Super Swede…
Well; busy times around here in preparation for the concert in Territorios Sevilla the day after tomorrow. With the help of our friend Paulo Carocinho (almost our official technician and photographer!;-),) I am installing a Roland GK3 Divided Pickup on a brand new Hagstrom Super Swede, bought to replace my hold and beloved Pearl Export Custom that after all these years of usage is in need of a severe rebuilt.
I have chosen this guitar for several reasons, but the main ones were its acoustic properties (a huge bottom end, almost as if the guitar was a semi-hollow) and obviously the vintage influenced Les Paul retro look.
I personally dislike modern guitars, and I’m not too fond on the million Fender guitar influenced designs that exist today either. My preference goes to archtoped shaped guitars with hambuckers, solid-bodys or semi-hollows.
In this particular case, I had to chose a solid-body because I am going to install the midi pickup, and it seems to me that it works better on solid-bodys.
I installed the first midi pickup some years ago, and since then assumed that the sonic characteristics of the instrument were not important when translated to midi, but I couldnt` be further from the truh. They really do, and the better the instrument resonates and is in tune, the better will be the sound delivered by the GK3.
And now, let’s hope that I will be able to play it properly in the concert without to much re-adjustment.
photos by: Paulo Carocinho
Lisa Richard
says:I think it’s pretty cool. The learning curve is in how you play and in adjusting your synth or sound module. There really isn’t much to this thing, which is good. It’s really simple to use. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to use it. You don’t even really need to know any thing about midi, either. Just hook it up and go. There is some getting used to it as well as some tricks and techniques to get it to trigger notes properly. Hot pickups are not good. Use a guitar with lower output pickups or try reducing the volume and roll off the treble. Floating tremeloes will cause mistriggering (if there is such a word) unless you have a very light and precise touch.Seems to be a solid little gizmo. Only had it a week so, I guess time will tell.It’s a lot cheaper than investing in a midi pickup and interface, especially when I’m just kinda getting my feet wet in this midi guitar thing.