Boss GT-3

When using this effects processor for the first time it can be done easily. It is different when actually using the effects processor the way that it is designed though. I personally had to get familiar with all the options before setting my own channels. The manual doesn't really help in this situation since it just has an overwhelming amount of features. memorization of the effects is the only inconvenience I had to face. All of effects are quality though.

when using this system with headphones it is amazing. To truly get the sound quality, you really have to be playing on a quality amp. All of the effects are of great quality and can manipulate anyone else's sound. I play on an ibanez guitar and a crate blue voodoo half stack, it really goes perfectly with the GT-3

100% Professional quality, I use it at all the gigs and it can do it all. I rely on it solely for my shows.

I have never directly dealt with the company,I know all warranty info has been established and my boss products are fully warrantied.

I am a college music major and play many styles of music. I have been able to explore more styles and have had more chances to vary the styles I write because of my BOSS GT-3 effects board. I have everthing I need in this board to play gigs or just have fun and write music. This effects processor will still be quality for me to use in ten years with all the effects it has.

This unit is quite easy to use, pretty straight forward, the presets are all available with the turn of the dial. Editing isn't too bad either

I'm using with this with a crate gx-15, yeah i know its just a practice amp, but i'm comparing this unit to my zoom 505 pedal. I will say one good thing, Its pretty quiet, not too much buzzing. However the distortion is absolutely horrible, my zoom 505 has way more balls than this piece of crap. You might as well just poke a hole in your speaker like they use to have to do in the 50's, cause thats what most of the distortion sounds like. (vintage 50's, 60's) The chorus and flanger are halfway decent. And the synth effects were absolutely useless. I worked with the distortion for a long time, the best i could was a really flat grainy sound, absolutely no balls, and no crunch. You might think the reason for that is my amp, but trust me, the 505 kicks its ass.

It looks pretty solid, i wouldn't think it would break easy

I've been playing 7 years and my style is a lot like Static X, lots of palm muting and jud juds so its not something i can use, perhaps you Vintage lovers might like this thing.

In my opinion the Zoom 505 out performs it, although the GT-3 has more effects. I think they should quit wasting time making lots of lousy effects and just make a board with a few very good effects

Love this baby YEAH! Just got it & sounds are just oozing from it. It might take awhile to pinpiont the crucial aspects cuz I'm kinda green on the MULTI-EFFECTS SYNDROME but it doesn't seem to be to difficult. I do like the 'manual' setting though. It's a floor full of pedals in one integrated unit. WOOO-HOOO!

Sound is awesome no doubt, CAN I GET A WITNESS! I take my epiphone LP-100 through the GT-3 & out through my Fender Automatic GT and I'm there. These instruments compliment each other quite well. (I know it's not fair but just hang in there you'll get there someday)I read others talk about 'crunchy distortion' but thats the way I like it, uhuh uhuh. Take off some reverb & short delays & it won't sound too digital, alright? The effects are top-notch & you get alot of them. All-in-all, a tight package for the people.

Stronger than a BULL-DIKE WITH A CREW-CUT!

Great stuff, my retailer doesn't let me down.

You got GAS? (gear acquisition syndrome) Then this unit has got the cure! If it were stolen I would kick their ASS & name their children. Then I'd make them buy me another one in mint condition. This machine is the bulls balls & I would personally like to thank BOSS for putting together the 'total package'.

This is very easy to use. If you know anything about music effects and have been playing the guitar a good while, you wouldn't even need the manual. It's only there for support. On the other hand if you're new at effects and guitar technology, the manual will steer you in the right direction.

Sounds are tight! I've used the boss stomp boxes since I started using effects, then came this unit with almost all the stomp boxes you'll ever want. So, I got the GT3. All the effects sound just like the stomp boxes, so if you like boss you'll love it. You probably won't use half of the stuff in it so it's nice to know exploration of the unit is endless. I play in a band at my church and I do lots of gospel gigs all the time. I can't say that I have anything to compare the unit to 'cause all I ever used is Boss. But, if I had to replace my effects unit I wouldn't consider getting anything else. All effects come so close to the real thing (like the wah pedal) you wouldn't notice a difference. Gospel is all music styles....jazz, rock, metal, country, etc. so, I'm constantly hitting the pedals and pushing buttons. The unit always gives me what I'm looking for. In light of what I just said I do need to emphasize that you must tweak the unit to get your desired sounds. It doesn't come out of the box tailored to your taste. But, you can get what you want out of it. You can even use it to emulate guitars you don't have like acoustics, jazz guitars, etc. Nothing is better than the real thing but it does a real good job. This unit is perfect for studio applications (directly to board/recorder), the days of hauling your amp to the studio are over! I've done very nice studio work with this thing. I use this with my EMG loaded Peavey Predator (Strat), Squire by Fender (High End) Thinline Series Telecaster, and Classical Acoustic Guitar. They all sound good coming out of my Peavey Special 212 Combo amp. The only issue I had with it was the noise reduction, I didn't like the way it sound and I couldn't get a good setting I liked so I had better luck just turning it off. It's not a loud unit so if you have a quiet guitar your unit will be quiet but if your guitar is noisy you may like the noise reduction. I'm positive that with time and skill you can get about 90% of all the guitar sounds out there with this thing. It's on top!

This unit is built like a tank! You don't need a backup. I literally ran over my GT3 with my '91 Lincoln Town Car and the operation didn't change at all. All pedals still operated normally, dial was still smooth, and display was still crisp. I've had it for about a year and I see absolutely no need for a backup. Backup...for what?!

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I play all styles. I just finished my jazz guitar demo and this was key behind half of my sounds. I've been playing about 7 yrs. and I think this is the best fx around for this price range. I change roles in the bands I play with all the time (lead, rhythm, fx, specials, funk, pop, grunge, etc.) and this is versatile enough to change with me in the moment of the twinkling of an eye. Only thing I miss on it is the reverse like on the Boss Digital Delay (DD-5) stomp box. It's definitely tight and right!

OK, I started with a GT-5 and got the GT-3 when it came out 'cause it was smaller and had extra effects. It has the same excellent sound as the GT-5, which was superior to all previous floor boxes in terms of realistic amp simulation and qulaity of effects.

Tweaking the factory preset isn't too hard and the best way to learn the insides of teh unit if you're not a computer geek to start with.

All the operating systems found in modern Boss/Roland gear is pretty well thought out. The GT3 has a logical interface BUT scrolling through menus is always going to be tedious on a small LCD display. The main gripe I have is that the display doesn't blink for unsaved patches. This was a great visual reminder on the GT-5 and for some mystical reason the GT-3 doesn't do this. Be wary - forget to save and your patch is gone!

Manual is fine, although it's more of a reference as opposed to a complete programming walk through. Whatever...

My unit has firmware 1.01 - Is there any other?

My setup: Parker Fly Deluxe -> GT-3 -> Mackie SRM-450

No noise! This combination allows for an incredibly flexible and accurate system. Using full range speakers (with the Headphones/Line output setting) the effects sound lush and detailed, the amp models show more character, the piezo pickups on the Fly sound breathtaking and synth-type patches are much more startling.

Previously, I plugged the unit directly into the effects return of a Peavey Classic 30. This was good also - warm, clean valve sound - but guitar amps impart too much of their own flavour on the signal.

Using a PA type setup, it essential to tweak the Speaker Simulator to obtain realistic amp impersonations! It's daunting at first but you just need to listen and tune in the Distortion/Pre-amp/Speaker Sim. section very carefully.

I have been able to create some wild, Reeves Gabrels-style digital shred sounds... BUT, I've coaxed convincing Neil Young approved organic grunge. THe box can do most things, you just have to spend the time to work out HOW.

Solid. I'd entrust my life to this little guy.

Never had a need...

If you play rock, the presets should get you in the ball park.

Of, course it would be great if there was no limits on the effects combinations (pitch-shift, ring-modulation, synth simutaenously would be fun, yeah?), more dynamic effects (ducking delay, etc) would be welcome. AND, why, oh why, do Roland always omit certain effects from the previous processor? The GT-3 gains Slicer, Auto-Riff, Acoustic Preamp etc. but loses the Smooth option on the Delay, Reverse delay etc. ?

Same with the VG-88 vs. VG-8... Keep ALL the old effects in the next box, ADD but don't SUBTRACT!!!

Oh yeah, the price is outrageous... I used to have a Digitech GSP-21 Pro back in the day (around $1500 new) and it could do a tenth of the things this baby can. And evolution wonderful?

Boss GT3 is really simple to use after you have read the manual etc.

Sound quality is very good if you connect it up to your amp correctly.
I use mine as follows: PRS guitar to input of GT3, out of GT3 to input of my Marshall JCM 600 valve head.The amp is run clean with Bass at 5, middle at 5, and Treble at 2.The GT3 sounds very good and i use Vintage Overdrive at 65 and Pre amp MS 1959 1+11, vol 55, bass 30, middle 45, treble 25, presence 0, master 100.This sounds the best for most rock sounds.Do not use in the f/x loop if you want overdrive sounds specially if you have a valve amp, as it will sound crap.

Boss quality, and well built

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EXCELLENT FOR ROCK IF YOU USE IT IN THE WAY ITS DESIGNED

Its really easy to get a good sound- you dont even need to edit it and you could still play gigs. Loads of clean and distorted tones. I thought editing was easy to start with -about 20mins to work it out. The manual is complicated and long so its best to work it out yourself- its better experience.

i used it with an Ibanez RG570, a laney 4*12 angled cab with celestion vintage 30's, and a Marshall VS100 powering it all. There is no noise AT ALL from this processor. All the effects sound fantastic- even the wierd ones. There are a few pre-programmed sounds such as "satch"-this makes it easy to get the Joe Satriani sound. The delays and choruses especially sound excellent.

Metal case, excellent warranty- well dependable. No need for a backup.

dont know.

I play loads of different styles- this suits EVERYTHING!!! It can stop you from practicing because you start fiddling around trying to get the right sound. If you are considering getting one - do it now!!!I looked around and it's easilly the best processor on the market.

I've only had my GT3 for a short while, but i've had no problem getting good sounds out of it. It's not as easy to use as a line6 pod, but it also has a lot more sounds at your disposal. I'm not saying it sounds better than a pod, however having spent time with both I think it is in the same ballpark. The manual is ok, about the best you can expect for an electronic device. Editing patches is fairly easy, no better or worse than other processors I have used. I think it is very important to try the different utility settings with your setup. When I first plugged it in my amp I wasn't impressed with the sound, however after setting the proper utility for my setup it made a world of difference.

My main setup is an ESP M-II with emg 81's in it, then into my GT-3, then into my MESA Mark II in the effects return. This setup sounds great for my playing style. I play mostly metal, mixed with some funk, blues, and surf. This processor has a sound for all of these and pretty much anything else I want to play. As far as noise there really isn't any to speak of, with the exception of the acousting simulator. That noise level is within what I consider to be a reasonable level however. The preamp simulators sound great in my opinion, I'm not saying they are a dead match for the amps they are trying to simulate but they are very close. Especially the boogie lead sound is dead on. I've noticed a few people complaining about the distortions in this unit and I couldn't disagree more. I think these people are experiencing weak distortions because of the other gear in their rigs, not because of the GT-3. If you have a squier strat running into a crate gfx 15 you can't expect to get killer death metal distortion out of it. The effects for the most part sound great to my ears, I do think the wah pedal could be more pronounced. For the money I layed down for this though I can't complain about a little thing like that though, I also think that the whammy effect leaves a little to be desired, but I haven't had time to tinker with it that much either so maybe my opinion on that will change. As far as emulating my favorite artist, this will get you as close as you can get to most anyone's sound without spending thousands of dollars to get the rig excactly like theirs. And everyone knows that half the sound of someone comes from their fingers anyway. I particularly think that the chorus, reverb, delays, and harmonizer in this unit are
very good. I tried out the digitech rp2000 and also the korg ax1000g, and they weren't even close in my opinion. They are more in line with
the Boss ME30 to me. Overall I would say this box sounds amazing especially for under $400.

I have no reason to doubt the reliability of this unit. I have owned boss products in the past and they never let me down.

I have been playing about ten years, and have owned various pieces of equipment. Other than my current guitar and my Mesa head this is the best piece of equipment i've owned hands down. If it were stolen I would be back at Keeper's music in a second and get a new one. I do wish it allowed a little more precise adjustments on the gain and the detune feature's were a little more in depth, but overall I don't have anything bad to say about it. It's definatly made my life as a musician a lot better just by letting me get the sounds my boogie doesn't produce(bright funk tones, surf tones, etc.) I would recommend this to anyone as long as they have the time to sit down and
get to know it so they can take full advantage of it's many great sounds.

This is just an update from my original post I spent A LOT of time with the unit and that's what it is going to take if ANYONE buys this unit. Organizing banks, setting up sounds, etc. is a real displeasure but the results are very much worth it. Like I said, the manual isn't the best but it explains the basics. There are other Unofficial manuals for it that are really good.

Well, my original complaint was that it sounded good @ low volumes, but at high volumes it sucked. With time, the sound came...and so did the VOLUME ! I am very pleased with sounds I am getting from it. My set is either a Schecter C-7 (7 string) or ESP LTD ( 7 string). The output from the GT3 goes to the input of my guitar amp (Crate 1/2 stack), and then from guitar to the GT3 input. I don't like the way it sounds through the fx loop so I am going to keep it set up this way.

It is not noisy at all. One of the quietist units I've seen.

In my opinion all the effects sound really good. The thing I stress the most is that you have to spend lots of hours tweeking before you get the sounds and organization of banks that you want.

I can get every and any sound I want out of this unit. I like to jam along to KoRn, Slipknot, Limp Biz, etc. and any fx they are using, I can create within about 15 minutes the exact sound.

Some fx on theunit I havn't found a use for yet. I am sure I will in time but right now, I don't use the ring mod, auto riff, and other fx like that. There are a lot of effects in the unit that I really like like the reverb, delay, flanger, chorus, ac simulater, and others.

Well, the unit itself is very durable,,,but I am worried about the foot pedals. The expression pedal, and the other 6 pedals seem kinda unstable I hope they all continue to work. Te rotator dial thingy is nice but I have heard that is starts sticking and skipping things so you have to be careful with that.

Havn't dealt with them

Play heavy music, works perfect

been playing for 7 years

if it were stolen, I would definatly by a new one

I like everything about exept foot controlers, don't seem like they will last

I wish you could use multiple mudulation sounds @ once with it (like the flanger mixed with the slicer)

It helps me make music but it does kinda get in the way.

this unit rocks, go buy one and an extra expression pedal

The USER INTERFACE of this unit is superior to a lot of other multiFX pedals I have seen. Everything is logically organised, and even without reading the manual one can attain satisfaction

I am using the unit for a 6-String custom Bass (Vadim/VR) with a Peavey Mark-III Head, going tru 2x10. I took a while to figure out the best setting for my bass, and it took quite a lot of experimenting. Effects that I don't use are the PitchShifter and the Synth sounds. Their response on Bass is not precise, and doesn't sound good altogether. Everything else is used and abused by my Fat 6-String, and made my sound what it is. It literally made me sing.

I also use the Processor for Studio recordings, for Voice, Guitar, Keys, and it has allways fascinated me with its versatillity

Oh Yeah, Never failed me once

It is a kickass module that allowed me to fully bring out the qualities of my bass. It is for me what different Filters are for the photographer. Depending on the scenery an apporpriate filter can be of immense improtance, or complete destruction of the picture.

It is a very powerful weapon, and should be used with care, and taste. Remember: too much spice can ruin the food, a good amount can make it fantastic