Roland VGA-7

You can save over 20K if you use this amp and a regular guitar with GK-2A pickup installed. You need to have GK-2KA pickup then you can model almost every guitar sound such as Strat, Les Paul, Telecast, Hollow, Acoustic 12 strings, nylon, etc...then model different amp in diiferent cabinet setups from 1-12", 2-10", 4-10", 2-12" cabinets. Why paid too much for other things if you own one? Check here for info and close images at http://www.amptone.com/rolandvga7.htm

Amazing sound! Perfect for studio recording. None of many manufacturers out there could model variety guitar sound as close as Roland. COSM technology has won Roland in many respects. Of course, some sounds can't be as 100% perfect as its original sound but over 90% is for sure. That is why I gave it 9 instead of 10. Sound is very clean and loud even when set-up for heavy rock. Two 12" speakers and two tweeters produce widely enough for full of range. 65W x 65W stereo power is enough for small to medium gig w/o microphone or lineout to mixer.

Build like a tank. I have owned JC120 for over 10 years and other Roland gears w/o a single problem. So, I expect VGA-7 will be the same.

Good customer support but lack of documents and sample audio clips on its website before I can try and make a decision to buy it. Instead of selling its demo video, Roland should learn from Korg and Fender where it should allow customers to download and listen sound samples on-line

It is nice to have this amp. You won't regret after purchase it. Again, my recommendation is to have GK2A pickup installed on your guitar in order to apply a full dimension of this virtual amp. Damn, it is heavier than any other 2x12" amp. Try to have somone help to load into your car. Roland, please find the way to make it lighter next time.

My amp was made in 2001 (early) and bought around the same time. I think the features are a plenty and it's extremely versitile. I do wish the mapping between presets and some type of 'name' was there. I do live and recording and it can become clustered.

If you want to use this amp with out a GK pickup, be prepared for some dissapointment. I have a feeling it was geared for use with the GK. I feel silly playing live with a GK but the sound is incredible. I play pop rock and jazz and have yet to experience a problem. Running direct stereo into the board (as well as your amp) is fine live. It is clear and the processing doesn't overbear the true sound. It has some of the best clean jazz tones I have ever heard. I give it a 9 because the analog rather sucks.

It's a Roland. No Problems

N/A

This is a great amp for live as well as in the studio. I tried the Line 6, Johnson, etc etc and went with the Roland. I am glad I did.

This amp has more bells and whistles than Carter has little liver pills. You can emulate almost every imaginable type of guitar, effect, and amp. With the right input, a piezo hexaphonic bridge as opposed to the GK-2 pickup, you will amaze yourself. I program in different tunings that would be difficult, if not impossible, to recreate with a conventional guitar. I capo up OR DOWN at the push of a button. The different preset voices are scary good. P55, or 'Swampy', sounds better than any tricone resonator I've ever played, yet still captures the essence of a solid steel guitar. The nylon voices are a little thin, but they get you in the neighborhood. It is like having 5000 different pieces of equipment in a couple of boxes that fit neatly in your den. Features. If they ain't got it, you don't need it.

Like I said, this thing sounds great with the right input device. I hook it up with a Brian Moore i8.13. I have an old Yamaha solid body with a GK-2A adhesive pickup. The comparison is clearly definable. The Piezo on the Brian Moore is way more responsive and isolated. If the GK-2A is not set properly, it's inconsistent. Even if it is set properly, it is not as efficent as a hexaphonic bridge. It's still responsive enough to be fun, though. But sound wise, this thing is everthing and the kitchen sink. If you want to experiment with different equipment structures that are vast, plausible and usable, this is the toy for you.

It's a Roland.

I called them to get a manual. There is no toll free number, which is a little cheesy. They got two weeks to mail it to me.

This is the state of the art emulating amplifier. It's mid 2002, and I'm sure they'll come up with box that will sound great and pick up your socks in the morning. But until then, this is the bomb. I'm a guitar store rat, and I've played every major mass produced guitar product, and annoyed almost every music store salesperson in the Mid Atlantic region. I bought this one. A major planetary chain music store is closing out their demos, like mine, at below cost. You would be wise to take advantage of the situation, if you are so inclined.

By now you probably know most of the features. The amp was released in 2000. The amp is versatile to a fault. Sometimes it is difficult to practice because of some new distraction that you have just discovered. Amplifier simulations, guitar simulations, effects simulations. The gk2 pickup and the expression pedal (wah and volume) are clearly part of this instrument and should be purchased with it. The 80 + 80 presets, when used with the gk2, are quite remarkable. The presets are in eight banks of ten selections. The two buttons on the gk2 are programed to either scroll the banks or selections (or the built in tuner). Start with the fixed presets, modify them to suite, then save them in user banks grouped together in groups that make sense to you. Once done, individual songs or sets that I play can be done from a single bank. The amp is plenty loud enough for me. By way of reference it is not as loud as my MusicMan 65 410. It does vary greatly in volume from preset to preset. The wah feature only works with the expression pedal. The effects section of the amp has standard 1/4 inch jacks on the back that take standard floor switches. The headphone sound is awesome.

I have been using the vga7 and gk2 with a 72 Telecaster Thinline reissue for 6 months. This raises a question. I have a Nashville Telecaster but the gk2 pickup is not suited to that guitar because of the ashtray style bridge assembly. (Not a problem on the 72 Thinline or a Strat). At some point I want to adapt the Nashville to take the pickup. If anyone has experience with a gk2 on a regular Telecaster I would love to read about it. Any suggestions? Anyway, the more that I use the gk2 the less I seem to care to use the guitar pickups although the big humbuckers on the Thinline sound pretty good. I think that this system sounds remarkable. Like all modeling amps they sound a bit like a recording of the amp rather than the amp. If that is a problem then these amps aren't for you. But this system goes places that I have never been able to even approach with three fine fender amps which are the defacto standard for all amps. Think about it this way, playing a Tele you can get the basic lead tones of Beck, Blackmore, Clapton, Edge, Ellis, May, Page, Santana, Sholtz, VanHalen, Vaughn, Young, lots of others and Geddy bass tones. Twelve string tones of Harrison, McGuinn, and Petty. Acoustic tones of Etheridge, Eagles, Beatles and acoustic bass. You get the idea. There has been a lot of carping that certain tones like the classical guitar are useless but I don't think this is justified. I suggest that it is very important play in a style and volume that accentuates the model. Fingerpick evenly to achieve something with the nylon string preset. Some of the presets have too much echo or reverb but the parameters are easily adjusted and then saved as user presets. I suggest that a journal is very useful tool to track the system's capabilities.

Six months old with no problems.

Don't know but they have an interesting little newsletter that supports their Vga7 and guitar synths.

I am a closet guitarist and play with friends and at weddings and church. I never before owned one instrument that I was so confident about. I own a princeton reverb, hotrod delux, musicman 65, 410 and bsx300 bass amp. The princeton is the sweetest rhythym tone. The hotrod is ok. The mm is a blues machine. But none are versatile as the vga7. Does it do each tone perfectly --- no. But quite well. I I own several fender electrics and several acoustic guitars (and I have owned Gibson and Ibanez). This system easily covers all the above and then some. This is the ultimate practice amp. I used to own a princeton chorus with headphone jack but this is in a different league entirely. I think that its the ultimate club amp too. I can't think of much that you couldn't cover with practice and patience. I have not recorded directly with the amp yet but I suspect that it will sound just as good as the headphones. Think of it this way. Buy a Ric 360 -12 Tele, Strat, Les Paul, 335, jazz guitar, 6 string and 12 string acoustics with piezo and microphone alone and you have spent multiples of what this system cost and you still haven't bought an amp yet. If it is half the workhorse that a jc120 is it will last for a generation.

Ive had this amp for about 5 months up to writing this..it has loads of features..at first just using the 1/4 jack inputs and then after getting use to that setting moving onto the 13 pin multicore..which could be a couple of metres longer for stage use.It crys out foe an external loop through to allow other effects to be used and the volume is always over 1/2 even into 3/4 most of the time..

The midi pickup GKA 7 once install give the amp new dimension..12 string ,nylon and other acoustic sounds are great JC120 also very good...haven't found a decent distortion or over drive yet

No problems

Roland site and instructions are poor..sendind emails about the volume..was a waste of time

Up to now its as good if not better than I thought..not easy to move around or carry...but still small price once you get it there

This is easily the most versatile amp I have ever used. You really need the GK-2A pickup to take advantage of all of the features, but it is well worth it. I primarily use this amp for recording and with a 57 and direct outs blended you can get whatever sound you want out of it. The capo and user tuning options are outstanding. Want a dropped D or open tuning, just hit that patch and you are there. This is truly like having a stable of all my favorite amps all in one

The sounds on this amp are great. Tweakability is good too. You can pretty much get any sound you want by manipulating the parameters on this. You can the the cleanest 12-string you could imagine or the raunchiest crunchiest distortion.

Only had for 6 months but never had 1 problem with it. It's boilt like a mack truck. (this amp weighs in at a whopping 90 pounds for a 2x12 combo.

Never needed them. I would like to see some other user patches somewhere. I have checked the internet but no luck yet. If anyone would like to share patches please E-mail me.

This is probably my most valuable piece of gear for guitar recording. I recors on a Roland VS-890 and have quite a bit of other outboard gear. My bass gear is all SWR and EDEN. If it was stolen I would hunt down the culprit and cut his heart out with a rusty spoon. I tried out the cybertwin and the whole Line 6 assortment but I feel that this is the most verstile amp on the market. The only thing lacking on this is an external speaker output for a larger stage rig but you can run direct out to the PA and this baby gets pretty loud on its own.

This amp is loaded with features the best of all being the digital capo, user defined tunings, and ease of programming. I have to use a variety of sounds live. This makeit not only possible, but VERY easy.

I wish it had an effects insert. That way I could add my own effects pedals if I wanted too. There must be a technical reason there isn't one and probably has to do with the signal flow of the amp internally. Although it's pretty cool that they give you a nice flow chart to show you havethe various signals are routed internally.

I'm using this amp with a Parker Fly Guitar and the Roland GK2AH Pickup. If you were wondering what the difference was between the GK2A and tht GK2AH, the "H" model stands for holder, which is VERY handy if you have a guitar That you do't want to hurt or scratch. the Holder Allows you to attach the pickup to the guitar via the strap pin and has more than enough padding to protect the finish.

This AMP sounds awesome and I think is capable (with some tweaking) to support ANY playing style. If you're thinking of getting this amp and NOT using the GK2 Pickup with it, forget it the guitar and amp models are VERY good. I play 12 string acoustic, Resonator guitar, Nylon string, and Crunch sound all in the same set and never have to change guitars . . . just patches. This amp is probably clean enough to use as an Acoustic guitar amp or a keyboard amp because it has 2 horns as well as 12 inch Speakers.

The amp is very logically laid out and easy to use. The pickup installed on my guitar VERY easily. Don't use the double stick tape to mount the pickup, get this stuff called "poster putty" and use that. I leaves NO marks on the guitar and lets you adjust the height and position of the pickup quite easily.

I see people bitching about the tube amp sounds, but if you find the proper amp/speaker combination it sounds pretty fantastic. The other guitar player in my band uses a Fender Cyber twin and I've been able to emulate and copy a lot of his sounds. The two compliment each other very nicely.

I can't say enough about the clean sounds this amp has. I get the most amazing bell like clean guitar sounds.

I think this is a piece of gear you can depend on, it's built like a truck. REALLY HEAVY DUTY. I WILL gig without a backup.

Roland's documentation and information about their gear just stinks. When I was researching this particular amp there was VERY little info about the amp offered by the company itself. I had to rely on places like this for any real, solid, user info.

For those of you that are looking at the price I paid, please note that I bought "B Stock", not a brand new amp. I have to say however that it was clean as a whistle and worked just great. It carries a full warrentee.

I've been playing for over 30 years. I only have a few guitars, Les Paul, Strat, 12 String Acoustic, and 6 String Acoustic. (and of course, the Fly) For a gigging amp I think this is great. ESPECIALLY if you have to play acoustic and electric in the same show. Every time I think about tuning that 12 string....it makes me happy to own this Amp.

If you're playing straight ahead electric guitar, and only need a limited amount of sounds, then this amp is not for you.

I'm going to try to record with it and see how it fares. I wouldn't use it for the acoustic guitar sounds, I'd play a regular acoustic to record, but I might use some of the electric sims


The only major drawback is the lack of effects inserts.

Best ones:
- great clean acoustic amp
- easy to program
- nice simulations of most guitars and amps
- 12-str and acoustic models are not bad, especially when mixed with piezo output from my Godin LGX-SA

Worst ones:
- nylon sim REALLY bites.
- digital capo is useful for only 1 or 2 semitones w/out artifact being very apparant.
- not as versitle with the HRM (synth sounds) as the VG-88. Why not include a mem card slot and allow param tweaking via MIDI like the JV-101 module has?
- Default user patches are copies of the presets. Why not put some other ideas in this user space by default??

Most guitar and amp sims sound REALLY nice. Many sound very good blended with my piezo pickup on my guitar.

Most if not all the synth sounds are useless. Give me more VG-88 type pads etc!

As an acoustic amp, it is very clean. Effects are not going to rival a TC Electronics M-One, but they are adequate for must purposes.

All my Roland gear in the past has not had any issue. It looks (and weighs) like its indestructible.

The manual is TERRIBLE. It doesn't even mention the amp simulations for what they are. The translation from Japanese is very evident in many places. This appears to be par for my other Roland gear as well. Hint to Roland: Let the US team do the manuals for the US!

Look at the review in the Roland User group mag to get a mapping of which amp is which (http://www.rolandus.com/USERS/RUG/Fall_00/ho_vga7.html).

For what I need, this amp is amazing. I play mostly the clean tones (playing in a church band). I could never get good clean or warm amp sounds from my VooDu Valve (shred sounds only). Many of the acoustic sims sound nice when mixed with a piezo output (expecially the one from the Godin LGX-SA).

I use the LGX-SA to drive a Blue Chip midi converter also, the combo give you everything you might ever need.

My gear:
- Godin LGX-SA (with that lovely quilted maple top)
- Ovation Legend deep bowl
- Roland VGA-7
- Blue Chip Axon AX-100 midi converter
- Roland JV-1010 synth module
- TC Electronics M-One effects module
- Behringer 8 ch mixer

Features are abundant, although not all that's posible, It has only four effects posible at one time. They do seem to be of high quality. I especially like it having two 12s plus horns for a full range stereo speaker setup. This allows Me to use it to play My back-up music and guitar synth through it at the same time. I like the user friendly controls (knobs), it can be adjusted very quickly and intuitively. I would have liked a balance control for line-in however. It is a heavy amp. If your a weeny and You have to carry this amp You won't like the weight. But it has a quality of feel and strength that You don't get from some of the smaller (cheaper) units out there. I would liked to have had side handels and not just the top strap for lifting. I use it mainly in a home studio enviroment so the weight's not a big deal. What is best is the versatility. It can reasonably mimic several guitars and amps. I must say some better than others.

The quality of sound is remarkable. I must admit I may not know exactly how a soldano sounds with a strat, or a marshall with a '59 les paul, Or any other of the miriad of combinations You can achieve. But I LIKE THEM. May be They are perfect copies, but they sound fantastic to Me. And in the end isn't that what really matters. I use a 335 with a gk-2a mounted and can set the amp up to copy My guitar, switch back and forth, and can't tell the difference. If Your ear says it's a Strat, Gibson or what ever, then it is. Some purist may scoff at modeling, but the sound from Your tube amp is not the real sound from Your guitar either. It's the amplified copy of Your guitar sound manufactured in Your amp. So in other words what is real When it comes to an electric guitar. One drawback, it doesn't have all that single coil noise when I use the strat copy, and my neck still has that great gibson feel.

I have a gr-33, vg-88,two kc500s,jamstation, jc120, and of couse the vga7 and have never had any problems with any of my Roland stuff. Heck the jc120 is twenty years old and is the only amp in the band that we couldn't tear up!! This thing is very solid and I expect it to last for a very long time..

The warranty is one year. I have never had to deal with Roland for any repairs or such

I've been playing for 25 years have had tried and bought lots of gear. And Roland always seem to give me more for my buck and give better service than anything else. I've almost become Roland exclusive because of the quality and service Their equipment provides.

Ok. This AMP is full of features and is very versatile, but I cannot give a 10 for just features, b/c NOT all are useful, although MOST are useful. I would have gladly done w/o the ACOUSTIC NYLON SIM for some REAL TUBE SIMULATION like the ZENTERA.

WHICH ARE USEFUL?
1. The guitar sims are great.

2. The Amp sims are from average to very good (avg = AC30 to VG = JC-120, and Acoustic Amps.

3. The 12-string and Steel String Acoustic Simulations are good, especially when mixed with your own guitars input.

4. The JC-120 sound and chorus effect is very good.

5. Easy to program using just the knobs, but you need the manual for reference.

6. The effects are good to very good, but NOT excellent.

7. ROLAND has always been known for RELIABLE equipment.

To get an idea what this amp offers over everyone else

Try this: Take the MARK IV patch, Use the TELECASTER simulation (Version 1), Take the Digital Capo and tune down 1 (MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE GK PICK-UP TO SYNTH ONLY - DO NOT MIX)
Now you are ready for 3 DOORS DOWN's song PUSH...Play G (320033), Dsus/F# 200230), Em (022000), C/G to CM7/G (332010 to 332000) Listen to the son for STRUMMING like the song...
You can adjust the PATCHES' Gain to either clean up or make it a bit dirtier, and adjust the BASS, MID, TREBLE, and PRESENCE to your taste.
However, the original patch is pretty darn close to the song's sound.

NOW compare how a strat sounds in this PATCH, AWEFULLY muddy, just like with the real thing (Ok...Very close to)

Want another usefule PATCH?
Ok.
Here is a beautiful 12-string.
Take Preset Patch P70, Change to a 12-string, Change Chorus to #3, adjust gain for the fullness you want...and you got a great 12-string...Play HEMMORRAGE from fuel, but u must tune down one to be in tune with the song and play the following using a classical guitar technique: Bm7 (X24430), Bm7/A (X04430), Bm7/G (324430)...Enjoy! Remember to adjust the Gain, and EQ to suit your taste....The sound sounds great if you do NOT detune and mix it with your guitar)...VERY VERY USEFUL!
Final PATCH: Change Patch P70 to acoustic 1, and change chorus to 1 and adjust Gain, EQ and verb to taste (I personally love to play this mixed with my strat, and w/o any reverb)...

OK so it has some very useful features!

WHAT DOESN'T IT DO WELL?

1. If you are looking for TUBE TONE forget it!...No TUBE TONE here, unfortunately...MY RECOMMENDATION is save the money and get the HUGHES and KETTNER zenTera (The ULTIMATE albeit EXPENSIVE Modelling Amp)...SEE www.guitarplayer.com under the REVIEWS COLUMN for the latest on this AMAZING Amp! (This will be my NEXT purchase)...It won the GUITAR PLAYER PICK award!

So back to the ROLAND VGA-7.
I hope the ROLAND VGA-7 is completely upgradable via software to give it some REAL TUBE SIMULATION comparable to the H&K Zentera, since I already bought this amp!
However, I believe there is NO way to change the NYLON sample ( I HOPE THIS IS A STUPID ERROR OF MINE)...If it is stored in ROM, we are #$%*!


BOTTOM LINE
THIS AMP IS a SOLID STATE Amp...and leaves NO doubt it has NO TUBES.

2. The NYLON ACOUSTIC SIMS, BANJO, etc. SUCK beyond belief...This was put in there for advertising reasons only...HAS NOT UTILITY what so ever. For a CONSOLATION PRIZE, plug in a real NYLON STRING ACOUSTIC and use the Acoustic AMP SIM, which is very good.

3. DID I MENTION NO TUBE TONE HERE...If you want TUBE TONE get a REAL TUBE AMP...My recommendation get a SOLDANO LUCKY 13 or KOMET AMP. Although I recommend saving the bucks and getting the UPGRADABLE Hughes and Kettner Zentera (FREE UPDATES by the way)

4. THE DIGITAL CAPO is useful, but when you use it you lose some of the DYNAMICS of your guitar's original sound limiting the already NONE TUBE TONE, especially for lead purposes.

5. THE AMP IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH...I agree with the other reviews...This amp has to be miked to be heard in a real GIG setting. Again, if you want a MODELING AMP. THE LINE 6 is unreliable and although it sounds pretty good in my opinion (BUT HAS FALLEN to at least 3rd place or 4th place behind the H&K Zentera, Fender Cyber Twin, and maybe even behind the Rocktron REPLITONE (althought this amp has less features - no tuner for example)... MORE importantly, I caNNOT recommend Line 6 to anyone, b/c it is very UNRELIABLE!!!


6. THIS AMP weighs a TON (Almost 90 lbs. and the only handle, albeit very sturdy like the AMP, which is built and weighs like a TANK)...

7. The lack of a SPRING REVERB is beyond belief. Makes the already SUBPAR Fender Sims to even sound worse.

My ROLAND equipment has always been RELIABLE.

I haven't had to deal with them, but judging by their website it is probably above average.

I HAVE TO GIVE THIS AMP A RESPECTABLE GRADE BECAUSE OF ALL THE FEATURES: GUITAR, AMP, TUNING SIMS.

HOWEVER THE SOUND HAS LITTLE TO NO TUBE TONE and that is a
BROKEN PROMISE.

THE LACK OF DYNAMICS, SPONGINESS, SPRING REVERB MODELING is only partially forgivable.

NOT HAVING HANDLES ON BOTH SIDES to carry b/w 2 people is NOT (SKINNY MUSICIAN's need NOT PURCHASE)

My RECOMMENDATION: Save your MONEY and buy the ONLY MODELING AMP which is FULL OF TONE (THE HUGHES and KETTNER ZENTERA - MY NEXT PURCHASE)...although I will keep this amp, b/c I love the JC-120, BOSS CHORUS, and the ability to PLAY a believable 12 and 6 steel string SIM...and b/c the guitar sims are pretty good. The Strat sim especially.

SAVE YOUR MONEY GUYS: Get the zenTera.

Check out these sights to help you learn more about my RECOMMENDATION:

THE TOP MODELING AMP AT THIS TIME: THE H&K Zentera

http://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/0106bench.shtml

http://www.instrument-online.nu/arkiv/0103/hkzentera.html

I DO NOT WORK FOR OR REPRESENT H&K, ROLAND, or any other company.
Just play in a cover band, and make a sincere and hopefully rewarding recommendation!

GOD BLESS