Fitting Graph Tech Ghost System and Acousti-Phonic Kit to strat style guitar

[richardhomer]

You may not want to read this, but what I would do is buy a good acoustic simulator pedal.

No modification to the guitar, you can upgrade as necessary as technology improves without having to do anything else to the guitar, you can use it with all your guitars, and you have none of the reliability problems of piezo bridge saddles and onboard electronics (which are not that rare). I don't think they sound any less acoustic, either - piezos on a solidbody, especially one with a trem, don't sound like an acoustic... they sound like an electric guitar with a piezo pickup. The only exceptions I can think of are ones with proper wooden acoustic guitar bridges, and possibly some of the more recent semi-hollow electrics.

This is just my opinion though, and I admit that as a repairer some of the most annoying and frustrating jobs are onboard active systems (both on electric guitars and normal electro-acoustics), so possibly that makes me less willing to give them a chance. But I really don't like the sound of piezos either. I don't think magnetics sound any less 'acoustic', they both sound wrong but in different ways.

I agree with this. I installed a set of Mike Christian piezo saddles on my mid-90s Standard Strat years ago. Battery is in swimming pool route, so no major wood work involved, though I added a separate jack on the side, so I can run mag and piezo separately, without messing around with stereo leads. As a result, the guitar is of little second hand value. I also have a Roland hex pick up on it and have it set up with a higher action for side, so it has multiple uses and though a distinctly average instrument, it is a 'keeper'. A Melacon is of much greater value and the kind of people who buy that type of guitar tend not to like them messed with. I would keep it stock and if you really want to do the piezo thing, butcher something cheaper...

[ChrisJordan]

Personally I'd fit it, and then consider an acoustic simulator as well. The reason is that, and it's a personal opinion, a piezo gives more acoustic-like dynamics than a magnetic pickup. If you don't use a simulator then you can blend some magnetic signal, particularly neck single coil, into the piezo signal.

I believe that John Petrucci uses a blend of piezo and mag pickups to get his acoustic sound. Also I've seen on the Axe-FX forum a few acoustic guitar Tone Matches for piezo pickups, which is what's woking for Alex Lifeson.

[ChrisJordan]

A Melacon is of much greater value and the kind of people who buy that type of guitar tend not to like them messed with. I would keep it stock and if you really want to do the piezo thing, butcher something cheaper...

This is why I'm trying to ensure that I won't be carving big chunky bits out of my Mel. From what I understand, all I need to do is:

Buy another HSH pickguard, but with 3 knob holes, the current Mel only has 1 vol, 1 tone.
Transfer the Mel's electonics to the new pickguard.
Add extra switch to pickguard.
Replace the Floyd bridge saddles.
Feed the cables through.
Connect the electronics together.
Remove the mono jack, and replace with the stereo jack.
Replace pickguard

Am I over simplifying things, or do you find my youthful optimism delightful?

[axisus]

I put the whole lot into a tele body that I had made up. My biggest mistake was not having a big enough cutout for all the gubbins (a ton of wires!). Graph techs instructions could be better - tiny b&w book, greyscale diagrams with spine through the middle. Very pleased with the results though. Make sure you keep proof of purchase though, my acoustic board died in the first year and I had to return it to USA for a replacement. Pics in my sig area.

[WezV]

i prefer the graphtech system to other electric guitar peizo systems. i generally hate the peizo sound, even on proper acoustics, but having the warmer saddle material seems to round the tone off a bit and make this acceptable and workable

[ChrisJordan]

That is a nice looking Tele, and I don't like Teles.

I've had a look at the instructions on the Graph Tech site, so I'm feeling quite up for it. I've just got to find a pickguard that'll suit my needs.

[felineguitars]

I stock and fit the Graphtech ghost system and I really like it
I have a couple of axes in usually with it fitted and tend to make a few customs with them too.
The system goes together easily and the results are pretty good.
I have a spare set of strat plus saddles if anyone is seeking some

[ChrisJordan]

...other than that the graphtech stuff is pretty easy to work with

Aaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!! I just can't figure out where to put that battery pack without carving up the Mel. I may just sell some of my cheaper guitars (ie USA Strat) and see if I can build something out of parts. Then at least I can put the full Roland stuff in there.