Depends what you want to do. The Graphtech "Ghost" system is a more traditional piezo pickup system that replaces the string saddles on your bridge, then runs all six pickups into a summing amp that you can either mix with your magnetics or send out on its own for further processing.
Lotsa options there, so you may want to review them at the
Graphtech site. It's a ways down the list as far as ease of installation goes, but it's a good system that's highly regarded. Probably better for analog work, though. If you want your Strat to sound like an acoustic, this is probably the way to go. You'll still need some post-processing, but mainly to get the signal to sound good. Piezos on their own on an electric guitar are pretty disappointing.
If your intention is to get MIDI out of your guitar, then for a much easier installation, outstanding performance and an overall system that's more user-friendly, Fishman now has what they call their "
Triple Play"...
This is a fantastic system that I just can't say enough good things about. Nothing else can touch this. Latency is so short it borders on non-existent, which is unusual even among historically "better" systems. I mean, it's so fast it'll track bends and vibrato. Accuracy/sensitivity is spooky good. It'll let you do string splits (kinda like keyboard splits), and it's polyphonic so chords are no problem. It's wireless up to 100'. Since you're getting MIDI out, it opens up the entire world of sounds for you. Wanna play drums or trumpet or bass? No problem. Well, lotsa problems, but not from the equipment. Simply having an instrument that will make drum sounds will not make you a drummer - believe me, I've tried :laughing7:
After much research, I set up one of my Jazzmasters with both systems.
Properly installed, the Ghost system lives up to its name - if you don't know what you're looking for, it's all but invisible. It was a real pain in the shorts to install, but it's arguably better if you just want to play acoustic on your electric. on its own, it sounds sorta like a weak single coil with unusual edges so you'll need some sort of post-processing like a modeler or something to get it to actually sound like an acoustic, but once you're there, you're there.
The Triple Play is super-easy to install, and is so much fun you should have one just for the hell of it. Anyone who's ever wanted an analog-to-MIDI converter, this is thing to use. It's not like anything else out there - it actually works, and works well. Ever wanted to play "Highway Star", but didn't have a keyboard player on the other side of the stage with all the big ol' Hammonds you need? This is the widget that'll bring that home for you.
Here's one installed on a Strat...
ccasion14:
