Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

Securb

Securb

One of Jerry's Kids
I am just wondering how many guitar synthesizer players there are out there. I have a decent but aging system that is anchored around my Roland GR33 and my Parker Midifly. I am thinking it may be time to upgrade to the Roland GR-55. I am wondering if any of you have played through one and how big a leap in technology is the 55 in comparison to the 33.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

I've always really wanted a guitar with a synth pickup, mainly for reasons of making horrendous noise. But I never looked into what is actually involved in the setup of a system.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

I do the vintage guitar synth thing. All my stuff is the old 24 pin connectors. Can't help you on anything built after 1985. lolz

Roland GR-707 controller
Roland GR-700 floor unit
Roland GR-300 floor unit

I also have an older Boss SE-70 multi effects unit that has some really good synth sounds with extensive expression pedal control of the filters, oscillators etc. I use that a lot on recordings too.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

GR-33 is a box of synth sounds. To this, the GR-55 adds a pared-down version of the COSM modelled instrument sounds from the VG-99.

I bought the VG-99 because of its GR-300 emulation. This even recreates the way that notes above the fourteenth fret are invariably reduced to a gurgle.

Comparing the GR-55 with the VG-99 would be unfair. The VG has greater capabilities but also costs more. It requires a remote foot controller whereas the GR-55 is its own pedalboard.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

I also use a Roland GR-33, mostly for that Hammond B3 tone that is achievable.

I have tried a Roland GR-55 and it has many more capabilities, especially the ability to split tones using the pedal toe-up verse toe-down. (e.g., for an example: keyboard verses guitar) NICE.

However, I also want to purchase a way to mix them and am waiting for Roland US-20 to become available again...
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

I used to have the Roland GR707/GR700 system back in the '80s. Now I have a guitar equipped with the Roland GK-2 pickup that goes into a Roland GI-20 interface and that MIDI's into a Roland JV1080 sound module with 4 expansion cards. The GI-20 is a very useful little interface.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

I do. Many people who move from other systems to a GR-55 are unhappy with the sounds, editing, silence during patch changes, etc. You might want to look into the Fishman Triple Play for wireless midi guitar into your computer- it is pretty much the top of the line as far as current technology. Also check out my current SD Blog about guitar synth and hex pickups.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

I used to have a GR-33, and I really liked it for making cool sounds. I'm pretty sure I would have never used it in a band situation though. At least not the band I'm currently in.
 
Re: Is anyone out there playing a guitar synthesizer?

Not yet but hopefully sometime soon.

I always have an absolute blast when I get to mess around with a GR-33.
 
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