GR-55 (GK-3 Pickup not included) Review

Awesome sounding

I have always been involved with Roland products going back to mid 80s I think they have the best sounding equipment. So I decided to get the gr55 to compliment my gr30 by what I mean is I run both my gr30 and my gr55 at the same time via Roland a/b pedal the sounds you achieve are so huge it's unbelievable it definitely changes your vocabulary of music. This setup is limitless… read more plus I can change out the gr30 and put in my vg8ex and that changes everything from the way you play and create music. The pianos in the gr55 are stunning then when you stack the sound with the gr30 piano it's awesome sounding. I output my sound to two Roland kc 350 which sound spectacular to say the least my guitar I'm using is a Godin sa/slim and custom ovation legend with a GK3 pickup. So if you are in a rut get the gr55 it will change the way you play and create music I am 65 yrs old and I still enjoy creating new music and sound plus all the classic rock of 60s and 70s.

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Owned it since it 1st released in 2011

I still own and use the Blue version and have played it every weekend live since 2011. Have about 20 "go to" user programmed voice patches, but have used more in the past. All are a modified compilation based on the presets. Some are total custom ideas.. It has way too many combos to count beyond its 910 tones. as you can change string tuning, Amp types, octaves, intensity, effects,… read more pickup types, cosm modeling.and layer up to 4 different voicings, actually 5 if you count the acoustic Piezo from the Godin.. Currently only using built in 13 pin direct Godin's but also have Brian Moore's and a couple of Fenders with the old style magnetic gk3 pickups. Used to play it through my JC120 amp. But the last 4 years have just gone directly into the house PA with Bi-amped array speakers via Line6 PodPro.. Ghost notes? yeah occasionally, thats only sometimes on the pure synth, never the guitar or amp voices, or cosm.. but after 8+ years, I have been able to minimize almost all of it.

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Seriously. You. Need. This

Ok, first I"ll preface this with the fact that if you don"t read the manual and take the time to adjust this to a perfect setting for YOUR instrument you will hate it so if you are not willing to spend the time don"t bother.If you are willing to take the time the f***** buy this NOW! I play a 7 string bass and use this on my B - C string. I fill in horns, add synth tones and do… read more effects from samples on a USB stick. I feel like this unit has opened up an entire world of possibilities that were simply not available to bass players. It"s just incredible. I run the GR-55 with a Line 6 Helix. For the first time in 45 years of playing bass I actually feel like I have found my dream rig. Seriously... if you are a bass player, buy this, take the time to adjust it and learn it and forever be changed by what you can do from an incredible tone flexibility perspective!

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I read the reviews and they ain't real. I really bought the gr55 and I have been amazed

First thing I did was I read the manual and watched the tips and tutorials, The first patch I made was my b bender. Choose two clean guitar tones pcm1 and pcm 2,set the b string to 0% volume set the eadge strings to 100%. Choose a clean modeled tone and set the eadge strings to 0% volume and set the b string to 100%volume.i set the exp pedal to pitch shift and set it on the… read more modelled for 3 semi tones and set alt tuning for all three tones to open g and walla! Perfect b bender and open tuning. Next I set three modeled patches for ac guitar. Set the pitch for 3 half steps up and added pcm flute tones and set the flute tone to apeggie and I now have the intro to Jethro tull cross eyed Mary....I set the model tone and the cosm on my normal pickup together on several patches and can fade from my normal pickup to any guitar pickup and alt tuning with the expression pedal. I can loop the piano and do the intro to locamotive breadth, looping to ac and flute, and back to piano and normal pickup with built in cosm, and modeled patches of any guitar in the world... This synth is bad as s! Mr Becker rip steelly Dan saxophone Decon blues perfect. And jazz clean intro to the crunching solo with easy fades of the expression pedal. Stolen rones preset is so brown sugar and can't you hear me knocking ready it dam near plays it for you..I added the wild crunch and harmonica and it was mid nite rambler. I've only begun. Real review right here baby! Thanks for reading. Keep rocking! I recommend the boss rc looper.... The gr 55 only has 20 seconds of loop and clears on stop. The rc series are assignable and 4 hours of looping per dub.

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A guitar gear-head's dream come true!

Tried a GK first gen pickup and synth module about 7 years ago and was disappointed. Then I saw a friend use one of the GR55s and was blown away with what it could do! I toyed around with it for an hour or so and was convinced I wanted one. Once it arrived, I had to get the pickup installed by my tech guy. The results exceeded my wildest dreams. I immediately purchased a Godin Freeway… read more SA as another synth access guitar and they both track perfectly. I am a very fast player (from the 80's metal scene) and this keeps up with every note! Bob Mondock has been my sales advisor for 7 years and has always been there for any of my tech-head questions that annoy and stump other sales people at other stores. Bob is a great source for info and 100% supportive. I love Sweetwater and doing business with them! Would rather wait a couple days for shipping and buy from them. I know they have my back!

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