Roland VGA-7

Probably the one of the most feature laden amps on the market. After a fashion any guitar sound you could desire is in here in some shape or form.

Much better on clean sounds. Works fine with a regular guitar - about a match for most amps of this type, with exception of Vox stuff, which do get better warm valve tones. That must be the valve then.
Used with a midi-guitar/pick up many of the sounds are very lifelike.
But they will always be a compromise. Its not fair to blame the amp for this - if you buy the hype about it being dozens of different amps and guitars in one box, well whose fault is that?
Its not a valve amp, so it will always be compromised if you want a great overdriven valve lead sound. It will get something workmanlke, with decent seperate pedal, but this not an amp for tonehounds.

Built like a tank, weighs about the same as one as well. Never had any problems with it, and Roland stuff I have always found to be totally reliable

Never had to deal with them.

It is a curious bird in as much as it is a good choice for someone playing covers in clubs and bars. With work you can get close to a lot of pop, rock and country sounds. Once dialled in you can simply play through a set with the minimum of fuss about changing your guitars and set-up.
At the other end of the scale its good for experimental players - some of the hybrid sounds can be very out there..
For the players who are looking to develop their own tone, or just looking to use two or three seperate sounds, it is not as good an option as a quality valve amp with a few decent pedals.
Worth noting I paid a lot for my amp when it first came out. I now see these second hand going very cheap, so for a player on a budget it could be a lot of options, and power, for little cash.

I've wanted a fairly portable stereo guitar rig for a long time and this definitely fills the bill. There are a broad range of effects and amp modelling choices available. I also have a VG8, and one of the big advantages of this amp is that the signal from the regular guitar pickups can play through the amp models and effects, where with the VG8, the regular pickups are passed through unprocessed. Compared to most amps out there, I think you would have to rate this one very feature rich. What's more, unlike many amps with built in effects, this makes it easy to tweak the sounds a little without having to work through many pages of menus in a little display (although it does have a little tiny display with lots of menus for detailed tweaking).

Note to Roland, Line 6, Fender and everyone else who makes a programmable amp with a display and lots of knobs and switches:
Please put this stuff on top of a combo amp, not on the front panel.
I really don't know very many 2-3 foot tall guitar players who happen to be the right height to easily read the display and access the controls.

To get the most out of this amp you MUST have a Roland GK pickup. Some of the presets sound great with the GK only and don't work well with regular guitar, and vice versa. Most of them however, work well with both layered if you so choose. I use a Strat with built in Roland pickup and it works great with this rig. Some of the most interesting factory patches are thin with the GK pickup only, but sound incredible layered with the regular guitar pickups. It's almost like having two guitars at once.

Many of the factory presets are a little on the dry side compared to the reverb and delay drenched presets on other manufacturers amps. But hey, that's what the variation buttons and knobs are for.

Can't say about reliablility, but I have another Roland amp that's 20 years old now, went to a lot of jobs, and has never failed

If you are looking for that one incredible tube amp distortion sound, don't buy this amp. Go get the one you want. And I admit that my PRS through my Vibro-King is a tough clean sound to beat. But I'm not going to haul 3 guitars and 4 amps and a rack of effects to a job. I'm going to take this. The sounds are very, very good, and offer me far more breadth than all the stuff I could possibly haul. I suspect that it will replace most of my live setup, just like the VG8 has replaced almost everything else for recording.

This amp is versatile but does not support one sound that is truely decent enough to be left in my arsenal. I paid 1200 and I am going to put it on ebay for 350 and be happy to get that. It has no drive and no clarity..the onboard effects are decent so for the average player who doesn't need tone but maybe want to wash out their mistakes...then this would be considered a good amp

I use a prs custom 22 and a Brain Moore with piezo pickups...
Again it is versatile but it compares to nor tube amp and this prooves that amp modeling is jsut not there yet.

It's very reliable..Never breaks down or has any problems

Never delt with them

If your a serious player than you have to be a total idiot for thinking this amp is any good. In fact, I would have to say that you probably aren;t a good player if you like this amp. Everything is washed out. At least on my Bogner Shiva I can hear my flaws! That's good tone.. Wost mistake was buying this amp...

Right out of the Box, this amp sounded great! I already had a Guitar with a GK-3 hex pickup, and I really liked the GK system set up. After that initialization, my guitar tracked perfectly. I bought this as a "Factory Reseal" although I could not tell. The manual had two inserts with info on the upgraded features, (ability to program more than one set of GK parameters, new patches, etc.).

I'm using a new Ibanez S 470 DX with a GK-3, and a MusicYo! $79 Kramer with a GK internal, Locking tuners, and a tremset. Both guitars track excellent! The Clean sounds are unbeatable! The raunchy tones are not as close to the actual models, but I can sometimes benefit from that. I can easily get the Adrian Belew/Crimson GR-300 type sounds also, which was totally unexpected as I was only anticipating normal guitar/guitar effect/guitar amp simulations.

I've owned lots of Roland equipment, and never had a problem. This amp is WAY ON sturdy, and designed to be on the road, as well as in the studio. I don't expect any problems.

I tried to get info from Roland before I purchased this amp. I wanted to know about upgrades, etc. They don't seem to have any e-mail address for this type of query. I don't think I'll have any problems if I need service, but trying to get info out of Roland is tough.

I write jingles, and do promo advertising, so I have to play ALL styles of music. There is not a better system for this than Roland's. I would replace this in a heartbeat! I have a Roland VG-88 and a GR-20 coming through the aux in and record to my pc with a Lexicon Omega. It's all either professional quality or near so, and all very reasonable. I look for the "reseals" "demo's" "closeouts" etc, to save money. If you have the opportunity, and the ability, I highly reccommend purchasing this amp. It will be as indispensable as the JC-120 has come to be.

The VGA-7 has about any feature you could want and more in an amp! Where else can you emulate most types of guitars, amps, effects, and have a capo to boot? You want Drop D tuning? Just press a button. With a GK2A pickup, you can go from acoustic to electric with the press of a button mounted on your guitar. I've shopped and haven't found any other modeling amp that can do all the things the VGA-7 can and most of the other amps are more difficult to operate.

I like lots of options in my sound. The VGA-7 answers. You can play any style of music you desire with this amp. Some modeled sounds are better than others, but this depends on your ear. The organ and bass emulations do sound digital. Most amp and guitar combinations sound great and all these sounds can be obtained at the push of a button. I've had this amp for close to 2 years and every time I go to a guitar store to try out other things I always come home and say to myself that this amp sounds better and is easier to operate than anything I just sampled at the stores(Line 6, Vox, Marshall, Fender, Crate, Peavey). The effects are more exact than other modeling amps (phase, flange, reverb, compression etc.) and you don't even have to buy pedals. It's like having multiple guitars, multiple boss pedals, multiple amps all in one!! If you are stuck on Marshall amps then buy a Marshall. If you want versatility and great sound at the push of a button, buy this amp!!! Which does a great job at modeling the Marshalls without the noise.

I bought mine used and I haven't had any problems yet. It is built like a tank, weighs a ton(80lbs.), and should last for a long time.

I haven't dealt with them.

I've been playing seriously for about 2 1/2 years. I own a Mexican Fender Strat with a GK2A mounted on it. I have an Ovation Elite Standard acoustic. Both guitars are 1999 models. I agree with some of the other reviewers and think this thing should have handles on the sides. However, overall, this is a great product!! If something happens to it, I will be looking to purchase another. If you haven't tried one, give it an honest look and I think you'll be impressed.

Many good features. Wide range and variety of musical styles.

Superior, very sounds. Found most useful simulated sound for Fender strat, Gibson Les Paul, acoustic, etc... I love the acoustic guitar sounds, warm distortion in Les Paul, bright overdrive in Strat setting,... nylon guitar is not as good as the real but can fool someone if using it in recording studio rather than on stage. Must install the Roland GK-2A pickup to get these sounds. For those unsatisfied reviewers, I've found that variation parameter settings are important to learn and know. I did not know this feature until reading the manual. Yet JC-120 has produced ever best chorus effect, but VGA-7 has given more chorus effects than any. Using different Variation Parameter settings will manipulate players the ability to set several different distortion, chorus, delay effects, amp simulations, etc... One should know the variation parameter settings before geting rid of this amp

Tough, heavy. No problem found so far after 2 years

Don't know yet

It is too heavy as a combo amp. It should has built with the handles on both side for easy of moving and carrying into your car or truck. With casters installed would make it easy to rolling along.

I won't repeat what others have already said, but I want to be upfront and tell everyone to AVOID buying this AMP for several reasons:

1. It weighs like a truck, and it is practical for a band. You really need two people to carry it up or down stairs. Only one heavy duty strap! Two recessed handles on the side made more sense.

2. I know it is a DIGITAL sound, but the dynamics canNOT match that of REAL tubes. I can't wait to trade mine in even if I am going to loose money! The NYLON imitation is a JOKE and an INSULT to the consumer. It is also missing an emulation of spring reverb.

and LAST but NOT least

3. ROLAND has NOT UPDATED the SOUNDS/SOFTWARE in years! Mother#%@*.
That is another one of the catches they use, so don't be a sucker like me who bought this piece of CRAP just like their NYLON string and BANJO crap! Those who give this AMP a 10 are out of their freaking minds!

This AMP just has a few pluses (Full Range, so it can be used to play a real nylon or steel acoustic...Clean sounds are very good, especially the JC-120, but the original sounds better (Buy the real one, although I know LINE 6 and others (e.g. H&K) emulate the JC-120 sound and do a better job than ROLAND (Incredible but true, put them side by side with a real JC-120 and check for yourself)

I have only called them once, and the tech had NO idea how I could know what version of the software my AMP had. Never called back.
I also asked them about an update for the AMP, and that was over 2 years ago!

Get a REAL Tube AMP (Fender) with great clean and distortion channels, and clean Effects Loop....You will sound a lot better than this MONSTER of an AMP that is MID-PACK of the Digital world.
#1 Hughes-and-Kettner (And they do provide updates to their amp)
#2 Line 6 but not reliable (I know from experience...Plus it is full of features most will never use, and still needs to work on dynamics and the feeling/emulation of a tube amp)

If you want digital, just get a great little tube amp from fender and buy a Line 6 POD...
Save yourself the $.

AGAIN
Don't buy this amp from ROLAND as they do NOT update their crap.
I don't care how reliable the equipment is, if it doesn't get improved often!

Just amazing. I've been playing for decades now and this is like a dream come true. Flick a switch and you get a beautiful 12 stings sound, flick again you have Dream Theater's technical tone in Eb. Again, it's a banjo....
Tuning, guitars, amps choices, everything is adjustable.
Not to mention the array of effects like chorus, flanger, delay, phaser, wha, slow gear etc etc.

You gets some great sounds which have the tone and quality of much more expensive gear. It takes a while to find what you're after but worth the tweak. I love the Angra/Dream Theater sound personally, but you gets some of the best acoustic sounds and Fat distortion for blues and well as just about anything you might wish for.

I've had it for 2 years now and nothing has gone wrong with it yet and I use it a hell of a lot. I have had problems with the sound of the original tuning coming through when I had changed to synth only, especially on piezo setting but as the GK2A is virtually touching the humberbucker on my guitar, it's likely to have something to do with that!

n/a

It just blew me away when I bought it, and still does everytime I use it. I've been playing for nearly 20 years and have owned lots of different equipment but this amp is the best by far. I use an Ibanez RG 470 with Inf 1,s1 and 2 pick up and it sound great. But most guitars sound tops with it too, almost just as good, even el cheapo Ashtons. It's hard to be critical of this amp, I just love it.

This amp is modeling heaven. It allows for unlimited possibilities. Sure, a digital simulation of a strat is not a strat, but Roland gets so very close; and you get to pick from 3 different types of strats.. and les pauls , and accoustics, hollowbodies, teles , etc.... You can select different pickups as if you held the actual guitar in your hand. I play mostly at church ( 10+ times per month ) a lot of wich is at a hard rocking outreach service, and this amp is perfect. I love going from the 12 string patch right into an over the top grinding distortion. I could go on and on, but I'll just say that you gotta check one out. Amazing!!
Criticisms would be ...no fx loop
don't even think of using this without a synth pickup
no jack for extra speakers
13 pin cable eliminates fx before input......
bottom line----I love it and those gripes are petty

I've had this for over a year now so I'm over the initial shock phase.
As stated above, this amp gets used alot. I love the clean sounds most. Most fx are very good though the expression pedal (EV-5) doesnt work as smoothly as a real wah or volume. The distortion can range from mild bluesy crunch to over the top downtuned ugliness. With the virtual capo feature you can rattle the windows pretty quick with some downtuned, max gain settings. The amp is not way loud for being 130 watts, but I seldom go past half way. Versatility. It does some sounds incredibly well, Most sounds very well, and I'm sure you could find settings that you hate if you try. But it has so much to offer, I just pass over those. C'mon already. its got 160 patches (80 user) available. I guess if I had to pinpoint a weakness in the sound I would say that the distorion is not as monstrous as what is out there now, and for long sustain and harmonics the digital signal doesn't decay like a tube amp. Mor unnatural sounding.

Probably averaging 10 hrs + per week for 18 months now. Not one problem. Like I stated above I play out with it for 10+ hrs a month, and I never had a backup..or a problem. I guess I can say that after all this use the 13 pin cable is making some scratchy noises when I move around sometimes, and It is not cheap to replace. Some where in the future I guess I'm facing replacing an internal battery but havent seen the " battery low" message yet so no worries/

no contact with them yet.

This was a non factory sealed deal from an online vendor. everyone who plays through it loves the sound and versitility. If you like to dabble at lots of different styles this amp cant be beat.

Nice amp, many features, good to have it.

You should better use it with GK-2A pickup for getting the best sounds out of it. Clean sounds are as close as you can find in accoustic, Fender Strat, and Tele. I could not tell the difference between the original sound of my strat and the one modeled by the amp. Clean sounds are little weak compared to the distortion rock or blue sounds. One of the advantages when using this amp with GK-2A pickup is that you will not hear any unwanted noise (hum or bridge vibration) that are commonly heard.

This is probably a heaviest 2-12" amp outthere. It looks tough and well built. Since I recently have it, I have no idea about its reliability. I have long owned a Roland keyboard, effects processor, and JC-120 amp in the past. I can trust Roland.

- Helpful
- Several authorized repair centers found in my local area. The amp has never been broken, so never try to get it repaired.

With this amp and GK-2A pickup, you don't have to spend much monies for Gibson Les Paul or even Fender Strat guitar. I have installed GK-2A pickup on my Kramer Striker ST300. The sounds are as same as it has on my Fender. You also don't have to buy a guitar multieffects processor. Most effects are available on VGA-7. However, you may need to have a foot controller and an expression pedal. These accessories will cost additionally $300 (FC200 or GFC50 + EV-5)

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

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.