Anyone want a git-to-MIDI rig?

[Mark Lavelle]

I offered this for sale quite a while ago, but the only person who expressed any interest faded away on me: I've got a Gibson Labs "Widget" guitar-to-MIDI converter that I haven't used in years, mostly because I gave up on the idea of being that kind of 'one man band'. I'd like to get $100 for it, but would be happy to hear from anyone who's seriously interested.

http://www.harmonicappliances.com/images/Widget_pup_&_boxes.jpg

[Mark Hammer]

I just bought myself a GK-1 and Roland controller unit, so alas I will not be a buyer. What I will say, though, is that I'm finding MIDI guitar one whole helluva lot of fun, and I urge folks with a little bit of discretionary money to take a look at Mark's Gibson unit and consider purchase. Older MIDI-based sound generators can be bought cheaply these days (I paid $20 for my Yamaha FB-01), or you can use a software synth which seems to be available for free download or on the cover disc of just about any music magazine these days.

[jaysg]

Thought you meant 'stupid-git-to-MIDI'. Oh well.

[Mark Lavelle]

[...] I'm finding MIDI guitar one whole helluva lot of fun, and I urge folks with a little bit of discretionary money to take a look at Mark's Gibson unit and consider purchase. Older MIDI-based sound generators can be bought cheaply these days (I paid $20 for my Yamaha FB-01), or you can use a software synth which seems to be available for free download or on the cover disc of just about any music magazine these days. Thanks for the plug, Mark!

My experience with MIDI guitar is that a lot of "guitaristic" licks/phrasing/etc. translates well into horn (section) parts. I've also found it quite natural for organ parts.

The main 'learning curve' issue is that you have to play ahead of the beat more than you otherwise would to compensate for the pitch conversion time, and the amount changes based on the pitch. In other words, a low E needs to be advanced more than a high E. OTOH, you can always fix the rhythm issues in your sequencer program... :D

[Mark Lavelle]

Thought you meant 'stupid-git-to-MIDI'. Oh well.
Nah -- stupid gits don't do MIDI! :D

[Steve Dallman]

I'd be interested in that box Mark. Does that $100 include shipping?

Let me know how to pay for it and get you the shipping address.

Steve Dallman
dbamplification@yahoo.com

[Mark Lavelle]

Sold!

[Steve Dallman]

I have a guitar picked out for this box. It is a Westone that I bought at the pawn shop just to mount a Fishman Power Bridge tremelo (built on a Wilkinson bridge) to. I replaced the pickups with a Duncan Trembucker in the bridge position, and a couple of blade type, single coil humbuckers in the middle and neck.

Among my 12 guitars, it's become my "go to" guitar. It's only natural that I use the midi box on that guitar.

I've read a lot of people complain about slow triggering on lower notes. Craig Anderton had an article a few year ago where he suggested replacing the 4 low strings, with strings from a 12 string set, and tune them an octave higher. Then use the synth to lower those 4 strings to the proper octave.

Obviously this limits what can be done with the straight guitar sounds.

But it is an interesting idea.

I'm just looking to get B3 sounds out of a guitar. It's been a nearly endless search, because I just couldn't afford most rigs.

I have several Leslies and also a Line 6 Roto Machine which does a fantastic job, but some users don't like it. They modeled in the tone shaping the cabinets and baffles produce in the three Leslies they modeled. So the sound is changed, and can sound a bit muted. It's a plus as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks again Mark. I'm glad I stumbled into this box.