Roland VGA-7

Cosm guitar simulation (LP, Strat,Tele etc.when used with GK2a pickup.
Digital modeling of most typeds of amplifier and a good selection of on board effects including delay, chorus, phaser, trem, reverb.Output power 65+65 watts stereo.

I have used the VGA7 with the following guitars. Strat with lace pickups and internal GK2A, Parker Fly deluxe with external fitted GK2A.Also a Roland GR09 synth which also doubles as a midi controller.I also use a custom made volume pedal with a toe down switch to give an extra boost for solo's (more on that later)
I play in a covers band with musical styles from disco to punk so I needed a combo that was totally versatile. I have to say that generally the VGA7 deleivers the goods. Ok I had to tweak some of the patches to get the best sound but overall the sound of the patches were very good, with the exception of the nylon guitar sim...a joke!
My biggest critisism has to be the output power. Having used the combo at home for a while I took it on it's first gig,a small club where we have to watch the volume levels.Even with the amp at 3/4 full
I was still drowned out by the lead guitarist's little 1x12 combo. I can see this is going to be a serious problem and I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have bought it if I had been able to try it on a gig. The other problem concerns the volume pedal. If I use my pedal at 75%volume for say ryhthm and switch to a different patch the volume jumps to 100%. I have a Peavey setup which has a feature that remembers the position of the pedal when switching patches, this was implimented by a software update from peavey (how about it Roland?)Alternativly some sort of drive boost switch as used by the Line 6 Pod Pro would do the trick.I would also like to have been able to assign a controller, for example gain or distortion, to the expression pedal ( again available on the Peavey Tubefex)

I am confident the VGA7 will be reliable and have not taken my old Peavey Tubefex as a backup (yet!)

Very good

My overall rating would have been 10 had the amp had a little more power and had the volume volume pedal problem sorted. Maybe I have been using my Peavey rig too long and have got used to the setup, but I suppose at the end of the day there is no single combo that will satisfy every guitarists needs.

Released in 2000, this amp wins the prize for most features, hands down. For those who aren't familiar, it is a combination of Roland's Virtual Guitar System married to a modeling amp. Although it lacks a few of the VG-8/88 patches, it adds an electronic capo that allows you to go up OR DOWN 12 frets with a flick of a button. It also does the open tunings, 12-string, etc. The amp modeling is simple to operate. The controls are much simpler than previous VG products and round knobs control all the function that should have knobs.

The basic amp is a 65w/channel stereo with 2 separate 12" speaker/tweeter cabs. Without effects, it can run as clean as any keyboard or PA. There is an unbalanced line out, with a(very hot, use a DI box!) effects loop, "mix" in, and MIDI in/out on the back panel. On the front, you can use the Roland 13-pin and get all the features. There are also two 1/4" ins that bypass the guitar modeling but let you use all the effects and amp models. Needless to say, you don't get the full effect of this rig unless you go with the 13-pin. There is a built in tuner. Overall, you can plug in and play with little fuss, but to really understand all the variations (there are many) you need the manual, surprisingly well-written.

I bought this amp to use in a church praise band. I am one of two guitarists, so I wanted something that would allow me to fill in with a variety of sounds and minimum of equipment. I use a Godin LGX-SA which has a built in piezo bridge that sends to the Roland cable. I also use a Roland FC-200 midi pedal board that allows me operate the patch selection with my feet, highly recommended, although I think Roland has discontinued it in favor of a smaller FC-50.

So..is it useful? For my purposes, it is incredible. In a group, the ability to mimic just about any set-up you can think of is mind-blowing. I have been playing for 35 years, and have owned or at least plyed almost everything. This is the most fun (the lovely-necked Godin helps!)I get a credible acoustic sound for strumming, although it sound like an acoustic with a piezo pickup. In less than a second, I can switch to a Tele, bridge pickup through a small tweed amp sound, to a Les Paul/Marshall stack and end up with a banjo!

Now, does it really sound like a 58 strat through a tweed bassman with 4-10's? Pretty much. It is a REASONABLE facsimile. It would lose in an A/B comparison, but the recognizable essence is there on a lot of patches. There are a lot of instantly recognizable, signature sounds built in. And the basics are there for creating your own. Remember the purpose of something like this. A "real" ES-335/Polytone might sound "better," but it can't sound like anything else!

All is not perfect, however, lest you think I work for Roland. The nylon guitar patches are ridiculously bad. The electronic capo, as useful as it is, has too much artifact to use in an upfront solo. I miss having wind, brass, string and keys patches. This thing is so heavy(90+ lbs.)you will learn to hate to haul it. To my eyes, its a little homely, too.

I have never had a Roland product break so I can't speak to customer support, although many other are less than impressed. You are not going to hurt this thing physically, though it might hurt you! The weakest link is/are the 13-pin cable ends. The metal shroud can bend very easily, but is also easily straightened. You could always use a 1/4 in cable in a pinch

In summary, I think Roland has filled a need for guys like me who need (want)a huge variety of sounds with minimum hassle. I had really wanted a VG-8 or 88, and would have needed a keyboard amp. This really fit the bill, was cheaper and simple. I wish they had not left off so many patches, now I need a guitar synth!

This amp is great for those who have all the vintage stuff, but can't justify hauling it to a gig. But it is also for anyone who wants the sound pallette for the guitar world at their fingertips.

Roland vga-7, just acquired and tested for a couple of days , I am going to use it for live gigging!!!!,
i wanted to post this on the VG 8 users board.
The amp is a 130 watt (65 + 65 )twin mosfet stereo amp, fairly lightweight for its size.
It incorporates most of the features which are on the VG8 processor
but with new additions like capo,taptime for delay including record/playback,up to 20 different amp tones,if you use a roland gk2a
equipped guitar, you can also blend tones from other synths such as the gr30 and the vg8. In real terms this means you can have four/five layers of tone including the normal tone of your guitar.
At first this amp looks pretty formidable with all the buttons and switches, but is fairly well laid out in a similar style to a normal
combo,you set up the sounds you want with the volume/tone/eq and effects,then store in a user patch which when recalled remembers all the settings regardless of their current position.
It has a headphone jack, and additional high/low inputs for a normal
pickup guitar.The usual line out/in jackputs on the rear panel, and the pedal/foot controller stuff.

There are 80+ 80 user presets which are the usual factory setup patches from roland,you edit the factory version close to the tone you
want and store as a user patch. Roland give some fairly pretty and useable patches, stunning acoustic sounds, some useable rock and roll tones, but like always some of the factory presets are slightly overblown for some tastes.
Used with a VG8 in tandem sounds like overkill but surprisingly useful
in my setup with the us 20 footswitch combining either or both, with patches set up with similar tone loud/ medium and effects on/off as you require,incredible! It also saves buying the optional footswitch controllers which are always separate.
Would have liked a balance/volume control for the input of other synths,and also more flexibility on the master volume control,like a system patch which you could use with a volume pedal.

Will be using it very shortly, having practised at home i am 99% confident it will do the job.

I am confident the amp on its own with out the bells and whistles used with the VG8 is a pretty safe bet, but intend to blow the rest of the band away with some pretty cool sounds i've cooked up in just a couple of days use.

Here is the Roland schpiel:

Analog-style controls make it easy to use, and it dishes up a digital smorgasbord of 20 distinct COSM amp models, numerous speaker cab simulations with customized controls, and 26 types of guitars and guitar/synth combos. It also offers pickup type and position simulations with blendings, and a variety of tunings when used with a GK-2A. The amp comes GK-ready with13-pin input. 4 independent processors run 15 Roland/Boss effects algorithms, 80 preset memories plus 80 user memories with extensive foot control options.

* Digital modeling guitar amplifier with analog-style controls for superb ease-of-use
* 20 distinct COSM amp models including vintage and modern tube amps, solid state and acoustic instrument amps, plus speaker cabinet simulations
* Gain, Volume, 3-band EQ and Presence controls customized for each amp model
* COSM Guitar Modeling simulates 26 guitar types?electric, acoustic, hollow-body, and ?guitar-meets-synth??using any steel-string electric or acoustic guitar*
* Pickup type and position simulations with pickup blending capabilities*
* Instant open tunings, Nashville, and user-defined tunings, 12-string guitars*
* 4 independent effects processors with 15 distinct Roland/BOSS effects algorithms
* 80 preset memories plus 80 user memories with extensive foot control options
* GK-Ready 13-pin input plus standard 1/4? guitar input for direct access to amp/speaker cabinet modeling sections
* 65W + 65W/ 2x12? stereo configuration
(*Requires optional GK-2A Divided Pickup.)

I use This amp with a Brian Moore i2.13 and it is UNBELIEVABLE! I haven't even mounted the GK-2AH I got with it on another guitar yet. Though all of my regular guitars sound great through it also, and they include Hearfield Elans, a Jackson KE-2, a Yamaha APX-10 and Pacifica 1412, a B.C. Rich Mockingbird NJ - Neck Through, a Carvin TL60T Koa, and a Samick SPN650-KFN.
I play Hard rock, Metal, Jazz, and even a bit of classical. And this amp can do anything from a real clean, and even acoustic sounds, to a really saturated distortion. I am happy with the sounds it can make, but realize they are simulations, and NOT the 'Real Thing'. They are pretty convincing simulations however.
Considering that it can 20 amp sims, i would say that there is quite a bit of versatility built in. Add the 26 guitar sims, and the 4 simultaneous effects from the BOSS arsenal of stompboxes that it can simulate, and I really thing it's mindblowing what it can do.
Even with a large amount of distortion, it is pretty quiet. But not perfectly so. No real complaints there.
The clean stays clean, and the distortion is fine even at high volumes, though I am a bit disappointed with how loud the 65x65 watts turns out to be. Though I have to say it is louder than my Marshall Bluesbreaker (40 watt tube).

This amp is well constructed, and at 85 pounds, quite a backache. I haven't really sujected it to any road hazards, and probably won't at this stage, but I have to say it IS solid.

This amp has a 1 year limited warranty, and I expect not to use it. I have not had the opportunity or even need to ever contact BOSS/Roland, and I have many of there products. So I can't speak to the customer support part.

I have been playing for 20 years and also own a Marshall Bluesbreaker combo. If this amp were stolen or lost (yeah right) I would buy it current incarnation. I spent alot of time comparing this amp to other 'modeling' amps, including the AX2, Cybertwin, and others. It was a hard descision as they all have their strengths, and weaknesses. I settled on this because of it's versatility, and unique features. The only thing I wish it had, was a spring reverb simulation...

This amp was made last year-2000. I play blues, rock, some standards for weddingsand the like. I like the fact that two instruments can use it at the same time, I have a Roland/fender strat synth along with a Gibson Nighthawk and a Gibson es135. Not that I play any of them at the same time, mind you, but others in my group have taken advantage of this for a nice mix. The 130 watts and myriad connectors along with all the effects are quite nice indeed.

It really is very versatile and doesn't have any of the abberant noises one usually finds coming through one of the trashier Fenders for instance. However when we distort, we distort as much as we want to.

Totally reliable

Bought it after a demo by one of the roland reps at a guitar store. Nice guy, had coffee with him afterwards and he went to great lengths explaining all I could do with the amp.

I wish it were a bit easier to move about. It weighs about 80 pounds, but those 80 pounds are all muscle -- no flab in this amp.

This amp does everything except make decent coffee. All the needed features a guitarist could want are in this amp. Put a good guitar plugged into it and you have no problem -- if you read the manual and take your time with it.

I play a Gibson Les Paul and a Godin LGXT - synth setup through it. The sounds are fantastic.

I use it all the time gigging - five nights a week. No backup needed or wanted. At 82 pounds this baby is enough to get around.

These guys are great at Roland. I got an extra manual just for the asking -- sent priority mail.

I've been playing for 30 years as a session player and lead guitar in a pretty well-known group. If someone stole this amp, I'd track the bugger down and kill him.

Previously I had a marshall 4 12 w' a 100 w JMP Superlead custom and Korg A3. I wanted something a little more versatile. In the store I loved the amp sims, but the guitar sims seemed weak; however, when I placed them in our live mix, the sound guy didn't have to tweak much of anything, and the guitar sims sounded great. I can't go wireless any more; too bad, but the acoustic sims are too valuable to bybass and go wireless. I wish it had more synth variation.

After using a marshal, it was nice to not have huge hiss between songs. Also I can access so many more music genres and the synth sim is fun with wah on it. Using distortion, I prefer not to use guit sim, because the guit sims don't have the bite and cruch of the strings, but the sound guys can't tell between the two. I send signal mono direct out because when the chorus is on you need to mic both speakers or it sounds funny. Mono direct out I don't need a mic or stand and the speaker simulation sounds great.

It's pretty new , but Roland seems to be pretty reliable. I have friends who play line 6 and their amp is always getting repaired. Also I thought that this amp sounded much more realistic than line 6

The amp is 82 lbs. When the sales person stuck it in my car, it dinged the back a bit. I told Roland and they appologized and gave me a free amp cover. (And it wasn't their fault) They have been exceptionally friendly to me.

It sits nice in the mix, is versatile, clean, and I don't need racks of independant gear anymore. It's nice to set up different guitars and amps for different songs, so each song can have a unique sound. I don't have to move it, so the weight is irrelevant. It can rock too, in fact it sounds better in the mix than my marshall did.

The price was pretty scarey, but I spent alot more on my previous gear.

I wish the product wasn't so new. There was alot of disbelief about cosm that I and the sound guys had to work through. The end result is the final mix and that is why I bought it.

Check below. Too many to list.

Let me get my biases out of the way. I like a variety of sounds but am a shredder at heart. I've been playing for 22 years. Now...I put this amp through its paces at Mars. Frankly, I don't get it. I've owned two Boss GX-700s for the last three years and still love them. So, I figure cool, a JC-120 with the rack built into it. Got to be the same sound right? Wrong. The COSM sims on the VGA-7 are not nearly as dynamic and responsive as the GX-700. And where's the gain? The GX-700 can get brutal, particularly with a Sonic Maximizer through the loop. I did NOT use the special pickup but only the regular 1/4" jack. I assume that will make a difference. This amp is about the only Roland product I've tried that I don't like. Besides the two GX-700s, I own or have owned the following Roland products: a KC-300, JC-120, JC-77, and a GC-408X. BTW, I play through an Anderson humbucker-equipped strat.

Wouldn't know.

Unless you're interested in the synth and tunings, etc., get a used GX-700, GT-3 or 5 and plug it into a Mosvalve power amp. Run that into a Genz-Benz George Lynch cab and you still save $700.

FEATURE PACKED!
AMPLE POWER?
SOUNDS?

Obviously the JC-120 sound is best, the Fender??? What the heck happened? THIS AMP HAS NO SPRING REVERB SIM??? No doubt you are NOT playing a fender amp!!! Damn that hurt with the price one pays for the AMP, the Controller, the GK-2A, the 13-pin cable...This thing is SUPER expensive!!!

This thing has lots of features! I'd recommend a ROLAND GK-2A ready strat! Otherwise you have to install it yourself and does NOT look as good!!! + the GK-2A is over $200...the best price I found was at SAMASH. com $219.99~~~
The Amp can be found at CINTIOLI's Music STORE in PENNSYLVANIA for
$1,099 ($200 cheaper than MUSICIAN's FRIEND or SAM ASH...However, call them for a price match!)

This thing is easy to tweak, but if you are a looking for maximum tweaking of all parameters look elsewhere (LINE 6's AX2 tops the tweaking area)

I am using an American Deluxe Strat with NOISELESS pick ups...
The amp is quiet even with some "sim-distorted" (If you want real distortion get a real TUBE AMP please... The distortion on this thing SUCKS!!!)

The JC-120 sound is better than the original b/c of the increased freq. response!
The Fender sound? Like I said NO SPRING REVERB...So it basically sounds like an imitation w/ a cheap REVERB!
This may force me to to buy a real tube amp and get the real thing
(I have had enough of this SIMULATING crap)

I don't know why ROLAND even bothered to SIMULATE an acoustic guitar.
THE EMULATIONS PLAIN SUCK for the ACOUSTICS...The only consolation is they included a regular input so you can take advantage of their FULL RANGE amps...

THE NYLON STRING Simulation is a PLAIN JOKE and sucks beyond belief...
Whoever chose the waveform is a total jerk!!!!
I already made the mistake to buy this freaking amp b/c of the guitar SIMS...Get a real Acoustic (especially a NYLON -- If you already have one, plug it in and use the FULL RANGE AMP SIM!~~ =o)

So the overall sound is good; The JC-120 sound is great!
The clean sounds are no doubt clean (So a 9 is my rating for the clean JC sound)and the Digital Capo and User defined tunings are great features.

DAMN this thing NEEDS a Super high quality WAVEFORM update for the ACOUSTICS SIMS!!! I can't say that enough!!!! The NYLON SOUNDS LIKE A 1980's Synth Guitar SIM of a NYLON (Hello?! We are in the NEW MILLENIUM ROLAND!!!)....NYLON STRING SIM. just PLAIN SUCKS!!!!

The DISTORTION is NO DOUBT DIGITAL!
BOSS PEDAL SOUNDS ARE GOOD BUT FAMILIAR SO NO NEW GROUNG HERE!...The LINE 6 pedals run the GAMMOT of CLASSIC SIMS...so you are NOT STUCK with just ROLAND SOUNDS...I have yet to buy the CONTROLLER b/c I heard a dedicated controller is on the way...I hope the WAH is as good or better than the LINE 6 which I previously owned!

Too early, but knowing ROLAND equipment, it should be very reliable!

Have never dealt with them.
THANK GOD!

If it were stolen, I'd cry just b/c of the MONEY I lost!
I'd buy something else!

Compared to LINE 6

PROS:
Better Clean Sounds.
Better Freq. Response.
Better Effects (BOSS Pedals)
Easier to Tweak.
Louder and Sturdier.
ROLAND is know to be RELIABLE~~~ a huge plus vs. competitors~
Acoustic Sims mixed with original guitar useful but will NOT substitute a real acoustic guitar (THE NYLON STRING ACOUSTIC Does NOT count at all...what a piece of CRAP!!!)
Amp simulations are DIGITAL but useful. The "Full Range" and Special Amp Sims are useful for Acoustic instruments (Plug a real Acoustic into the regular input jacks)and Organ/Brass/Pipe type sounds~~~

Favorite Patches? P03, 05, 68 (Take the effects off or just leave the chorus and use it for a nice rhythm sound), 69 (Play "Jump- Eddie Vanhalen") with this brass type sound), 71, 75 (mix and enjoy using volume controls to come in and out), 78 (Mix w/ a trebly guitar sound)Try Carlos santana's "Oye como va"

CONS:
Super Expensive ($1,099 w/o the GK-2A $219-$249, plus $60 for the cable, plus FC-200 $299-$350), + Midi cable...Get the Drift???
DON'T BUY THIS DAMN THING unless you are a MASOCHIST or know you will use the sounds in a STUDIO SETTING ONLY!!!
My humble suggestion will save you lots of money and less back pain. WAIT for LINE 6 to respond with the AX3 (Buy from a responsible
retailer since RELIABILITY has been a problem)!!!! or the other companies to catch up...try the other companies and compare (Forget the JOHNSON MILLENIUM...it is very expensive and NOT reliable)

This thing Weighs like a truck. (BACK BREAKER)
Less parameters to tweak.
The Acoustic Sims are from PAR to PLAIN JUNK (NYLON)!!!

I HOPE I SAVED SOME OF YOU FROM THE MISTAKE OF BUYING THIS AMP, ESPECIALL NEW...IF YOU MUST HAVE THIS WAIT FOR A USED AMP OR AN UPDATED VERSION IN A FEW YEARS!!!
OTHERWISE... If you can't wait give the competitors a try, read the reviews here in HARMONY CENTRAL and GOOD LUCK!!!The latest Modeling Amp to enter the MARKET!!!
So lets get cut to the chase.
What is my OPINION???

DON'T BUY THIS FREAKIN AMP!!! Although it has lots of features, the Expense, weight (Why do you think it comes w/ caster/wheels???...82+ pounds!!! that is why...this thing should NOT be moved out of a studio...so if you want a gig amp...get one that weighs a lot less!!!)
Wait till LINE 6 and others include a FULL-RANGE (Horns + 2 12" Speakers - greater Freq. Response)

Extreme Disappointment, but maybe my GOALS are set too high...I haven't given up...I am hopeful =o) LINE 6 and others kick butt with better products in the future.

I'd be the first to admit, if you were do buy all of the emulated instruments, amps, and others seperately you'd spend a fortune, but sometimes i believe
NOTHING COMPARES to real thing
You want a LES PAUL SOUND
Buy one but it will cost more than the amp...
So in all fairness.
I will rate it at a 7-8 for value and sound.

I HOPE THIS HELPS!

i tried this amp out at my local sam ash. i ran it through it's paces for about 2 hours.brand new release. every feature under the sun. uses cosm modeling tech. has a midi in so you can hook up a virtual guitar syn. it has all the bells and whistles. 130 watt , 2 2x12's , 80 lbs with wheels. all solid state.

the amp sims are exactly like the other cosm rack units ie: sx-700, gt-3 etc. effects are exactly like the matching boss pedals ie: ce-1 chorus, rv-3 etc. there were a couple of great settings but on the whole it sounded pretty sterile. a big let down for new ground breaking tone. no tube tone here.

seemed very well made as are all roland products

never dealt with them

the most versitile amp i have ever seen. 100's of tones with easy interface, guitar sims as well as alternate tunings, cab sims and much more. very loud. just one thing wrong, i've heard all these sounds before. all roland did was combine about 15 boss pedals, a gt-3 or gp-5 cosm amp modeling and a vg synthesizer into one unit. nice package, same flavor. if you wabnt a groundbreaking modeling amp, try a rocktron replitone or h&k zentera.