Boss GT-3

It's so easy to get your own patches and to get them of the internet.

Amazing sound every time. No doubt the best FX around 4 this price. I use this with a Peavey Bandit 112 and a lengend les paul and a my own custom guitar with DiMarzio Breed Humbuckers.

Very good build quality already used it at a gig at high volume. Brilliant.

You can't buy a better effects for this price I fell in love with it the first time I heard it.

well let me start out by saying i love this thing. it is not as easy to get a good sound as a korg ax1g, but when you do its amazing. it has so many numbers to tweak so its not as easy as a chain of boss pedals.

im using a epiphone les paul special II and a peavey classic chorus amp. The gt-3 sounds very good clean. but when you get into a high gain situation it gets wiered and digitized. if you edit a patch at a low volume and then turn it up it sounds like my kid brother eating taco's. If i were you i would buy the boss metal zone or an ibanez smash box(both great pedals in my opinion:).

As fo the effects>they rock
most of them sound as good as thier real life counterparts if not better. i love the ability to turn each one off in manual mode or with the controll pedal.it also includes an extra jack for up to 2 external pedals to controll effects.

i would use it without a backup definately .

ive never had to deal with boss and i hope i dont.

i play a neometal rock orented style. it suits it very well.
if it were lost of stolen i would definately buy another one if i had the money. ive always been in the constant search of the perfect tone and if i find it it'll be with this thing.

Really the GT-3 is a well designed unit. However, it does take a little time to adapt to the methods of changing the parmeters, but once you get everything figured out its quite simple. The owners manual can be quite helpfull in the first few weeks of use. Dont be afraid to reach down and push some of those little buttons. Play with it till you find the sound you want. (Which may take some time.)

The sound quality really depends on what effects and distortions that you ae using. I use the Metal 5150 amp simulator with a micro-pithchshift from the harmonizer a lot and the sound is really flawless. NOT!!!! It SUCKS!!! If you want to use any kind of heavy distortion with the effects on this unit, you will NOT be satisfied. If you even think of buying this unit for the distortion and/or amp simulation save your money and buy the exact amp that you want or a nice Line 6 amplifier. Most of the distortions and amp simulators on this unit ar sub-par. Dont get me wrong, not all of the simulated amps are bad. If you are wanting cleaner sounds with good effects, delay, and reverb, this thing is superb. The effects themselves sound quite good. Just dont try to run them with a really heavy ampsim.

So far so good. I've had it about eight months and haven't had any probelms with it......yet anyway. Although, it is built quite rugged.

Haven't needed it yet.

I play heavy Van Halen/Metallica/Pantera type stuff and things. Had I known that the GT-3 would sound this way before I bought it, I would have just saved up my money and bought a 5150, Line 6, or Marshall. I would get the Line 6 if you are looking for good amp simulation and effects at the same time.

For the uninitiated, the GT-3 presents an interesting blend of classic and contemporary patches - able to be tweaked easily and quickly. Whilst hardcore users will tweak all parameters (to death!), the beginner can achieve professional sounds through the simple factory presets, and without sounding cheap or predictable.
Editing is very simple, with the LED screen presenting all the necessary information in singular sections - one step at a time. The manual is direct and informative, and helps when making accurate decisions regarding tone, frequency, etc.

I use a Fender Strat Plus with Lace Sensor pick ups, a Takamine semi-acoustic 6 string and a Seagull 12 string acoustic (hooked up with an external pickup). I also have other assorted cheap guitars to numerous to mention. I run them all through a Marshall Bi-Chorus 200 head and two 300 watt cabs (JCM 900 A+B).
The GT-3 is run through the main input of the Marshall, as the effects loop severely compromises the distortion sounds of the deck. When properly rigged for looping, the stero capabilities of the amp and the processor combine to give amazingly full stereo effects (based on clean). The distortion is another matter entirely. Firstly, the sound of a Marshall stack is, traditionally, great (no more need be said). However, in routing the GT-3 through the clean channel, the full body tone of Marshall distortion is unable to be used (as boost severely screws up the processing sounds). I have tried different kinds of routing and effects lining, but the problem prevails. Now, I am uncertain whether I should blame the amp or the processor for this, but either way, I sacrifice Marshall tone for a significantly reduced distortion sound (even with modification) coming from the GT-3. When playing certain material this is OK, but when approaching anything remotely overloaded (from Cream, Hendrix or Led Zep to Slayer, Korn, etc) sound is compromised. Oh well.
'Clean' sounds through the GT-3 are, in most cases, amazing. Any of those phenomenal Hendrix ballads, from 'Axis' or 'Ladyland', sound great when played through the GT-3 effects (tweaked, of course). Any U2 sound (delay, etc) is also well catered for, and gives depth and clarity (where other pedals or decks can slide the sound and end up producing poorly regulated feedback of the signal). The Harmoniser effect is very clear and distinct, and evenly descends when one plunges through the octaves in a theremin-like whoosh. Conventional use of the harmoniser also yields a broad envelope of sound, which can be accentuated with chorus, etc. The broad parameters for each of these effects also help in isolating different elements easily, which makes pursuing a certain sound intriguing and interesting.
However, and I say this when using a cheap Ephiphone Les Paul or a Strat (with, admittedly, lace sensors), the flange and compression effects (even with drawn out tweaking) can give a high, cutting tones that can reverberate and distort (not at all good). One has to be very carefull with the compression and limiter, testing the sound at different volumes in order to ensure that the patch sound remains constant across different registers.

The GT-3 has always produced the same patch sound when needed. Rather than start looking for the problem on the deck, one always has to consider the different environments one plays in before searching for problems at the 'gear' level. Tweaking may be needed for some effects in some circumstances, whilst not for others. If your rehearsal space or area differs from a live situation (and it often does) then a patch may sound different, or present itself differently in a live situation (or in another practice area). In this case, use headphones to understand the difference in environmental changes, switching between 'open' sound to 'headphone' in practice in order to understand how sound changes. A patch should always sound the same through the same headphones, wherever you are (theoretically), so one has to make sure that any differences may not be issuing from the deck itself.
Not all of us can afford backups. The GT-3 works well with its adaptor - I cant speak on the reliability of a battery in a live situation (I wouldn't do that EVER!)

Never dealt with customer support - but that could be because I treat my equipment well.

I mean, seriously, what idiot would remain friends (or in the same band!) with someone who threw water on their equipment!! Huh?!?
(James Marshall Hendrix excluded, of course).

I play every style of music (and I do mean everything). Many of the effects give 'eastern' flavoured songs a lovely sound, but more conventional or popular genres are well catered for.

I have been playing for 12 years and have owned too many other units to mention. If this deck was stolen or lost, I would test other products first, but for its price, the unit is acceptable.

What do I love about the deck? I likes its spacious design - pedals are spread evenly across the unit. However, tweaking in a darkened live situation would be near impossible, not because of the LED, but because the buttons are small!

I compared this unit to individual pedals, other DOD and BOSS pedal decks and rack mounts. For price, it seemed to strike a balance between professional sounds and cheezy trash gimmicks (the mark of a good deck!!!) Not all of us can afford vintage effects gear.

I wish it came with a recording contract as well.

The only thing the deck gets in the way of is the bass player walking/moving around the stage. This is great, as I like having one side all to myself. (With sequencers and programming, who NEEDS a bass player anyway? Certainly no self-respecting guitar player.)

I'd like to share my debts with you, but is that what you're really asking?

I found this unit to be fairly easy to program. any bona-fide tone freak knows that you don't buy a unit like this for what the factory puts in it! it took a couple of minutes on my own, and with the manual to figure my way around some of the other parameters in the unit. but it ain't that bad overall.

I happen to particularly like the Matchless patches in this unit. I set it side by side with a friends Dr Z Maz 18 Jr. and through tonal comparison, was able to simulate my own Z TONE!!!! I love that about this thing, its just soooooo versatile

does the name sherman mean anything to you???

haven't had to do this yet, but Boss is reliable.

I play blues, rock, and country. I find this unit to give me all the different tones I need to perform confidently.

As far as using processors goes, this is very easy to navigate, and all the handy programmable presets make life soooo easy. I've never used the manual except for the MIDI implementations, but it seems easy to follow. I'd be interested to know if there is a firmware upgrade available..... Oh yeah, the presets are really good.

I have a 200w stereo Valvestate setup, and there is a huge difference between looping the processor or using it in line. The sound quality is great thru a loop, I reccommend it. The effects are just as good as the pedals, and we all know that BOSS makes the best, but I am unhappy with the response on the synth effect, and it's too bad I can't use more than 1 mod effect at once.

BOSS is always dependable, I never worry about my FX failing me, or getting broken from a rough gig. I've had booze dumped all over it, it's been dropped, trampled, and generally abused, and there's barely a scratch in the paint!!!!

Sorry, never needed support...

I play death metal, and do electronic noise as well, so I am definitely pleased with the diversity of this unit. I'd replace it in a second if it were stolen. This is my second BOSS processor, and millionth FX unit in general, and I'd say this is definitely the best bang for the buck. I did try out other units before deciding on this one.

I bought this pedal after hearing the GT-5 and being told there was little difference between them.
I found it to be a little overprocessed harmonically with my RG470, though I have fallen in love with the neck pickup sounds. It hates the middle single coil for some reason and the bridge humbucker sounds brittle for cleans sounds.
I tried it with a cheap Strat and was frankly amazed at how good some of the cleaner presets were with the single coils - but the distortion was in need of a little pepping up.
Editing patches is easy unless you are really after a specific sound. Many people have said it to be easy but it does require A LOT of time to get a good set of presets. I don't get to use it with my full rig (the tonality changes drastically depending on what you use it on) until I gig. So therefore I can tell you that it is no fun editing 5 mins before you play.
The manual is good if you are familiar with the workings of FX but if you simply like to twiddle a few dials until you find a nice sound (like me) then it is a bit on the barren side when it comes to offering tips on use.
I don't believe there has been any mods to the firmware as the unit has not been revised in any way (I bought it in Oct 99).
I have given 8 because I managed to clean away all my analogues pedals with no real remorse.

I use this with a RG470, a cheap squire strat, a Marshall Valvestate Pro 120/120 Power Amp (blinding!) and two 1936 Marshall 2 x 12" Sealed Cabinets.
It can be noisy but more often than not that has been because of a poor earth on the guitar. Once solved the pedal is quiet. It does tend to sound over processed if you apply the FX in a heavy handed manner. Other than that I cannot moan as it has done me proud.
I have reservations with using this in conjunction with a valve amp base on my old Marshall 50watt Valve Combo. Every thing was too trebly and when I got my new rig all my user patches were bassy as a result of the mods I had made.
Now I am using it with the VS Pro it is more subtle and I can get the sounds that I want.
Some of the settings are weak - wah needs serious tweaking (the hard wah preset is the best but lacks cut in a live scenario and the Flanger is a bit too modulated for my liking (not that I use it!).
As the unit works fine for my rig I will give it a 9

Yes I depend upon the GT-3 as it also handles my amp simulations on top of the sound fx and I do gig without a backup.
I do have one minor grievence though, and that is because it has a poorly lit display for heavily lit stages and daytime festival gigs - hence 9

Not yet but the seperate PSU remains a worry.

I play in an eight piece Soul Tribute Showband and I can do Steve Cropper with ease with this unit.
As for loss or theft of this unit then I would replace it with another or maybe even the Flagship model, the GT-5 as I have had much pleasure in its use.
I have to say that the subtlety of some of the sounds make this a joy to use but a stronger wah and flanger would have been nice. Also the synth fx are really bad!
I tried some other fx units dod, zoom and digitech - but they had delays/dropout in switching between patches and that really sounds bad live.
I am very happy to have purchased it. It is a genuine tool and it embellishes the sound of your playing - what more could you ask for?
My only reservation would be to try it on your rig first, unless of course you have a Roland Jazz Chorus. heh heh.

I've only had this unit for about a week. Replacing a Digitech RP-3.

* Fairly uncomplicated. Guitarists that are new to multi-efx units may take some time to warm up to it. Logical layout and design make this unit pretty user friendly.
* Editing patches: fairly quick, but can become time consuming - depending on how particular or fussy you are.
* Manual: not bad - not great.

* I'm using a Gibson Les Paul standard stereo into a Peavy Bandit (80W) and Fender Frontline 25 (25W). I need better amps.
* Some of the pre-amp settings get a little noisy, but the noise suppressor is good. I've also tried a Strat with this pedal, and single coils get very noisy.
* Pre-amp efx are good, very deep eq. (great for tweaking that exact sound - if you have the time), great reverb, nice delay, overdrive and distortion takes time to get right - however using the eq (especially tweaking mids) and pre-amp settings it is possible to get great overdriven sounds. Wah sucks, wacky effecys (synth, humisor etc) are great for what they are. Compressing is tight and tasty, phaser is great.
* I owned a digitech rp-3 and the sound was a little too "digital" and processed for my liking - this unit is more authentic sounding, and one of the best for its price and size!!!

* Rugged metal body and sturdy design. Should handle gigs and travelling well. I think i will get an external expression pedal though to save the one on the unit (lets face it - anything with moving parts will need some attention after a while - it'll be easier to replace a seperate unit than the pedal on the board).
* No backup necesarry.

* n/a

* I play new school funk / dub / ska. Some heavy stuff occasionally.
* Playing for 10 years.
* This is a great compact unit .... it's has quality features for its price and size. Beats the crap out of my old digitech RP-3. At the end of the day you get what you pay for. Buy a pro rack mount unit with foot controller if you can afford it, and you'll probably have better tone. But this is one of the best multi-efx units in its class.
* It is possible to get anally retentive when it comes to tweaking your tone. Try to avoid this cause the unit is there to enhance you tone and sound, not to dominate it.
* If you aren't into booz rock or tired blues, and are looking to create some fresh and original guitar music then this pedal could be a great accessory.
* Boss have been around for a long time, and know the biz. This unit has been carefully designed with the guitarists needs in mind. Worth a try, no one is going to force you to buy it OK??

Dont ever settle for presets (you all know that). I figured the GT-3 out in 5 minutes. The manual is nice and helpful but seriously I didn't even look at it till after I had my own patches down. EASY EASY EASY

ESP MH-307 7 String guitar ---> GT-3 ---> DBX 15 band Equalizer/Limiter(to further cut mids) ---> Fender Roc Pro 1000 Full Stack! Awesome METAL SOUND!

Never will I drop it, leave it in the sun, let "some dude" borrow it, or anything stupid. This thing is basically as important to me as my actual guitar hands. IF ANYTHING ever happened to it, I would have to BUY another one because NO other pedal gets me my tone EXCEPT this pedal board.

Never Had to deal with them. Hopefully never have to.

I play Black Metal. But I'm not just looking for high mids, or a Shitty Slayer sound(more high mids)...but an awesome cuffing that is pleasing to the ear and shakes your Balls! at the same time. I needed the PERFECT Frequencies and Cuts and between the Equalizer and SUB EQ, and my other 15 Band EQ, I own My tone...I have the exact tone of my dreams and now I can sleep comfortably at night!

At last, a processor to call my own!!! Oh joy!!. The GT3 looks intimidating to program at first, I am learning so much about it now,
i can copy, save, write, tweak, twinge, destroy and rebuild things so easily on this. Only the one dial and the parameter jump buttons are needed to transport you through all the endless possibilities available. The manual actually wasn't to hard to understand, although some parts were understated and obvious, almost to the extent of patronising the user, i.e " Treble: adjusts the treble frequency ", never mind, because this thing is the best, infact, I want to marry it. It is though the perfect mistress for my guitar. Patches are easy to edit, but ironically the EZ edit is rather hard for me to properly understand.

I only have an old Encore Custom Model guitar (superstrat shape) and a Fender Squier 15 watt practise amp, yet this thing sounds amazing through it. I hope to purchase a brand new guitar and a more powerful amp to accompany this unit. The presets are not bad, some are laughable, the best though is 84,3 E.Ac Detune, I have wrote a song part with that effect. Distortions are good, some crap through the preamp models, i only realised this when I tried using a heavy distortion through the Metal Drive preamp before realising the Metal Drive distortion was on high gain settings. I am nearly there in getting the perfect noisecore/death metal distortion, the problem is allieviating the sub bass characteristics despite tweaking the bass e.q and bass settings, the scooped mid sound is no problem in achieving, the bass needs controlling in order to get good palm muting sounds. The distortion is crucial in any style really and therefore needs plenty of attention, here though the GT3 has succeeded in creating accurate distortions for different styles. The chorus, delay and reverb are just ace. Flanger is so damn good alot of the time, i can't see how some people have rated it badly, i have tweaked it to get sounds similar to that of the BF2 and the EH Elec. Mistress. Phaser is class say no more, infact all modulation effects are brilliant, i do have trouble harnessing the character of the Ring modulator. SFX group has good sounds available, I use the Feedbacker a fair bit. Finally E.q and SpeakerSim facilities are really good too. I can get alot of sounds similar to many artists, in particular Robert Smith's ambient sounds and also bands like, Led Zep, Pantera and Slayer, yes Slayer, bet you didn't see that one coming did you. You can get that blood and fire that spews from the Slayer axe maestros's guitars, spend a few hundred hours editing away.
LOVE THIS UNIT

I can't afford a backup, i'm too careful as it is that i won't let anyone breathe near it, let alone touch it, it is very strong and is built like a titanium fist. I won't bother with a backup, i look forward to gigging with it, first things first though is to...ahem..get a band together.

Never dealt with Boss or Roland but the company i bought this from, The Flying Pig, jacked up the price to 295 pounds when it was originally 269. I went all the way there to collect it for myself and lug it back through London and get the train back to Cambridge. You can imagine the look on my face changing from a happy boy to a slack jawed dog when I merrily skipped into the store with my hard earned 270 punds in cash to be told the price had gone up, still one cheque for the rest allowed me to take the GT3 home with me happier than a pig in shit

I play very heavy music of my own creation (not Korn!!!) and other styled like blues and ambient and whatever else i can wring out of my guitar. I've been playing just over two years now and will continue to do so as long as I live. This unit is so amazing it allows me to be creative in even more ways than ever. If this was stolen, the thief had better hope I never catch him and that he lives in fear when I have ripped his balls off and beaten him round the head with the unit, you see this thing is even more amazing because it doubles up as a weapon. I have used a Zoom 505 and a 3030 before but they are not a patch..ahem... on this. BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!!!!. You Korn and Limp Bizkit fans will shit yourself when you find out it's potential. This is an amazing unit for bringing out the emotion, texture and mood in your music and playing, though rememeber it is better not rely on this thing even though you can almost get every sound possible you can imagine.