Roland GR-20 Guitar Synth with GK3 Pickup.

ROLAND GR20 Details ^top

Advantages of GR-20 and GR-20s VS. GR33:
Faster Tracking
Easier To Use
Better Sound Quality ( newer waveforms )

Overview
Plug and Play.
Ever wanted to thicken up your guitar sound with a warm synth pad? Or how about a screaming lead sound that puts you in front? The GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer makes playing high-quality synthesizer and instrument sounds from your guitar as simple as 1-2-3. First, attach the included GK-3 Divided Pickup to your steel-stringed electric (no drilling necessary). Second, select the type of sound you want using the Bank knob. Third, choose a sound variation using the Number/Value dial and start playing. With the GR-20, it’s easy to tap into the power of guitar synthesis.

Features
Affordable guitar synthesizer with new sounds, easy interface and GK-3 pickup
Easy to use: select a sound category (Strings, Organ, Synth, etc.) and play!
Quick editing via Attack, Release, Chorus, and Delay/Reverb knobs
Digital pitch detection for lightning-fast tracking
Includes Roland’s latest sounds like sax, strings, flute, brass, bass and percussion loops
GK-3 mounts easily on any steel-stringed electric without damage to guitar
GK-3 features an adjustable curve design and pickup cable length, plus an attachment plate for Les Paul-type guitars
Patch Link enables easy connection with MIDI-capable multi-effects like GT-6
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Details

Guitar Synth, or Compact Pedal?
With the GR-20 it feels like both. Simply attach the included GK-3 Divided Pickup to your guitar and you can be playing high-quality Roland sounds in seconds. Selecting a sound is like choosing an effect. First, select a sound category using the Bank knob. Categories include Strings/Orchestral, Wind, Brass, Bass/Guitar, Organ/Keyboard, Piano, Synth/Lead, Voice/Pad, Ethnic, and Rhythm/Percussion. Now you can select individual sounds using the Number/Value dial. It’s easy!

Roland’s Finest Sounds with Exceptional Tracking
At the heart of the GR-20 is an advanced sound engine based on Roland’s professional synthesizers. Sounds can be played with up to 48-voice polyphony for full, rich-sounding Patches. And the sounds are equally impressive. From expressive string ensembles to spiritual tabla loops coupled with sitar—all with adjustable attack and release—there’s no limit to what you can do. Sophisticated DSP makes the GR-20’s pitch detection ultra-reliable, so you can strum with confidence.

Take Your Guitar Playing Further
Want to create a sound that’s all your own? Try blending the natural sound of your guitar pickups with the GR-20. Thankfully, the GK-3 Divided Pickup makes this easy via a larger and smoother GK knob. Imagine playing chords and then slowly fading in a swirling, breathy pad to create intensity. Or how about playing a distorted lead on your guitar with a thick synth lead sound? Now take this a step further with the GR-20’s Patch Link function. This allows you to easily assign GR-20 Patches to match effect Patches in MIDI-capable processors like the BOSS GT-6. It’s the ultimate system for serious guitarists.

Includes the New GK-3 Divided Pickup
When you buy a GR-20, you also get a GK-3 Divided Pickup and GK cable in the box. In other words, everything you need to start playing synth sounds is included! The GK-3 is 30 percent thinner than its predecessor, and it now uses a 1/4-inch jack for normal guitar input. The pickup includes an adjustable curve design to keep an even distance between the strings for better response (the pickup cable length is also adjustable). Owners of Les Paul-type guitars can install the GK-3 safely without drilling using a special attachment plate included in the box.

ROLAND GR20 Demos ^top

ROLAND GR20 Specs ^top

ROLAND GR20 Hear this Product ^top

Audio
(Requires MP3 Player: Winamp or Apple Quicktime)

More MP3's

Big Synth
Blow Pipe
Breathy Sax
Clarinet
Horn

Review of ROLAND GR20

RATING:

Sound Quality	9
Features	9
Ease Of Use	8
Value	8
Reliability	10
Overall	8

At long last- complete orchestra sounds from your guitar ( strings. brass, woodwinds, piano etc). Plays hundreds of different sound patches mixed in or without your guitar sounds. Tracks perfectly and features a MIDI compatible user friendly interface, on board tuner, and multiple synthesizer effect patches. Recommended GK-3 pickup works well as do the guitar mounted controls but the GK-3 pickup won't fit all guitars without modification. You can use with one amp but using two amplifiers will keep the synth and guiar sounds separate and provides the most dramatic effect. Most guitarists will apprecicate the flexibility that this new synthesizer provides. If you buy the GR-20 make it a point to read the manual from front to back before you start to play. Overall I give this item high ratings and it was a worth while purchase.

-Dennis
-NJ, 10/21/06

See all reviews of ROLAND GR20.