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Average Price: $137

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$150

$601+

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Description

Unleash your guitar's potential with the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer, a gateway to sonic creativity. This powerhouse allows guitarists to explore a universe of sounds beyond the conventional, from ethereal flutes to gritty saxophones, without the need for extensive setup. Simply connect a Roland GK 3 pickup, plug into the GR-20, and let your imagination soar. The device prides itself on its intuitive interface, featuring quick-editing controls for attack, release, and more, ensuring your tone is always tailored to your taste. With its lightning-fast tracking, every note you play is captured with precision, eliminating lag and maintaining the fluidity of your performance. Whether you're layering intricate soundscapes or adding unique textures to your band's sound, the Roland GR-20 opens up a new realm of possibilities for guitarists seeking to push the boundaries of their music.

Key Features:

  • Compatible with Roland GK 3 pickup for easy integration
  • Houses a diverse range of sounds including flute, saxophone, and percussive loops
  • Quick-editing knobs for adjusting attack, release, chorus, and more
  • Lightning-fast digital pitch detection for accurate tracking

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model GR-20
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Guitar Synths

FAQs

How does the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer connect to my guitar?

The Roland GR-20 requires a GK-compatible pickup, such as the Roland GK-3, to be installed on your guitar. This pickup captures the guitar's signal and sends it to the GR-20 for synthesis.

Can the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer be used with any guitar?

Yes, the GR-20 can be used with any guitar that has a GK-compatible pickup installed. The pickup is essential for the synthesizer to process the guitar's signal.

What types of sounds can the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer produce?

The GR-20 offers a wide range of sounds, including strings, brass, synth leads, and more, allowing guitarists to explore diverse musical textures beyond traditional guitar tones.

Is the Roland GR-20 easy to use for live performances?

Yes, the GR-20 is designed for quick and intuitive operation, making it suitable for live performances with its easy-to-navigate interface and sound selection.

Does the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer require a separate power supply?

Yes, the GR-20 requires an external power supply, which is typically included with the unit, to operate effectively.

gearwire

gearwire

Roland GR-20: What MIDI Can Do To Your Guitar

Video thumbnail for Roland GR-20: What MIDI Can Do To Your Guitar by gearwire

Roland GR-20: What MIDI Can Do To Your Guitar

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer  Demo by RolandChannel

GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer Demo

RolandChannel

RolandChannel

Video thumbnail for GR-20 Guitar Synth  (1/6)  Sound 1 by RolandChannel

GR-20 Guitar Synth (1/6) Sound 1

RolandChannel

RolandChannel

Video thumbnail for Roland Guitar Synthesizer GR-20 with Roland GK-3 Pickup - Featuring Scott Sill by sillennium

Roland Guitar Synthesizer GR-20 with Roland GK-3 Pickup - Featuring Scott Sill

sillennium

sillennium

Video thumbnail for GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer / Sensitivity and Feel by RolandChannel

GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer / Sensitivity and Feel

RolandChannel

RolandChannel

Video thumbnail for Roland GR-20 Guitar synth pedal by Gearfacts

Roland GR-20 Guitar synth pedal

Gearfacts

Gearfacts

Video thumbnail for Roland GR-20 v GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer Comparison by Getaways and Guitars

Roland GR-20 v GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer Comparison

Getaways and Guitars

Getaways and Guitars

Video thumbnail for GR-20  Guitar Synth (5/6)  Using It by RolandChannel

GR-20 Guitar Synth (5/6) Using It

RolandChannel

RolandChannel

Video thumbnail for Roland GR20 Guitar Synthesizer - Predecessor of Boss GM-800 and SY-1000 by The Bedroom Rocker

Roland GR20 Guitar Synthesizer - Predecessor of Boss GM-800 and SY-1000

The Bedroom Rocker

The Bedroom Rocker

Reviews

PROS

  • Easy to use and switch patches on the fly

  • Better tracking than previous models like GR-1

  • Good range of sounds for various music styles

  • Useful for both live performances and recording

CONS

  • Some sounds may be perceived as useless

  • Limited editing capabilities restrict sound customization

  • Unit's simplicity might not satisfy advanced users seeking more control

Critic Reviews

Roland GR20

soundonsound.com

Roland's GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer shines as an affordable, user-friendly entry into guitar synthesis, boasting a wide array of presets and reliable tracking. It includes the versatile GK3 pickup, enhancing its appeal. However, the GR-20's editing capabilities are limited, lacking layering or velocity-switching features. Users must also play cleanly to avoid minor glitches. Despite these drawbacks, the GR-20 impresses with its ease of use and the ability to produce dynamic performances, even if some adaptation in playing style is required. For those new to guitar synthesizers, it's a compelling choice.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Yngwie Malmsteen uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Yngwie Malmsteen

Guitarist, Bassist

The G3 Jam

...
Verified via BOSS

"The last time we visited you, we brought the new Roland GR-20 synthesizer.

I’ll tell you the thing I was really keen on: the solo violin. I can’t wait to get one for myself."

See how Adrian Smith uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Adrian Smith

Guitarist

Iron Maiden

...
Verified via Photo

Adrian Smith is seen using the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer in a photo from Premier Guitar, showcasing its synthesizer effects capabilities.

See how Mike Stern uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Mike Stern

Singer, Guitarist

Yellowjackets

...
Verified via BOSS

"I’ve been using BOSS pedals for about 15 years, maybe more … maybe closer to 20 years … and I dig ’em a lot. And I also used the guitar synthesizer, the very first blue one [Roland GR-300], then, in the ’80s, I used the GR-50. Now I have the most recent one [GR-20], and that thing is amazing."

See how Vernon Reid uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Vernon Reid

Guitarist

Living Colour

...
Verified via YouTube

Vernon's Roland GR-20 can be seen at 4:44. Vernon says, "And also, I'm sending part of the signal out to the this GR-20."

See how Richard Bona uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Richard Bona

Bassist

Pat Metheny Group

...
Verified via Roland

I love the GR-20. I combine it with the V-Bass live onstage, parallel. Many sounds are special in there, ya know. I grew up listening to Weather Report; I had a chance to play with Joe Zawinul for two years. So the GR-20 has some of those old-school sounds in it that I love. The horns are great. And there’s some really good distortion sounds. You’d be surprised. After every show people come to me and ask, “How do you get that distortion. It’s unbelievable.” I’m used to it know, but most people don’t realize how much you can do with the bass to make it sound like a guitar and other instruments. I only use about ten sounds, no more than that. And I give them each a number from one to ten, so I don’t have to think a lot about what’s going on. It’s very easy that way. Same with the V-Bass; onstage I have only about six sounds that I use, but they work great for the kind of music that I’m doing.

See how Positive Mental Trip uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Positive Mental Trip

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Luke Weiler of Positive Mental Trip used a Roland GR-20 13 pin connected guitar synthesizer pedal from 2008-2011. “The Roland GR-20 is still my favorite Roland synth pedal. It was not housed in a metal chasis and after touring around in the back of a van with it for 3 years I figured I’d move onto to the newer metal hours Roland GR-55. I sold the pedal but had a son which led to no more touring. I didn’t end up owning the Roland GR-55 until 2018. This is why there are no synth guitar sounds on Positive Mental Trips 1 st 2 studio albums “change your mind”(2012) and “The Black and White Album” (2017) There are great Roland synth sounds on the 2019 album “Love Never Dies”. (studio album not the demos toured with 08-2010!) The album is set to release at the end of August 2019. We have been tracking this album since early 2018.”

See how David Hinds uses Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

David Hinds

Singer, Guitarist

Steel Pulse

...
Verified via Livingdot

Listed in his gear on the old Steel Pulse website.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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