Guitar/gear Reviews, Reviews of Guitars and Gear that I've owned/used for gigging/recor Options

[Todd Simpson]

JACKSON KELLY PERFORMER

I recently bought a JACKSON KELLY PERFORMER that had been upgraded with EMGs. Here are some pix. Review to follow!


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In this review I"m going to talk a bit about the ROCKTRON G300. This unit is a multi-effects pedal that makes use of some very sophisticated internal processing to create lush soundscapes and big guitar tones. This is the top of the line in this range of units. There are two units beneath it that feature the same internal features but have fewer stomp buttons, smaller case etc. I bought my unit from musiciansfriend.com and and it arrived in perfect shape. The list price is about $560 U.S. but the street price is bout $400 U.S. Here is a link to the manufacturer web site product page.
http://www.rocktron.com/products/floorprocessors/utopiag300/

Let's break this down in to a few areas.

1.)Sound Quality
2.)Build Quality
3.)Value for your Dollar/Euro

SOUND QUALITY:The overall sound quality on this unit is just amazing. It's got very little noise, all the effects are very natural and clean sounding and the built in presets will cover about 90 percent of every tone you will want to have at your finger tips. The delays are particularly good as are the chorus and flanger. The distortions sound very convincing and there is a cabinet simulator built right in so that you can run to a PA and skip the amp or record direct via USB out or Optical out.

****The bad news is that even though this will get you 90 percent of the way to tone heaven right out of the box, it's that last 10 percent that kinda wrecks it. The presets are all pretty good, but there is not a preset for hardcore/extreme/metal type gain/distortion suitable for leads and rythms that require it. You can tweak the presets, BUT there is a limit to how far you can tweak them. For example, you can adjust the amount of bass, mid, etc. But you can't select the frequency being manipulated. It's as if they expect you to just leave the presets in place and not really mess with anything.

BUILD QUALITY: Excellent. The build quality is frankly the best I've seen in a pedal board in this price range. Pro level build quality through and through. The unit is solid, stable, heavy, and rugged. The wah/volume pedal is very solid and the foot switches feel sturdy as well. This unit looks like it could take a serious beating and not miss a beat.

VALUE: Overall, the street price of this unit makes is a really good value. It's very flexible, and very well built. It looks, feels and sounds like a Pro Level unit. For most players this unit would make getting good tone very easy. However, if you are looking for a unit that will let you tweak your heart out in search of perfect tone, or if you are looking for a Death Metal/Thrash/Super High Gain Lead Shred tone, keep looking as this unit will not give you what you are looking for.

Here is a Quick Vid from GuitarPlayer Magazine walking you through some of the tones.


Todd

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This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jan 21 2011, 03:36 AM

[Sinisa Cekic]

It's really bargain! You sure it's not plastic toy ? .. I mean- it is, but anyway !

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[Todd Simpson]

It's really bargain! You sure it's not plastic toy ? .. I mean- it is, but anyway !

For $20 U.S. you were expecting a Metal case? Nope. My goal was to find the cheapest possible way to to put a little more gain ahead of a software emulator the same way people put a tube screamer before a mesa boogie, to give it more punch This far from a Mesa and Tube Screamer, but again, going for minimum dollars spent.

Here is an Audio Demo!

1.)FIRST SOUND BIT IS GUITAR RIG 4 PATCH ONLY (No blue light on Pedal)

2.)SECOND SOUND BIT IS GUITAR RIG 4 PATCH WITH PEDAL ( Blue light is on)

(PEDAL SETTINGS: GAIN 0% - TONE 25% - VOLUME 75%)

BOTTOM LINE:

It really punches up the sound of a emulated patch. I was pretty impressed that it gave the patch this much chunk and crunch for only $20. I'm all for great pedals that cost $300 each, but with a cheap pedal and a decent emulator (EVEN A FREE ONE LIKE AMPLITUDE FREE) you can have just TONS of CRUNCH!

Todd

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This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Feb 21 2012, 04:26 AM