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Roland STK-1 GR Guitar Controller Assembly

Roland STK-1 GR Guitar Controller Assembly

Features and Specifications:

  • Divided Pickup #610
  • Pre-Amp Board STK-1 (G-707)
  • Back Panel STK
  • 3 Knobs (Large) 3 Knobs (Small)
  • Touch Plate (with vinyl wire)
  • Pickup base
  • 24P Connector 2324M-K with Lock Shell 24 L1
  • Jack SG-7713
  • Binding screw M3 x 10 (2), Oval-headed screw 3 x 20 mm (2), Self-tapping screw (flat-headed) (9) 2.6 x 10 mm, flat-headed
  • Washer M3 (4), lock nut M3 (4), Volume Washer (6), Volume Nut (6)
  • Spring 0.6 x 3.2 x 18 mm (2)
  • Shielded wire, Vinyl wire (black)
  • Jack washer
  • Template STK-1, STK-2, STK-3
Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler with Roland STK-1 Modified Custom Strat

Introduction to the Roland STK-1 GR Guitar Controller Assembly:

Roland sought to increase the user base of their guitar synthesizer players with the release of the STK-1, LPK-1 and BAK-1 retrofit kits. Up until this point, the only guitars or basses that worked with the vintage Roland 24-pin synths like the GR-300 or GR-33B were produced by the Fuji Roland partnership.

The STK-1 is a kit consisting of the electronic components from the Roland G-707 guitar synthesizer controller, plus additional knobs, guitar back panel hardware, templates for guitar routing and miscellaneous wiring. The STK-1 was specifically designed to work with Strat type guitars, though it can be installed in any guitar. The STK-1 has a smaller footprint than the larger LPK-1 kit which used the G-303/G-808 electronics card.

Because the STK-1 is smaller, it required less routing of the guitar to install. Subsequently, the STK-1 is more commonly found in third-party guitars than the LPK-1. This was the electronics system in most of the Roland-Ready vintage 24-pin guitars, like the Zion Turbo Synth. Hamer A7 or the Gibson Explorer.

Links to more information:

David Gilmour and the Roland STK-1 with GR-700:

Eric Fisher shared this rare video of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour playing a fiesta red '57 vintage reissue Strat with Roland STK-1 electronics!

Check out the video, and you can hear Gilmour effectively laying his signature searing Strat solo tone with a Roland GR-700!

Gilmour's approach is smart, and respects the limits of the GR-700. He uses the unit most noticeably in his solo, playing high on the neck where the response is fastest, and rather than using the GR-700 as a solo tone, he uses it to enhance and compliment the natural sound of his Strat.

According to the site Watersish:

“In the 1983, David Gilmour bought few new guitars for his upcoming About Face tour. That included a Cream Strat which has become his main guitar on the tour, and a candy-apple Red Strat, that later replaced the Cream one. Both were a '57 vintage reissue models. Also purchased at that time was a fiesta red '62 vintage reissue Stratocaster with a white pickguard and rosewood neck. After being used as a back-up guitar on the tour, it was fitted with a Roland guitar synthesiser pickup and its additional electronics (hence the enlarged pickguard).

Gilmour used it briefly in conjunction with his normal guitar effects setup. The sound from the additional pickup went to a multi-way connector, then to a Roland GR700 guitar synthesiser, a MXR digital delay, a chorus, and finally to two Fender Concert amps.

This rig was used in 1984 during recording sessions with Paul McCartney, and also at the Guitar Greats concert for All Lovers Are Deranged (0:53:00).”

When One GR-700 Is Not Enough

David Gilmour with STK-1 Strat and two Roland GR-700s

After watching the video several times, I am convinced that there were not one, but two Roland GR-700's on stage!

It looks like Gilmour could be stepping on a US-2 switcher. Not sure what the second unit is for, maybe a backup?

Photos: David Gilmour - Live with Roland GR-700 and STK-1 Strat

Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Click on any image for larger view.

Photos STK-1:

Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1 Roland STK-1
Click on any image for larger view.

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