I’ve been thinking about what case or pedal board to use with my BOSS GT-1000 guitar effects processor.
I looked around online for reviews but didn’t see much as of Nov. 2019, aside from the BOSS ME-80 nylon case.
The GT-1000 is a moderately-large unit, but still smaller than the Helix Line 6 or Headrush, which are brief-case sized.
My first experiment was to see if it would even fit in the BOSS BCB-60 pedal board case.
TLDR; Yes, it fits!
Although the BCB-60 was never intended for the GT-1000:
– it fits fine, almost to the millimeter on height, after removing the pads and main cable raceway
– the included AC adapter is the same as the one provided with the GT-1000, so free backup.
– the leftover space is enough for 2 standard full-sized pedals, or one pedal and a wah pedal
– the top spaces (near the handle) can hold accessories such as the AC adapter or a non-Boss string tuner
– easy to configure, like a Lego set. Only tools needed are a Philips screwdriver and scissors.
Since the GT-1000 is already a pedal board, does it make sense to store it in yet another pedal board?
Using the GT-1000 alone (naked), probably not.
But … yes, if:
– you want some protection for your GT-1000, which is a major investment for most players
– you want to permanently store or cable 2 more effects pedals, or 2 pedals and a non-Boss tuner, or three of the new mini pedals
– you plan to transport it in a car or van and like the form factor and rugged molded-in handle
– you don’t want to use a soft case for whatever reason
– you plan to use it at home, or gig monthly rather than daily.
Value
– good value with an amazing set of 7 L-cables, one daisy-chained power cable and an extra pad
– easy to configure – more like Lego, not a research or science project
– Boss has amazing warranties and compatibility. You can’t accidently plug-in the wrong voltage and damage your gear if it’s all Boss.
Gripes
– plastic case with poorly-made plastic latches that will break off sooner than later.
– no velcro or mounting tape included, but not needed except for pro gigging
– plastic case has prominent Boss logo
– doesn’t have power bus across top of case, just a point source
– most of the screws are thumbscrews, but you will need a table and good lighting to thread them
– plastic lip to step over
– “external” AC adapter rather than built-in
Tips
– use the sharpest knife you can get to cut the pads. Use one stroke. The remnants can be used to pad the GT-1000 edges. One pad is not pre-patterned
– for best results the first time, ensure you place all the pedals and completely cable them before cutting foam
– BOSS and JHS analog pedals fit exactly into the pad cutouts, but MXRs do not fit snugly.
– keep the original product and shipping boxes if you want to ship safely later. Remember, plastic case.
– the BOSS FS-7 foot switch mates nicely with the GT-1000, if you need a switch
– there is a 1” plastic case lip to step over, so try that out first.
– the BCB-60 is fine if you plan to fill it up. Otherwise, there’s no point in the extra weight and expense
– since the BCB-60 is so easy to configure and cable, a viable option to maximize space is to put 2 pedals inside the case
and a wah pedal outside the case. Or store the power cable in a bag.
– I’m looking for 9” L-cables, as the included 12” are a little too long and take up too much space.
I’m finding the result intriguing, and will continue experimenting with the GT-1000 and BCB-60. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll definitely use it for an all-analog board, where the built-in cable raceway and junction boxes would shine.
Other Options
– the GT-1000 is a pedal board, so just use a bag, with pockets even
– you can go a long way with just a Zoom multi-effects processor. The Zoom G3Xn is $220, and the Zoom G5n includes an audio interface for $330. They’re compact and cheap enough that you can just throw them in any bag or backpack that you already have laying around.
– Headrush has user-friendly color touch-screen. See Ola’s demo.
Thon Case Boss GT-1000
Gator GPT-PRO Pedal Tote Pro Pedal Board with Carry Bag
Boss CB-ME80 Carrying Bag for ME-80 and GT-1000 Multi-Effects Processor
On-Stage GPB2000 Compact Pedal Board
Audio Volume Controller – Aluminum Alloy CNC – Control Knob Lossless Speaker Line
GT-1000 Features
– no delay between presets
– no dsp lag with effects
– simplified modeller amp names (crunchy, classic, clean, etc.) rather than fake specific names
– BOSS compatibilty (voltage, etc.)
How To Use The Boss GT-10 As An Audio Interface
tonymckenziecom: Roland Boss GT 1000 Inside and Out Review & Editor
Player Reviews
Leon Todd – BOSS GT-1000: First Impressions, 4CM Tones (Effects Only), Dial it in, Exploring the Amp Models
Leon Todd – BIAS FX 2: New Amps, Effects, Pickup Profiling & More (BE 101 @16:55, tri-chorus @18:03)
Brett Kingman GT-1000: My first day with it., How I’ve Using Mine Lately
Dagan: First Impressions