So, What's the Verdict on the GDEC Series?

[Hoodster]

So, a few years down the road, how are people liking their GDEC's?

I have 3 nice tubers but am looking for something more substantial than my trusty Microcube for home low-volume/recording/jam-along use. I was all set to buy a Super Champ XD or a Roland Cube 30x, but a buddy with the original GDEC has talked me into considering one. From everything I see online, it seems like the 30 is worth the extra money. I'm curious about reliability also -- the original versus the 30.

(Note that I understand and DO NOT CARE that they don't sound like $2000 boutique tube amps--I'm just looking for a versatile, reliable, fun toy).

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[jaycee]

Meh. I had one and returned it for the spider jam, which is more of a 'real' amp, if you will. It was fun, i'll say that. What i didn't like about it is the jam tracks sound like an old casio keyboard, imo. There were some good sounds in there though. If you don't mind the cheapie sounding tracks it will suit you well, imo. It's good enough for Eric Johnson!

[rubbersoul]

I love my little G-DEC junior. Yeah, the backing tracks aren't the greatest, but for around $150, it makes the perfect little travel amp. Great to take it into a hotel room and just jam. What I really like is practicing in different keys and at different tempos.

I really wish I'd had one of these when I was learning to play!

[Rex Nomad]

I got one about a year ago for practicing and writing. I think it's great for what it is.

The only problem I've had is the Universal control knob ( the larger silver one in the middle) stops working from time to time. I'll be trying to change a setting and turning the thing and turning - nothing happening. Then try it again and it starts working. Frustrating.

Also, the one I have has no line/mic/RCA/USB out. So if you want to record something while you're practicing you'll have to use a mic or figure how to use the headphone out.

Even with it's faults - I still like it.

Edit: oops just read your post again and realized you were asking about the GDEC 30. It does have left and right Line out. That's cool. Mine is the little basic model without.

[Totally Bored]

Bought one for my daughter so I could use it for front porch jams with coffee or beer. lol

Got tired of it fairly quick and the presets got boring fast. The Solid state compressed tone kinda drove me nuts. So,,,,,,, I bought a Champ 600, downloaded about 300 Guitar tracks here http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/ and plopped them on my I-POD. I stick the I-Pod in one Input and my guitar into a TS-9 then into the 2nd channel. Works great and I never get bored.

[tacorivers]

Best practice amp out today.

[ungarn]

Fantastic practice amp...especially for me because I do not have a band to play with right now.

Sure the tones are not the best, but it works very well to make the most of my limited practice time.

[Notverysuttle]

The Cube has a better sound IMO. I have a GDEC and leave it in my classroom hoping some one will steal it.

[socalscott]

I'll say that my Tech 21 TRI-A.C. pre-amp serves up very good Tweed, Bassman, Plexi...at low and moderate levels so far. There's way more character than with any virtual stuff. Super cleans and break-up.
The key is to avoid git amps, use keyboard or SS power amps.

[Hoodster]

Jaycee, which GDEC model was it you returned for the Spider?

I'm mainly interested in the 30, which I'm hoping will sound less toylike than the original.

[Hoodster]

Also, the one I have has no line/mic/RCA/USB out. So if you want to record something while you're practicing you'll have to use a mic or figure how to use the headphone out.

Even with it's faults - I still like it.

Rex, The headphone out doubles as a stereo line out on the original--nothing to figure out, just plug in.

[J.T.]

The Cube has a better sound IMO. I have a GDEC and leave it in my classroom hoping some one will steal it.


+ a lot

[ungarn]

Rex, The headphone out doubles as a stereo line out on the original--nothing to figure out, just plug in.

Yup...check out the Greg Koch clips on the Fender website...recorded using a Y-cable out of the headphone jack...INSANE playing even if the tones are over the top and kinda processed...

[Hoodster]

Here's the Eric Johnson vid, pretty cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCF267KHEPg

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[jaycee]

Jaycee, which GDEC model was it you returned for the Spider?

I'm mainly interested in the 30, which I'm hoping will sound less toylike than the original.

It was the 30. Again, the Gdec is fun, just not what i wanted. I really liked the idea of having 28 minutes (or so) of on board looping capacity instead of the 28 seconds(or so) of capacity with the gdec. Now the Spider jam activated the sd card slot so you can download your own jams and have virtually limitless looping capacity with the removable card. Or course, it's like $250 more but in the end it works better for me. Hit GC and check out the dec. It ain't all that bad.

Also, in a pinch i can use the SJ with a band if i want. Not as much with the dec. So the SJ is also kinda sorta like a backup amp as well. I don't think the dec will keep up with a loud drummer. Definitely not my drummer anyway.

[aaronbarnes]

I have the Gdec 30 and like it, but like others, the midi loops are tiresome and there are only about 8 out of the 38 that I like to play too. I ended up pretty much making the same guitar tone on all the presets I jam to.

I just bought the Line6 Spider Jam a few weeks ago and I have to say that I like it better. I set it up so that the guitar tone does'nt change when you load a new loop. That was a big plus in that the typical Line6 sound is way more distorted than what I use.

The Line6 loops are WAAAY more dynamic and more fun to jam to, but again; out of 100, I use maybe 10.

In order to upgrade the Fender, you have to buy a usb to midi adapter for your computer......stupid if you ask me, and I never did it. I don't want my guitar amp tied to my computer.....I sit in front of a computer enough as it is.

The Line6 uses the built-in SD card slot, easy, since I already have SD cards from cameras and such. Updated the firmware without a hitch and have saved a song.

I'll prolly keep the fender, and bring it to work to play with, since I LOVE one or two of the loops.

I think that the Line6 is more amp, more loops, more dynamic and more bettah.....but the Fender does'nt suck.

I also think that Line6 will update and expand the amps faster and more often than Fender will.......It seems like Fender forgot about the G-dec users....we'll see at Namm......I don't expect to see anything from them tho.

[K-man]

I agree the standard midi loops suck. I take my own midi files from Band in the Box and run it into the midi in on the Gdec. Works great for practicing jazz standards.

[buddastrat]

I got one about a year ago for practicing and writing. I think it's great for what it is.

The only problem I've had is the Universal control knob ( the larger silver one in the middle) stops working from time to time. I'll be trying to change a setting and turning the thing and turning - nothing happening. Then try it again and it starts working. Frustrating.

Also, the one I have has no line/mic/RCA/USB out. So if you want to record something while you're practicing you'll have to use a mic or figure how to use the headphone out.

Even with it's faults - I still like it.

Edit: oops just read your post again and realized you were asking about the GDEC 30. It does have left and right Line out. That's cool. Mine is the little basic model without.


Take it in and get a new one. They're warrantied for five years, even if you bought it used. What yours is doing is a known and common problem. I just got a new one because mine started not scrolling properly.

[buddastrat]

It's a great, cheap practice tool. I'm sure the Line6 would be better. But the Gdec is still a great practice tool. I run my laptop into it and play along with concerts and it's like you're there on stage. Play mp3 backing through it and it sounds great. Run the headphone out into a bigger amp and it sounds really good.

I don't know anything about midi. I wish they'd use USB.

[Maruuk]

These are misunderstood units. The midi engine inside is actually quite good. And when you play good midi files from your PC through them, they sound really good! I oughta know, I uploaded tons of great ones to mygdec.com, the true home of gdec owners. I strongly recommend you embrace that method of using the units, the tiny onboard midi file fragments are a joke, and the buzzy, silly, way overdriven preset tones develeped by Shane at Fender are a travesty. Don't judge the unit based on preset beats OR tones!

Also the cyber engine used in the G-DECs is excellent--same tech utilized in the CT and Cyber Champ and Cyber Deluxe. Fender put a ton of development in this engine, and it sounds it. Why do you suppose the Super Champ XD sounds so good? That's the same tech in that DSP.

Here's my G-DEC exploitation mantra:

1. If you really have no time and just want to do some quick jamming in between lattes and mtgs and sex, pick up a G-DEC Jr.--real cheap, around $150, and fun for quick, disposable meaningless encounters in the dark. And you won't have to make small talk afterwards. The key to Jr. here is it's all KNOBS! No pages to punch through. It's like an amp, you twiddle and GO, baby! Time is money.

2. If you go with one of its big brothers, you must create your own tones (or download the Greg Koch set from mygdec.com) and grab some of the killer free midi files there and play em through the G-DEC. Just remember to eat sometimes, too.

3. Remember the Cyber engine in the G-DECs is the same tech as in the Fender FM DSPs, the SCXD, the CTs, the CCs, and the CDs. In other words: stellar. Especially good BF renditions!

4. The midi engine in the G-DECs is excellent! Just play killer midi files through it and rock out for days.

For more info and a whole community of support go to mygdec.com. Enjoy!

[Hoodster]

Some great responses here, thanks.

Does anyone know how many of the GDEC 30's stock loops are actual chord progressions, not just vamping on one chord?

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[Maruuk]

Most, actually. But they are very short. AFAIK, the 30's midi loops are the same as the 15's, or at least very close. On the other hand, the 30 is the only unit of the line that allows on board storage of your own downloaded midi files. A very strong feature, but time-consuming and a little button-pushy.

The Spider Jam is pretty good, and the jam tracks are real studio players (though tragically not stereo and not preserved in high enough digital resolution to make them recordable for your own project). But because the tracks are actual audio and not midi, they are not nearly as flexible in terms of key and tempo changes as a midi file. And you're stuck with the ten or so you like out of the 100, and it's a bit of a hassle to download your own MP3's into the flash mem. It took an upgrade rev just to make that possible.

Bottom line, if you love to jam and want a ton of free jam tracks perfect for jamming and totally flexible key/tempo-wise, the G-DEC may be a better choice.

On the other hand, if you just want to sit and play to a very real-sounding and good elongated basic song track and not mess around with downloads and tweaking presets, you may really like the Spider Jam since both the onboard presets and jam tracks are far superior to any G-DEC right out of the box.

For about $100 less, you can get the JM-4 Looper which is the Spider Jam in a box, minus the combo amp.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

It's a great practice tool. I found I was playing longer and actually improving my soloing technique in a fairly short amount of time. Well worth the money. It's nice that you can change keys and play different tempos from swing, to jazz, to blues and rock!! :knitting

[hermyinaz]

Hey man i have had my G Dec 30 watt for a couple of years....i think it not only makes you a better guitar player as in the backing tracks and being able to lay down your own rhythms to practice your lead work, but it's a great little amp.....I play in a country band out here in Arizona and i have used that G Dec multiple of times in 5 piece band with a steel / fiddle player....I just dial in a nice clean tone w / some delay and verb and throw some clean boosts / distortion pedals out in front of the amp and this thing sounds great.....I also have had about 5 Dr Z amps, BadCat's, Swarts and a host of other amps and i actually like playing out of this thing the most because it's a fun little amp to tweak.........Alright good luck and i don't think you can go wrong with the G Dec......thanks, Bryan.

[Maruuk]

Playing to tracks like these is HUGE for your playing. Your brain is locking in to perfect time, and your soloing and rhythm chops are forced to lock into a tight, clean track. Guys play way too little to critical tools like these. It helps players at all levels. And it's wickid pissah fun!

[Hoodster]

"And it's wickid pissah fun!"

You must be from Massachusetts originally like me.

Back to the GDEC, can you post the link of where all your midi files are? I went to your site and to the "file repository," but I'm not seeing a list. I click on "RSS" and I get something about subscribing.

Also, you said downloading files is "time-consuming and a little button-pushy." Could you elaborate on the process?

Thanks!

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[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I just played mine last night and the selector knob isn't selecting right anymore ..... it either won't select, or it skips around :mad: It worked the last time I used it about 6 months ago :cry:

[K-man]

Some great responses here, thanks.

Does anyone know how many of the GDEC 30's stock loops are actual chord progressions, not just vamping on one chord?

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There's a couple of 12 bar blues and a few country progressions, but most are one-chord vamps.

[Hoodster]

Ok, Maruuk says most are chord progressions, K-man says most are NOT......

Playing over one chord is boring; playing over chord changes is what really improves one's playing.

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[Maruuk]

Forget the old ones, the new 3 series DESTROYS them and eats them for breakfast.