Roland Guitar synthesizer

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Has anyone bought one of these synthesizers?

The one that you can make your guitar sound like anything such as horns violins etc.

What is the model name ? Is it a GR-30 or a VG-8?

What kind of luck did you have with it? Would you recommend it?

I tried one out a couple of years ago and aside from the price I was knocked out by it. The possibilities seemed endless. I would have bought it on the spot but it wasn't cheap.

Cheers Alan
 
I used to sell the synths. They work really well if the guitar is set up properly. The GR series run about about half of the VG series. They use a pickup that mounts behind the rear pickup of an electric (As close as possible to the bridge). The only problem that I have noted is that the pickup almost never fits there unless the rear pickup ring is cut to allow for clearance. But for a guitarist that would like Keyboard patches and synths it is great. Very accurate as compared to some of the other brands.

The VG-88 is the newest thing costs about 2x as much (About $1200 USD), but has waaaaaaaaaaay more features. Steve Vai is one of my favorite guitarists. Check out the link below. A song called Misfits played by Vai with the VG-8. Makes me wanna pee.



Or check out the page:

http://vg-8.com/audio/


Fangar
 
I've got the GR-33....Rolands lastest incarnation...and it is very nice. There are A LOT of reviews over at Harmony Central on it, and most of them are pretty spot on. I stuck the GK2A pickup on a Gibson L6S, and it tracks reasonably well. I'd probably prefer the factory installed Strat better, as the one in the store I've played seem to track slightly better...but considering the medium, I have no complaints. Many people don't like the plastic case [for gigging out] and the presets.....but the presets can be user adjusted, and new ones made too, of course....usually being better than what Roland gets you started on.
Getting back to the tracking...I can play faster than it responds, especially on the lower notes on certain patches...but you DO HAVE TO PLAY CLEANLY...or you'll get all kinds of glitches, etc. For making the gtr fill in for a [missing] keyboard in a band, the unit is exceptional...and loads of fun for home recording. Plus, now your guitar has MIDI capabilities. The price is right...you'll love it.
 
holy shit!!! that Vai clips rocks!!! I could pick him out anywhere, and I just love it. I always liked the end to the "Crossroads" movie too:D
 
mixmkr said:
holy shit!!! that Vai clips rocks!!! I could pick him out anywhere, and I just love it. I always liked the end to the "Crossroads" movie too:D
Click to expand...

I know. Great eh?

Fangar
 
I've got a GR09 (an older version of the guitar synth). I got it for very specific uses.

I'm a decent keyboard player, but certain phrasing and certain slides just don't work on a keyboard (reproducing a sound is fairly easy, reproducing an authentic performance is much harder).

So I use the guitar synth for solo violin lines, banjo licks, and various horn parts (basically single note applications). I don't think you can get realistic piano/organ performance out of a guitar synth - the phrasing just ain't the same.

As pointed out, the key for good tracking is the placement of the GK-2 pickup. It doesn'y work well with some guitars. Case in point I could not place it right on my SG. The best guitar for a GK-2 is a Strat - I bought a cheap Start copy just to mount the Synth (I don't even use this axe for the guitar sound).
 
Glad to see I'm not the only one who liked it!!!

I'm gettin stoked again!

Guess I'll have to try and see if I can get my hands on one. There is no dealer locally so when I travel I will check it out.

Thanks for all the info

Cheers Alan :)
 
I use a player with a GR33 regularly in my studio. It's a great piece of equipment when used properly.

The main thing to note is you have to play stylistically like the instrument you are copying. It's no good dialing up a piano sound and strumming away on the guitar like you normally would. It just doesn't sound right. You have to play it like a piano, and thins takes excellent guitar technique to do.

The same goes for stings and brass/woodwind sounds. Block chords sound shocking. You have to pick out 2 and 3 note chords and arpegios or even single note melodies.

Tracking can be a problem. Sounds using complex synthesis track very slowly and are no good for fast runs. Also as someone mentioned above, you have to be very accurate. Every time you hit even a small harmonic, it triggers a midi signal and you get unwanted notes squawking through here and there. We never looked, but you might be able to filter out these frequencies. Someone may be able to enlighten us more on this subject.

This is my experience only. Obviously everyone uses them differently.

Mark
 
Hey Guys,

Not sure if any of you have heard of him, but there is a guy named Bela Fleck (And the Flectones) that uses a guitar synth module on an electric banjo. He is absoulutely awesome. His bassist is Victor Wooten, another of the best musicians around. They are great. I have seen them live many times. I am not much for banjo, but the songs he creates are great. The percussionist is Also a Wooten. he plays a gutted out Synth Axe with Drum triggers mounted in it. He plays a drum module real time. His sound is so unique, yet he often fools you on their CD's into thinking it is a real drummer. Check em out.

Fangar
 
I've been a big Bela Fleck fan for a long time. Victor Wooten has to be if not the best, one of the best bass players in the world.
 
I saw the flecktones on an austin city limits..awhile back ago. simply amazing. and the drummer had triggers mounted all over his body, and he was slapping himself:D , and it was a site to see...but more so, sounded great. bela and his banjo playing is simply original and top grade.
 
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