Ok, How much difference really between the Boss GT-6 & GT-8?

themaidenmaniac · #1 05-05-2005, 10:54 AM

Some people i have spoke to are saying its out of this world compared to the GT-6, others are saying its not much different.

What do you guys think?

darren wilson · #2 05-05-2005, 01:51 PM

There are a few features of the GT-8 that make it a lot more versatile than the GT-6. They've moved the compressor out of one of the FX banks and made it a standalone control, added in stereo dual-model capability, and added amp control among other things.

I haven't played one yet, because i'm afraid it's going to make me want to get one.

The sonic possibilities with dual amp models already has my brain dreaming up some really cool tones i'd love to try.

themaidenmaniac · #3 05-05-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren wilson

There are a few features of the GT-8 that make it a lot more versatile than the GT-6. They've moved the compressor out of one of the FX banks and made it a standalone control, added in stereo dual-model capability, and added amp control among other things.

I haven't played one yet, because i'm afraid it's going to make me want to get one.

The sonic possibilities with dual amp models already has my brain dreaming up some really cool tones i'd love to try.

same here man!

btangel · #4 05-05-2005, 03:15 PM

IMO it's enough difference to spend an extra $100 on the GT-8. Better COSM models is worth more than that :P

darren wilson · #5 05-05-2005, 06:58 PM

It's a bit of a different argument if you already own a GT-6.

I'd love to upgrade to the GT-8 (or GT-Pro), but i really can't justify the expense when i'm not playing live too much these days.

VanWyck · #6 05-05-2005, 10:27 PM

I have a GT-8 but no GT-6. Today I was able to appreciate the benefit of the four cable method using my JEM7VWH, GT-8 and Mesa Boogie Rect-O-Verb.

I was simply floored by the tones and versatility.

tone_connoisseur · #7 05-05-2005, 10:54 PM

I'm getting rid of my GT-6, it's up for auction right now. I just prefer a more simple sound. Too many bells and whistles for me.

themaidenmaniac · #8 05-06-2005, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tone_connoisseur

I'm getting rid of my GT-6, it's up for auction right now. I just prefer a more simple sound. Too many bells and whistles for me.

lol. It is possible to switch these things off

themaidenmaniac · #9 05-06-2005, 07:29 AM

My mate just switched between gt-6 and bought a handul of boss pedals and a pedal board.

And you know what my bassist has to say? What a fu*kin waste of money, my tone still kicks arse

VanWyck · #10 05-07-2005, 12:56 AM

The difference between the GT and using Boss pedals is that the GT has so many effects, amp sims, mic placing, ect - all in one box. I primarily use the GT for a few efx - delay, chorus, harmonizer, phase/flanger, etc. It was simply more cost effective to buy the GT-8. (versus buying individual pedals)

TheMessiah · #11 05-07-2005, 11:32 AM

The GT-8 and GTPRO sound a lot better than a GT-6.
But not enough of a difference to upgrade from a GT-6 to a GT-8.

Main difference I can hear is an improvment in a some of the effects. Boss had to fix the problem they had of the ME-50 effects sounding 100% better than it's flagship model GT-6. According to Rolands sales reps the GT-8 effects are the same as the GT-6 but even they admit that they seem to sound a lot better than the GT-6 equivilents.

Some other improvments are only gimmicks. More features you'll only use for a few days - a good example is the pick sensitive effect/cosm switching. It's easier to press a pedal to change sounds than spending a whole gig carefully picking to suit your effects processor so that it doesn't change from clean to dirty at the wrong time. Good idea in theory, not in practice.

Unless your buying for a GT-6 or GT-8 for the cosm direct recording features I'd recommend just buying an ME-50 and if you have a good guitar and amp It'll sound better then the GT's. If your guitar and amp suck you wont like it, nothing will save your sound. Good quality leads make a massive difference too. Don't use cheap thin leads or more than 20ft total lead length or your tone will suffer.

I've asked a guy who works for Roland(Boss) why the ME-50 is so good compared to the GT-6 and he says it's due to the amount of processing in the GT. The ME only has to model a stompbox where the GT's model stompboxes/rooms/mic distance/ and a ton of other crap meaning the signal is passed through lots of different processes degrading the tone with each one. I work in a guitar shop and have sold 35 to 40 ME-50s in the last 2 years and only 2 GT-6s. That kind of Ratio tell's you something. Most customers A/B the 2 units and buy the one that sounds the best and is most user friendly. That many people can't be wrong. The guys who purchased GT-6's seemed to buy for the MIDI switching ability and sacrificed effects quality.

I've seen the odd bagging of the ME-50 on Harmony Central and similar sites.
From my experiance selling effects (of all brands and models) I can only come to the conclusion that these people are dummies with no experiance with other effect units who just turn everything up to 10 and can't play for crap. These units allow you to add extreme amounts of effect that can be easily overused by the inexperienced effect user. A punk player with a harmoniser and delay pedal is not a happy dude but give him a noisy thin sounding distortion pedal and he'll be happy.
My advice is to try everything you can (all brands) and to use your ears to buy effects, play the unit for 30 min in the shop, make sure your not just blown away by sounds that are impressive in the shop but useless in reality.
All units no matter how expensive have the ability to sound crap if badly used.

Thanks
The Messiah

Solo Hero · #12 05-07-2005, 12:50 PM

yeah, I have a Boss ME 50 and its got some really good quality effects for its price, I mean if all you need are effects and no need for amp/cabinet simulation and all the recording features why not give the ME 50 a go? its also alot cheaper as well compared to the GT series, but the only complain I have about the ME 50 is the wah

Powerslave214 · #13 05-07-2005, 02:31 PM

How do these compare tone wise to some of the older Roland rack mounted processors, like the GP8 and GP16?

7 Dying Trees · #14 05-11-2005, 02:45 AM

Personally I still love the old GX-700 and GT-5 units , true it has some COSM, but I only use them for effects

If anything if you are thinking of either unit and want to use your amp for distortio I'd go for an older unit, or somethig else that is deicated FX.

Just bought myself a behringer midi controller so now I think I may have to wire up the rack through the amp and play around a bit

revsharp777 · #15 05-11-2005, 03:06 AM

Quick question on the GT-8...

Can it be used as a stand alone effects box? In other words, if you wanna use a separate amp head for your preamp, can you completely bypass the preamp section of the GT-8?