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Topic: GFI Ultra pickup mounting issues |
Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2022 2:08 pm |
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| Trying to install a Lawrence 705 in my 2021 GFI Ultra SD10 4X5. The wide mount base is too wide so I shaved it to fit. The pickup cavity is shallow and the original pickup wires are not centered and close to the corner on rear apron side. If i pad the pickup to get clearance for the wire, it sets too close to the strings. I don't want to carve out the cavity. Anyone with GFI experience have a suggestion? |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2022 3:11 pm
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Unfortunately, this is one negative with the design. You always have to trim the edges of the pickups to make them fit and you’ll need to drill another hole to run the wire through the body to make it fit flat. (I have several holes now to choose from  )
It will then fit nicely in place and it’s a perfect match for tone. I’ve tried numerous pickups in my GFI over the years and settled on the 705. 🙂 |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2022 3:56 pm
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| David thanks, I struggled with that decision but the writing is on the wall. I'm determined to use the 705. What a bummer the maker chose to make the cavity so small. Steeltronics will make a pickup to fit, but I have to try my favorite 705 first. |
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Bruce Derr
From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2022 4:37 pm
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What David said. I put a used 705 in my GFI Ultra S-10 and found it to be a very nice pickup for that guitar. I did drill another hole to accommodate the cable.
I also put in a single-coil switch and a series-parallel switch. Finding a place to mount the switches was trickier than installing the pickup. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2022 4:49 pm
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| Bruce, thanks. How did the switch work out and where did you mount it? Are you happier with the 705? |
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Bruce Derr
From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2022 5:44 am
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Larry, I have found the switches to be useful for getting a brighter, thinner sound, which I like to do on some songs. I wired the single coil switch to allow me to select either coil of the pickup, but in practice I have found that there is little difference between the two coils.
The series/parallel switch puts the two coils in series (the normal humbucking arrangement) or parallel, which sounds much like a single coil, but has the advantage of being humbucking. If I were to choose only one of the switches I'd probably pick the series/parallel because of that. (Although I have not noticed any noise problems when using the single coil switch.)
I made a bracket for the switches and mounted it to the little side rail near the changer. I had to drill and tap two holes for 4-40 screws to mount the bracket. I made the bracket from a scrap of sheet aluminum using a shear and a bending brake. I'll post a photo later today. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2022 7:11 am
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| Thanks Bruce. With that said, I think I will try the HB mode 1st, and if that isn't to my liking I will add a switch. Please post your picture. |
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Bruce Derr
From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2022 9:14 am
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Most of the time I use the pickup in regular humbucking (series) mode and it sounds great. If you skip the switches I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Here's my switch bracket.
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 7 Nov 2022 4:55 am
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| Bruce, nice job on the bracket. I should have my install done by today. I'm anxious to see if it improves the tone. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 7 Nov 2022 1:04 pm
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| With a new 1/4 inch hole drilled the pickup is mounted. I made a template out of cardboard to locate the hole and laid it in the cavity to drill. No issues there and the pickup lays flat. I need to redo all my settings but so far the tone is much better. The mids and highs richer and the low is deep and smooth. Thanks to all that reached out to help. |
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