Graphtech Ghost Pickup/Axon100: Problem with Lower E and A string

[zappafrank]

I recently got an Axon AX 100 and a Graphtech Ghost Pickup (Ghost Expander MIDI Interface + Ghost Saddle Pickups). Everything works pretty well, but not on the lower E an A string. I only get the right tones when I am playing above the 12th fret, everything below the 12 fret doesn't produce no sound at all or only very weird sounds. I have the general trigger level on 3 on the Axon and the individual sensitivity which goes from 8 to 64 on the most strings on about 50. And as I said on the DGHE strings everything works fine, but there is a problem with the lower notes. Any suggestions from more experienced users how to fix this? The pickups were integrated in my guitar from my local guitar shop. So I don't know if they made a mistake which causes the problem with the E and A string? Just one more silly question. What I have is a Piezo Pickup, right? So on the Axon the Pickup settings has to be Piezo, not Magnetic, right? I just tried out of curiosity Magnetic, but that also doesn't help.

[arkieboy]

The Ghost is piezo

I'm not familiar with the older units, so I'm assuming it has one or both of these functions - when you use the tuner function will that sense the string correctly, and when you set string sensitivities does that register the strings properly below the 12th fret?

The later Axons have string and fretboard split options - it might be you're using a programme that has been configured in an odd way.  Have you tried to reset the unit?

[zappafrank]

Thank you for your advice. The thing is that I have also a Roland GK Strat with GK13 Pickukps and with the GK Strat using the Axon everything is fine. So it seems that the String Sensitivity and all other settings on the Axon are basically ok. I really got the impression that the person who integrated the Ghost Pickups in my guitar did a mistake. I don't know much about those things, but could it be that maybe the Pickup Height of the Pickups for the E and A string is wrong?

[Elantric]

Thank you for your advice. The thing is that I have also a Roland GK Strat with GK13 Pickukps and with the GK Strat using the Axon everything is fine. So it seems that the String Sensitivity and all other settings on the Axon are basically ok. I really got the impression that the person who integrated the Ghost Pickups in my guitar did a mistake. I don't know much about those things, but could it be that maybe the Pickup Height of the Pickups for the E and A string is wrong?

Always possible the wiring  order where the individual  string piezo saddle 2 pin connectors connect on the internal 12 pin header on Graphtech PCB is in error / out of sequence

Refer to Graphtech Ghost documents for the correct wiring order

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2372/8913/files/ghost-installation-manual.pdf

[arkieboy]

Thank you for your advice. The thing is that I have also a Roland GK Strat with GK13 Pickukps and with the GK Strat using the Axon everything is fine. So it seems that the String Sensitivity and all other settings on the Axon are basically ok. I really got the impression that the person who integrated the Ghost Pickups in my guitar did a mistake. I don't know much about those things, but could it be that maybe the Pickup Height of the Pickups for the E and A string is wrong?

Ah, that almost certainly rules out the Axon

Elantric is right, it could be wired up wrong

Another thought - is there an issue with fretboard relief?  Do those strings play without undue buzzing?  If you raise the action on those strings does it start to work properly?

[Brak(E)man]

I don't have any experience with the ghost piezo but
with all piezos , if the string pressure is to low they can behave in the way you're describing.
So try raising the problematic strings to get more pressure and see what happens just to be sure.

It's likely it's a installation issue.

[gumtown]

Second vote on the piezo string sequence being reverse wired or something like that, especially working above the 12th fret,
 I would say the wrong "E" string into the converter input, and it is "out of range".

Check the other side of the strings (E & B") and check if they work above the 12th fret, and if it gets weird in that range, then the piezo's are reverse wired.

[zappafrank]

Thank you all for your advice. I will tell your suggestions the guy at my guitar shop. The problem is only that he is on vacation right now, but I hope when he comes back that he can fix it. Thank you!

[zappafrank]

Thank you for all your good advice. There was a problem with the wiring. Some wires were connected to wrong points at the pickup. Everything works now as it should. By the way I personally prefer the solution to just have the Axon 100 as a pretty fast MIDI Device and then using my old trusty Yamaha Motif Rack as a Sound Device instead of the Boss GM 800. I had it, but I did send it back. Let's just say we were not made for each other. I also still have my Roland VG99 which in a certain way still seems to be a very powerful device. Maybe one day if something like the Roland VG99 successor will be released I might be tempted to pull the trigger, but in the moment this kind of vintage setup that I have works pretty well for me.