Frankenpedal

I bought a V-Bass pedal when they first came out. Loved it, modded many basses, and since it could only hold 5 setups in memory I ended up with 3 of em (you can see them in the back corner of the photo below). When the VB-99 came out, I avoided it because I really didn't want a seperate foot pedal to control it... but when the GR-55 hit the stores, I thought this is the one I've been waiting for! I quickly found out, it wasn't. They shrunk the foot controls, got rid of the bank buttons, and left out the acoustic bass models. IT DID DO ONE THING RIGHT, it tracked good enough to use PCM sounds. I was so disatisifed with the GR-55 pedal layout, that I eneded up buying a VB-99 with an FC 300. THAT PEDAL LAYOUI IS THE BOMB! But, having to put the VB-99 on my amp and run another cord to the controller was a pain, and it didn't do PCM sounds...

My solution, is below. I've have the VB-99 tucked under the FC-300. I run my bass into a U-20 which splits the GK signal between the VB-99 and the GR-55. I then run the signal outputs of both units to a little Rolls 4 channel micro mixer, and then out to my amp. The VB and the GR both use the same power supply, and I figured it would have enough extra amps to run both units, so I made a splitter. One power supply runs the VB, the GR, the FC-300, the U-20 and the Bass! Unfortunately, the micro mixer required it's own 9 volt wall wart. I tucked the power supplies under the FC-300 next to the VB and I just have that yellow cord coming out to power everything. I leave the GK cable and the 1/4 inch out plugged in, so when I get to the gig I can just plop it down, plug in one power cord, one cord to by bass and one cord to my amp.

Love the set up! Great tone and flexibility. Unfortunately, it weighs about 40 pounds... I know Roland could put the GR and the VB inside the FC-300. I hope they do it some day so I don't have lug this crazy contraption around anymore!

At the bottom of the page is a photo of all the basses I use with this. The VB and the GR can store presets for 10 basses. Big improvement over 5 in the original V-Bass, but dang if I don't have 11 with GK pickups.

the loop sticking out above is the handle I made with a large black zip tie, works fine to carry the unit and all the cords stay in by gravity.

My GK equipped basses!
( from left to right)

Fender J-24-5 with external GK-3B; Godin 5 SA Ultra; Antonio Tsai Dragon 5 with Graphtech Peizos (flyin atop); Kramer 522 with external GK-2B, Washburn T-25 with internal GK-2B; KMD GTX 4 srting with RMC Peizos; Washburn CB-15Z with external GK-2B, Yamaha A2-5 with internal GK3B; Fender HM V with external GK-2B; Washburn CB5-RG with internal GK-2B; Tune TWX51 with external GK-2B.

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