Which effects processor should I look at?

[TheYoungGuitarist]

I've been looking for a rack unit, but I have no idea which I should go for. This is mainly because I have no idea what my options are. My friend reccommended a TC Electronic G Major. I was going to get one but they are just a tad too pricey and I've heard lots of bad reviews about the G Sharp.
Could anyone reccommend me any cheaper alternatives that offer a good quality of sound?
Thanks

[6fingers]

So you have no idea of what you want and you ask us,complete strangers,to tell you wich one you should buy?
Unbelievable bwahahahahahahaha
Cheaper equipment = cheap sound.
G Major and Rocktron Xpression are really good.
Xpression has the most beautiful chorus ever.
Save money and buy one of these.
No ?
Ok rocktron intellifex .

[TheYoungGuitarist]

Lol despite the fact you're strangers, I have it on good authority that you all know what you're on about!

And thanks

[Algiman]

Got to agree with 6fingers, a cheaper effects unit will be a false economy in the long run. Buy a decent one in the first place. The G-Major is great (I have one in my B rack) but the G-Major 2 (in my gigging rack), whilst not sounding much different, is a better option as it addresses some of the issues found in the original.

[smooth55]

I've heard reasonably good things about the Digitech GSP1101. You'd still need a foot controller, so I'm not sure if that falls out of the cheap category, but it's gotten pretty good reviews on Harmony Cenral, is a rack effects processor, and isn't too pricey. It's strengths are more geared towards amp modelling than effects, so that might make a difference. YMMV and try before you buy.

[axemanrio]

I owned the GS1101 for a while and it's great if you don't mind spending time tweaking it. Not exactly cheap here in Europe, especially when you factor in the cost of the Control 2 pedalboard but well worth it IMO.

[vy100]

Look for a second hand G-Major:

Good:

- Very good delays and reverbs (which is we all really need)
- Nice chorus
- Donīt affect de sound (at least in serial loops)
- You can rise de volume of a preset for lead sounds
- Cheap (around $180-200 second hand and $300-400 new)

Bad:

- Not very good noise gate
- Decentt pitch/compression
- Donīt work very good in parallel loops
- You need a midi foot controller or the G-minor pedal to use it live (extra $)
- Cheap construction (some problems with the knobs reported by several users, but mine works fine)

[bcrich1975]

Digitech GSP1101.
There's a bunch of national acts using these direct into the board or just into the power amp section of a head. You may see a stack of amps on the stage but a lot of guys are running just this processor....Here's one good example : Queensryche.

[axemanrio]

Originally Posted by rg770dx

Digitech GSP1101.
There's a bunch of national acts using these direct into the board or just into the power amp section of a head. You may see a stack of amps on the stage but a lot of guys are running just this processor....Here's one good example : Queensryche.

I got mine when I heard that Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest was using it live.

[bluesymetal]

Rocktron Repliflex (predates the expression) that can be had cheap. I would compare the quality of the effects to the gmajor, but would say it is a better build quality. Has channel switching and spillover too.