TC Electronis G-Major 2 or Rocktron Xpression???

[3 Mile Stone]

I think I need a new effects unit. I am running my Egnater MOD 50 into a Egnater TM2X12 cab with two Eminence GB12 speakers. Getting great tones, but I've decided to step up the quality of the effects unit. I am looking at these two guys. I had a Rocktron Replifex which is very similar if not the same unit as the Expression. I know it's ups (great uneffected tone, no tone suck, incredible chorus and very good delays, parametric EQ and overall volume output is programable for subtle volume changes in programs). All nice stuff. What I didn't like was the way the parameter values were in weird incriments. For example chorus level went from something like -52 to *infinity symbol* . The mixer inside was nice for keeping your guitar tone unaltered. I know nothing about TC Electronics other than lots of players and pros use and love thier stuff.

I need:

*Excellent delays. I am a delay nut and enjoy good clean as well as modulated and vintage style repeats.

*A nice chorus that can acheive what I call the "Texas Wobble Box" sound. You know ... think Charlie Sexton, Doyle II, David Holt & Grissom, SRV.

The rest is gravy if it can do those things.

Ease of progamabilty? No tone suck? Quick pre-set change? YES!

 

[aeroic]

I think I need a new effects unit. I am running my Egnater MOD 50 into a Egnater TM2X12 cab with two Eminence GB12 speakers. Getting great tones, but I've decided to step up the quality of the effects unit. I am looking at these two guys. I had a Rocktron Replifex which is very similar if not the same unit as the Expression. I know it's ups (great uneffected tone, no tone suck, incredible chorus and very good delays, parametric EQ and overall volume output is programable for subtle volume changes in programs). All nice stuff. What I didn't like was the way the parameter values were in weird incriments. For example chorus level went from something like -52 to *infinity symbol* . The mixer inside was nice for keeping your guitar tone unaltered. I know nothing about TC Electronics other than lots of players and pros use and love thier stuff.

I need:

*Excellent delays. I am a delay nut and enjoy good clean as well as modulated and vintage style repeats.

*A nice chorus that can acheive what I call the "Texas Wobble Box" sound. You know ... think Charlie Sexton, Doyle II, David Holt & Grissom, SRV.

The rest is gravy if it can do those things.

Ease of progamabilty? No tone suck? Quick pre-set change? YES!

I'd get the G Major 2. Have a buddy that has 2 of them w/ his Mod50 setup.

One in the series loop, and one in the parallel loop. Series loop for modulated effects, trems, gates, etc., parallel loop for verbs, delays, etc. And it sounds AWESOME!!!

Does take a bit to get the levels set. But man...is it killer. I'd recommend the 2 G Major 2 setup...one in series / parallel.

Eric

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I am loving my G major 2 and editing the patches on my laptop is a dream.

 

[muudrock]

Another vote for the Gmaj2. Best sounding delays I've found in that price range. Reverbs are excellent. The modulations can be very good, but you have to tweak them a little. I really like the unit.

FWIW, I also run the Xpression. In my rack setup, I run the both boxes kind of like how Aeroic runs his Lexicons. With the Mod 50 or 100, I run the Xpression in the serial loop and the Gmaj2 in the parallel loop. Sounds very good! I occasionally have reversed the loops and run the Gmaj2 in the series loop because it has better modulated effects IMO.

The Gmaj2 like Eric said, is a bit picky about setting the levels correct, but once you do, it's a great unit.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Yea, cool, thanks guys. You know that G Major 2 also has the cool amp channel switching feature that could switch channels on my Rebel 30 head. Then add an E2 and ...

Hmmmmmm

 

[Flump]

I am loving my G major 2 and editing the patches on my laptop is a dream.

There's an editor for computers out for it? I did not know that.

 

[richedie]

XPRESSION! I think it works better with the amp, more intuitive and more transparent! I love it but it is collecting dust now since I am using analog pedals now - old school baby.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Yea, I love pedals too. But i do 60 -70 patches a night in a set. Basically every song I play I have the delay programed to the tempo of the song and there are 2 - 4 patches per song. Clean, grind, distortion and lead. Then I do teh chorus/vibe thing too. So I have to have a lot of delays available to me. That's why instant program change is a must to. The old Replifex had that channel switcher on it too, but they took it off the Xpression. Did the Intellifex have that on it. I know Jeff has one of those.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I am loving my G major 2 and editing the patches on my laptop is a dream.

There's an editor for computers out for it? I did not know that.

yup its down loadable on their website. you need a midi interface though. first you update the firmware then you install on computer and go, really far more intuitive than scrolling through menus.

http://www.tcelectronic.com/g-major2software.asp

 

[Flump]

I am loving my G major 2 and editing the patches on my laptop is a dream.

There's an editor for computers out for it? I did not know that.

yup its down loadable on their website. you need a midi interface though. first you update the firmware then you install on computer and go, really far more intuitive than scrolling through menus.

http://www.tcelectronic.com/g-major2software.asp

I do indeed have a midi-usb interface, and I'm gonna have to download this software. I'm definitely a huge fan of not having to stand next to my rig to change settings and screw around with patches.

Thanks!

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I am loving my G major 2 and editing the patches on my laptop is a dream.

There's an editor for computers out for it? I did not know that.

yup its down loadable on their website. you need a midi interface though. first you update the firmware then you install on computer and go, really far more intuitive than scrolling through menus.

http://www.tcelectronic.com/g-major2software.asp

I do indeed have a midi-usb interface, and I'm gonna have to download this software. I'm definitely a huge fan of not having to stand next to my rig to change settings and screw around with patches.

Thanks!

No problem! I was truly amazed at how elegant the editing software is. Every single function of the unit is available in real time. no confusing scrolling or menus. just point and click access to all parameters with real word measurements. a winner in my book. I just set the laptop up on top of the rig at rehearsals.

the ability to back up your patches is great too. if it ever fails buy another and in five minutes you're back to your sounds.