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Average Price: $350

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$201+

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Description

Elevate your bass playing to new heights with the Roland V-Bass, a cutting-edge bass effects processor designed to inspire creativity and expand your sonic palette. This powerhouse tool is perfect for modern bassists looking to push the boundaries of their sound. With dual independent signal paths, the V-Bass allows you to explore a universe of tones by blending distinct patches and layering sounds with ease. Imagine transforming your electric bass into a synth wonderland or weaving intricate soundscapes by assigning different effects to specific strings.

The V-Bass is packed with innovative features, including Roland's proprietary String Modeling, which lets you virtually alter your string type for unprecedented tonal flexibility. Its intuitive interface, featuring a bright LCD display and dedicated controls, ensures that navigating through its vast array of options is a breeze. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the V-Bass's USB connectivity, XLR outputs, and optional foot controller compatibility make it a versatile addition to any setup.

With the Roland V-Bass, you're not just playing bass; you're crafting an auditory experience that captivates and mesmerizes.

Key Features:

  • Dual independent signal paths for expansive sound possibilities
  • Dozens of COSM models, including vintage and modern basses, synth basses, and electric guitar models
  • Innovative String Modeling for virtual flat wound, round wound, and black nylon strings
  • 12 COSM preamp models and six speaker models
  • 43 powerful effect types and six compressor types
  • D BEAM, Ribbon, and V-LINK real-time controllers
  • 24-bit DA Conversion with 44.1 kHz sampling frequency
  • 400 program memories (200 User + 200 Preset)
  • Comprehensive connectivity with USB, MIDI, and multiple output options

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model V-Bass
Finish Grey
Year 2010s
Categories Guitar Synths

FAQs

What types of sounds can the Roland V-Bass create for my bass guitar?

The Roland V-Bass offers a wide range of synthesized sounds, including classic bass tones, synth bass, and more experimental textures, making it versatile for various genres.

Does the Roland V-Bass require any special pickups or equipment to function?

Yes, the Roland V-Bass typically requires a GK-compatible pickup installed on your bass guitar to fully access its features and capabilities.

Can the Roland V-Bass be used with a standard bass amp?

Yes, the Roland V-Bass can be connected to any standard bass amplifier, allowing you to integrate it easily into your existing setup.

How user-friendly is the Roland V-Bass for live performances?

The Roland V-Bass is designed with performance in mind, featuring intuitive controls and footswitches that make it easy to switch sounds and effects during live gigs.

Is the Roland V-Bass suitable for both beginners and advanced players?

While the Roland V-Bass offers advanced features that may appeal to experienced players, its interface is user-friendly enough for beginners who want to explore synthesized bass sounds.

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Roland V-Bass Promo (2002)

Video thumbnail for Roland V-Bass Promo (2002) by Perfect Circuit

Roland V-Bass Promo (2002)

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Video thumbnail for Roland V-Bass basic sounds by mikefredbass

Roland V-Bass basic sounds

mikefredbass

mikefredbass

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland V-Bass.

Features and functionality

  • The Roland V-Bass processes each string individually with a magnetic pickup, not via pitch-to-MIDI conversion.

    Source
  • The GK-2B pickup is mentioned as the compatible model for the V-Bass, with newer alternatives like the 3KGB available.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users find newer models like the Boss SY-200, SY-300, and SY-1000 surpass the V-Bass in technology and ease of use.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note the V-Bass interface feels outdated, and latency is noticeable with the GK-2B pickup.

    Source
  • Despite dated sounds, the V-Bass remains enjoyable for users who appreciate its unique qualities.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland V-Bass

soundonsound.com

Roland's V-Bass is a game-changer for bassists seeking versatility, offering excellent emulations of classic bass sounds and unique synthetic textures. Its COSM technology allows for expressive playing, though setup can be finicky, especially with oscillator patches prone to pitch tracking errors. Despite minor noise issues in heavily filtered sounds, the V-Bass excels in live performance and studio settings, making it a powerful tool for diverse bass needs.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Richard Bona uses Roland V-Bass

Richard Bona

Bassist

Pat Metheny Group

...
Verified via Roland

I come from a very plain sound background. I use to never use effects before. One day I went to a shop in Japan, and the guy who built my fretless bass introduced me to the Roland V-Bass. I tried it for the first time, and I freaked out. I really play fast; in the past I tried some bass synths, and those systems could not pick up my playing at certain speeds. So with V-Bass, that was the first time that a system could keep up with the speed that I was playing. I got hooked up with the V-Bass, and it’s awesome.

See how Nick Beggs uses Roland V-Bass

Nick Beggs

Singer, Bassist

Kajagoogoo

...
Verified via Bassplayer

This Bass Player article states that Beggs uses a Roland V-Bass system.

See how Darryl Jones uses Roland V-Bass

Darryl Jones

Bassist

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via BOSS

According to Boss' website, Jones uses Roland V-Bass system (VB-99).

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 V-Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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