Roland GR20

[mr. torture]

I have been looking at this particular unit as of late. Looks like a fun thing to own, I cant play key's worth a crap, but I can play guitar. My question to you is, how quick is the response time? If I play Malmsteen like scales, can it keep up? If not, does any company make a better one?

Thanks all!

 

[teknomike]

The key to good results from a guitar synth is playing clean.

So, yes, it may be able to track those Malmsteen riffs, but I can't tell ya for sure, 'cause I can't do them , you'd have to try it out.

I've had a GR 50 since 93 or so, and have had a VG 88 for a couple years. I really enjoy playing with them, but it definitely exaggerates flaws in your technique. I've used the GK-2a pickup on several guitars, and while it works, nothing beats the response I have gotten with my Godin LGX-SA - I believe other "built in" hex pickup guitars respond similarly.

Give one a try, though - that's the only way to find out if it's for you.

 

[chazba]

I have had a GR1 for over 10 years and also have a GI-10 and several synth modules. teknomike is right...clean technque is necessary. It can be very instructive to learn how to phrase like a flute, for example, or a piano or a string section. I have found that the extra hours of practice necessary to get good sounds paid off in overall improvements in my playing. Basically anything that makes me want to practice is a good thing (lol)


chazba

 

[mr. torture]

Is there any difference between the GK-2A pickup and the GK-3?

Reason for asking is, I am considering a roland-ready strat. I tried putting my GK-3 on a spare guitar, but getting it not to glitch is a problem.

I am only using the guitar for the GR20 sounds, not using the guitars regular pickups, so whatever the roland ready comes with is fine by me.
I am just wondering if the GK-3 pickup is improved over the GK-2A?

Thanks again!

 

[teknomike]

It's my understanding the GK 3 is an improvement, but how, I'm not so sure.

I believe it is mainly physical, and how it attaches to the guitar as opposed to any specific electronic improvement in either the hex pickup or the 13 pin interface. But I could be wrong.

Now, by "glitch", I assume you mean the funky little farts and squeaks that are produced as you play. In most cases, it all comes back to technique.
You may not notice you've touched an alternate string, and produced a small string vibration, but believe me, the pickup has ...
Often you can reduce this by adjusting sensitivity - it may be trial and error.