TC Electronic G Major = unreliable? Breaks / malfunctions?

[varador]

Hey guys

So I've just crossed the 2 years playing mark and so far I have no - keine - nada - nix in terms of effects, my only stomp box is a Boss RC-20XL looper. I used to have a Boss MT-2 Metal Zone but then I grew up and sold it because I got my Peavey Valveking 112, whose tube distortion is awesome, even for metal, it has that rich 80s sounding crunch that I like.

Anyway, I figured I'd go the multieffects processor route. I'm not exactly enthused by the Boss GT-10, Zoom G9.2tt, Vox Tonelab, Line6 POD X3/XT, etc. stuff because I'm not really looking for a million amp+distortion modelers, I'm happy with my amp's distortion, thank you very much. What I do want, however, is a dedicated multi-effects processor that does only effects, and does them well. I have no room, money, or patience at the moment for multiple stomp boxes as my effects solution.

So I've been researching the TC Electronics G Major and it fits the bill very very nicely as it provides - only - effects, and high quality ones at that. It'll be a bit intimidating to go straight to a rack mount but I think I can figure it out.

There's one thing I'm worried about though. I've gone through many threads on this website related to the G Major and I'm concerned about its reliability. I've read threads about people getting buzzing / feedback whilst running the G Major in their setups, or just having the unit not work or crap out.

So my questions are the following

1) How fragile is the G Major? I'm nice to my gear, I don't play gigs. Should I expect a newly bought G Major to crap out on me after a while? Is there anyone who's used the G Major for years / taken it on the road who could comment? I'd appreciate it.

2) I plan to plug the G Major into the Valveking's effects loop. What does serial / parallel wiring of the G Major mean? Is this even possible with a simple send/return effects loop like that of the Valveking?

3) How can I control and switch effects on or off once the G Major is plugged in when playing standing up? Is some kind of MIDI foot controller necessary? How do you guys do it? Does the G Major perhaps come with some kind of foot controller already?

4) On the Classifieds section of Thomann.de there are quite a few people selling their G Majors... Should I be worried?

5) Is the 4 cable method even possible with a simple little combo amp like the Valveking 112? If so, what are it's advantages, why would I want to use it?

Thanks for your answers!

[Lefty Robb]

I've had mine for quite a while and its built like a tank. No matter what your going to get there will always be some lemons, its just the nature of the beast. The pitch modulations and noise gate are mediocre but the delays and reverbs are great and thats what I use it for. Its totally MIDI so most MIDI foot systems will work with it.

[reguv760]

There's one thing I'm worried about though. I've gone through many threads on this website related to the G Major and I'm concerned about its reliability. I've read threads about people getting buzzing / feedback whilst running the G Major in their setups, or just having the unit not work or crap out.

I have a rack setup that has the G-Major as its main effects... had it for a year (bought it used) and no problems so far... I upgraded the firmware to 1.27 from 1.11 a while back and still no problems. The only thing I was irritated about was that the outer concentric ring "fell out" during shipping. It's no big deal as it popped right back in and works fine.
No buzz either; even then, your setup should be quiet before you feed anything to the effects processor

1) How fragile is the G Major? I'm nice to my gear, I don't play gigs. Should I expect a newly bought G Major to crap out on me after a while? Is there anyone who's used the G Major for years / taken it on the road who could comment? I'd appreciate it.

I can't say I've taken it on the road but just like any rackmounted units, you have to have a solid case to mount it on. If you don't plan on moving, a small studio rack works fine.

2) I plan to plug the G Major into the Valveking's effects loop. What does serial / parallel wiring of the G Major mean? Is this even possible with a simple send/return effects loop like that of the Valveking?

serial = effect feeding another effect
parallel = original signal in conjunction with effect applied to original signal

The G-major's internal circuitry's limited to 3: Serial, Semi-Parallel, and Parallel. Time/Modulation effects are configured internally for a different kind of effect. Unless your amp has a serial to parallel mix, true parallel effects is not possible without a mixer.

3) How can I control and switch effects on or off once the G Major is plugged in when playing standing up? Is some kind of MIDI foot controller necessary? How do you guys do it? Does the G Major perhaps come with some kind of foot controller already?

A Midi foot controller is not necessary although it'll make changing your patches much easier... it gets tiresome rotating those concentric knobs trying to change from patch 1 to patch 76... Depending on the manufacturer, a Midi controller that supports CC is what you need to switch effects on/off. Once you get that, you have to program the foot controller and the unit.

4) On the Classifieds section of Thomann.de there are quite a few people selling their G Majors... Should I be worried?

Not at all... hasn't the unit been around for at least a decade? it's a good unit if you ask me

5) Is the 4 cable method even possible with a simple little combo amp like the Valveking 112? If so, what are it's advantages, why would I want to use it?

i'm not sure if that was even considered in the design of the G-major...

Reg

[finstah]

The g-major is a decent effects unit. The major issue they have is the knobs falling off. The effects are pretty good. Rocktron gear is in the same general class of effects and built rock solid (Replifex, Intellifex, Xpression).

You should NOT get any noise or buzz when connecting. Either they have a bad cable, bad solder joint or bad wiring somewhere.

Regarding the controller, make sure it has CC capability. Some only have Program Change. You won't be able to switch/adjust effects without the CC. Program will only allow you to change patches.

You should be able to find a minty one for cheaper than a new one.

Good luck.

[lynchfan6]

Had my Gmajor since 2004.....bought it brand new. Gigged several times, used in the loop of my SLO. Always kept it in a rack case. Never had a single problem with it yet. Effects sound great and the unit is very very transparent. And with the relays and no gaps in sound when switching, it has been all I ever need for effects. You'll always read of someone who just can't dial it in to save their life,,which baffles me, as I use it so sparingly for some delay or reverb or chorus at times, and it has been effortless to use. But this may be why it is so easy to me,.....I don't require much in the effects department. If you get one, simply READ THE MANUAL........this is what the problem probably is with some of the complainers. I'd highly recommend it.

[GuiltySparc]

Originally Posted by varador

1) How fragile is the G Major? I'm nice to my gear, I don't play gigs. Should I expect a newly bought G Major to crap out on me after a while? Is there anyone who's used the G Major for years / taken it on the road who could comment? I'd appreciate it.

I've been gigging with my g-major for several months now, no issues. I keep it in a rack case so i'm sure that helps. But it rides in my trunk to and from gigs on the ****ty roads of baltimore. I dont bang it around when i'm moving it, but i dont treat it like a box of eggs either.

The only thing i've heard breaking with any frequency is the roller knobs. Just be easy with them.

Originally Posted by varador

2) I plan to plug the G Major into the Valveking's effects loop. What does serial / parallel wiring of the G Major mean? Is this even possible with a simple send/return effects loop like that of the Valveking?

You would have to look at how your loop is setup. The g-major likes to be in a serial loop, so use that if you have the option.

Originally Posted by varador

3) How can I control and switch effects on or off once the G Major is plugged in when playing standing up? Is some kind of MIDI foot controller necessary? How do you guys do it? Does the G Major perhaps come with some kind of foot controller already?

I'm using an FCB1010, it works great and is pretty affordable. The G-Major does not come with any footswitch and the TC controller (g-sharp i believe its called) isnt that great.

Here is a GREAT thread on user experience setting up the G-Major to work with the FCB1010
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...d.php?t=975902

Originally Posted by varador

4) On the Classifieds section of Thomann.de there are quite a few people selling their G Majors... Should I be worried?

I wouldn't be, lots of people sell gear they are tired of/dont need/dont like/etc.

Originally Posted by varador

5) Is the 4 cable method even possible with a simple little combo amp like the Valveking 112? If so, what are it's advantages, why would I want to use it?

Thanks for your answers!

Not sure what you mean by 4 cable method.

[Algiman]

1) How fragile is the G Major? I've been using one for years, and have nothing but good things to say about it. For gigging it should be kept in a rack case mind you. The only issues I've had are that the input knobs do get a little glitchy every so often if they're not used. A quick blast with dry air and they're back to fully functional though.

2) I plan to plug the G Major into the Valveking's effects loop. That's what it's designed for. Works best serial imho.

3) How can I control and switch effects on or off once the G Major is plugged in when playing standing up? Is some kind of MIDI foot controller necessary? Yes, and the Behringer FCB1010 is a great little unit. Unless you want to do anything complex it would be perfect for your needs.

4) On the Classifieds section of Thomann.de there are quite a few people selling their G Majors... Should I be worried? No.

5) Is the 4 cable method even possible with a simple little combo amp like the Valveking 112? Not relevant to this type of unit. It is just designed to sit in the loop.

[7 Dying Trees]

gmajor is good, but you have to be carefull with the knobs. if you break the right one off, it means replacing some electronics. the other thing that goes wrong is it has two chips inside that can vibrate loose and cause it to freeze, but pushing them back in solves this problem, as does applying some hot glue so they can't move.

Otherwise, it is a great unit. reverb, delay, chorus and standard bread and butter effects are gorgeous. if you want whacky effects get a gforce. however, for just effects, the transparancy, i don't think the gmajor can be beat. i could have a bought a way more expensive processor, but this does exactly what i need, so why pay more? I've had two now, and fixed the one i thought was broken (the freezing).

[BigShred]

I've used a G-Major for around a year or so now. Excellent...No...FANTASTIC effects processor.

Yet, they managed to build this worse than the worst piece of junk from Taiwan. You've got the entire interface dependent on knobs....that freaking fall off. Go figure.

[varador]

OK I snagged a second hand G Major in good condition combined with a 2 slot steel rack, overall I saved about 100 euros (compared to new), will report in once I have it

[AE185]

Hi,
I've had the G Major for a few years and I consider it to be totally unreliable. Everyone has had a problem with the parameter wheel skipping around randomly. THe company will not repair it for free. They want a $130 flat fee charge to fix it but I will not reward them for bad design. Plus other people have complained about the unit freezing randomly. Go to harmony central and see what other people are saying. Plus the noise gate on it is terrible.

[toneboy]

I've had my G Major for about a year and half and it just started acting up. When I boot it up, it will sometimes work for about 20 secs then freeze up with no output. Other times it will just freeze at boot up. I just started doing this a few weeks ago. It's been sitting in a rack at home since it bought it so it's been babied.

[AE185]

Hi everyone,
Seeing as though everyone has been having problems with the G Major I saw it fitting to file a Better Business Bureau complaint against TC Electronic. It's about time that the companies see their rating go in the toilet if they have bad workmanship.
Steve

[Algiman]

AE185, you seem to be on something of a crusade here, so I presume you've had a recent bad experience with a G-Major, but I have to disagree with some of your points:

Originally Posted by AE185

Everyone has had a problem with the parameter wheel skipping around randomly.

Really? You've interviewed everyone who bought one? Or perhaps you are just going on comments on boards? I agree that the wheels do get jittery if dirt gets in, but they are easy enough to clean.

Originally Posted by AE185

THe company will not repair it for free.

Of course they will, if it is within the warranty period - after that they are just like most other companies, but even so their after sales care is pretty good. I know folk who've had repairs done to second hand TC units that were long past the warranty period without being charged for more than handling costs.

Originally Posted by AE185

They want a $130 flat fee charge to fix it

I suspect a large part of that will be P&P, but be happy - that is a pretty cheap repair quote.

Originally Posted by AE185

Go to harmony central and see what other people are saying.

Ah, harmony central. Must be true then

Originally Posted by AE185

Plus the noise gate on it is terrible.

Terrible is a bit strong, but it isn't the best out there. I never use it.

For the cost, I still think this is a superb unit. It isn't built too strongly so it must be racked, but it sounds great.

[Silverburst]

Be very careful with the turning knobs. "Built like a tank" ? nope. Check a Rocktron unit, especially earlier ones, like the Replifex I have, now that's what I call built like a tank. Te turning knobs can be replaced if that's a reassurance. Local support, even in Belgium, had them and are aware of that week spot.

I tested a Major for a week, but returned it. I had a strange clicking artifact with my ADA MP1, np with the replifex. I found the replifex more organic sounding compared to the Gmajor, but I guess that's personal.

But you already bought, so check it out thoroughly and have fun with it