After years of carrying around a van-load of
guitars, amps, 18'' rack effects units and
stomp boxes, I'm now using the Roland
VG88 'modelling' system.
Not only does the VG88 model various
amplifier and speaker combinations but,
because it takes its input signal from the
GK 2A split pick-up, it can model every stage
of the sound-production chain. From
pick-up to amp/speaker combination to
digital effects, everything is modelled. It's
not a true guitar synth, but it does have a few synth type sounds. The amps range from a clean Roland
type to a Fender Twin, Marshall stack or a 5150 style and quite a few others in between. The guitars range from a few different Stratocasters, Telecasters, Les Pauls, Rickenbackers etc., so I can go from, say, a Beatles-esqe Rick type sound to a balls-to-the-wall Eddie VH at the flick of a foot switch. What more could you want??? There are also some very nice 6 and 12 string acoustic sounds as well as
an Open Tune facility which uses a pitch-shifter to allow you to use any tuning you like (DADGAD or
whatever) without having to physically re-tune the guitar. Bejeezus!!
The on-board effects are pretty good as well. They include reverb,
chorus, DDL, pitch-shifter, EQ, compressor, intelligent harmonizer
etc. and can be used simultaneously. There are many more
functions - I don't have the room (or the time!) to go through them all.
It's also a very robust and user-friendly unit, ideal for live or studio
work. In short - no home should be without one!
This is the Roland GK 2A pick-up
which you will need to access all
of the available sounds. It does
nothing for the aesthetics of the
guitar, but it's not too intrusive or
unweildy so sod the aesthetics!!
Because the amp sounds I use are already in the VG88, all
I need for live (or studio) work is a completely clean work-horse.
What I use is a Behringer stereo power-amp : 2 x 700 Watts into
2 Ohms or 1400 Watts into 4 Ohms bridged mono operation through
a couple of JBL Eon speakers. That's gotta be loud enough!
