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This page: VG-88: Amps, Effects, Setup and Operation, Final Word

Amps

The VG-88 offers a complete range of amp models and effects. The amp models cover the usual suspects -- Marshall, Fender, and Vox. (I always find it amusing to see how a manufacturer alludes to a famous amp without actually coming out and saying its trademark-protected name; I can only presume that the VG-88's Vo Drive model, which "Allows you to obtain the Liverpool sound of the '60s," is supposed to be a Vox.) There are also several modern-sounding models, including the Roland JC-120, some sounds based on Soldano, Matchless, and Peavey amps, and a preamp designed specifically for acoustic guitar.

Each amp can be mated to one of 14 speaker cabinet options. You can control the position of the microphone in relation to the speaker cone, a nice way to fine-tune your tone. A 15th option bypasses the speaker simulation -- good for acoustic guitar sounds.

Effects

Roland and Boss are known for designing top-flight guitar effects, so it's no surprise that the VG-88's effects section shines. The comprehensive roster includes compressor/limiter, noise suppression, wah, EQ (this is separate from the EQ included in the amp models), a huge array of modulation effects (including Harmonist, a two-voice intelligent pitch shifter; an interval pitch shifter; flanger; phaser; sub EQ; a dual stereo chorus that processes high and low frequencies separately; tremolo [volume modulation]; vibrato [pitch modulation]; auto pan; and pedal-activated pitch shift); delay; chorus (this in addition to the one included under modulation); and reverb.

You can edit each effect to an impressive degree. For example, Phaser gives you control of rate, depth, the center frequency, resonance, the number of stages the phaser will use, and the phaser's speed in relation to tempo (in BPM). The one stomp-style effect that's missing is distortion, though that base is well covered in the COSM section. You can determine each effect's position in the signal path, so effects such as EQ and wah can be positioned before the amp, EQ, modulation, delay, and reverb after.

Setup and Operation

Installing the GK-2AH pickup on my guitar was more painless than I expected. One thing to note: Though the GK-2AH will work with any metal-stringed guitar, it's an easier fit on a Strat-type instrument than a Tele (the bridge gets in the way) or an archtop.

I had the pickup in place and operational in less than 15 minutes. Tracking is extremely impressive. Every nuance of my playing -- bends, hammer-ons, vibrato, etc. -- came through.

The VG-88's programming interface is a big improvement over earlier Roland products. There's a dedicated button for nearly every task, and the LCD display offers useful information every step of the way. You can access important parameters quickly with the function keys. EZ Edit functions take you through the most common adjustments very quickly. The pedals and switches are solid and well marked.

You can connect the VG-88 to a mixer, amp, or both. If you're combining the GK-2AH with your guitar's standard pickups, you can route the latter through the VG-88 and use the VG-88's separate Guitar Output to route your pickups to your amp, while the VG-88's the main outputs feed a PA.

The VG-88 supports MIDI control, but don't confuse it with a MIDI controller such as the GR-30 (which converts your guitar's pitch to MIDI).

Final Word

While the overall experience of playing the VG-88 is a sound designer's wet dream, there are a couple of things to keep in mind before making the plunge. You'll have more sonic options, but the normal flow of controlling your guitar will be different. For example, I like to switch pickups on a whim when I'm soloing; with the VG-88, I had to set up the GK-2AH in a special way to do that. That said, the GK-2AH's volume control does affect gain in an expressive way -- it actually works better in that department than some "real" volume controls I've tried. Still, although the programming interface is sleek considering the number of parameters it has to manage, it's a far cry from the simplicity of a conventional amp, or even the POD Pro or J-Station. If you're a technophobe, you'll have some adjusting to do. But for a mammoth array of great sounding guitar timbres, the VG-88 is the only game in town.

Next Page: VG-88: Sonic Preview, Vital Stats....