Fender G-Dec Amps

[Ian Miller]

Hi All,

I wondered if anyone has any experience of fender G-Dec Amps.
I live in a fairly small flat and it has become a major operation to get everything together to have a play. Plugging this into that and that into this and so on and then sorting out the backings somewhere else!
I understand that this range of amps has more or less everything under one roof. With the facility to play backings via SD card and effects including multitap echoes with the added bonus of deep editing the effects via computer and to be able to record your performance.
This would make life so much easier for me.

Kind Regards

Ian

[geoff1711]

Ian

I was so pleased with my 15 I upgraded to the 30 just in case I wanted a bit more power.

If you are a stickler for authenticity then maybe the echoes are not the same as say EFTP, I've had EFTP and Jeff Strachans echoes on a Magicstomp and as good as they are / were the G-DEC3 does it all for me because of the ease of use.

Choose from mostly Fender modelled amps and save to a patch, that done save an effects chain to that same patch, now save a backing track from the SD card to the patch, that's it done, every time you dial up that patch it'll all be there waiting for you, plug in your guitar and hit play.

The optional floor board is worth every penny, and if you have any slight notion of taking out of the house get the 30 because you can route backings to a PA leaving guitar coming from the amp, or route all of it to the PA.

It's just a pity none of our programming gurus have got to grips with one because a G-Dec with EFTP loaded would be ideal for home use or even solo or duo work.

The echoes are pretty good you've got a couple of tape sims with plenty of parameter editing and the multi taps can be 1-2, 1-3, 2-3 or 1-2-3 plus levels and feedback.

If they were to do a G-Dec as a 5 watt battery powered as my Vox DA I'd buy that as well it's just so convenient to have it all in one box, no trailing patch leads or varying levels.

Until you've had one and got used to it it's hard to relay just how good they are, trying it out in the shop really doesn't do it justice, sure you can jam over the preloaded loops but it's not until you've got your favourite backing tracks on that it really comes to life.

If you want absolute authenticity and don't have to worry about noise then buy a class A valve amp add EFTP and a small PA, but if, like most people, you have neighbours and maybe family who don't want to listen to you playing over their favourite TV programme then the G-Dec is just about as good as it gets.

There's also plenty of editing scope via your computer and downloadable presets although I've not bothered with either so far.

Hope this helps

Geoff

[Ian Miller]

Hi Geoff,

Thank you so much for your most comprehensive review of this amp. To me, it seems just the ticket.
So now to find the best deal!

Best Wishes

Ian

[geoff1711]

Ian

I bought mine from PMT but they matched the price being advertised by GAK, although I bought the foot controller mail order from GAK direct as PMT didn't have one.

regards

Geoff

[Ian Miller]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for your reply.
I live quite close to GAK only about 6 miles so will go and visit very very soon.

Thanks Again.

Ian