Members Tomm Williams Posted October 28, 2015 Members Share Posted October 28, 2015 I'm attempting to install one of these on one of my Strats and having a slight issue. The directions I've found on-line speak to mounting the pick-up providing for a slight amount of clearance between the strings and pick-up when fretted at the last fret. Problem is, I can't get the pickup in place without lifting the strings up. When fretted at the last (21st) fret, the strings touch the pick-up and I don't consider either of my Strats as having extremely low actions. Anyone else run into this ? Suggestions ? Found some info on a V-guitar site, apparently this is a common issue with most people electing to shim the neck to change the angle enough to accommodate the GK3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WRGKMC Posted October 28, 2015 Members Share Posted October 28, 2015 From what you're describing, it sounds like you'll have to shim the neck. When you tilt the neck back, it will lower the string height. Then you can raise the string height back up to allow the pickup to fit under the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted October 28, 2015 Members Share Posted October 28, 2015 Would you have enough clearance if you used a thinner (single layer) pickguard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Are you sure there are no shims beneath the GK3? Usually those pickups come with shims so you can get them high enough / close enough to the strings. I've never seen one without shims that was too high... but I've never tried a GK3 - just the older GK2's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomm Williams Posted October 28, 2015 Author Members Share Posted October 28, 2015 Would you have enough clearance if you used a thinner (single layer) pickguard? Perhaps but I think shimming the neck would be much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomm Williams Posted October 28, 2015 Author Members Share Posted October 28, 2015 Are you sure there are no shims beneath the GK3? Usually those pickups come with shims so you can get them high enough / close enough to the strings. I've never seen one without shims that was too high... but I've never tried a GK3 - just the older GK2's. No shims Phil, this is a used unit from a GC but appears to be in very nice shape. I'm still communicating with Roland to obtain an install kit with all the shims, tape, etc...... I guess if I'm careful with the neck shim, the PU shouldn't need any itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomm Williams Posted October 28, 2015 Author Members Share Posted October 28, 2015 From what you're describing, it sounds like you'll have to shim the neck. When you tilt the neck back, it will lower the string height. Then you can raise the string height back up to allow the pickup to fit under the strings. I was guessing the same, I imagine it would not take much of a shim to get a little clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted October 29, 2015 Members Share Posted October 29, 2015 Cut the pickguard. Shimming your neck means you will have to reset the actions and intonation,. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomm Williams Posted October 29, 2015 Author Members Share Posted October 29, 2015 Cut the pickguard. Shimming your neck means you will have to reset the actions and intonation' date='.[/quote'] True but both are easy to accomplish, cutting the pickguard is permanent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted October 29, 2015 Members Share Posted October 29, 2015 Is it a collector thing? I'd take a Dremel to the pickguard. Shave to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Karma1 Posted October 29, 2015 Members Share Posted October 29, 2015 This is a bit aside from your original question but when you mentioned about getting an install kit from Roland with tape, etc. I was wondering how you plan on mounting the GK housing/control unit to your guitar. I got a bracket for my GK2 that allows you to mount the unit without drilling into the body or using tape. You just bolt the GK unit to the bracket, loosen the strap peg, slide the bracket between the peg and the body, and re-tighten. Its easily removeable and leaves no holes or tape marks on the guitar. You may already know about that, but just thought I'd mention it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomm Williams Posted October 30, 2015 Author Members Share Posted October 30, 2015 Yes I'll be using that bracket for the controller, it's the pick up that I'm having issues with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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