Let’s do another Steve Morse inspired build!

[stratamania]

What are you using for conversion? My understanding is the Rolands and Yamaha G-50 (which I have) don't do piezo.

The Hexpander preamp takes the Piezo signal and outputs it via 13 pin. Also on Rolands such as GR55 and others there is a setting for what type of pickup you are using so you can dial it in for sensitivity etc.

 

[bonesofwrath]

Yes, you can't plug a ghost into anything 13 pin without it. I was specifically talking about the MIDI conversion.

 

[stratamania]

Yes, you can't plug a ghost into anything 13 pin without it. I was specifically talking about the MIDI conversion.

There is no MIDI conversion going on in a guitar with a Hexpander or Hex pickup, any conversion to MIDI occurs in a unit such as the GR55 and is only needed if you are then going to communicate to another synth for example. But this probably belongs in a separate thread or the VGuitars forum.

 

[bonesofwrath]

I know this and have not said anything that would imply it is happening in the hexpander. I have a ghost setup hexpander and a G-50 it doesn't work with. I ran out of patience and money for that part of the project long ago. These days it sounds like everyone just goes with the Fishman as its a superior conversion process. It's a shame it isn't available as an internal device.

 

[Hodgo]

Not for nothing, but Steve is using a GK-3 in the Beato interview from this week.

I’ve been messing with the neck in the background. I sanded it to 1500grit, applied two coats of tru oil with a buff of #0000 in between. Then a thin coat of gunstock wax. Feels fantastic.

I also installed the Schallers and leveled the frets, then cleaned the fretboard and treated it with lemon oil.

On the body side, I filed a notch for the truss wheel using a half round file that was basically the perfect width.

 

[Flufene]

Wow. You have done a great job on this and it has been a blast following yiur progress.

 

[stratamania]

I know this and have not said anything that would imply it is happening in the hexpander. I have a ghost setup hexpander and a G-50 it doesn't work with. I ran out of patience and money for that part of the project long ago. These days it sounds like everyone just goes with the Fishman as its a superior conversion process. It's a shame it isn't available as an internal device.

What you have said is that you keep referring to MIDI guitar, which, regardless of whether it being a Ghost and Hexpander to 13 pin or Roland GK Hex type pickup, it is not a MIDI guitar. It is incorrect nomenclature. Not everyone is using the Fishman system. Whatever system you use as you have found out compatibility matters.

 

[stratamania]

@Hodgo great progress. Personally, I would have gone for 22 frets, but a new pickguard should tie it all together.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Looking awesome, and Rick Beato just interviewed Steve Morse (Beato’s YT channel), which is a must see!

This was a fantastic interview.

 

[stratamania]

@Hodgo any updates on the Morse inspired build?

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

Damn this is a super cool build idea! Love jt

 

[Hodgo]

@Hodgo any updates on the Morse inspired build?

It hasn’t changed, sadly. I decided earlier this year I wanted to learn the drums and that’s soaked up most of my music related free time.

 

[stratamania]

It hasn’t changed, sadly. I decided earlier this year I wanted to learn the drums and that’s soaked up most of my music related free time.

Thanks for the update, I look forward to when you can get back to it. I wish you good progress on the drums, did you go for an acoustic or electric kit?

 

[Hodgo]

Thanks for the update, I look forward to when you can get back to it. I wish you good progress on the drums, did you go for an acoustic or electric kit?

Acoustic! Although I was inspired by a friend who had gotten an e-kit, I just don’t think there’s much substitute. I got an Imperialstar 4 piece but dropped it down to 3 + a cowbell almost instantly.

 

[stratamania]

Acoustic! Although I was inspired by a friend who had gotten an e-kit, I just don’t think there’s much substitute. I got an Imperialstar 4 piece but dropped it down to 3 + a cowbell almost instantly.

You can't have enough cowbell according to the old skit.

 

[Hodgo]

I’m excited to report that I have won an eBay auction on an original VS-1/DP-108. I had the alert set up for a while now, so I’m going to take this as a sign to get back to the build.

Next steps are figuring out what tool and/or jig I need to get from the tailpiece to the control cavity and soldering this mess together. More to come when the pickup gets here.

 

[stratamania]

I’m excited to report that I have won an eBay auction on an original VS-1/DP-108. I had the alert set up for a while now, so I’m going to take this as a sign to get back to the build.

That's cool, it will be interesting to see how you find it compares to the previous pickup you got for that position.

Next steps are figuring out what tool and/or jig I need to get from the tailpiece to the control cavity and soldering this mess together. More to come when the pickup gets here.

Is the bridge itself not grounded by a ground wire under the studs? If so, the strings will ground that way.

But if you do need to drill a hole you need something called an aircraft bit.

Here is a link just to show the type of bit it is.

12

Extra-long 'aircraft' bits for drilling wiring channels between cavities.

www.stewmac.com

 

[Hansfoick]

I also have a Morse pickguard here to use for templating purposes, but I thought I’d see how I liked the shape over a Tele. I gotta say, although I had intended on doing a different shape with the horn included, I really like this look and might end up sticking with something very close:

View attachment 60691

What was the outcome of this build? I am looking to build a guitar with the Steve morse pickup configuration.

 

[Hodgo]

What was the outcome of this build? I am looking to build a guitar with the Steve morse pickup configuration.

You’re in luck, maybe. I am about to solder it up this weekend and will take pics.