Just compared my buddy's G-Major with my Xpression

[crwnedblasphemy]

I borrowed my friend's TC G-major and my Rocktron Xpression for about 2 hours through my rig.

Here is what I notice about each:

G-MAJOR

Every preset(even my old ones) sound like vai. It has that smoothness to it that makes it nice for cleans and leads. The chorus is damn nice. I really like using it for cleans. Leads sound smooth. I feel like it does change any amp to that smooth vai sound. Hell, I am using a Splawn, and it sounds like vai. For cruchy riffs this doesn't fit at all.

Rocktron Xpression

Well rounded unit. I can get smooth if I want. The phaser is way smooth and good for EVH riffs. I really like having the option on the Xpression to have a digital or analog sound. This is a huge plus, cuz the sound differences are there. It might not have all the options as the G-Major, but I think it doesn't alter your tone as much? If you want it to, it will, but you have the choice.


Overall, both units are cool, and both have their reliability issues. I had one Xpression's interface crap out on me, and I have had a G-major's knobs all skip and go to hell, but both for the money are good. I like the Xpression a bit more, and am glad I got the chance to try another G-major before I bought one again. It has been about 3 years since I owned one.


Has anyone else played both?

 

[simbasa]

I don't use my Gmajor much .....as a matter a fact I have it on Craigslist Bay Area right now but I did notice the same smoothness you talked about when I used it with the EVH5150 III except it reminded me of Satriani lead tones. Have not used a Rocktron...

 

[jaybird]

I own a G-Major, haven't tried the Rocktron stuff though would like to try the Intelliflex someday. As far as smoothness goes, I don't necessarily agree. I use preset w/ delay and reverb a lot, and I also have a "dry" button on my midi controller which switches out the loop so no fx at all, just dry amp. So it is easy for me to A/B things. My delays / reverb settings aren't all that "wet" sounding the way I program them, and still get plenty of edge if I want. Actually I use the hi-cut on the delay function to make it sound even more analog, works nicely IMO.

So though I can only compare the G-major to my delay pedal, I think it sounds just fine.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I own a G-Major, haven't tried the Rocktron stuff though would like to try the Intelliflex someday. As far as smoothness goes, I don't necessarily agree. I use preset w/ delay and reverb a lot, and I also have a "dry" button on my midi controller which switches out the loop so no fx at all, just dry amp. So it is easy for me to A/B things. My delays / reverb settings aren't all that "wet" sounding the way I program them, and still get plenty of edge if I want. Actually I use the hi-cut on the delay function to make it sound even more analog, works nicely IMO.

So though I can only compare the G-major to my delay pedal, I think it sounds just fine.

I'll try more Hi-cut right now....

 

[Gainfreak]

Ive tried Both and I bought the xpression. I think the Xpression sounds much better and its easier to program IMHO. The only thing that I think blows on the xpression is the pitch shifting. They should have just done away with that and put the available processing power to better use.

 

[MrDan666]

Ive tried Both and I bought the xpression. I think the Xpression sounds much better and its easier to program IMHO. The only thing that I think blows on the xpression is the pitch shifting. They should have just done away with that and put the available processing power to better use.

Ralph, do you mean the Pitch shifting as in Whammy type pitch or do you mean 80s micro pitch (chorusy type)?

Im about to Ebay my G-major.. just deciding what i want to replace it with. Im mainly thinking of just grabbing a Boss SE-70 and using that. I have a CAE Stereo Line Mixer so i can always run it in parallel thru it for a cleaner signal if need be!

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Ive tried Both and I bought the xpression. I think the Xpression sounds much better and its easier to program IMHO. The only thing that I think blows on the xpression is the pitch shifting. They should have just done away with that and put the available processing power to better use.

Totally agreed! I went back again tonight for another hour between the two, and I just think my xpression has the natural warm sound and the G-major has that clear smooth vai thing going. To each his own....I sold this very G-major to my friend, and just wanted to hear it again since I got a different amp since the time I sold it to him. Glad I did, cuz I prefer the Xpression.

I used to have a Voodoo Valve Online about 8 years ago. That thing was cool too. Rocktron's phaser is pretty damn good on its unit.

I would like to try a Lexicon PCM-80 or 90 through my rig too, or the new PCM. Also, eventide stuff, but don't have the moola.

 

[Gainfreak]

Ive tried Both and I bought the xpression. I think the Xpression sounds much better and its easier to program IMHO. The only thing that I think blows on the xpression is the pitch shifting. They should have just done away with that and put the available processing power to better use.

Ralph, do you mean the Pitch shifting as in Whammy type pitch or do you mean 80s micro pitch (chorusy type)?

Im about to Ebay my G-major.. just deciding what i want to replace it with. Im mainly thinking of just grabbing a Boss SE-70 and using that. I have a CAE Stereo Line Mixer so i can always run it in parallel thru it for a cleaner signal if need be!

I mean pitch shifting as in creating an octave or harmony effect. Every Rocktron box that I have tried sucked when it comes to that. I kind of expected them to fix it over the years but they never did. As far as choruses and delays and usable reverbs, the Xpression has got it. The reverbs cant compare to the lexicons but they are definitely good enough for live use!

As far as the Boss SE-70, they are great units. I still have my old Boss SE-50. They were great units back in the day... Bob Bradshaw used to use them in his racks alot.

 

[MrDan666]

I mean pitch shifting as in creating an octave or harmony effect. Every Rocktron box that I have tried sucked when it comes to that. I kind of expected them to fix it over the years but they never did. As far as choruses and delays and usable reverbs, the Xpression has got it. The reverbs cant compare to the lexicons but they are definitely good enough for live use!

As far as the Boss SE-70, they are great units. I still have my old Boss SE-50. They were great units back in the day... Bob Bradshaw used to use them in his racks alot.

Yeah Bob praised those units and still does! I think im going to just go with the SE-70 and call it a day. It has stereo delays/pitch/chorus/verb so it has all i need.. aslong as it isnt too difficult to program to my CAE RS-10 midi board then it should be good!

Would you say the Xpression is a better than the Intellifex? I have an Intellifex Online, but i just cant get on with it.. Maybe its user error i dont know! I just know that either my delays sound too subtle.. or theyre such the opposite that they stand out way too much and dont blend in right with my main tone.

Im using a W/D rig by the way.. not the amps loop.

 

[Gainfreak]

Ive tried Both and I bought the xpression. I think the Xpression sounds much better and its easier to program IMHO. The only thing that I think blows on the xpression is the pitch shifting. They should have just done away with that and put the available processing power to better use.

Totally agreed! I went back again tonight for another hour between the two, and I just think my xpression has the natural warm sound and the G-major has that clear smooth vai thing going. To each his own....I sold this very G-major to my friend, and just wanted to hear it again since I got a different amp since the time I sold it to him. Glad I did, cuz I prefer the Xpression.

I used to have a Voodoo Valve Online about 8 years ago. That thing was cool too. Rocktron's phaser is pretty damn good on its unit.

I would like to try a Lexicon PCM-80 or 90 through my rig too, or the new PCM. Also, eventide stuff, but don't have the moola.

I own a lexicon PCM-80 and the reverbs are just insane on them. They are pretty tough to beat when it comes to that but the catch with any of the lexi boxes is the lag time. They have a sick lag when midi switching. I prefer the lexicon boxes in the studio. Most guys who use lexicon boxes in there live rig use multiple units with just use one patch set. Kind of a waste but if you have big bucks then I guess its not an issue!

 

[Gainfreak]

I mean pitch shifting as in creating an octave or harmony effect. Every Rocktron box that I have tried sucked when it comes to that. I kind of expected them to fix it over the years but they never did. As far as choruses and delays and usable reverbs, the Xpression has got it. The reverbs cant compare to the lexicons but they are definitely good enough for live use!

As far as the Boss SE-70, they are great units. I still have my old Boss SE-50. They were great units back in the day... Bob Bradshaw used to use them in his racks alot.

Yeah Bob praised those units and still does! I think im going to just go with the SE-70 and call it a day. It has stereo delays/pitch/chorus/verb so it has all i need.. aslong as it isnt too difficult to program to my CAE RS-10 midi board then it should be good!

Would you say the Xpression is a better than the Intellifex? I have an Intellifex Online, but i just cant get on with it.. Maybe its user error i dont know! I just know that either my delays sound too subtle.. or theyre such the opposite that they stand out way too much and dont blend in right with my main tone.

Im using a W/D rig by the way.. not the amps loop.

I think the convertors on the Xpression are a bit better then the old intellifexes but I hear you about the delay issue on the intellifex. I do know that there is a way around but Ihaven't spent much time on it.

With that said, the only thing that I did not like on the Boss Se-50 and 70 is the chorus sound. They were way to filtered and unatural sounding. The way I got past that was to use the pitch shift exactly like you were saying in your opther ppost. I used the PS with a few milliseconds detuned up and down. Made a very cool sounding natural chorus

 

[MrDan666]

I think the convertors on the Xpression are a bit better then the old intellifexes but I hear you about the delay issue on the intellifex. I do know that there is a way around but Ihaven't spent much time on it.

With that said, the only thing that I did not like on the Boss Se-50 and 70 is the chorus sound. They were way to filtered and unatural sounding. The way I got past that was to use the pitch shift exactly like you were saying in your opther ppost. I used the PS with a few milliseconds detuned up and down. Made a very cool sounding natural chorus

Subtle Pitch Shift is my preffered method of Chorusing anyway Maybe the SE-70 has better chorus than the 50? either way, i would still probably go for the PS/Detune still. The only chorus i have truly liked is from the older units (Tri-Stereo and units like the SDX-330, Roland SDE-3000 and PCM41's) and i also like Eventide's Chorusing.. but i dont have that kinda cash right now so the SE-70 will be fine

Plus i can downsize my rack a little bit if i go for the SE-70, and swap my CAE line mixer for the Half rack mini mixer they make

 

[Rayneman]

I have both. I use the Rocktron in the rack I use with my Triple Rec rig, and this is what I use mostly live. I cannot get the G Major to work thru the Mesa's parallel loop, but I don't care, the Xpression is just fine.

I use the G Major in the rack I use with all my other amps, and it sounds great. My G Major has all the issues with the parameter wheels...so I have to just spin them and wait for them to magically stop on the parameter I want to adjust, its a pain in the ass. I do like the onboard tuner.

They are both pretty good units, I really only use a bit of delay and detune usually. I do feel that the Rocktron colors your base tone less.

 

[UVguy]

A guy posted a msg about cleaning the wheels on the gmajor. I saved it into a word doc if anyone is interested.

Wheel cleaning.

 

[mentoneman]

you guys are so 80s....





making me reminisce about my old se-50, replifex/intellifex days...

i spent some time with a friend's gmajor, trying to integrate it into his live rig, and honestly it made me happy that i have the gforce.

until i hear zach's 2290 and 1210....

 

[MARK1970]

Which one has a better reverb ? I am looking to buy the G-Force. How does the reverbcompare to the Xpression ? Does the Rocktron have kill dry like the G-Force ? I will be using it in the fx loop with a line mixer.

 

[Gainfreak]

Which one has a better reverb ? I am looking to buy the G-Force. How does the reverbcompare to the Xpression ? Does the Rocktron have kill dry like the G-Force ? I will be using it in the fx loop with a line mixer.

The G-force is by far the better unit but its also almost 10x the price new or $700 more used. I bought a used xpression for $200 and ive seen the g-force used for $950. Not sure about the kill dry feature.

With that said, one thing Ive learned throughout the years is that if you are going to use this stuff live, the audience wont be able to tell between a $200 effects box from a $5000 one once it hits the PA. Its really for the guitar players piece of mind on the stage. I have had the killer verb rigs and these days Im happy to gig with the xpression lol!!

 

[MARK1970]

Which one has a better reverb ? I am looking to buy the G-Force. How does the reverbcompare to the Xpression ? Does the Rocktron have kill dry like the G-Force ? I will be using it in the fx loop with a line mixer.

The G-force is by far the better unit but its also almost 10x the price new or $700 more used. I bought a used xpression for $200 and ive seen the g-force used for $950. Not sure about the kill dry feature.

With that said, one thing Ive learned throughout the years is that if you are going to use this stuff live, the audience wont be able to tell between a $200 effects box from a $5000 one once it hits the PA. Its really for the guitar players piece of mind on the stage. I have had the killer verb rigs and these days Im happy to gig with the xpression lol!!

Thanks, I am really looking for only reverb. I probably will check out the G-Sharp or Major. These 2 look to be pretty cheap. I probably will decide on which has a better reverb. They probably have the same. If so, The G-Sharp for $249.99 would be good. I will check out the Rocktron for the kill dry.

 

[Gitfiddler]

not to get too far off topic, but for reverbs, have you guys tried the rocktron cyborg reverb or line 6 verbzilla?

 

[MARK1970]

I am looking for line level and I need kill dry for my mixer. I have had the Holy Grail, Holiest Grail , T-Rex Roomate and Nova 1 reverb. All are great pedals , but my amp needs line level only. I know there are some racked reverbs out there for the same price as the ones I mentioned. I just need to look around. I am leaning towards a G-Sharp.