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

[PowerTube]

Let me be perfectly honest here. Based on what you guys are telling me, I'm not so sure the GT-100 is what I'm after. I'm not ruling it out yet, but here's the bottom line. This X100B has an INCREDIBLE clean sound that I love, and again, the overdrive is at about 85% what I'm after. I've tried several distortion boxes in front (it's not a high-gain amp) and a couple got me somewhat in the ballpark. But if the amp models aren't that great in the GT-100.....

I want a tone similar to the video above. Not exact, of course, but I want it warm, clear, and with plenty of sustain. I hate fuzz. If I could find that perfect overdrive to give me that - or- even a good modeler in front, I would be perfectly happy with the ME-80 and shut up about it. I run it in the loop and I see that as a trade-off, since obviously that puts the wah (not that I ever use it) and all of the distortion boxes in the loop, as well. The Old ADA MP-1 had a sound similar to what I'm after.

(sigh) It's the never-ending quest for "that" tone, I guess.

[BenoA]

You could use a GT-8, 10 or 100, loop your XB100B and simply use an OD from the GT to boost from the 85% to that 100% you are looking. With my 6500 or Mini Rectifier, I don't use any OD, but with my DSL50 or Traynor, I like to boost with the Tube Screamer sim in my GT-8. I also own a real Tube Screamer and compared the one in the GT8 and the real thing. yes there is a small "tone" difference but IMO not big enough to not use the one in my GT8.

As I said above, the way I set up my rig, I can then simply go from let's say the clean channel with a bit of chorus, to the drive channel of the amp boosted with an overdrive, some phaser and delay at at simple foot switch click on my GT8.

To each his own, but in my case, I dig that simple and easy all in one setup.

as for the tone in your clip, I can't comment on it as if you could achieve it with a GT fx floorboard and your amp, but if you are looking for a cheap all in one solution with FX and OD. You won't have to use the amp sims in the GT at all. In my set up they are always set to OFF.

[PowerTube]

You could use a GT-8, 10 or 100, loop your XB100B and simply use an OD from the GT to boost from the 85% to that 100% you are looking. With my 6500 or Mini Rectifier, I don't use any OD, but with my DSL50 or Traynor, I like to boost with the Tube Screamer sim in my GT-8. I also own a real Tube Screamer and compared the one in the GT8 and the real thing. yes there is a small "tone" difference but IMO not big enough to not use the one in my GT8.

As I said above, the way I set up my rig, I can then simply go from let's say the clean channel with a bit of chorus, to the drive channel of the amp boosted with an overdrive, some phaser and delay at at simple foot switch click on my GT8.

To each his own, but in my case, I dig that simple and easy all in one setup.

as for the tone in your clip, I can't comment on it as if you could achieve it with a GT fx floorboard and your amp, but if you are looking for a cheap all in one solution with FX and OD. You won't have to use the amp sims in the GT at all. In my set up they are always set to OFF.

Thanks. I'm still chewing on all of this. I'm also somewhat interested in the Digitech RP1000, since it has the FX loop and can also be used, like the GT-100, with the 4-cable setup. Plus, I keep hearing that the overdrives are better and beefier than the GT-100. I have no basis for that, though, since I haven't actually tried either.

[BenoA]

I don't know about the RP1000 but a quick look at the back of it and I don't see any "amp switching" feature. So that's a big plus for the GT100 for me. The amp control+fx loop is a "must have" for me.

My only gripe about the GT serie is that they lack on the "amp sims" department compared to the competition. I don't use that feature but I'd like, once in a while, to be able to only carry my floorboard to a rehearsal (for example) when I don't want to carry my amp head.

I haven't heard the GT100 amp sims but from what I read, they are not a big improvement over the 10 and the 10 wasn't a big step up over the 8. But I bet YMMV.

[Catharpin]

I have a bit different take on the "amp model" aspect of the Boss GT series. Most people pooh pooh the amp models but are they trying to get their Marshall power section to sound like a boogie and getting nowhere so they call it crap? I use my GT with a JC-120 and it produces no coloration of the GT output. GT-8 has 2 discrete pre-amps and the output can be optimized to the jc120 loop return. They were built for each other and using them in tandem really works well IMO.

[PowerTube]

I don't know about the RP1000 but a quick look at the back of it and I don't see any "amp switching" feature. So that's a big plus for the GT100 for me. The amp control+fx loop is a "must have" for me.

My only gripe about the GT serie is that they lack on the "amp sims" department compared to the competition. I don't use that feature but I'd like, once in a while, to be able to only carry my floorboard to a rehearsal (for example) when I don't want to carry my amp head.

I haven't heard the GT100 amp sims but from what I read, they are not a big improvement over the 10 and the 10 wasn't a big step up over the 8. But I bet YMMV.

That's something I've been looking at on the RP1000; it doesn't have amp channel switching. Since I do like the effects on the ME-80 through the loop maybe I can just find the right box/processor for hitting the front end just right. But I haven't found it yet. As I type this, there are three distortion/overdrive boxes on the shelf and one still on the pedal board (not currently hooked up), and it's the Digitech Hardwire Valve Distortion, which is the best of the ones Ive tried but still not quite there.

I guess the "dilemma," if you will, is that I LOVE the sound/tone of this amp, but it doesn't saturate enough. It's awesome for rhythm but leads need that extra bump to get into warm, smooth, singing territory.

[PowerTube]

I have a bit different take on the "amp model" aspect of the Boss GT series. Most people pooh pooh the amp models but are they trying to get their Marshall power section to sound like a boogie and getting nowhere so they call it crap? I use my GT with a JC-120 and it produces no coloration of the GT output. GT-8 has 2 discrete pre-amps and the output can be optimized to the jc120 loop return. They were built for each other and using them in tandem really works well IMO.

I haven't tried that specific scenario, but you just reminded me.... Years ago when I bought my POD 2.3 I was comparing it to the Behringer V-Amp at Guitar Center. Well, in the "modeling box" section of the store, guess what amp they had hooked up? A JC60. I thought, "what retards!" However, within seconds the POD was sounding incredible to me, and I figured that if it could sound that great across a solid-state "jazz" amp, I had to get it.

But since then I've learned that the JC120 and JC60 can indeed ROCK with the right processing across them.

[PowerTube]

Another question: you all say that the GT-100 preamps suck. Okay. But how are the distortion boxes?

[BenoA]

I would not say that the amp sims suck but for most "interneters out there", they are not as good as the competition. But as Catharpin said in his post. Depending on the setup they can sound good.

Anyway, regarding the OD/distortion built in. I can not comment much on all the models included but I did say in one of my post that I used mainly the Tube Screamer sim in my GT8 and I did a comparison to the real deal (I have one modified by Keeley) and to my ears, the small tonal difference wasn't enough to worry about. Again, YMMV.

My best best, if you have a local dealer with a GT100, bring your Carvin head and go try it.

[PowerTube]

I would not say that the amp sims suck but for most "interneters out there", they are not as good as the competition. But as Catharpin said in his post. Depending on the setup they can sound good.

Anyway, regarding the OD/distortion built in. I can not comment much on all the models included but I did say in one of my post that I used mainly the Tube Screamer sim in my GT8 and I did a comparison to the real deal (I have one modified by Keeley) and to my ears, the small tonal difference wasn't enough to worry about. Again, YMMV.

My best best, if you have a local dealer with a GT100, bring your Carvin head and go try it.

I might actually do that at some point; lug my head and cab to a store and just try a few.

[mantis]

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 awesome in ways you'll discover after owning it. I'm a tone chaser so I'm always looking at new and different things even though I'm very happy with my current tone.

[mantis]

Let me be perfectly honest here. Based on what you guys are telling me, I'm not so sure the GT-100 is what I'm after. I'm not ruling it out yet, but here's the bottom line. This X100B has an INCREDIBLE clean sound that I love, and again, the overdrive is at about 85% what I'm after. I've tried several distortion boxes in front (it's not a high-gain amp) and a couple got me somewhat in the ballpark. But if the amp models aren't that great in the GT-100.....

I want a tone similar to the video above. Not exact, of course, but I want it warm, clear, and with plenty of sustain. I hate fuzz. If I could find that perfect overdrive to give me that - or- even a good modeler in front, I would be perfectly happy with the ME-80 and shut up about it. I run it in the loop and I see that as a trade-off, since obviously that puts the wah (not that I ever use it) and all of the distortion boxes in the loop, as well. The Old ADA MP-1 had a sound similar to what I'm after.

(sigh) It's the never-ending quest for "that" tone, I guess.

I'm a total purest when it comes to Preamp tone. I don't like amp modelers, any of them from anyone not just Boss so my opinion on this matter is strong. You however like most people do enjoy the internal Modelers and think they serve a great purpose.
If I wanted to , I could create awesome sounding patches with the Modelers in the GT-100 and you probably would love the tone I created. I for one Love my amp and thats where it all starts man. Finding that right amp for what you do before you go and get effects and processors etc. Then with the Effects you can enhance and take your creativity to a whole new levels.
The Boss GT-100 has an array of high gain amp modelers in it as well a ton of OD and Distortion pedals for you to play with. I can't see anyone not being able to find their tone with this unit.

[mantis]

Another question: you all say that the GT-100 preamps suck. Okay. But how are the distortion boxes?

I have a Ibanez Tube screamer pedal brand new. I have the GT-100 with the Tube screamer built in. I bet money you or anyone else could figure out which one I had on as the picking dynamics , tonality , drive and clarity are exactly the same. I didn't expect that as it's not a Boss built effect but they where able to emulate it's tonal abilities exactly as the real thing. Thats damn impressive.
All the Distortion boxes inside are all wonderful and extremely useful. I use them all the time to get all kinds of different tones for different writing.

[PowerTube]

Thanks, Mantis. I'm still considering it. My local GC has one according to the website and of course they have the 30-day return if it didn't work out. I hate to do that, but the price isn't exactly chump change for the GT-100.

I normally despise modelers, also, but with one very notable exception: I think that the early Line 6 Modern Hi-Gain is an incredible sound at low volume. Big and warm, tons of harmonics and sustain. But even it kind of sucks at higher volumes. The Spider series? I hate them with a passion. especially the "Insane" settings. What's "insane" is that they got away from the best sound they ever produced.

[mantis]

Thanks, Mantis. I'm still considering it. My local GC has one according to the website and of course they have the 30-day return if it didn't work out. I hate to do that, but the price isn't exactly chump change for the GT-100.

I normally despise modelers, also, but with one very notable exception: I think that the early Line 6 Modern Hi-Gain is an incredible sound at low volume. Big and warm, tons of harmonics and sustain. But even it kind of sucks at higher volumes. The Spider series? I hate them with a passion. especially the "Insane" settings. What's "insane" is that they got away from the best sound they ever produced.

Your Welcome. Finding the right gear to play with and do everything you want is no easy task. Hell I like my setup and I constantly look and consider.
As far as price is concerned with the GT100, I honestly think it's under priced. Hear me out on this and price this out. If you wanted lets say a OD pedal, your around $100 give or take right? Then you might want a Delay pedal, Lets keep it simple and say $100 for that. Then there is Chorus which most people use so there's another $100. If you wanted a Wah Wah pedal yep another easy $100 or more but for simplicity lets just say $100.
Then your gonna need cables, Short Patch cables between the pedals, some will go in the loop so you'll need long cables for that lets say 15 foot each, the Guitar to the Front of the amp , in-between that chain you'll need at least 1 shorty and another one to go to the amp as the guitar will go to the Wah then OD then the front of the amp.
Now you got to plug in all these Pedals, so you buy a power supply so your not going mad buying batteries all the time. That's another $100. Now you need a pedal board to place all these badass pedals that you put together, sure easy $100. Add all that up and see if it compares to the GT 100 in any way. You could easily spend $1000.00 or more easy on a badass pedal board setup. Then you have to pedal dance every single time you want to change something. If you want to turn off the OD pedal and go to the clean channel from the Drive channel of your amp, thats 2 stomps. If you want to add chorus in this switch thats 3 stomps. With the GT100, it does all these changes with only 1 stomp. This is where the value to the GT100 goes way up. Boss could easily charge $999-1999 easy and a lot of us would still buy it.

It's not the most expensive processor on the market but I feel for under $999 it's the best on out there for what it can do , how it sounds, how easy it is to build patches once you learn it. I can put together a patch of lets say a clean channel with a light OD pedal in front of my preamp of my amp, then add in Delay and Chours in the effects loop and have a ending volume pedal at the end of the effects chain in seconds. Save it and now I have a awesome patch to tweak to my liking just like if I set all that up with pedals and sat there dialing them all in. The GT100 allows you to fully dial in each and every single pedal stored inside.
IMO there is no issue with price at all. I wrote them a letter asking for a higher end version of this model like a Waza Craft version. I would gladly spend up to $1999 and maybe more depending on how damn good they could make it which by judging the decades of me using there Gt series , single and double pedals, they could easily come out with a no hold barred organic insane crazy awesome new Waza Craft GT1000 or whatever they want to call it.

Good luck my friend , I hope you find what your looking for.