Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Install a Roland GK-3 MIDI KIT that may tone up your guitar playing to the next level.
Contents:
0:00 Start
0:14 Intro and Preamble
1:47 Donor body
2:56 Drilling the GK-3 I/O
3:51 The GK-3 Kit
4:46 Location of GK-3 Board
6:45 GK-3 I/O Connector
7:46 Expensive body?
9:00 Main board fitted
9:18 Fit the I/O connector
10:46 The Manual
11:17 Drill Control Holes
14:24 Fit an ABM tremolo
19:35 Nitro Body Refinish
20:39 Finished guitar info
21:40 Power for GK-3?
22:06 Other power ideas
22:48 Fishman power
23:46 GK-3 Images discussed
24:48 Semi installed wiring
25:56 Pickup Wiring
26:40 GK-3 wiring to I/O
26:53 GK-3 pickup wiring hole
27:20 More on Fishman battery
28:09 GK-3 Controls
29:20 The Nitro Problem
29:47 ADVICE - GK-3 KIT
30:45 Likes and dislikes
34:33 Warranty?
34:47 Score
35:37 Is the GK-3 good value?
38:49 MIDI controls video
40:43 Guitar played
Links to my other reviews:
Guitar Synthesizers Roland Boss SY1000 & GM-800 review: youtu.be/XI4EozCQYbc
Roland Boss GK-5 easy install Reviewed: youtu.be/_LwWgU8SubM
How to Videos for guitarists: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2HoYOlX1LUIVsZy9jO649CaD7HUHGfDw
Reviews of fine electric guitars: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEECCBA95315E63B6
Now then, the GK-3 KIT for midi is a difficult unit to install. But if you're also building a guitar at the same time and you're unsure of what you're doing? Don't bother!
It's true that the GK-3 Kit includes everything you might need, but the instructions are at best pretty terrible and there is no way that someone without experience would easily complete the installation. What are Roland Boss thinking of?
There are countless issues as I show this installation - and even I stopped recording the installation as it all became harder and harder to complete. But I do show you most of the installation and I do offer many tips throughout the video so that you might persevere with the Roland GK-3 Kit install yourself.
WARNING: Whatever you do, if you're not completely confident about this install and have an expensive guitar then DON'T DO IT!
I purchased the GK-3 with my own money and the review is entirely financed by me for your pleasure. The review actually does show you some of the work and the pain and in my opinion shows a good representation of what you get and how hard it can be to complete.
NOTE: I Used (for the guitar part played) a Marshall SC-20 in to a 1 x 12 cab and microphone AKG in to the desk for that playing. The MIDI control functions were from synth to desk but are not created to show playing as such but more of the controls available on the guitar.
I have spent considerable time creating this video entirely at my own expense.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RING THE BELL, AND THUMBS UP - AND CHOOSE THE 'ALL' BUTTON (or you won't receive notifications about new reviews!) to give my channel a boost and thank you for watching - I hope the video is enjoyable.
(c) A B McKenzie and tonymckenzie.com 2009-2025
All Rights Reserved. All Trade Marks Acknowledged
Visit tonymckenzie.com for more incredible reviews or my YouTube channel where there are literally hundreds of reviews to watch.
#rolandgk-3kit #rolandmidi #boss #gk3kit #installation #install #bosseffects #guitarbuild #tonymckenzie #roland #stratocaster #strat
Install a Roland GK-3 MIDI KIT that may tone up your guitar playing to the next level.
Contents:
0:00 Start
0:14 Intro and Preamble
1:47 Donor body
2:56 Drilling the GK-3 I/O
3:51 The GK-3 Kit
4:46 Location of GK-3 Board
6:45 GK-3 I/O Connector
7:46 Expensive body?
9:00 Main board fitted
9:18 Fit the I/O connector
10:46 The Manual
11:17 Drill Control Holes
14:24 Fit an ABM tremolo
19:35 Nitro Body Refinish
20:39 Finished guitar info
21:40 Power for GK-3?
22:06 Other power ideas
22:48 Fishman power
23:46 GK-3 Images discussed
24:48 Semi installed wiring
25:56 Pickup Wiring
26:40 GK-3 wiring to I/O
26:53 GK-3 pickup wiring hole
27:20 More on Fishman battery
28:09 GK-3 Controls
29:20 The Nitro Problem
29:47 ADVICE - GK-3 KIT
30:45 Likes and dislikes
34:33 Warranty?
34:47 Score
35:37 Is the GK-3 good value?
38:49 MIDI controls video
40:43 Guitar played
Links to my other reviews:
Guitar Synthesizers Roland Boss SY1000 & GM-800 review: youtu.be/XI4EozCQYbc
Roland Boss GK-5 easy install Reviewed: youtu.be/_LwWgU8SubM
How to Videos for guitarists: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2HoYOlX1LUIVsZy9jO649CaD7HUHGfDw
Reviews of fine electric guitars: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEECCBA95315E63B6
Now then, the GK-3 KIT for midi is a difficult unit to install. But if you're also building a guitar at the same time and you're unsure of what you're doing? Don't bother!
It's true that the GK-3 Kit includes everything you might need, but the instructions are at best pretty terrible and there is no way that someone without experience would easily complete the installation. What are Roland Boss thinking of?
There are countless issues as I show this installation - and even I stopped recording the installation as it all became harder and harder to complete. But I do show you most of the installation and I do offer many tips throughout the video so that you might persevere with the Roland GK-3 Kit install yourself.
WARNING: Whatever you do, if you're not completely confident about this install and have an expensive guitar then DON'T DO IT!
I purchased the GK-3 with my own money and the review is entirely financed by me for your pleasure. The review actually does show you some of the work and the pain and in my opinion shows a good representation of what you get and how hard it can be to complete.
NOTE: I Used (for the guitar part played) a Marshall SC-20 in to a 1 x 12 cab and microphone AKG in to the desk for that playing. The MIDI control functions were from synth to desk but are not created to show playing as such but more of the controls available on the guitar.
I have spent considerable time creating this video entirely at my own expense.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RING THE BELL, AND THUMBS UP - AND CHOOSE THE 'ALL' BUTTON (or you won't receive notifications about new reviews!) to give my channel a boost and thank you for watching - I hope the video is enjoyable.
(c) A B McKenzie and tonymckenzie.com 2009-2025
All Rights Reserved. All Trade Marks Acknowledged
Visit tonymckenzie.com for more incredible reviews or my YouTube channel where there are literally hundreds of reviews to watch.
#rolandgk-3kit #rolandmidi #boss #gk3kit #installation #install #bosseffects #guitarbuild #tonymckenzie #roland #stratocaster #strat
