Graph Tech Acousti-Phonic for Guitar

This system was something that totally surprised me when it arrived. I had expected, from reading and watching reviews, and also from reading the manual downloaded from their site, that I would face all kinds of difficulty in finding space for it. Upon unboxing, you can't imagine my surprise when I saw the actual circuit board. In fact, I laughed out loud. It is very small, about the size of a large postage stamp (4cm x 3cm approximately, and a depth of a little over 15mm).

With finding space to be much more straightforward than anticipated, I happily repacked my router and chisels and got down to installing it. The installation is very straightforward, and the manual guides you well (I would recommend downloading the manual from the Graph Tech site for viewing on a tablet or laptop as the printed manual is quite small). I had also obtained the quickswitch in order to facilitate bypass as I didn't want an always-on configuration for the preamp (search for the code PE-0111-00 for this add-on - it is a highly recommended addition to the installation). I had chosen this kit rather than the full Acoustiphonic kit as I did not require the Mid/Dark switch or push-pull pot that kit supplies.

Soundwise, it delivers a very authentic acoustic sound when using the Graph Tech piezo pickups only (a Graph Tech Resomax bridge was installed). However, the blending of both sounds creates something unique, particularly when using modulation pedals like chorus or flanger - the sound becomes richer, more harmonically diverse, and the sound of the pick takes on a different quality as well. However, when put through distortion, things are not so perfect, as there is a noticeable increase in hiss. This, of course, is no reason to criticize the preamp, though, as its purpose is to create a convincing acoustic sound or enhance the magnetic pick-up sound.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone seeking to have a guitar that can multi-task quickly and easily in a live set-up. The additional tonal possibilities provided by blending the sound of the Ghost system and your magnetic pick-ups offer something more tangible than elaborate wiring schemes that split coils or reverse phase, etc. The acoustic sound is certainly effective enough to fool the ears of most listeners, particularly when fed through an acoustic preamp pedal.

I have the distinct feeling that I will probably purchase one of these modules again very soon!

I got this system to put in my PRS SE custom 24. Normally you would need to exapnd the cavities to fit an extra 9v battery and the curcuit board but I found that if you use a tremol-no to block the trem you can remove the springs in the tremolo cavity to fit the circuit board and you don't need to lower the bridge to the body which allows you the pass the cable through the gap under the bridge down to the tremolo cavity and the battery is easy enough to fit somewhere it the cavity with the pots. I skipped the switch and had the tone pot become volume for the piezo. I think that the easiest type of guitar to install it in would be a strat or tele since you can cover the expanded cavity up easily with the pickguard and you can drill holes in the pickguard for the switch without the fear that you can never revert the changes. You can just replace the pickguard.

When it comes to sound it sounds good, I have no complaints. There are quite a few sound demos on youtube and I'm sure someone has done an A/B test with a real acoustic if you want to hear for yourself.

I bought the Graph Tech Acousti-Phonic system along with a set of Graph Tech Pizo saddles and the midi board for my Parker Fly. Really was a doddle to install in my guitar, but a bit of a squeeze to fit it all in though.
The Acousti-Phonic is a big step up from the standard system in the Parker, with a marked improvement in tone. In conjunction with the midi board also available from Graph-tech all you need to add is a Roland GR-55 and you are in Midi Guitar heaven.
I cant recommend the saddles that compliment this system enough - a huge increase in sustain and no more problems with loosing the little balls that are found in the original system

This Graph-Tech preamp, along with the matching bridge makes your electric guitar sound almost like a real acoustic. In fact people who don't know about this technology might even think your miming on your electric. It provides a nice warm tone, with no noise and can blend beautifully with the magnetic pickups.

I had this pre-amp, along with the bridge, fitted to my GIbson Les Paul Traditional by my luthier in Denmark Street, I opted to go with the same control setup as the Les Paul Blackwater as I did not want a toggle switch cluttering up the top and gibson were happy to provide me with the schematic as Graph Tech don't have this wiring diagram on their site. I also had my luthier add a bypass push-pull for the pre-amp.

However while testing the wiring in the guitar something touched and shorted out the pre-amp board resulting in them having to buy me another, so if you are fitting this yourself be very careful with what you are doing and don't power it on until you are certain of the wiring unless you want to have to buy it again.

Another thing I recommend is that bypass switch, as without it when the battery dies your guitar no longer works at all with the pre-amp engaged, which it always is unless you have the bypass switch. Also if you play with a medium to high amount of distortion the pre-amp adds a horrible hiss to the signal that can even be heard over your playing. So when I'm not using the acoustic sound, I always have it bypassed and I highly suggest everyone does this too as it is in no way a pleasant sound.

Although even with it's caveats I would highly recommend this if you need an acoustic sound sparingly in your music and don't want to switch guitars between songs. Just make sure you have that bypass switch fitted or it might be 'sound off' at the gig one day...