Review Demo - Boss GT-1B

Read the review: bit.ly/BossGT-1B
Long ago, when I first started playing in bands, it was a cool thing if you were rocking out with an effects box or two. And if you had a multi-effects pedal… whoa, you were kind of a big deal. The first company to really master and capitalize on multi mania was Boss, a respected titan in the pedal industry. Over the years, Boss has loaded these do-it-all tone command centers with tons of features and sounds, with which a player could spend countless hours tweaking to their delight. One of the company’s most recent multi-function toolboxes is the GT-1B, a streamlined unit designed for bassists that’s jam-packed with 21st-century features.
Residing inside the relatively small (12" x 6" x 2 1/4") GT-1B are amp-modeling options, compressor/limiters, a bevy of effects and patches (both preset and user generated), a tuner, and looping capabilities. One can send an MP3 device through the aux in and plug in a pair of headphones for isolated listening capabilities. It boasts a wah/expression pedal and also serves as an audio interface for your preferred DAW-and that’s still not all. In fact, the only component seemingly missing from the GT-1B is a coffee maker, but I refrained from holding that against it. The GT-1B is powered by either four AA batteries or an AC adaptor (not included).
Operating the 3-pound unit is accomplished through a series of controls that allow you to press, stomp, and dial in your sound. The trio of knobs located on the upper-middle section of the device allows you to navigate the various, selectable parameters displayed on the LED screen. For simple navigation, the “easy” section on the left side consists of two buttons that organize the effects based on music genre or effects categories, such as clean, crunch, or modulate.
More detailed operation can be achieved through the array of square-shaped buttons located in the middle of the unit, which are sorted by effect. A quick tap of one of these buttons engages its functionality, and holding down the selected button displays the controls of the effect, which are presented on the screen. Some of the buttons require a bit of exploration, as the FX1, FX2, and delay buttons also contain menus to assign different effects. The memory edit button reveals a signal-chain-style interface from which you can reposition effects and/or assign the different sections. The menu button is similar to the settings portion of a computer’s operating system, as it provides options for initial setup and connectivity.
Continue reading: bit.ly/BossGT-1B

[@JDWheels1]

I tour with one, and I love it. When your in a wheelchair, you need simplicity - Boss has delivered it. I do hammers and pull-offs as I operate the GT-1B or my out port Bass Wah... and this all in one delivers that I can do this, and a whole lot more. Daryl 'Jd' Adolph Bassist for: Bastard Black and Cyanide Lullaby.

[@TheRocknrolla12]

These pedals are already scooped, scooping it further makes the sound really thin. With good amount of mids, less high end and tight bottom, this pedal sounds awesome

[@sandip95]

that is true.

[@davidvest7170]

Really wish the review was demoing more practical bass sounds first. Every multi-fx unit has settings to make your guitar/bass sound like an awful toy UFO, but how good does this unit sound when you want non-joke sounds for a band or recording? If the device is only for novelty, that needs said. If not, the review did it a disservice.

[@ronlawrence5635]

David Vest I agree. This guy is usually better than this.

[@lucistheband6540]

Couldn't have said it better David!

[@germanperezbottesi4458]

Prestes are just to show extreme settings and their capabilities. I got one, sounds amazing. I record with it and gig with it straight into pa.

[@wolframheldmaier727]

If you want avoid sound for recording or fort the band. Don’t use effects. Fingers, bass, amp. That’s all you need. All the other things are just toys to hide your missing skills. 😂

[@davidvest7170]

@@wolframheldmaier727 Yep, Eddie Van Halen used effects because he needed to cover up his "missing skills." If only you had taught him musicianship while he was still here, he could have made something of himself. Seems weird using the Internet to be a luddite, rather than a quill or typewriter, but no one's expecting reason at this point.

[@teamfirefox5190]

When I bought the GT-1B, I had no idea what I wanted to do with it. At first, none of the presets were anything I wanted to use. After about a year, I hooked it up to my computer, downloaded and installed all of the out-of-date software (Adobe AIR?!?!?) and started tweaking things. I went with the basic warm tube sound and built up a pretty solid preset that I could be happy with. I copied the settings to the next preset and added a little distortion. Then copied it to the third preset and added in some rip-off-yo-face distortion. I then had 3 very flexible sounds that I can use on almost any song. When the input section on my main SVT 4 went out, I pulled the GT-1B out and ran it in both preamp inputs on the back of my old SVT 4 (yes, folks, always have two!!). While I wait for the newer SVT 4 to be repaired, I'm running the GT-1B with the Ampeg plugged into the A & B amps. Believe me, the combo is incredible! TLDR - Don't be afraid to program your own presets.

[@Kcducttaper1]

I feel like so many companies get caught up fiddling with "trinket sounds". You know; tones that are fun to diddle about with in your bedroom for a couple days, but have very little to zero use on stage. I've been rocking a Boss ME 50b for several years and only use 1/10th of the sounds because 90% are useless for live or just sound terrible. Still, the 10% that I do use, I've got dialed in and sounds good for my use. My next processor is going to be a proper amp sim hands-down. Probably a Line 6 Helix, but that day (and those dollars) is yet to come.

[@EtherDais]

Any sound equipment has some finite sub set of settings that don't suck. Any multi effects pedal will do plenty of dumb stuff by design. Is there a particular feature you think is useless?

[@rockereivanivan]

I just ordered mine, I;m so thrilled right now lml

[@ModestEgg]

I have one of these bad boys. Would of liked a couple more preamp models, but what is there sounds awesome. And once you plug in the extra two footswitches you can pretty much do a full virtual stompbox set up.

[@markmeloney2643]

ModestEgg did you find the compressor and overdrive sounded good? like good enough to track an album with? that's really all i would use on it. I also heard the tuner has issues

[@ModestEgg]

Can't say I really use compressors much, but the drive and distortions are surprisingly good.

[@alanbrown1358]

Just got mine and it's going back. I've spent hours trying to figure out how to program it and make it useful. Its a box full of cool effect patches but in the real world I'd need a four week course to learn how to use this box. The support and manuals are completely useless. I guess you have to be a genius to figure it out because none of the manuals or instruction videos are of any use at all. So sad. Sounds real cool but I can't be flipping through over 200 effects on stage between songs. Back to old school and spend $$$$ on a user friendly pedal board with lots of pedals....?

[@izziOnBass]

Ladies and Gentleman! Andre Agassi on bass!

[@richardchristensen1768]

So the very simple signal chain in this setup is from bass to Boss Gt-1B then to aquilar tone hammer di then from there into an apogee quartet and I'm guessing then into an amp? Well then,can I ask what would be the more complicated signal chain setup for this device? Sounds a bit nightmarish and expensive for someone who just wants to mess around with the gt-1B imho

[@mv_photoworx]

So granted, this review is over 5 years old (and you guys are more into rig rundowns than reviews these days) and I gotta say, it showed absolutely none of the potential this unit has. Just playing the patches that are preset (even adding the overdrive, chorus, etc... (lol, come on now)) is for the unimaginative. 99 presets [denoted by a p], then... guess what, the same 99 presets again [denoted by a u for user, wink, wink] that a creative individual can mold and shape into their own (without "ruining" the original patch (p)) either based on or completely different than a factory preset. I love this unit and unfortunately you did not see it's full glory here. The ability to use the foot pedal to further shape the sound is severely lacking in this presentation. I don't blame the presenter so much as the preparation before filming which is sorely lacking. 162k views and less than 1k likes (0.5%) is for a reason. Take note my friends, do better. Some may look to you to help them make an informed decision, please do so in the future by providing better reviews as this one was lacking. Yes, brackets and parentheses were intentional to show just how odd this review was. 🥃

[@philaningidi9452]

I have the same bass pedal . What to do when it says knob is locked? How to undo that?

[@chetmierzejewski7893]

Tried it sucks and brought it back

[@wildride7894]

Anyone know if this has an Octaver setting? I know that’s the pedal I want but I’m really looking into getting this one either as well or if I don’t need to then I’d like to know that

[@dlew919]

It has a couple of octave effects.

[@sonamdorjee6607]

Is there a fretless patch or upright patch in there like Roland Gr55?

[@FretBuzzLIF]

Yes

[@howardworf6760]

Waiting for Santa to deliver mine. I have been using a Digitech BP200 which is starting to get flaky in it's old age. Pretty much all that is normally dialled in is very little distortion, reverb and delay. But some songs requite additional effects. The reasons I always go for a multi-effects pedal are firstly that a volume pedal is indispensable and a decent one is half the cost of this unit, and secondly having everything in one box makes life a lot simpler. I play hard so I use only a tiny bit of compression on the amp, in my case an Ampeg PF, and use the amp tone controls.

[@ksump1]

Great review!

[@caseypayne5138]

These are good pedals out of the box, but they become excellent pedals when you start messing with the factory presets and making your own patches. A lot of the presets are thin and meh, but you can beef all those up on the individual effects as well as the master control

[@fredparker3384]

Do u do that via the Computer??

[@RaveXmusic]

I can't hear the damn bass! Turn up bruh. (Good lighting tho) 👍

[@rafaellima5429]

I have an issue with mine. When i plug in the Ac adapter, the noise comes. And dude, its a f#$% loud noise. Antone can help me with that?

[@rishiiization]

Mine arrived yesterday as well. I was trying to figure out how you can switch patches which are far away. For example if you're using patch 1 and you want to shift to patch 25 immediately rather than scrolling all the way from 1 - 25. Any help on that? Thanks

[@stupidrullz]

Rishii Rohra Save the two to USERS PATCHES as close together as you want.

[@petersanderson8108]

Nice playing !

[@funnybone7705]

I cannot find ONE video where someone tries to push the expression pedal to its limits - especially for synth sounds. I have no idea if I should buy it. I'd love to have a Source Audio Manta Filter or Pro Envelope Filter but they are not produces anymore. Does anyone have any Idea? I want to start an electronics and brass project.

[@banjominer9682]

any settings that an actual bass player would use?

[@angelsolis7299]

depends in what kind of bass player u are

[@Dickusification]

Personally thought the chorus, tuner, delay and a bit of OD I would use. Saves me lugging a pedal board to gigs.

[@TheTonybass5]

I dont see a BYPASS listed (as in NO effect). Is that the case? SO if one wants to scroll to another sound, One would hear all the effects going from one to the next? No bypass?????

[@brentsullivan4419]

Just got mine and was trying to find the same thing. How the hell do you bypass this thing? Nothing in the instruction or the many videos I've watch. Love the sounds, but love my amp tone so only want this for effects, not preamp sounds. Let me know if you find anything

[@modest1929]

AFAIK, if u r in tuner mode >>bypass....but i don´t own one, can´t test.sorry!

[@modest1929]

BUT: you have to unmute the output!!!!!! hope this helps...

[@modest1929]

Turn to bypass in Tuner mode with knob 3 + you´re good to go... >>Manual: At the end of page 3 you´ll find this information.

[@EtherDais]

Also, you can just turn off all the effects. No lights, no changes

[@ShaWar102]

Is that a wah on the end? Wouldve liked to of heard that.

[@lymariejohnson391]

What's the difference between the gt1 & gt1b

[@jermainelong1843]

GT 1 is for guitar. GT 1B is for bass with each model having suitable amps/effects for the intended instrument.

[@azcoyote007]

Does it pitch shift? Down to C preferably

[@rcjd7834]

This review has left me wondering if this is even a good pedal. All it sounds like here is a crappy toy. If it has better sounds (I would hope it does), the review should reflect that. Not every bass player wants to sound like a toy.

[@kgaugeloemmanuel8845]

True

[@wilrennehan3205]

My suggestion is 2 to focus on all the 'normal' sounds that was the reason I bought one 2 days ago along with a Squier Panormal Jazz .. My Carvin Bunny Brunel 5 springs (one fretted & fretless) needed some company .. Boss really should come up with great patches so you can add effects when needed .. I'm looking forward to coming to exploring it in the next few days.. the effects in it alone are worth the price of one boutique pedal .. $299 here in Canada ! Worth worth every penny

[@ze-ce.cra_]

I guess Chris Wolstenholme is playing a toy then

[@l3ertuz362]

Is it plastic housing like GT-1?

[@bajotorrez3328]

Yes. About half metal half plastic

[@kamaltamang1471]

Which bass is that..?? I mean model ...

[@Bassisloud]

Is this analog or digital pedal?

[@coreymoreau]

What's the song at 6 minutes

[@Zezezeze69]

A bastardised version of Green Onions.

[@nunyabidness4655]

Cool. How much?

[@deathdealer9976]

199.99

[@michaelpetroff7670]

and only several presets… (((((!

[@rettardross489]

More than half of these presets are useless crap. Comp-Eq-Limiter-Exciter-Chorus are all the bass effects I need.

[@blinddog58]

Crappy B-3 sound, but does have some usable sounds but they seem to have nasty artifacts.

[@carloslozada2121]

Every bass review sounds exactly the same

[@Jasonweckard]

Truthfully, most basses all sound the same.

[@StuntcatTV]

Like guitars were all so different.

[@user-vr3bi6fy4e]

That was the most boring demo ever