Roland GK-3B

An Essential Link in the GK Ecosystem for Bass

The GK-3B continues Roland's line of "divided pickup" sensors, designed to isolate each string and send a dedicated signal to a compatible processor/synth. This generation, slimmer than the GK-2B, aims for better discretion on the instrument and superior playing comfort, while maintaining the core purpose: providing access to synth, modeling, and MIDI control sounds from a standard bass.

Who Is It For, Which Styles, and In What Contexts?

The Roland GK-3B is aimed at bassists curious about synth sounds, electronic textures, or MIDI control without giving up their main instrument. It is ideal for pop, rock, modern metal, funk, electro, ambient, film music, as well as in production contexts where you want to double a bass line with a synth layer. In live settings, it allows quick switching from a "normal" bass sound to a broader sonic universe, while keeping a manageable pedalboard and stage rig.

Controls, Connectivity, and Playing Logic

The GK-3B features a large, comfortable GK Volume control, designed for precise adjustments during playing. The DOWN/S1 and UP/S2 switches are used to control functions on the GK device side (patch changes, parameters, etc., depending on the connected hardware). A selector lets you choose between the normal bass sound, synth sounds, or a blend of both, useful for retaining the attack and low-end of your instrument while adding a synth layer. On the wiring side, there is the GK connector and an input for a standard pickup to integrate your usual microphone signals into the system.

Sound Characteristics

A hexaphonic pickup does not "color" your bass like a traditional effect: its goal is to finely capture the vibration of each string to provide clean tracking and reliable response to playing nuances. The resulting sound then depends on the connected processor/synth, but the GK-3B facilitates a very musical approach: fingerstyle, pick playing, fast lines, dynamic nuances, and articulations are clearly conveyed on the synth side. The mix mode is particularly useful for achieving a modern, solid sound that combines the natural grain of the bass with the synth dimension (subs, pads, leads, textures) without losing presence in the mix.

• The included double-sided adhesive allows for easy installation without damaging the instrument.

Technical specifications

Effects	Synthesizer	Use	electric bass
Technology	Analog

String compatibility	steel strings	Weight (pickup)	70 g
Control	GK Volume	GK cables	GKC-3, GKC-5, GKC-10
Switches	DOWN/S1, UP/S2	GK parallel box	GKP-4
Mounting bracket	included	Unit selector	US-20
Double-sided adhesive	included	Included accessories	standard guitar cable, owner's manual
Dimensions (pickup)	87.0 (W) x 73.6 (D) x 22.7 (H) mm	Power supply	via the GK connector from the compatible device (no battery or external power supply required)