinda thing I am looking for. Question is, how do I , or can I connect the da-15 or other type jack to the pcb that is currently attached to the 13-pin jack?

Here is the uke:

http://ukulele.de/shop/product_info.php?info=p329_RISA-LP-Tenor-cherry-sunburst.html&XTCsid=kf3ml4931bkrqnjod2osua9ck3

admin

#5
QuoteQuestion is, how do I , or can I connect the da-15 or other type jack to the pcb that is currently attached to the 13-pin jack
?


Most use  Solder.

I would seek a skilled luthier familiar with RMC pickup installations

http://www.rmcpickup.com/authorized_installers.htm

Many can do custom installations like this.

QuoteHow about an RMC-esque 8-pin jack and then the internal kit in an outboard box?

i think this is the best approach  - but will require electronics skills -

Might consider using the RMC Polydrive II - and share with several instruments.
http://www.rmcpickup.com/polydriveii.html

Vic1iful


dayn

Thanks for the input everyone. I have done the RMC PD2 before on a guitar and was happy with it. That may be the only non-custom approach here.

Any other ideas (or PICS!)

dayn

What I am thinking is using a DIN-8 jack and cord like in the RMC polydrive 2. The uke only has 4 saddles so 8 pins is plenty for signal plus ground in the graphtech or roland systems (they are cheaper than going with the RMC). I could then make a box with a DIN-8 with wires going to the Graphtech or Roland preamp.

Basically making REALLY long (6.5') pickup leads before the little preamp board.

Is this possible? I imagine I can source the jacks and cord from RMC.

admin

#9
There are other sources for parts - but for a project like this you will need prior electronics/soldering skills. Best to take it to a pro IMHO. or start on a smaller project to get your skill set up to par for the task.

http://makezine.com/

And see our link thread for alternate parts sources  
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=18.0

dayn

QuoteThere are other sources for parts - but for a project like this you will need prior electronics/soldering skills. Best to take it to a pro IMHO. or start on a smaller project to get your skill set up to par for the task.

My skills are up to par; why assume they aren't because I have a thin-bodied uke? I am currently doing a Graphtech install in an old Roland guitar and a GK-3 internal install on a Parker Fly. I can handle the install on my uke, I just need some help with creative thinking on such a thin bodied instrument as the 13-pin jack assemblies that these companies produce are too big.

Thanks for the alternate parts link. I will check that out to see if there is anything that inspires a solution.

embers

Not to throw a spanner in the works, but have you considered scale length? I have wanted to add a GK internal to my lap steel, but have been put off by the minimum scale length that can be set on the VG-99. Is it worthwhile checking out your Uke with an external GK pickup before getting too far down the path of modifications. I have no idea what happens when you fit one to an instrument with a shorter scale length than the VG-99 allows for.

dayn

I have considered scale length. As a ukeis like the bottom 4 strings of a guitar tuned up to A or B (high string), it actually falls within the scale length range as if it were a Roland Ready Strat with a capo on the 5th or 7th fret.

Not sure what happens anyway other than maybe the models wouldn't be "accurate", but I think I am fine as mentioned above and I don't think the models are perfectly accurate anyway.

I might start with an external GK-3 taped on to see how it works before I actually go with any internal kits.

MCK

Quote from: dayn on July 03, 2010, 06:56:33 AM
I might start with an external GK-3 taped on to see how it works before I actually go with any internal kits.

Good idea. Also watch out for the string spacing. Not all GK pickups are the same in this area.

embers

I have always thought that if I was to use my lap steel, that I would have to tune it to the standard guitar base tuning. Is this true or can the VG-99 cope with the base instrument tuned to something else. Will this impact your uke tuning as well?

dayn

Put a capo on your guitar or drop the low E to D. Does the VG-99 stop working? I think there is a lot of mis-understanding and mis-information about scale length and saddle measyrements and the reason behund them in relation to the VG-99. I wish Roland would explain why in the manual.


fokof

I've put the GK plug angled on my bass and it uses only 2 cm;

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=6342.0


(look at the third photo)

MCK

That is a beautiful installation. I can see how it would also secure the regular GK plug which is large & well protruding. Great job!

gumbo

Here in Oz, I bought the five-pin chassis mount midi socket (with two-hole mounting plate) from the local equivalent of Radio Shack, removed the the centre (carefully!) and replaced it with the 13-pin centre section of an in-line socket (DigiKey type)....presto!

...soldering obviously needed, but.....
;D
Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

dayn

Do you have any more pics of the bass jack? Maybe one showing the other side?

dayn

#20
The best solution (other than just living with a very tight internal install with only a few mm on the top and back of the instrument in the jack area) I can think of is:

Take a GK-3 and cut the plug connector off. Solder each of the pickup wires and ground to a DIN-8s jack like RMC uses for the Polydrive II. Use an 8 pin cable to carry signal to an external box. The 8-pin input jack will have the GK-3 connector soldered to it and it will then clip into the Roland preamp board. The preamp board will be connected to the 13-pin output jack thus completing the little external box. Basically an RMC polydrive II solution but with Roland guts.

If I wanted to take it a step further, since I would have no controls on the instrument (synth volume or s1/s2), I could build this box out of an old effects unit box that has a volume pedal. I could install the GK volume pot into the footpedal and use 2 momentary footswitches for s1/s2. I then place that next to my FC-300 and I have all the control I need (though that might be overkill as I am probably fine with the FC-300 alone).

Thoughts? I think this is a handy solution.

dayn

With my above solution, I could probably even use a 5-pin midi cable for either the GK pickup or the Graphtech system. Midi cables and jacks are cheaper than the RMC 8-pin stuff.

Elantric



dayn

Great suggestions. I guess I need to figure out how to detatch the pcb from the current Roland 13-pin jack. What I have is a problem not so much with the jackplate, but the little preamp board attached to it that requires a big route. If I can separate that, then any of these cool output jack solutions will work.

Any of you ever de-soldered the preamp board that is attached to the Roland GK-3 internal kit 13-pin output jack?