T-60 GK2 Mod

by Mike Frederick

OK, I admit it.  I'm never satisfied.  As far ranging as the T-60s tonal

qualities are, I had to go over the top.

I had always liked the idea of being able play multiple instruments on my

guitar (without have to actually learn them, of course) ever since I first

saw a Roland system years ago.  Unfortunately, they have always out of my budget until I ran across

a deal on eBay last year.  Up for auction was an Epiphone Les Paul Jr complete with a Roland

GK2 and GR-1 for $400.  So, I went for it.  No need for the Jr, so the

GK2 got stripped, and the guitar got sold to a 12 year old budding Clapton.  Now the

challenge remained in how to mount the GK2 on the T-60.

The GK2 needs to be mounted very close to the bridge.  Unfortunately there

is little room to mount anything between that Mil Spec bridge assembly and

the bridge pickup.  Add to this that I have a major aversion to cutting/drilling or

otherwise screwing up original equipment.  The answer came in the form of

good old silicone window sealer.  Same stuff you buy at the car parts

store.  As you can see in the photo (and before I trimmed off some of the

excess), I simply filled the gap between the bridge and the pickup and

squished the GK2 into it.  A little time to harden and -- voila!

Mounted in the perfect position!  The nice part of this is it can be

removed by simply cutting through the silicone with an exacto knife, leaving

no damage to anything.

By the way, there is one interesting side benefit.  You develop some new

ways of playing.  You can't just phrase a grand piano, a B3 or a violin

the same way you do a guitar.  Kind of enlightening.

{{{SIGH}}}  Of course, I couldn't just stop there.   Since the GR-1

(essentially a Juno in a foot pedal) converts the guitar notes into MIDI

data, I had to go and buy a Digitech Vocalist.  Now I can screw up songs

in five part harmony as well!  I'm loving life.

If Mike has the disk space and the inclination, maybe I can post some Wavs

for you to check out.  Kinda cool to have the low string also playing bass

with the upper four doing a jazz organ.  All along with the wonderful

sound of the T-60. (Note from editor. We'll give Mr. Frederick all the disk space he needs!)