Digital Pickups??

quicklickpaddy

I was in MusicMaker today and they had this SSS Strat with an extra really skinny and long pickup between the bridge pickup and the bridge. Turns out it was a digital pickup. They didn't have any batteries in the guitar (the digital pickup was powered by 4 AA's that you just put in a compartment in the back) so I couldn't try it out. Does anyone know anything about them? Is it just for Midi stuff or can you use it through your usual effects and amp setup?
The guy in the shop said it had some basic effects built into it like chorus and flanger and stuff like that. I'm about to mod one of my guitars so would it be worth my while bothering to put one in? (considering I don't use anthing Midi related)

Dord

quicklickpaddy wrote: »

I was in MusicMaker today and they had this SSS Strat with an extra really skinny and long pickup between the bridge pickup and the bridge. Turns out it was a digital pickup. They didn't have any batteries in the guitar (the digital pickup was powered by 4 AA's that you just put in a compartment in the back) so I couldn't try it out. Does anyone know anything about them? Is it just for Midi stuff or can you use it through your usual effects and amp setup?
The guy in the shop said it had some basic effects built into it like chorus and flanger and stuff like that. I'm about to mod one of my guitars so would it be worth my while bothering to put one in? (considering I don't use anthing Midi related)

That would be a Roland hex pickup for use with MIDI synths. It doesn't have any sounds inside, it just turns your guitar into a controller. Fender offer a "Roland-ready" Strat and several other guitar companys offer MIDI pickups on guitars including Parker. You can also buy the pickup as an aftermarket add-on for guitars.

here's a video that explains it and shows it in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVwM-3Duy8U

reniwren

I have a gr system and 2 guitars with different pickup systems for the unit but both are powered by the gr unit itself, I'm guessing its just an active pickup the only digital pickups I ever came across were Lightwave

I could be wrong though

quicklickpaddy

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/vg-stratocaster-18909/review/2

That's what I was playing in the shop... Reading through it the only thing I don't get is whether I can use the different models straight through my amp or do I need anything else?

reniwren

I was wrong then

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVgg9VlKfz8

Dord

quicklickpaddy wrote: »

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/vg-stratocaster-18909/review/2

That's what I was playing in the shop... Reading through it the only thing I don't get is whether I can use the different models straight through my amp or do I need anything else?

Ahhh... i forgot about the VG. It was discontinued in late 2009.
It was basically Fenders take on the Line6 guitars using a roland hex pickup. It didn't really do well though.