The arguments about the modeled sounds not being real etc makes no sense in this context because really you would need to play the guitar through a PA system to hear say the acoustics properly. Guitarists need to come into the 21st Century as keyboard players have to do. Not many keyboard players carry a Rhodes, Hammond B3 and an acoustic gran piano around with them, NO, they just have one keyboard non weighted and another weighted. Keyboard players had to change and leave snobbery behind. Guitarists have to do the same. Great review and guitarist.
There is no doubt it is too expensive, but it is a nice instrument and very versatile. I think the modelled sounds are close enough for non pros, small venue stuff, and the tunings useful if you are into that sort of thing. For your 1200 quid you only get a gig bag with it.Terrible. Set up out of the box on mine was not to my liking, Robin Hood would have appreciated the neck bow. With action now lowered it plays nice. It's a Mexican, but is a shade nicer than the average Standard Strat.
To add to my last comment; I've now borrowed one [of the earlier models, some features are different]. No-one has mentioned how heavy it is, or the fact that the mini pickup is set so high [against the bridge] as to force the action higher than preferable. It's still an intriguing and interesting to play guitar, but responds in unexpected ways.
Maybe the G5-A version should be a better choice. It is an AMERICAN made Fender and not a Mexican one. It comes with a beautiful hardshell case and certainly its construction and quality control is far better. It functions as a "second and alternative strat", even when your option is the "modeling strat" that kills the 60Hz hum awful noises and still sounds like a standard strat but with an improvement on volume. It sounds more "original" than a strat with EMG DG-20 pickups (the same used by Dave Gilmour on its RedStrat at Pulse Live show) that is also "quiet" and delivers enumerous awesome soundings when connected to modultaion pedals (chorus, univibe clones, phasers, flangers, whammies etc.).
Mexican strats are great, The VG strats are assumabled in mex the parts are sent there from here. if your a bedroom van halen, these you can feel comfortable about tweaking, the TeX mex pups, worked for Stevie ray,jimmy, in some guitars the Brit talks a little down on them he's 100% wrong. The difference is assumably, may be wire, Iv been playing a 2006 I played it as it was at least 2yrs, I put emg sa sa sa, it screams,
The jazz semi-acoustic mode sounds pretty great. Not sure how I feel about it overall though. If it were a little cheaper I can see it being appropriate for someone who wants to get the general sound of several guitars in one, maybe if they don't have room for multiple guitars if they have a small apartment or something.
I'm trying to buy my first fender strat, I've been and ibanez player long time, could anybody tell if this would be a good choice, i'm wanted for sounds like srv, eric johnson and john mayer, and tipical blus stuff? I do like the versality of this one but I'm afraid I'll loose something, Or should I just go with the standard strat? PLEASE HELP
Sorry, my previous comment was a bit too harsh. I didn't mean to say this is rubbish.. It's a great piece of technology and might be handy for easy gigs. It is just too expensive. Aslo, i'm not an engineer, but i believe that since there is a midi processor inside the guitar, why didn't they just put a midi out there? Well the answer is obvious: so you keep on buying the external midi processors...
Nice review Nick & Murph! Really great playing - gives a nice idea of the capabilities of the guitar. You rock Murph! Considering the price, IMHO, I cant hear a world of difference between this and my old Variax. It seems like the tech hasnt moved on a million miles since the original Variax? If I was buying a modeling guitar now - this would tempt me simply for being an actual strat. We need more competition in modeling guitars to push these guys to do better & better! Great review - thanks!
Thank you so much for this demo. Finally I can hear it on a real amp and the virtual sounds very different from the real. Not just volume, lot of frequencies and dynamic missing! I couldn't hear that on other demos as they play on simulated amps in the first place. I was going to buy it tomorrow and you saved me from a big mistake! Thanks again!
I am also on the fence with this movement for electric guitars. The virtual and physical haven't really made friends yet. And that may be on the way. Mostly we see these things because the instrument industry is suffering from cheaper controllers and interfaces being so prevalent. Though.... I could never use a guitar that has a battery built in.
Putting batteries into guitars can be a very frightening and daunting experience. But you can do it if you just have a bit of confidence in yourself...
This review: It's a great guitar that really kinda sucks. In reality these are great guitars. If your a Fender buff who knows the history of each model and year etc, you'll probably notice the difference between a mex and an original. For the average player this guitar is great. Like all modeling devices it replicates the sound and no not as good as the original. As an example, an original telecaster sounds more authentic than a modeled one. I like the sound of my Line 6 amp on the metal or insane settings which sound good to me. Does it sound as good as an original Mesa Boogie Dual Rec?...of course not, but it's diversification for the price beats buying multiple amps from Fender, Vox, Marshall, Mesa, etc. This guitar is the same.
I don't know, to me the phrase "Virtual Stratocaster" brings the image of one of those keyboards shaped like a guitar... like you used to see them a lot in the 1980s... I believe it's known as a Keytar...that's what the phrase "Virtual Stratocaster" brings to MY mind
HawkinsKlan I have one of these babies. It is pretty nice. A lot of versatility for the price. In a perfect world, or one where I win a goodly sum on lotto, I would like to have all the ones that this provides me. But I have 9 guitars already, and wife says "Are you finally happy with your selection/collection?" Yeah pretty much.
Any doubters of this guitar,watch Pete Thorn,and Steve Stevens video!! They both love it!!!
The arguments about the modeled sounds not being real etc makes no sense in this context because really you would need to play the guitar through a PA system to hear say the acoustics properly. Guitarists need to come into the 21st Century as keyboard players have to do. Not many keyboard players carry a Rhodes, Hammond B3 and an acoustic gran piano around with them, NO, they just have one keyboard non weighted and another weighted. Keyboard players had to change and leave snobbery behind. Guitarists have to do the same. Great review and guitarist.
There is no doubt it is too expensive, but it is a nice instrument and very versatile. I think the modelled sounds are close enough for non pros, small venue stuff, and the tunings useful if you are into that sort of thing. For your 1200 quid you only get a gig bag with it.Terrible.
Set up out of the box on mine was not to my liking, Robin Hood would have appreciated the neck bow. With action now lowered it plays nice.
It's a Mexican, but is a shade nicer than the average Standard Strat.
It is a Fender Stratocaster; that's what it does when the fancy modeling stuff is turned off. So you don't lose anything.
I love this guitar I've had one since about 2005-6 I think it was . Beats the daylight out of the Gibson Robots in my opinion. Great vid thx much.!
To add to my last comment; I've now borrowed one [of the earlier models, some features are different]. No-one has mentioned how heavy it is, or the fact that the mini pickup is set so high [against the bridge] as to force the action higher than preferable. It's still an intriguing and interesting to play guitar, but responds in unexpected ways.
Maybe the G5-A version should be a better choice. It is an AMERICAN made Fender and not a Mexican one. It comes with a beautiful hardshell case and certainly its construction and quality control is far better. It functions as a "second and alternative strat", even when your option is the "modeling strat" that kills the 60Hz hum awful noises and still sounds like a standard strat but with an improvement on volume. It sounds more "original" than a strat with EMG DG-20 pickups (the same used by Dave Gilmour on its RedStrat at Pulse Live show) that is also "quiet" and delivers enumerous awesome soundings when connected to modultaion pedals (chorus, univibe clones, phasers, flangers, whammies etc.).
The only person that would care or be impressed is your sister.
There is no MIDI processor inside this instrument... it is HRM synthesis
So basically my question is, does it do the Fender Strat thing well?
If you want a fair demo check out Pete Thorn ,Steve Stevens or Skunk Baxter on you tube they at least give the guitar a fair shot.
Mexican strats are great,
The VG strats are assumabled in mex
the parts are sent there from here.
if your a bedroom van halen, these
you can feel comfortable about tweaking, the TeX mex pups, worked
for Stevie ray,jimmy, in some guitars
the Brit talks a little down on them
he's 100% wrong. The difference is
assumably, may be wire, Iv been playing a 2006 I played it as it was
at least 2yrs, I put emg sa sa sa,
it screams,
One of the most honest and clear reviews I've seen. Not intended for the hard sell; reminds me of how I'd be if I were to try one. Well done.
Not bad. May have to get me one. Sorta sounds like they went after the line 6 variax. I have two variax and love them. Time to try a fender
The jazz semi-acoustic mode sounds pretty great. Not sure how I feel about it overall though. If it were a little cheaper I can see it being appropriate for someone who wants to get the general sound of several guitars in one, maybe if they don't have room for multiple guitars if they have a small apartment or something.
I'm trying to buy my first fender strat, I've been and ibanez player long time, could anybody tell if this would be a good choice, i'm wanted for sounds like srv, eric johnson and john mayer, and tipical blus stuff? I do like the versality of this one but I'm afraid I'll loose something, Or should I just go with the standard strat? PLEASE HELP
Watch Pete Thorn,and Steve Stevens video's on this Strat!! They love it!! This guys a clown
Now.. the synth tuning at 7:45 .. That's cool.
Did they take it apart or something? Is it or is it not a crack around the bottom screw in the pick guard?
does'nt it have a midi plug in too for the like using a synth or guitar synth?
Sorry, my previous comment was a bit too harsh. I didn't mean to say this is rubbish.. It's a great piece of technology and might be handy for easy gigs. It is just too expensive. Aslo, i'm not an engineer, but i believe that since there is a midi processor inside the guitar, why didn't they just put a midi out there? Well the answer is obvious: so you keep on buying the external midi processors...
Which amp do you use?
Nice review Nick & Murph! Really great playing - gives a nice idea of the capabilities of the guitar. You rock Murph!
Considering the price, IMHO, I cant hear a world of difference between this and my old Variax. It seems like the tech hasnt moved on a million miles since the original Variax? If I was buying a modeling guitar now - this would tempt me simply for being an actual strat. We need more competition in modeling guitars to push these guys to do better & better! Great review - thanks!
Started out saying it was not quiet as good because it was Mexican.
Ended up proving that Mexican can be awesome!!
Thank you so much for this demo. Finally I can hear it on a real amp and the virtual sounds very different from the real. Not just volume, lot of frequencies and dynamic missing! I couldn't hear that on other demos as they play on simulated amps in the first place. I was going to buy it tomorrow and you saved me from a big mistake! Thanks again!
I am also on the fence with this movement for electric guitars. The virtual and physical haven't really made friends yet. And that may be on the way. Mostly we see these things because the instrument industry is suffering from cheaper controllers and interfaces being so prevalent. Though.... I could never use a guitar that has a battery built in.
Putting batteries into guitars can be a very frightening and daunting experience. But you can do it if you just have a bit of confidence in yourself...
This review: It's a great guitar that really kinda sucks.
In reality these are great guitars. If your a Fender buff who knows the history of each model and year etc, you'll probably notice the difference between a mex and an original. For the average player this guitar is great. Like all modeling devices it replicates the sound and no not as good as the original. As an example, an original telecaster sounds more authentic than a modeled one. I like the sound of my Line 6 amp on the metal or insane settings which sound good to me. Does it sound as good as an original Mesa Boogie Dual Rec?...of course not, but it's diversification for the price beats buying multiple amps from Fender, Vox, Marshall, Mesa, etc. This guitar is the same.
Agree, but still I doubt you'd spot a difference between Fractal AXE-FX II and any great tube amp. These things are gonna get better...
bella y hermosa guitarra pero en mi país tener una guitarra así hay que ser multi billonario o solo tenerla en un puto sueño
Murph doesn't seem that thrilled by the G-5..more of a purist I guess. Thanks for the review!
9:34
American made guitars- Da Best!
American made cars-meh?
Can't have it both ways
cool stuff!!
I don't know, to me the phrase "Virtual Stratocaster" brings the image of one of those keyboards shaped like a guitar... like you used to see them a lot in the 1980s... I believe it's known as a Keytar...that's what the phrase "Virtual Stratocaster" brings to MY mind
This doesn't come close to the Variax, especially the COSM technology. IMO, when it comes to modeling, Line6 is second to none...
So tired of the whining about Mexican vs American made. Give it a rest, xenophobes!
ron hawkins EXACTLY
HawkinsKlan I have one of these babies. It is pretty nice. A lot of versatility for the price. In a perfect world, or one where I win a goodly sum on lotto, I would like to have all the ones that this provides me. But I have 9 guitars already, and wife says "Are you finally happy with your selection/collection?" Yeah pretty much.
Its a good guitar
the camera is nauseatingly jerky...
ㄹㅌㄹ
Desafinate
No sir, I don't like it.