Yamaha G1DE User Manual

Owner’s Manual

Bedienungsanleitung

Mode d’emploi

The G1D is a high-performance guitar synthesizer
pickup/driver designed for use with the Yamaha G50
Guitar MIDI Converter. When properly installed and
adjusted it can add high-performance MIDI guitar
synthesizer capability to just about any electric or
steel-string acoustic guitar.

Please read this owner’s manual carefully, and
follow the installation instructions within in order to
ensure proper operation.

Contents

Precautions .................. 2

Nomenclature ................ 3

Installation .................. 4

Setup ..................... 12

Specifications ................ 14

1

Precautions !! PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PROCEEDING !!

■ Location

Do not expose the G1D to the following conditions
to avoid deformation, discoloration, or more
serious damage.

• Direct sunlight (e.g. near a window).

• High temperatures (e.g. near a heat source,
outside, or in a car during the daytime).

• Excessive humidity.

• Excessive dust.

• Strong vibration.

■ Connections

• When connecting the G1D to the Yamaha G50
Guitar MIDI Converter, be sure to use the
specified multi-pin cable (supplied with the
G50 Guitar MIDI Converter).

• Always connect the direct guitar cable (page

12), even if you don’t intend to use the direct
guitar sound. The direct guitar cable is essential
for proper grounding, to minimize noise and
prevent electric shock.

• Always unplug cables by gripping the plug
firmly, not by pulling on the cable.

• Disconnect all cables before moving the
instrument or any connected equipment.

■ Handling and Transport

• Never apply excessive force to the controls,
connectors or other parts of the instrument.

• Physical shocks caused by dropping, bumping,
or placing heavy objects on the instrument can
result in scratches and more serious damage.

• Be careful not to damage the G1D controller
when placing the guitar in a case or on a stand.

■ Cleaning

• Clean the unit with a dry soft cloth.

• A slightly damp cloth may be used to remove
stubborn grime and dirt.

• Never use cleaners such as alcohol or thinner.

■ Service and Modification

• The G1D contains no user serviceable parts.
Opening it or tampering with it in any way can
lead to irreparable damage and possibly
electric shock. Refer all servicing to qualified
YAMAHA personnel.

YAMAHA is not responsible for damage caused by improper installation, handling, or operation.

2

Precautions

Nomenclature

6

1

2

4 Power Indicator

The G1D is receiving power from the G50

3

Guitar MIDI Converter when this indicator is lit.
The indicator lights when the G1D is properly
connected to the G50 via the multi-pin cable, and
the G50 power is turned ON.

7

4

5

1 Pickup

This is the actual “pickup” unit which converts
the physical motion of the guitar’s strings into an
electrical signal which can be processed by the
G1D and transmitted to the G50 Guitar MIDI
Converter.

■ CAUTION!

• Because of its slender dimensions the pickup

unit is quite delicate and can be damaged if sub­jected to unnecessary force, bending, or twisting.
Handle the pickup carefully!

2 Multi-pin Cable Connector

This is the main output from the G1D. One end
of the multi-pin cable supplied with the G50 Guitar
MIDI Converter is plugged in here, and the other
end of the cable is plugged into the DIVIDED
INPUT connector on the G50. The multi-pin cable
connector delivers both the individual string output
from the G1D pickup and the combined output
from the guitar’s output jack to the G50 Guitar
MIDI Converter. It also supplies power from the
G50 to the G1D, and sends the control signals
produced by the G1D UP/DOWN buttons and
VOL control to the G50.

5 Volume Control

Controls the volume of the MIDI tone
generator(s) connected to the G50 Guitar MIDI
Converter (the G50 translates the position of this
control to MIDI master volume data which is sent
to the tone generator). Use the guitar’s original
volume controls to adjust the volume of the direct
guitar sound.

6 UP/DOWN Buttons

These button can be used to select different
synthesizer voices and select other functions while
playing the G1D. Press either button briefly to
increment or decrement the G50 Guitar MIDI
Converter memory number by one (and thereby the
voice number of the synthesizer or tone generator
it is driving), or hold either button for continuous
scrolling in the corresponding direction.

7 GUITAR/MIX/SYNTH Selector

Selects the type of output to be delivered via
the multi-pin cable connector to the G50 Guitar
MIDI Converter, as listed below:

GUITAR Only the direct guitar sound will be

heard (i.e. no synthesizer sound will be
produced).

MIX Both the direct guitar sound and

individual-string synthesizer output
will be heard.

SYNTH Only the individual-string synthesizer

output is sent to the G50 (no direct
guitar sound will be heard).

3 Direct Guitar Input Jack

This jack receives the combined output from
the guitar’s normal pickups from the guitar’s output
jack. The short cable supplied with the G1D is
used to connect the guitar’s output jack (large 1/4"
phone jack end of the cable) to the G1D direct
guitar input jack (small mini-jack end of the cable).

Nomenclature

3

Installation

Installing the G1D on a guitar is not a
difficult process, but it does require care and at
least a modicum of mechanical ability. If you
don’t feel totally confident that you can handle
the job, it might be a good idea to leave the
installation to someone experienced in guitar
modification or repair.

Guitar Compatibility

The G1D can be installed on most electric and
steel-string acoustic guitars, with the following

exceptions:

• Since the G1D employs a magnetic pickup, it

will not work with nylon or other non-metallic

strings.

• The G1D is designed for use with 6-string

guitars. It will not work properly with 12-string

guitars or other non-standard string configura-

tions.

• The G1D pickup should be installed between

the guitar’s bridge and bridge pickup. Installa-

tion may not be possible if there is not enough

room between the bridge and bridge pickup of

your guitar, or between the guitar top and

strings.

IMPORTANT!

Make sure your guitar’s neck (truss rod) and
string height/intonation (bridge) are properly
adjusted before installing the G1D.

Installing the Controller
Unit

Install the controller unit before installing the
pickup, being careful not to damage the pickup
during the installation process.

A number of installation options are provided:

• Screw.

• Double-sided adhesive tape.

• Re-usable adhesive pads.

• Velcro fastener.

• Bracket.

• Suction cups.

4

Installation

Choose the method which best is best suited to

your guitar and playing requirements.

■ Hardware

■ Installation Procedure

The following parts are provided for installation
of the controller unit. Please make sure you have
all the parts.

• Self-tapping round-head screw (3x16mm)

...........................1

• Double-sided adhesive tape....................3

• Re-usable double-sided adhesive pads

(transparent). ..... 3

• Spacer (double-sided adhesive). ............ 6

1. Determine the optimum
location for installation.

Normally, the controller should be attached

somewhere behind the guitar’s bridge, as shown in
the illustration. It should be accessible, but it
should not interfere with your playing or any of the
guitars controls or adjustments. Consider the
following points carefully when deciding on the
best location to install the controller:

Pickup

Direct guitar’s cable

Controller

GUITAR

SYNTH

MIX

DOWN

UP

VOL

• Velcro fastener.........................................1

• Bracket.....................................................1

• Suction cups ............................................ 3

Multi-pin cable

• The controller and pickup cable should not get
in the way of your picking-hand at any time.
Make sure the location you choose will not
affect your playing style.

• The controller should not block or hamper
access to any of the guitar’s controls: tone,
volume, bridge adjustments (especially watch
out for intonation/saddle screws accessed from
the rear of the bridge).

• The controller must be well within reach of
both the pickup cable (when the pickup is in its
final installed position) and the direct guitar
cable

• Neither the controller unit itself nor any of the
connected cable plugs should extend beyond the
body of the guitar to prevent accidental damage.

Installation

5

2. Mark and drill the controller
screw hole

■ CAUTION!

• Make sure the multi-pin cable and direct guitar's
cable are disconnected from the controller before
installation.

While holding the controller unit in exactly the

position it is to be installed, use a fine pen or scribe
to mark the center of the screw hole (located in the
multi-pin cable recess of the controller) on the
body of your guitar.

Then set the controller unit aside and carefully

drill a 2-millimeter (1/16" inch, approx.) hole at the
marked location.

■ NOTES

• For acoustic or semi-acoustic guitars, or simply if the
idea of drilling a hole in your guitar makes you
shudder, the controller can be attached using only
the adhesive tape, the Velcro faster, or any of the
other installation options described below. Please
note, however, that screw installation is the most
secure method, and is recommended wherever
possible.

• The Velcro fastener is provided for players who will
be frequently removing and reattaching the G1D.
DO NOT use the adhesive pads if you use the Velcro
fastener.

(see “NOTES” below).

screw hole

Bottom side

3. Attach the controller.
(screw/adhesive tape)

Remove the protective backing from one side

of the adhesive tape patches and attach them to the
bottom of the controller as shown in the illustra­tion.

■ NOTES

• You can use the standard adhesive tape or the re-

usable adhesive pads on just about any type of guitar.
See “The Re-usable Adhesive Pads” below, for details.

• The adhesive tape/pads may react chemically with the

finish on some guitars, causing discoloration or
otherwise marring the finish. It might be a good idea
to try attaching a small piece of tape/pad at some
location that is not obvious for a few days before
actual installation.

• If your guitar has an arched top or is shaped in such

a way that the controller won’t sit properly with only
the standard adhesive tape, use as many of the
spacers as required in the appropriate location(s) to
position the controller as required. The spacers are
adhesive on both sides, with protective backing like
the standard adhesive tape.

Next, carefully clean the area on the guitar body

to which the controller is to be attached to eliminate
dust, dirt, and particularly any oil or grease which
might prevent the adhesive from sticking. Then
remove the protective backing from the exposed side
of the adhesive tape, and carefully attach the control­ler to the guitar making sure that the screw hole in
the controller is perfectly aligned with the screw hole
in the body of your guitar (if you drilled one). Press
firmly — but don’t use excessive force — to ensure
that the tape sticks securely.

Finally, screw the supplied self-tapping round-

head screw (3 x 16 mm) into the pre-drilled hole in
the guitar body through the hole in the controller.
Screw only “finger tight” — if you attempt to

screw the screw in too far or too tight you might
damage the controller and or your guitar!

6

Installation

The Re-usable Adhesive Pads

The re-usable adhesive pads can be used in the
same way as the standard double-sided adhesive
tape for controller unit installation. They can be re­used many times, and if their adhesive qualities
deteriorate due to accumulated dust and dirt, they
can be restored to virtually like-new conditions by
washing carefully with a neutral detergent. If you
do repeatedly attach and remove the re-usable
adhesive pads, it is a good idea to replace the
original protective backing when the pads are not
in use to keep them in top condition.

Bracket Installation

An alternative method is to attach the bracket
using the guitar’s strap pin (the spacers should still
be used to prevent the controller/bracket assembly
from scratching the surface of the guitar). Loosen
the strap pin on the guitar body by unscrewing its
attachment screw by a few turns, slide the slot in
the bracket under the pin as shown in the illustra­tion, then tighten the pin screw until the bracket is
held firmly in position.

This installation option has the advantages that

no holes need to be drilled in the guitar.

To use the bracket, first unscrew the two screws
marked with arrows on the bottom of the controller
unit, then use the same screws to attach the
controller unit to the bracket as shown in the
illustration.

Next, attach the spacers (double-sided adhesive)
to the bracket to protect the guitar surface from the
screw heads, and attach the bracket to the guitar in
the appropriate position, as shown in the illustra­tion.

■ CAUTION!

• Repeated loosening and tightening of the strap pin,
or application of excessive force to the bracket, can
cause the strap pin screw to become loose.

Suction Cup Installation

The supplied suction cups are a handy and
fairly secure way to attach the controller unit to
guitars with a flat top and a smooth, shiny finish.

To use the suction cups, first insert the bases of
the three suction cups into the large openings in
the three holes on the bottom of the controller unit,
then slide the bases of the cups toward the narrow
section of the holes until they are held securely.
Then, after making sure the surface of your guitar
is free from dirt and grease, simply press the
controller unit onto the guitar top at the appropriate
location.

The suction cups can be removed by slightly
lifting the edge of each cup.

Spacer
(Double-sided
adhesive tape)

Installation

7