Originally Posted by
(jim simpson @ May 04 2008, 00:21)
I have a Fender strat with the Roland pickup and controls already built into it. This is not the recently introduced model that has the synth sounds also built into the guitar, mine plugs into the floor module. I wonder if the pickup and controls from mine could be ordered and built into a mando for a cleaner look?
I don't know if the Roland controls are available as anything other than the stick-on module, for non-OEM use. If you use the RMC system you could build the synth controls into the body, but there are some advantages to using RMC's external Polydrive 2 box, if you don't absolutely need those control switches. I don't use em myself. I can control synth volume, patch changes etc. with a Midi pedal board, and I'd rather do that than take my hand off the strings, but YMMV.
The instrument looks much cleaner without the extra controls (if you care about that), and there isn't a heck of a lot of free space to work with on a mandolin-sized body. With the external preamp/breakout box you save a little money if you get more RMC-equipped instruments down the line, since the box can be used with all of them. Another advantage is the very solid bayonet connector at the guitar end. The flimsier GK-13 cable plugs into the box instead of the instrument with this setup. I'll never understand why Roland used such a flimsy connector design as their Midi guitar standard.
Lebeda F-5 mandolin, redwood top
Weber Yellowstone F-5 octave mandolin
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