My New Secret Weapon For Perfect Guitar Tone
New Secret Weapon: Boss VG-800 V-Guitar Processor Pedal Inside Out Review:
Contents:
0:00 Start
0:13 Intro and Preamble
1:04 History V-Guitar
2:33 Unboxing
3:41 Inside the VG-800
9:25 Top Controls
12:40 Side I/O
13:44 Rear I/O
15:47 Opinion so far
17:21 Important
18:34 More on VG-99
22:07 Software: Tone Studio
28:01 Tone Exchange
28:47 IR Loader
39:51 More Tone Exchange
43:29 Short Specs
44:44 Accessories
45:24 Overpriced Cables
47:28 Presentation
48:25 Pricing
49:13 Warranty
50:16 About GK-3 GKC-AD
53:56 Summing up
56:05 VG-800 & GM-800
57:13 Add Effects?
59:14 Chips Inside
1:03:33 Likes & Dislikes
1:06:57 Score
1:07:43 Preset Examples
A comprehensive look at the V-Guitar capabilities of the Boss VG-800, featuring detailed analysis of its amp effects and modeler technology and boss tone studio integration. This guitar synthesizer multi effects pedal demonstrates impressive versatility through its extensive guitar presets and library, while the boss multi layered fx interface remains intuitive and user-friendly. Inside and out review showing build quality, warranty details, and real-world performance preset testing.
As I see more and more of the Roland pedals in this format, I started to see less editing for some of them. For example the GM-800 actually you can’t create new sounds in the Tone Studio – you have to buy (or rent effectively) online software to do that.
I noticed in the VG-800 that while I could change effects that are there in the audio pipeline, that (it seems) I could not go and add extra ones… that might be just me missing something or not. But don’t let it put you off the VG-800 as for the V-Guitar system its pretty cool.
I did take a really close look inside and as you will see the hardware is impeccably built and finished off really well – in fact its as good as it gets re quality hardware from what I see compared to the very many other units I have reviewed since 2009. Its perfect! And of course I do cover the chips used at least a little in this video but as the Roland BMC chip is in there its hardly listing the chip and specs sadly. Thank Roland Boss for that.
The I/O is also pretty good, but lacks full MIDI ports or an mechanical on or off button. Strangely the older VG-99 had that. In spades!
So is this VG-800 V Guitar effects processor really worth a go? Well at £600.00 (maybe $700) its not a cheap device. And then you need the GK-5 also expensive. If you already have the GK-3 you’ll be dragged in with an accessory box costing £170+ just to interface the GK-3. And lets not ‘forget’ the awkwardly expensive GK cable at about £30.00 or so.
The Tone Studio is sluggish. The Tone Exchange is reasonable for a launch device from Boss. There is a lot to learn and my opinions are shown throughout this long video because there is nothing like hands on when you are looking to buy… those paid reviews NEVER show you what’s really going on do they?
Playing at the end of the video is purely example presets without a single change from factory – so YOU make up your mind about those. They were interesting and there are plenty more in the unit.
I purchased the Boss VG-800 with my own money and the review is entirely financed by me. The review is unbiased and in my opinion shows what you really get.
Direct recorded in to my recording desk. Bought from Andertons because they had it first.
Links to my other reviews:
GM-800 & SY-1000 Synth Unit review: https://youtu.be/XI4EozCQYbc
GK-5 Review: https://youtu.be/_LwWgU8SubM
GK-3 pickup fitting: https://youtu.be/XUPwYIy65lY
GK-3 KIT Fitting Review: https://youtu.be/lrzya1Fu8_M
Guitar Effects Units Reviewed: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6E22694F35860D41
How to Videos for guitarists: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2HoYOlX1LUIVsZy9jO649CaD7HUHGfDw
Reviews of fine electric guitars: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEECCBA95315E63B6
GX-100 Effects Unit review: https://youtu.be/yeNSRYmm_rE
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(c) A B McKenzie and https://www.tonymckenzie.com 2009-2025
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#Secret #Weapon #Perfect #Guitar #Tone
Originally posted by UCuuNmrkOEmTPnz4Dcc-Hi5w at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l3UwbmWrqc
BOSS has always made solid gear. The amp sound on my katana GO headset are quite good. Good enough to get some practice in But playing a gig..? I wouldn't know. I would like to try the unit going through a house sound system ????
Wow! Excellent job sir I like your video????l was waiting long time ago for this BOSS VG new technology..
Another great review!????
Hi Tony, does the vg800 come with the power supply? I’m asking because I see seller selling bundles which they state the power supply is part of the bundle. Sounds like bs to me.
I have the GK5 with a GM800. All the menus and sub menus are getting too much like hard work.
This is attached to an SG Standard with the pickups going through a Flex Prime which is also slow to change programmes.
Awesome ????????Thanx Man ???? Right On' ☮️ bro Its Real' Investments For Our Equipment 4Live and The Way Futures Amen …… To Sound At Our Best ⚙️Seriously Right ???? On'Finally ????????????????????????????⛲????????️????????????????????????????Shrubbing Beauties
No sale ????
i still like the gr55.
Hi Tony, Great review. Nice to see the inside of this unit. It remains to be seen whether this pedal will be a good choice for the gigging guitarist who needs easy access to all the classic guitars/amps with the ability to switch effects on and off within each patch? I managed to achieve this with the Boss GP-10 though it took me a while to programme with the Tone Studio software before everything was set up to play a whole set.
Good review mate, I'll pass though. Think I'll stick with my Boss GP 10 that I use mainly for drop or altered tunings in a click.
I never bought a GK3, just use my Godin LGX.
Hi Tony thanks for review. What is the stand that you have the VG 800 on.
I was in a band with two guitarists doing the odd harmonised guitars and I can tell you it was like herding cats rehearsals took hours and hours, pretty sure I would have traded at the time sitting and spending a pleasant afternoon programming for the teeth pulling trauma of waiting for an alibi
So happy for ya… lol
Hey Tony, you helped me out with the Boss SY-300 when no one else did. Thanks man. Carry on soldier.
I HAVE TO SUB SEEING ALL THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
While it appears to be a great all-in-one if you have a GK-5 equipped guitar (or pay for the GK-3 to GK-5 converter, not cheap) … I think that the majority of people who would want to buy the VG-800 already have a pedal board, modeller etc. with amps, cabs, effects in it (and probably a MIDI switcher) so it feels like you're buying another GT-1000 … I already have a Helix and a bunch of other pedals, including IR pedals.
Does the VG-800 do a MIDI output of what you play on the guitar, or is it just a MIDI thru?
It is cold in England, but this weekend warms up (at least down south!) you showed three sides of the pedal, then said nothing about side 4 (opposite the midi side) … I assume it is just plain blue (but could have had the power switch if you needed it … on the other hand, plug the power brick into a switched extension lead and you can switch it off (or use a smart plug to control it from your phone/Alexa/Google) same thing with your pedal board power supply.
Excellent review, one of the best I have seen so far explaining how a device works! Is it me or does it kind of sound bad ?
it's an el nina year … that spells polar vortex lately, doesn't seem quite that cold.
the UN has been subsidizing the climate instability.
it's more the loss of topsoil and deforestation ( loss of planetary Carbon SINK ), due to losing the last two feet of topsoil into a sub-saharan methane plume.
once again….thank you, Tony, for the comprehensive overview ( and the more condensed sound examples )
if you want to know what a piece of gear is ( to begin with ), then this is your first stop.
Tony's approach will have you with your feet on the ground, where others leave you scratching your head.
The software on all of them are terrible. This product is the worst of the modelers . Mooer has a better interface for cripes sake.
I'm not convinced at all by those modelled tones, but my main problem is with the gk-5 unit. No volume control! Does that mean you need to spend even more money on an expression pedal?
Thanks for your review!! As always, we learn a lot about what’s new in the guitar world, even if some of the tools are not necessarily our cup of tea. I tend to prefer individual pedals that perform limited tricks well with little messing around on screens. As they say, “to eat his own”
Cool!
I get to see Tony taking something expensive apart again!
????????
The effects section is the same as the GX pedals except for the way you add them in. The top bar of the GX has everything separated to be dragged down to the signal chain. In the VG 800 is more like the GT 1000 core in that all your effects are in the effects blocks 1, 2, and 3. You also have Foot Volume 1 and 2, Delay 1 and 2 then you have chorus, comp and reverb blocks, just about everything from the GT 1000. I have found the editor to load much faster than the GT 1000 Ton studio. I have found the GK 5 to be a superior pickup to the GK 3. I always found the 13 pin cables to be unreliable and the new Boss serial cables are a step up and worth the cost. I have some guitars with the built-in hex pickup, so I bought the DA and AD converters when I bought the GM 800. I still use some of my old Roland gear with the GK 5. To get the best out of this pedal you need to realize it is not the successor to the VG 99 or anything else, it is its own thing with the DNA from some other Boss and Roland products.
Hi Tony, I'm late to this (again). Very interesting!!! Thanks for all the hard work.
No other device allows you to change tunings on the fly with zero latency. Well the variax with helix pedal but that is discontinued hardware (i tried with variax 600 but workbench app wouldn't load on modern mac )???? even jamstick u have to manually retune. For the tuning power alone it's worth it especially if you're into that
Thanks for the demo Tony. I still use the SY-1000 that has all the guitar modeling + synth. I'm not convinced this sounds better, plus I need to upgrade to an all new eco system ( now have a strat with built in GK3, Bass with external GK3. Seems to use the same FX/Amps from the GT1000 series and there are no significant sound upgrades to the instrument modeling.
Thats a destroyer of pedalboard estate. Why on earth would they put jacks on the side????
Nice sounds on that, but expected with Roland/Boss. Their acoustic sims have gotten really good.
Great review, Tony.
Hi Tony I had the Roland VG 8 some years ago ,is this any better or about the same in a smaller format thanks for the info you give on different products
At 3:12: “That’s what she said.”
First let me say I've always enjoyed your demos and honesty,I gigged a 99 for years,I only used the midi pickup,I only got compliments on my sounds and people were amazed at the versatility,if Roland would have added irs it would have made a improvement,I now use a boss gp10 to feed a a fractal ax8,the fractal sounds more organic then the 99 but I still want the guitar models and tuning of midi the gp10 is a good introduction to that,I do miss the ability to pan and mix sounds that the 99 with the fc 300 gives you, my back is definitely happier with these setups,thanks for the content you create and stay safe
that Metal Acoustic preset sounds crazy, in a good way of course. Didn't know this unit have an IR loader…
I got to see a small demo of this at namm. its really cool. i love that you show us the guts.
Excellent first class review Tony, no one does real in depth reviews like you then using the unit as a normal person would (as opposed to someone demonstrating after hours of setting up a couple of sounds). You are the king. Thank you for your hard work, time and dedication. I can't understand why you havn't got 3 times as many subscribers. This until seems to be very creative and could be cool for ideas and segwaying the end of one song to the start of another. There's not much out for guitar that will give some of the sounds that Boss synth units do.
Ive noticed every few months its like look teh perfect guitar device. its better than all the rest. Well untill next week.