Anyone using the Boss GT-100 with 4-Cable Method?

[jgcable]

That sounds similar to what I have in mind; not so much using the amp modeling but instead using the preamps as different flavors of boost. I like the boosted tone of the X100B and wouldn't want to get away from that too much.

I didn't realize that the GT-10 was also discontinued. I guess that's just part of the evolution.

That's where most people trying the 4 cable method go wrong. You DON'T want to use the preamps as boost. They sound TERRIBLE when mixed with an amp in the 4 cable method. Think about it... using a Boss GT Preamp is the same thing as plugging a Marshall amp into a Mesa amp and expecting to get good sound. If you like the tone of your X100B all you need to do is put a GT overdrive or distortion stomp box out in front of it. I use a clean boost preamp out in front. Sometimes I use the Tubescreamer. Sometimes the Rat pedal. The Boss GT has most of the popular ones. Many sound great. Many sound terrible. Just like real stomp boxes. Remember.. if you like the your amps tone.... and you are using the Boss GT8,10 or 100 in the 4 cable method you want to set it to manual and turn all the preamps off. What that does is basically remove the Boss modeling (both amp and cabinet) and replaces it with YOUR amp. The only thing left is to drag and drop the stomp boxes and pedals wherever you want them to be. There is about 20 other things you need to do too but most of it is global and you only need to make the adjustments once.

[Catharpin]

You can find a used GT-8 well under under 200, probably in the 120-150 range. GT-10 is probably in the 180-220 range. Gt-100 will be $400 new and around $300 used.

[Catharpin]

in the 4 cable method you want to set it to manual and turn all the preamps off. What that does is basically remove the Boss modeling (both amp and cabinet) and replaces it with YOUR amp. The only thing left is to drag and drop the stomp boxes and pedals wherever you want them to be. There is about 20 other things you need to do too but most of it is global and you only need to make the adjustments once.

Either this ^ or create a patch/patches that have all the effects and loop (your tube pre-amp) in the order that you desire and be sure to have the GT pre-amps turned off.
Using 4CM you are essentially using the external loop on the GT as the pre-amp from your amp. SO wherever you place the GT loop in the signal chain on the GT is where you would want your amps pre-amp to be. Whatever effects are placed in front of GT loop in the signal chain will be between your guitar and the input jack of your amp and anything after the GT loop will be in your amps effects loop.
Note, the 4CM is only possible if your amp has an effects loop.

[mantis]

I've been hearing that the factory presets on the GT-100 are unusable. That's no problem for me because back when I had my Vetta II HD, the presets sucked donkey balls. They probably would have sold a lot more if they had gotten the presets done by a guitarist instead of a drunken chimp.

You have heard right. The factory patches are awful. At least for what I do they are. I don' t use any of the modeling amps or cabs mic sim's or any of that crap.
I use my GT100 for Amp switching and effects, volume control and possibly every blue moon a Wah.

[mantis]

I don't use the preamps (modeling) in any of my GT's. The preamps (that includes the cabinet simulation) are not on. I set my GT's to manual mode, I use the 4 cable method and I use them as a all in one "pedal board". Volume pedal, wah pedal and overdrives or distortions out in front, everything else is set in the loop.

Thats exactly what I do but I also build patches custom made to my liking or song writing.

[PowerTube]

Thanks, guys. I'm intrigued but not quite ready to pull the trigger just yet. I doubt I would be able to give a GT a fair test drive in the local Guitar Center, especially with me wanting to run it across the X100B.

But they have the 30-day trial period, so that'll give me some time.

[mantis]

You can find a used GT-8 well under under 200, probably in the 120-150 range. GT-10 is probably in the 180-220 range. Gt-100 will be $400 new and around $300 used.

Which is a crazy good deal considering what it can do and what you would pay for pedals, cords , pedal power , board etc.

[BenoA]

I use mine with the 4 cable method (even 5 as one cable is for switching my amp channel). I don't use it in manual mode. The way I set it, I use it mainly for FX, wah and sometimes for some OD or compressor. And at the flick of a switch, I can go from my amp's clean channel with chorus and reverb to my amp's disto channel with a slight OD boost, phaser and delay. Makes switching very easy.

I have used it with success with the following amps: Marshall DSL50, Peavey 6505, Traynor YCV40 and Mesa Mini Rectifier.

I think I got mine around 2006. Never had any issues with it and it is still working as new. Yes, some FX are outdated and the amp sims can't compare to what is on the market right now, but it still does the job, so I'm keeping it in my rig.

[PowerTube]

I've been studying this since yesterday. I'm still interested in the POD HD500x and the Digitech RP-1000, all of which can use the 4-cable method. I generally hate Zoom, so the G5 isn't of interest.

I'm not pursuing an Axe-FX in the least, but..... this is the type of lead tone I'm trying to get, or at least really close, that Vai, Satch, Eric Johnson ballpark:

[PowerTube]

That's where most people trying the 4 cable method go wrong. You DON'T want to use the preamps as boost. They sound TERRIBLE when mixed with an amp in the 4 cable method. Think about it... using a Boss GT Preamp is the same thing as plugging a Marshall amp into a Mesa amp and expecting to get good sound. If you like the tone of your X100B all you need to do is put a GT overdrive or distortion stomp box out in front of it. I use a clean boost preamp out in front. Sometimes I use the Tubescreamer. Sometimes the Rat pedal. The Boss GT has most of the popular ones. Many sound great. Many sound terrible. Just like real stomp boxes. Remember.. if you like the your amps tone.... and you are using the Boss GT8,10 or 100 in the 4 cable method you want to set it to manual and turn all the preamps off. What that does is basically remove the Boss modeling (both amp and cabinet) and replaces it with YOUR amp. The only thing left is to drag and drop the stomp boxes and pedals wherever you want them to be. There is about 20 other things you need to do too but most of it is global and you only need to make the adjustments once.

Sorry about the confusion, but that's actually what I meant; putting one of the GT's stompbox distortions in front of the amp. This X100B sounds great on the drive channel, but it just needs (for me) that extra touch of saturation.

[PowerTube]

And by the way, I'm a bit amazed that the GT-100 can actually switch the channels on my amp. I think that's awesome!

[BenoA]

And by the way, I'm a bit amazed that the GT-100 can actually switch the channels on my amp. I think that's awesome!

It's one of the coolest feature. Also, the movable FX loop is awesome too. You can put it anywhere in the chain. Some other units out there don't offer that flexibility.

[PowerTube]

It's one of the coolest feature. Also, the movable FX loop is awesome too. You can put it anywhere in the chain. Some other units out there don't offer that flexibility.

It's looking like I might have to pick one up. I wish they were cheaper, but if it works out it'll be worth it.

[Catharpin]

GT-8 can switch your amp and all that stuff. The only thing missing is 1 pedal switch, (7 vs. 8) phrase looper (not to be confused with external loop needed for 4CM which it has), and USB port. There might be a few other small differences but I don't know off the top of my head. My understanding was the big difference ($$) came in the processor for amp modeling. SO if you aren't going to use any of the pre-amps you might as well save a bundle and get your feet wet with the GT-8. If you find there is something the later models have that you can't live without you could always upgrade and probably get your money back selling the GT-8. Tons of people swear by them and they are still in demand.

[wilkinsi]

I own both a GT-10 and GT-100. I don't use the 4CM anymore. I do however, connect their FX sends to my Audient mic preamps (Branch Out mode), then insert FX such as my Eventide Eclipse. I agree the ability to move the FX loop within the GT's chain is very useful, especially since I send a clean signal from the GT to one destination, and the distorted signal to another.