Roland GR-300 G-808 Guitar Synthesizer - Pat Metheny Tone 2

[mrsoundwave]

how much do these cost today?if on ebay?

[WayneJoness]

G-808 guitar from $600 - $1500, GR-300 synth, probably $600. A complete vintage system, $2000 - $2500, including the special 24-pin cable. Or you can get a GR-55 or VG-99, and achieve the same effect musically, though those wanting a vintage system will pay top dollar because it is vintage.

[cbmuzik]

I want one now. >_<

[goerge4]

i wonder why Roland ( or where the guitar is made .. probably hondo or ibanez) don't release that guitar model ..maybe not as a synth but it's so nice looking .. i'd buy one right away.. the styling and the quality is right up there..

nice sound btw..

[WayneJoness]

This EXACT same guitar, but without the synthesizer electronics, was sold in Japan as the Greco GO1000. The guitar was built by Fuji Gen Gakki. It was not made by Ibanez or Hondo. Fuji Gen Gakki also is responsible for building the Fender MIJ guitars, and built guitar for Ibanez, but it is not an Ibanez guitar, any more than a MIJ Fender Strat is an Ibanez guitar. The quality is top shelf.

[klepetar]

@WayneJoness i would love to have one..i have never seen one in a store..

[1glassMilk]

I have a question! :) The sound that you create.. How do you actuallie create it? Is it because of the guitar you play on, because of an extra effectpedal or both?

[WayneJoness]

That is the sound of the Roland GR-300 guitar synthesizer

[dongpingog]

wow man, that can either sound really cool in the right context..... or really fucking annoying.

[WayneJoness]

Roland G-808

[gabrielejazz]

Wich guitar is this??

[squeadlieshero]

that was bad ass

[Verd1m5]

Ahh... the reminiscent sound of smooth jazz from the 80's. The sound that reminds how soulful Quincy jones was! :)

[DJBonc]

can you play a gr-300 with a gs-500 guitar or vice versa, play a gr-500 with a gr-808?

from the service manuals the pins have more or less the same functionality, and you say the connectors are the same. SO i wonder if that's possible...

[WayneJoness]

The controls are wired differently, becuase the GR-300 and GS-500 are such different synthesizers.

[ReaktorFreak]

Awesome, very analog sounds (unlike MIDI guitars :p ) ! This is the grandfather of all the 'suddenly-popular' resynthesis stuff..

[miro108]

So Brad, did I get it right, that this typical sound of Pat's can only be done with the synth and the guitar together? Shouldn't it also work if I plugged that synth into a Strat o Les Paul?

[WayneJoness]

The guitar MUST have a vintage 24-pin synth control package installed. There are some factory retrofit Les Paul and Strats, but they are super rare.

[danceofthedruids]

Thanks much! You have a great site as well ... a great resource! BTW ... found out that although my G-808 will partly trigger my GR-500 (the other guy) the manual for the G-808 says not to..... such is life! :>)

[WayneJoness]

I need to add two big disclaimers to my website: the GR/GS-500 is a different generation synth from the other 24-pin gear, and the G-707 is NOT an Ibanez guitar! It's confusing, because they have the same 24-pin connector.

[danceofthedruids]

PS: my Roland GR-33 also has a virtual GR-300. Using two Brain Moores ... very little if any latency. Tried a Roland Ready Strat (Mexican) and was disappointed in the setup, very poor triggering right out of the box. The Brian Moores were ready to play with my Roland right out the box.

[WayneJoness]

Sounds great! The quality of the guitar and setup has a lot of influence on tracking. Hope to see some videos from you on YouTube soon!

[danceofthedruids]

Nice! ... Just picked up a G-808, GR-300 and GR-500 thanks to your information and demos .... great guitar synth playing in real time.

[blacklung7]

awesome! what guitar is that btw?

[WayneJoness]

Roland G-808 guitar.

[danceofthedruids]

Saweeet! Just picked up a G-808 and GR-500 on Ebay .... can't wait ... very Alembic looking to boot ... :>)

[innerdeth]

i know this synth is not available anymore...can is there any other way to get this kind of effect?

[WayneJoness]

Yes! Check out the new Roland VG-99. It includes a virtual GR-300!

[carlellement]

so amazing, that sound always amazed me on his records, especially before I knew how is was being produced!

[jayrmitc]

sell it to me.

[HiddenDarksage]

I have exact same guitar.