• Registered: 2012-02-19
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Dear Friends,

I play in a band and we mostly cover classic rock tunes. My current rig consists of:
- Strat with Texas Specials or Gibson w/ 57 Humbuckers into
- MXR Custom Audio Electronics Boost/LineDriver or Compressor/sustainer
- Fulltone ClydeDeLuxe Wah
- Analogman TS-808
- Fulltone Fulldrive
- Boss Chorus Ensemble, Flanger and DD-5 plugged into Fender Bassman 1959 reissue.

Considering that the repertoire extends towards hard-rock, I bought a Marshall JCM800 (2203) Half Stack to use on stage, instead of the Bassman. I hope the switch will save me to use two overdrives in chain, which required me to tap-dancing in most songs...

The same repertoire requires me to kneel and modify delay pedal's knobs according to the song, and I would like to use a generous number of effects in great quality and easily stored/recall from the memory the G-system way.

Before I proceed buying the G-Sys, I have went through the posts in the forum, and it seems I should NOT use the overdrive pedals in the loop for the reduced sound quality. This, unfortunately was one of the prime drivers justifying the cost. Could you please share your thoughts?

The second purpose is to be able to recall specific effect groups with specific parameters from memory - I can see this one works.

The third is that I will now be able to use 4CM to connect it to the amp, but it seems I'll need the DI box to make it work right... Did I understood that right?

Thank you very much...

Best Regards

  • From: Winchester, UK
  • Registered: 2012-01-05
  • Posts: 43

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Would't you want to use that Marshall for distortion? I know I would. That being the case, the G System will be able to control amp channel switching (you may need to get a new lead, though not if you are just using s stereo cable). If your amp doesn't have boost/lead channel, you can use the boost facility (switch) on the G-S. You have loads of options available, but be prepared to spend ages pouring through the manual, this forum and Laird's 'White Paper'; all essential reading to get the best out of it.

Gibson ES-355 (Alex Lifeson), Gibson Les Paul Axcess (Alex Lifeson) x 2, Gibson Les Paul Custom '57 VOS, Gibson J-45 Rosewood, Cornford MK50ii, Cornford Hellcat Combo, Cornford 2 x 12 closed back cab, Cornford Hurricane, Cornford Carrera, G System (red), Nova System (red), Nova Drive, Boss FV-500L and H, Cioks DC-10, Furman AC210AE
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 95

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

A 2203 although a wonderful amp won't get him into saturated crunch without a pedal. It's not a very high gain head.

www.brucesokolovic.com
  • From: Winchester, UK
  • Registered: 2012-01-05
  • Posts: 43

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Ahah! Now I understand. Nova Drive then. smile

Gibson ES-355 (Alex Lifeson), Gibson Les Paul Axcess (Alex Lifeson) x 2, Gibson Les Paul Custom '57 VOS, Gibson J-45 Rosewood, Cornford MK50ii, Cornford Hellcat Combo, Cornford 2 x 12 closed back cab, Cornford Hurricane, Cornford Carrera, G System (red), Nova System (red), Nova Drive, Boss FV-500L and H, Cioks DC-10, Furman AC210AE
  • From: Austin, Tx
  • Registered: 2007-11-28
  • Posts: 175

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Well, you can lose the chorus, flanger, and delay pedal for sure, probably the MXR too...and the Nova Drive would be a great OD for your rig to give your amp that extra sumthin' here and there.
Plenty of guys use their OD's in the loops to great effect, yet you may run into hum issues, or need a buffer...I hear the Lehle Sunday Driver works very well.

utterlyguitarded's Website

  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 95

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Where exactly would the buffer go? I use a wireless and from what I understand all wireless are buffered. Would a buffer be needed before the return of the first pedal?

www.brucesokolovic.com
  • From: Austin, Tx
  • Registered: 2007-11-28
  • Posts: 175

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Good question, I don't know...I use a wireless too, and never tried the Sunday Driver.

utterlyguitarded's Website

  • From: Winchester, UK
  • Registered: 2012-01-05
  • Posts: 43

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

I also use wireless (G50) and no buffer, though I do have the red limited edition G System (like Scott) and have a feeling that version is already buffered.

I prefer the OD from my Cornford MK50ii to the Nova Drive, but I have to say, I do like the ND and use it to augment certain rhythm patches or boost an otherwise clean channel on the amp for some songs. That all said, the flexibility of the ND tied to the G-S means you can get pretty much any sound you can dream up, which is the reason I bought the ND. You probably already know that it hooks up to the G-S using a midi cable (as well as a loop) and it almost becomes a part of the G-S. Check out some of Scott's videos (G System videos on YouTube) for some excellent demos.

All the best

Mark

Gibson ES-355 (Alex Lifeson), Gibson Les Paul Axcess (Alex Lifeson) x 2, Gibson Les Paul Custom '57 VOS, Gibson J-45 Rosewood, Cornford MK50ii, Cornford Hellcat Combo, Cornford 2 x 12 closed back cab, Cornford Hurricane, Cornford Carrera, G System (red), Nova System (red), Nova Drive, Boss FV-500L and H, Cioks DC-10, Furman AC210AE
  • Registered: 2012-02-19
  • Posts: 3

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

Dear friends,

Thank you very much for the replies.
The amp is single channel, but since it does have a master volume, I expect to use its natural overdrive to get my crunch sound. My own sound has never been too much dirty. I do set the amp volume at breakup level, and try to countrol my dirty sound with guitars vol control and my picking. The entire sound spectrum should be organic - which is my top priority - which also makes me approach the nova drive carefully.

The MXR boost pedal does very good job in loading the strat pickups to extract full potential of them.

I will try to have the opportunity to try one out, but considering that I live in Istanbul, Turkey, TC Equipment is too much expensive (around 1700 Euros+VAT) therefore I will have to import one from US.

I'll also watch each and every video on you-tube, I guess...

Thank you very much, again, for your time and support.

  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • Registered: 2011-07-23
  • Posts: 157

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

I've never had an issue with loss of tone using my overdrives in the loops. I've also never needed a buffer before the input, so I don't think it's safe to assume that either will be a problem, but there is a potential for it to be for you.

JonathanLeeJ wrote:

The MXR boost pedal does very good job in loading the strat pickups to extract full potential of them.

The MXR won't load the pickups if it is in the loops, there would be a buffer between the guitar and pedal in that case.

neilbunker's Website

  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 95

Re: Buying Advice from G-System Owners

I've read all wireless systems are buffered, so a buffer at that point is a waste.

www.brucesokolovic.com