Roland VG-88 VGuitar

I acquired this unit at the Guitar Center for $800. I have used and researched many guitar effects processors, and finally have found one that I really enjoy using, as well as the way it sounds. One of the other things that really attracted me to it, was the ability to change alternate tunings on the fly. How many times have you wanted to play along with the song you really like, but can't because it is drop D tuning.

As I mentioned previously, the ability to change guitar tunings was a big thing for me, which no other effects processor that I've come across can do. Equally as important, is the modeling capabilities of the unit, not only as far as amps go, but also guitars as well. With this unit, you can get the sound of Hendrix classic strat sound just as easily as Jeff Beck's clean leads. You can make your electric sound like a 12-string acoustic. While it's not 100%, it's 80% plus there, and unless you have the money to buy all of the possible guitars and amps, $800 is a pretty good deal for what it offers.

Unless you buy the roland ready strat (which is a mexican strat, and they don't make the american standard roland ready ones anymore), you'll have to buy the gk-2a pickup and install it on you guitar. I had it installed on my music man axis sport without any problems. Don't try to use the adhesive because it won't stick and the pickup will eventually move out of position and will fail to operate correctly. Just get a pro guitar tech to do the job installing it (you have to drill to permanently intstall it).

This thing is made out of solid steel, and would probably still work even if a tank ran over it! Roland has always made high quality products that are generally designed to take abuse during normal gigs and such.

A few years ago, Roland came out with the VG-1 which was priced in excess of $2000. Now you can buy a much better sounding unit for about 1/3 of the cost. If you don't mind the inconvenience of having to install the pickup, this is the best unit which features modeling and tuning capabilities you will not find in any other guitar effects unit. It's very easy to use and intuitive, and is perhaps the best unit I have ever bought. And if you are afraid of screwing up your guitar, buy the roland ready strat and see how satisfied you are with it. You won't be sorry.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased this unit through 1-800-4SAMASH.
I researched it for about 6 months. Played some of the less exspensive Boss units (GT3/GT5). When I say less exspensive, I don't mean cheap! These are also great units. What sold me on the VG-88 was a three
page review in Guitar One (or Guitar Magazine).

I listed this as a guitar effect board only because many confuse it with a guitar synth because it utilizes the GK-2A hex pickup (or any equivilant). It is not. The VG-88 does not have instrument sounds other than those for the guitar. It does however make some synth-like sounds. Anyone who has played with any of the GR series knows the difference. The VG-88 uses COSM technology (Composite Object Sound Modeling) to reproduce not only amps, speakers, cabinets, and effects; but also mics and guitars. The list of reasons to own the VG is endless, but lets start with one important factor. If you've used a MIDI guitar synth, you know that there is a certain latency (the time it takes for the vibration of the string to be processed and come out of the speaker.) The tracking on the VG is FAST. A guitarist needs to feel what he/she is doing. You really have to over process with drastic detuning to get a noticeable latency out of this unit. Roland has taken this "feel" of a guitarist a step further. Some effects and gutar models are very velocity sensitive. For those of you who don't use MIDI, this means that the sound changes in response to how hard you pluck the string. If building your own virtual gutar and rig isn't enough for you. You also have the most versitile EQ's I've seen in a pedal board. (oh and tuning your guitar any way you choose at the touch of a button/pedal isn't a bad touch either). I can't finish without giving the ultimate praise to acoustic guitar sounds. The realistic sound and feel is unrivaled. to be plain and simple: This is the mother of guitar processors. By the way, you can still use your old guitars, but going direct you loose the COSM guitar section. I'm a studio musician right now and I couldn't be happier with the VG-88. I have yet to have a chance at using it live, but in theory you need only a hex equiped guitar, the VG, and your live mixer. Leave everything else at home.

The down sides of the VG-88 are few. I'm not much for MIDI guitar but I've heard people complain that it doesn't have pitch to midi conversion. Well, Roland makes plenty of that kind of unit. The VG does have MIDI in and out, but just for program change, and bulk load and dump. (yes you can backup, download or arrange patches with your computer or sequencer.) My biggest gripe was that when I first got it I had so many souds I could create that it was easy to over do it, revealing the digital nature of the unit. However, the interface is so simple that if you take just a little time and some trial and error, you'll get the sounds you're looking for.

The thing is rugged. Enough said.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Hi!
well I just got it so there will be some changes in this notice to the short time ..
in terms of available effects is quite simple ben .. .. .. while ago
everything is customizable, it has no limit in the chain effect, which is rare in multi effects ..
effects can be edited on a PC via software called Veditor, downloaded from the net, the editing is done via MIDI, of course.
regarding the connection .. not bad but not top either .. GK entry for micro hex, a guitar input, output guitar, ext output (R and L), phones, external pedal, midi (in and out) .. it's pretty full but I just out of a GT-6 and had multi-channel digital output in addition to and as the VG is better connected to a table rather than an amplifier, the digital output would have been too damage ..
I put 9 because the digital output I miss a lot, especially since that's what I used before ..

UTILIZATION

I bought OCCAZ and the manual is in English .. it's not too serious but this is not the fault of Roland!
The sounds can be edited very easily, everything is clear, I have just started to tweak and without the manual it's still good.
everything is very easy ..

GETTING STARTED

Here is the vamp!
all reviews of the GT-6 are quite mixed, there are those who hate and those who worship .. for my part, I loved and there .. I think Roland will come to get everyone to agree .. c 'is foolishness ..
sounds are of professional quality, the pedal is also oriented in this direction, and that means .. it connects to the table, and we play it in the box .. everything is nickel, not breathing, everything is very clear .. even the disto!
What a treat!
I use it with an ibanez sz320 mounted with EMG-81 (that I do not now virtually)
small disappointment for nylon are .. I had took a bit for that too .. but I will soon upgrade to version 2 and then I finally what I want!

OVERALL OPINION

I've had very little time so I think I'll still learn a lot.

most are certainly sounds very promising, size and materials used are very robust: perfect for the scene or to transport the studio in studios ..

least, for me, is the digital output while it is absent on lower-end models like the GT-6 or GT-8

I think the rapprot quality / price is very justified and very good.

I would do choose to buy it without hesitation! it is almost perfect!