Owner’s Manual Thank you for purchasing the Roland GK-3 divided pickup. Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: • USING THE UNIT SAFELY (page 2–3) • IMPORTANT NOTES (page 3) These sections provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit. Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature provided by your new unit, Owner’s manual should be read in its entirety.
USING THE UNIT SAFELY The symbol alerts the user to important instructions or warnings.The specific meaning of the symbol is determined by the design contained within the triangle. In the case of the symbol at left, it is used for general cautions, warnings, or alerts to danger. Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of death or severe injury should the unit be used improperly.
55b 104 • Try to prevent cords and cables from becoming entangled. Also, all cords and cables should be placed so they are out of the reach of children. ......................................................................................................... 106 • Never climb on top of, nor place heavy objects on the unit. .........................................................................................................
Contents USING THE UNIT SAFELY..........2 IMPORTANT NOTES ...................3 Panel Descriptions ........... 5 Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar ............................. 6 Precautions Before Installing ....6 Adjusting the Divided Pickup ....8 Attaching the Divided Pickup ....9 Attaching the Pickup with Double-Sided Tape ............................9 Attaching the Pickup with Screws....12 Attaching the Pickup with the Holder .........................................
Panel Descriptions fig.0010 Pickup Cable 6. DOWN/S1 Switch Yoke 7. UP/S2 Switch 8. Power Indicator R Adjustment Screw 2. GK Volume 5. Select Switch 3. GK Connector 4. Normal Pickup Input Jack 1. Divided Pickup Controller Pickup 1. Divided Pickup 5. Select Switch This pickup detects the vibrations of the guitar strings. It is attached between the guitar bridge and the bridge pickup. This switches between the output from the connected GK device and the normal guitar output. 2.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar The GK-3 can be attached to and used with conventional electric and acoustic guitars. Please read the following precautions before installing the GK-3. Precautions Before Installing • Do not use the GK-3 with 12-string guitars or guitars with other unusual or customized string setups, guitars strung with non-metal core nylon strings. The unit will not function properly with these instruments.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar Confirm that the package contains all of the following parts for installing the GK-3. fig.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar Adjusting the Divided Pickup The surface of a guitar’s fingerboard is not flat, but describes a large arc from the first string to the sixth string, and the strings themselves are laid out in roughly the same curved arrangement. The divided pickup uses independent coils to pick up the vibrations of each separate string, so variations in the clearance between the strings and their corresponding pickups may result in discrepancies in sensitivity for each string.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar Attaching the Divided Pickup There are three ways to attach the divided pickup. ● Attaching the Pickup with DoubleSided Tape (p. 9) This provides the simplest way to attach the pickup to flat-top guitars. ● Attaching the Pickup with Screws (p. 12) This method features the benefit of allowing the pickups to be finely adjusted later on, but it is somewhat difficult to carry out. * * ● Attaching the Pickup with the Holder (p.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar 2. Be sure the neck curvature and string height are set properly, then tune each string to its normal tuning. * Changes in the string height following installation of the GK-3 pickup may cause the clearance between the strings and the pickup to change, which can result in poorer sensitivity. 3. Adjust the height of the pickup. Insert the supplied spacers under the pickup until it is at the required height (do not remove the backing from the tape yet).
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar 4) 5) 6) After removing the pickup, carefully remove the double–sided tape from the bottom of the pickup. Adjust the height of the Pickup. If you wish to add a spacer, first completely remove the used double– sided tape from the top surface of the existing spacers, then add the new spacer. If you need to remove any spacers, remove the necessary number of spacers and completely remove the remaining double–sided tape from the top surface.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar ■ Attaching the Pickup with Screws The steps for determining the position for attaching the pickup and for checking the height are exactly the same as when using the double-sided tape. Refer to “Attaching the Pickup with Double-Sided Tape” (p. 9). * The height of the strings from the body must be no less than 13 mm (9/16”) when the pickup is attached with screws. 1. Determine the position for attaching the pickup.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar ■ Attaching the Pickup with the Holder 1. Attach the divided pickup to the holder. 5. Restring and tune the guitar. fig.1105 * Tune the strings with the divided pickup adjusted to the optimal position (where all strings ride over their respective yokes). 6. Adjust the height of the pickup. * The pickup height should be adjusted so that the distance between the pickup and the strings is about 1.0 mm (0.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar Checking and Finely Adjusting the Pickup Height Use the clearance gauge to confirm that the clearance between each string and the pickup is about 1 mm. If the gap is greater than 1 mm (0.04”), make fine adjustments to the height of the pickup itself and to the pickup curve (refer to p. 8). Attaching the Controller There are two ways to attach the controller. ● Attaching the Controller Unit with Holder (p.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar ■ Attaching with the Holder 1. Remove three screws from the underside of the controller, then attach the GK-3 to holder “A.” 4. Attach holder “B” so that the guitar body is sandwiched between the two holders. fig.1120e (Attaching to the Holder) fig.1140e (Attaching to the Guitar 2) Holder A Cap Nut Holder B Flat Washer Spring Washer GK-3 5. Tighten holders “A” and “B” using the flat washer, the spring washer, and the cap nut. * 2.
Attaching the GK-3 to the Guitar ■ Attaching with Double–sided Tape and a Screw 1. Place the controller in an appropriate position on the guitar surface to determine where it is to be attached. Pay attention to the following points at this time. 3. After attaching the double–sided tape A to the underside of the Controller, attach the controller to the guitar. fig.1160 (Double-Sided Tape) • Install on a level surface. • Position the controller so it does not interfere with your playing.
How to Connect the GK-3 * To prevent malfunction and/or damage to speakers or other devices, always turn down the volume, and turn off the power on all devices before making any connections. * When connection cables with resistors are used, the volume level of equipment connected to the inputs (Normal Pickup Input jack) may be low. If this happens, use connection cables that do not contain resistors, such as those from the Roland PCS series.
How to Connect the GK-3 * Before playing, be sure to wrap the cable around the guitar strap near the end pin. This will prevent the excess strain on the cable that can end up damaging the guitar or the GK-3. fig.2040 3. Turn on the power to the connected GK device. The Power indicator on the Controller lights up. Now, when you play your guitar you’ll hear the sound of the connected GK device.
Specifications GK-3: Divided Pickup ● Dimensions fig.3020 73.6 (2-15/16) ● Controls GK Volume DOWN/S1 Switch UP/S2 Switch Select Switch ● Indicator Power Indicator ● Connectors GK Connector Normal Pickup Input Jack 87.0 (3-7/16) In the interest of product development, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice. 102.3 (4-1/16) 6.3 (1/4)* 7.6 (5/16)* 8.6 (3/8)* * 7.
For EU Countries This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC.
Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. AFRICA EGYPT Al Fanny Trading Office 9, EBN Hagar A1 Askalany Street, ARD E1 Golf, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341, EGYPT TEL: 20-2-417-1828 REUNION Maison FO - YAM Marcel 25 Rue Jules Hermann, Chaudron - BP79 97 491 Ste Clotilde Cedex, REUNION ISLAND TEL: (0262) 218-429 SOUTH AFRICA That Other Music Shop (PTY) Ltd. 11 Melle St.