Number of GK pickups sold?

[dreamless]

Does anyone have any idea how many GK pickups Roland has sold total or how many they sell each year? I had assumed the format was dying but then the SY-1000 and the GM-800 came out.

[aliensporebomb]

I've wondered that for years.   I've also wondered how many GR-55, VG-99, VB-99, GP-10, SY-1000 have been sold.

[Elantric]

GK-13 is not dead  GR-55 remains the top seller
( call Sweetwater rep)

And they resurrected the GP-10 in 2020, as it fulfills a low price and small form factor

Of course SY-1000 sells as well -all above are in full production in 2023 and all  need GK-3 external /internal kits which remain in production

Godin still sells new 13 pin guitars in 2023
And Brian Moore
http://iguitarworkshop.com/13pinUSBupgrade.aspx
Rumors of GK-3 pickups being discontinued do not originate at Roland/Boss .


Arguments that the SERIAL GK GK-5 point to GK-3 being discontinued would be like thinking Fishman Tripleplay Connect wired USB only version means Tripleplay  Wireless will be  discontinued - which is not true.

With Boss GK-5 , Boss is  expanding the connectivity   interface options for divided pickup users

[dreamless]

Any ideas how many pickups they sell? I only meet other people who use them on the internet.

[gumtown]

I'm sure only Roland has those figures, and won't publish them.

But I can assume at least one pickup is sold per synth unit.

then there are the ones like myself, who have 7 GK pickups.

[gumbo]

then there are the ones like myself, who have 7 GK pickups.

It's OK Colin...you're only an addict if you're trying to give them up.... 

[BMapson]

If there was a "GK-KIT-GT5" with the new serial connection, I would order one today.  I suspect many of us here would order one just to have an excuse build another "project guitar".   

[gumbo]

If there was a "GK-KIT-GT5" with the new serial connection, I would order one today.  I suspect many of us here would order one just to have an excuse build another "project guitar".   

My lips are sealed...
...that may account for the fishy taste in my mouth.

[gumtown]

The ultimate GK-KIT-GT5 would only require a single TRS jack so when the Serial GK unit voltage is not present, the jack switches over to normal pickups. (idea just in case Roland/Boss R&D are reading)

[dreamless]

Why are there so few 13 pin pedals that are not produced by Roland? Does Roland require a license fee to use 13 pin GK connectivity in a product?

[gumtown]

It is a niche market, and I guess other brands might not want to copy Roland's 13 pin format (any old patents would have expired by now).

[Elantric]

Other  GK13 Processors / Adapters
≈==========
Spicetone 6appeal (polyFuzz)
https://liveweb.spicetone.com/6appeal/

Antares ATG-1 Guitar Modeling system
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/antares-atg-1

Axon AX-100 (w/ Yamaha DB50XG synth board) / AX-50 Guitar to MIDI processors
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/terratec-axon-ax100-mkii

Yamaha G50 Guitar to MIDI (Axon based)
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-g50

PRIMOVASOUND GX-2 GearGrinder Active GK-13 A/B box, Each patch has the effect blocks: SUSTAINER, MODULATION1, MODULATION2, ARPEGGIATOR1, ARPEGGIATOR2, ENVELOPER1, ENVELOPER2 and DIVIDER.
Each patch may also contain individual patch-specific assigns for GK Volume, GK S1/S2, CTRL1, CTRL2 inputs and MIDI controls.
https://www.primovasound.com/products/gx2/index.php

Billbax Separate Strings multichannel Recording adapter for re-Amp/Re-Guitar with GK Guitar Modeling , Re-synth with GR-55
https://www.separate-strings.co.uk/GKP2%20Breakout%20Box.html
https://www.separate-strings.co.uk/index.html

RMC FANOUT BOX
https://www.rmcpickup.com/fanoutbox.html

[dreamless]

The Axon and Antares are very interesting! I suppose the new serial GK connector will be proprietary for a period of time?

[Elantric]

Its 99% based on Analog Devices A2B Automotive  Audio Bus
https://www.analog.com/en/technical-articles/innovative-digital-bus-architecture-reduces-audio-system-costs.html

https://www.analog.com/en/landing-pages/001/a2b.html

Covered within the
Boss  GM-800 FAQ
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=35961.0

[dreamless]

So does that mean anyone could produce a pedal that includes serial GK connectivity?

[Elantric]

You go first

[dreamless]

You go first

I'm still working on putting 13 pin connectors on things

[gumbo]

I'm still working on putting 13 pin connectors on things

They're going to be around for a while yet..