Roland GR-55GK Black

The GR-55 allows processing the guitar signal through multiple effects, including COSM, as well as converting the 13-pin signal from individual pickups to MIDI, which can be used to play two on-board PCM synth sounds and/or sent out to other synths (including computer via USB). This makes it extremely versatile both as a multi-effect and guitar synth.

The on-board PCM synth sounds are familiar Roland fare, with the presets being not particularly impressive on the average, but the sounds are very tweakable, and combining them with effects and other sounds provides endless combinations. An unfortunate thing is that the on-board synth cannot be played by external MIDI, so you don't get a bonus Roland sound module for other use. The guitar to MIDI conversion works reasonably well, although with some patches it takes careful playing to avoid audible false notes sometimes. Careful set-up of string levels is necessary, and online forums are a better source of guidance for this than the product manual.

Physically the device is very robust, and the foot controls, including a dual-function expression pedal, feel great. Navigating the menus is reasonably fast with the dial and buttons, especially if already familiar with Roland synths.

Computer USB interface is not class compliant and thus needs custom driver, which can be a problem in the future since Roland is not very active in supporting older products. But fortunately the GR-55 has MIDI DIN outputs so this functionality is not dependant on USB.

... and chances are you'll love this thing.
I have owned a gr33 for a long time and I've wanted to treat myself to this newer gr55 ever since it came out. Finally pulled the trigger. A few things were at first a small dissapointment. Some sounds on my gr33 sound actually better then on the gr55. But the tracking seems improved and the latency as well.
It is very difficult to get the GK3 settings just right. I had to revert to factory settings after my attempt at setting it was so messed up it didn't work right. Once you make that work, it's an incredible "toy" that can have real usefulness in the home studio. I will need lots of time to get to discover the possibilities that pertain to my needs. It is very deep. I recommend it. Buying the one with the gk3 and the cable included is a bargain package.

I use this unit very frequently and the build quality is excellent. You'd be hard-pushed to do any damage or break anything.

I find it invaluable for generating decent guitar and amp-modelled tones very quickly. But it does take some time to get used to the UI, especially in this day and age of touch screens and frankly more intuitive menu files.

The tracking for synth sounds is variable and again takes some experimentation to get useful and reliable tones for both live uses and in the studio. The latter is much easier since you can refine the sound to work consistently.

After several years, I still feel it is a tool that offers many tonal variety and creative possibilities.

Some of the guitar sounds don't measure up to the standards of the higher-powered modelling units out there now such as the Helix range. But that's not entirely what this was designed for.

I got it to be able to use an electric guitar to play acoustic and synth sounds in tandem with my traditional guitar tones in a Progressive Rock outfit. Once I got used to the programming side of things I created a great palette of tones for my Rush tribute band.