Get ready to discover a whole new world of sound. The BOSS VG-800 V-Guitar Processor is the latest innovation in V-Guitar technology, built on over three decades of cutting-edge advancements. Designed for guitarists and bassists of all levels, this amazing floor pedal puts a virtual collection of guitar and bass gear at your feet.
From hyper-real modeling of popular guitars, amps, and effects to instant tuning changes at the push of a button, the VG-800 V-Guitar Processor is a bottomless well of inspiration. If you’re just starting your guitar or bass journey, the VG-800 is the perfect way to experience exciting new sounds.
The VG-800 gives you access to a virtual guitar shop’s worth of tones and empowers you to find your voice as a musician. Instinctive and easy to navigate, it’s the ultimate tool for learning while fueling creativity. It feels natural, sounds incredible, and is sure to help you to develop your unique style.
You’re not alone if you’re curious about V-Guitar but don’t know where to start. This guide is designed for beginners and breaks down the essentials of what V-Guitar is, how it works, the latest products, and how to approach them.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand the potential of V-Guitar and feel confident taking your first steps on a game-changing musical path. Let’s get started!
What is Roland and BOSS V-Guitar?
Roland and BOSS V-Guitar products have transformed guitar and bass playing by combining powerful digital signal processing (DSP) technology with traditional techniques.
Devices like the BOSS VG-800 V-Guitar Processor let players experiment with a collection of virtual instruments, amps, and effects, offering endless creative options. Whether you’re looking for classic tones or something entirely new, V-Guitar opens up a world of sonic exploration.
V-Guitar processors accurately replicate the sounds of different guitars, pickup positions, amps, speakers, microphones, and other elements in the chain. You can also instantly change the tuning of each string without even touching your instrument’s tuners.
When paired with a special Divided Pickup that senses each string separately, V-Guitar systems give players amazing flexibility, making it easy to create unique sounds, try out new ideas, and play any style of music.
What is a Divided Pickup?
A Divided Pickup, like the cutting-edge GK-5 for guitar and GK-5B for bass, senses each string individually and sends their signals to separate outputs. This unique design allows for advanced features like precise instrument modeling and alternate tunings—all while your guitar/bass stays in standard tuning.
The latest GK-5 Divided Pickup series uses a high-performance digital interface called Serial GK. Earlier analog systems utilized a bulkier 13-pin connection, but GK-5 and GK-5B units employ a sleek 1/4-inch TRS jack, offering a much lower-profile design.
Unlike conventional pickups, a Divided Pickup isn’t intended to produce sound directly. Instead, it acts as a bridge between your instrument and a V-Guitar processor, unlocking the full potential of this advanced digital technology.
Easy to install on top of your instrument (and remove, if need be), GK-5 and GK-5B Divided Pickups are your gateway to unlimited inspiration. Professional assistance is recommended when it comes to the more complex GK5-KIT-Series installation kits.
What are the key features of the BOSS VG-800 V-Guitar Processor?
The BOSS VG-800 V-Guitar Processor is an easy-to-use tool that takes your guitar or bass playing to the next level. Using the Serial GK interface, it processes each string separately, letting you create realistic sounds like electric and acoustic guitars, basses, banjo, and sitar without any perceivable latency or lag.
You can also try alternate tunings, cool pitch effects, and synth-style tones. Its compact design fits perfectly on your pedalboard, making it beginner-friendly and portable.
With the VG-800, you can also play two instruments at the same time using the Dual Guitar or Dual Bass features and mix different sounds for exciting new tones. It offers tons of amps, effects, and classic synth sounds like the iconic Roland GR-300.
Plus, you can connect extra pedals, use MIDI for recording, and customize your sounds with the free BOSS Tone Studio software. It’s perfect for players who want to explore and create unique music.
What types of music is V-Guitar good for?
V-Guitar processors like the VG-800 are perfect for all styles of music, from rock and metal to folk and jazz. Legendary artists like Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Joni Mitchell have used V-Guitar to expand their musical range. Mitchell, known for her unique tunings, effortlessly switched between them during live performances thanks to V-Guitar.
While V-Guitar is ideal for professional musicians who need to change sounds and/or tunings quickly during gigs or studio sessions, beginners can also enjoy recreating authentic tones, making learning more fun and accessible.
The VG-800 offers a massive selection of amps and effects inherited from flagship BOSS processors and a diverse array of essential instrument sounds. These include classic electric guitars like the Stratocaster and Les Paul Standard, plus dreadnought and small-bodied acoustic models from Martin and Gibson.
Additionally, the VG-800 features powerful bass instrument modeling, giving players access to iconic bass sounds from the likes of Fender, Rickenbacker, Höfner, and Music Man.
What’s the difference between the user-installable GK-5 Divided Pickups and the GK5-KIT-Series?
The GK-5 and GK-5B Divided Pickups are user-installable. They are designed for the advanced Serial GK digital interface (VG-800 V-Guitar Processor and GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer) and have a lighter, more streamlined connector housing than the older 13-pin analog system.
Users can install these pickups themselves, and they needn’t be permanent—thanks to the included adhesive pads, you can easily put them on and take them off your guitar if desired. The GK-5 is ideal for six-string guitars, while the GK-5B is designed for bass guitars with four, five, or six strings.
The GK5-KIT-Series comprises three products that allow players to permanently customize their guitars and basses with the next-generation GK-5 and GK-5B pickups. The GK5-KIT-G6 is for six-string guitars, the GK5-KIT-G7 is for seven-string guitars, and the GK5-KIT-B is for four-, five-, or six-string basses.
These kits offer everything needed for professional installation, including fingertip controls designed to work perfectly with your regular pickups and V-Guitar Processor.
Endless Musical Possibilities
Now that you have a better understanding of V-Guitar, you’re ready to dive into endless musical possibilities. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your sound, V-Guitar offers the tools you need to explore new creative horizons.
From unique instrument modeling to customizable tones and tunings, V-Guitar lets you find your own voice. So, take the plunge, experiment with sound, and let V-Guitar inspire your musical journey.
Company names and product names shown above are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners. They are used because it is the most practical way of describing the sounds that are emulated using DSP technology.
