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Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar  (Used)

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Product #H80892
See All Roland Synth & MIDI Electric Guitars
Roland

A Fender Stratocaster® powered by Roland COSM technology.

Roland rewrote guitar-tech history with the debut of COSM technology, which first appeared on the pioneering VG-8 guitar-modeling system. Today, the new G-5 infuses a coveted Fender Stratocaster with advanced features realized by Roland’s COSM technology. In addition to offering all classic Stratocaster sounds and functionality, the G-5 provides a new world of electric and acoustic guitar tones recreated by COSM — including instantly accessible alternate tunings and 12-string sounds for all COSM guitar tones! The G-5 also offers a built-in library of coveted modeled pickup tones, and, thanks to COSM technology, also enables unique “ideal-performance” pickups, such as a humbucker with ultra-wide tone and a single coil with full, bold tone.

Stratocaster with VG engine
Born through a combination of Roland's latest guitar modeling technology and Fender's traditional Stratocaster, the G-5 is a guitar overflowing with creative possibilities. With COSM guitar modeling onboard, the G-5 lets you create custom instruments virtually, including different guitar body shapes, pickup types, and tunings. COSM is what allows this guitar to reproduce the sounds of a Telecaster in perfect detail, or humbucker pickups, or acoustic guitars. COSM can also take you to creative places never imagined, into sonic realms that have been impossible to reach with traditional electric guitars.

Divided pickup dramatically enhances expression
In addition to normal Stratocaster pickups, this model comes with divided pickup that realizes new possibilities for guitar. This pickup transmits signals from each string individually, and is capable of accurately capturing performance information for each individual string. In addition to capturing the performance techniques and nuances characteristic of guitars, such as bending, vibrato, and hammering, the divided pickup also enables an entirely new level of performance through COSM.

From traditional guitar sounds to the unimagined
The G-5 comes with five different modes: Normal Stratocaster, Modeled Stratocaster, Telecaster, Humbucking Pickups, and Acoustic. With its five-way switch, you can create tonal variations with different pickup combinations from any of these modes. In addition, the G-5 enables tonal options that are not available on traditional electric guitars, including Wide Range (which gives you a fat tone while maintaining the wide range of single coil pickups) and Bright Humbucker (that delivers highs that cut through while maintaining the rich mids and lows hat are characteristic of humbuckers). You can also enjoy the sounds of Jazz Guitar and Electric Sitar in acoustic mode, all from a single guitar!

G-5 Tone List
N - Normal Stratocaster
Neck (single coil); Neck + Middle (single coil); Middle (single coil); Bridge + Middle (single coil); Bridge (single coil)

S - Modeled Stratocaster
Neck (single coil); Neck + Middle (single coil); Middle (single coil); Bridge + Middle (single coil); Bridge (single coil)

T- Telecaster
Neck (wide range); Neck + Middle (single coil); Middle (single coil); Bridge + Middle (single coil); Bridge (wide range)

H - Humbucking pickups
Neck (bright humbucker); Neck + Middle (humbucker); Middle (humbucker); Bridge + Middle (humbucker); Bridge (bright humbucker)

A - Acoustic
Neck (jazz); Neck + Middle (electric sitar); Middle (nylon-string acoustic); Bridge + Middle (steel-string acoustic 2); Bridge (steel-string acoustic 1)

Instantly retune to alternative tunings
The G-5’s Tuning function lets you instantly retune to alternative tunings such as Drop D, Open G, D modal, and Baritone at the turn of a knob. You can switch to a variety of alternative tunings without touching the tuning pegs or switching to another guitar, keeping your string tensions unchanged. A 12-string guitar mode is also provided, which you can use with both acoustic and electric guitar sounds.

Fast and easy control
The G-5 is as easy to use a regular electric guitar. After you plug in your guitar cable, all you have to do to set your tone is turn the Mode and Tuning knobs, and set the five-way switch. It’s fast and friendly to use yet feature-filled and powerful.

Features

  • Alder contoured body
  • 25.5" Scale maple neck
  • Rosewood or maple fretboard
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • 3 Fender single-coil pickups
  • 5-Way pickup selector
  • Master volume and tone controls
  • Fender synchronized tremolo bridge
  • 3-Ply pickguard
  • Chrome hardware
  • Embedded Roland GK divided pickup
  • Mode knob - 5 types
  • N: Normal Stratocaster
  • S: Modeled Stratocaster
  • T: Modeled Telecaster
  • H: Modeled humbucking pickups
  • A: Modeled acoustic guitar
  • Tuning knob - 6 types
  • N: Normal tuning
  • D: Drop D
  • G: Open G
  • d: D Modal
  • B: Baritone

The G-5 is not simply a guitar—it goes beyond guitar. Order yours today.

Customer Reviews
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Review Snapshot®

by PowerReviews
RolandG-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar
 
4.9

(based on 7 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Good feel (6)
  • Good tone (6)
  • Solid electronics (6)
  • Fun to play (5)
  • Good pick up (5)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Recording (6)
    • Jamming (5)
    • Practicing (5)
    • Rock concerts (4)
    • Small venues (4)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Experienced (5)

    Reviewed by 7 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-7

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    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Swiss Army Knife of Guitars

    By Old Dog

    from Canada

    About Me Experienced

    Pros

    • Fun To Play
    • Good Feel
    • Good Pick Up
    • Good Tone
    • Perfect Cover Band Guitar
    • Solid Electronics

    Cons

    • Can't Change Tunings

    Best Uses

    • Cover Band

    Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

    If you are in a cover band like me buy one of these. It does exactly what I wanted and expected. This is one of the 2 guitars I take for gigs (the other is a PRS P24).

    I have the original American made Fender VG Strat. Turn a knob and you have Drop D or Open G. Turn another knob and you have a Tele.

    The Tele sound is quite accurate (I did an A/B comparison with my 52 reissue Tele).

    Open G is very useful for slide work (Thorogood, Black Crowes, etc.)

    The acoustic sounds are OK but my PRS sounds much better.

    The only down side is that you can't modify the tunings (I contacted both Fender and Roland). I've never used Baritone but I'd love to have Open E (Rocky Mountain Way).

    I've added locking tuners and strap locks (absolute must for every guitar!).

    Comment on this review

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Roland takes it back

    By StratDoc

    from Chicago

    About Me Experienced

    Ask me a question

    Pros

    • Fun To Play
    • Good Feel
    • Good Pick Up
    • Good Tone
    • One Guitar Per Gig
    • Solid Electronics
    • Virtual Guitar

    Cons

    • Abandoned By Fender
    • Can't Program
    • More Alt Tunings E Flat

    Best Uses

    • Jamming
    • Practicing
    • Recording
    • Rock Concerts
    • Small Venues

    Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

    Bought the VG as soon as it came out! Fender made an American Standard Strat to accommodate the Roland synth unit and battery. Without power it was a great Strat! I wanted the acoustic, humbucker and 12 string modes mostly for cover band songs. Giged with it for 5 years! Awesome useful and hearty guitar. So cool to dial up just those guitars. The hum free Strat sounds great. The twelve is like a Octavia and you can spin into your leads! I used the G for Kieth and some slide! I sold it to a pro in Miami and I miss it!
    Roland added the sitar to this one and dropped one accoustic..otherwise same unit..
    Batteries are an issue and I couldn't get a spare battery pack after Fender pulled the plug.
    Someone here said this was made in Mexico? Originals weren't. I put a mini humbucker in the bridge in case I lost power.
    The little blue light is annoying!
    Would buy another!

    Comment on this review

    (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Best Playing Strat I've Ever Owned

    By Chico Joe

    from Red Bluff, CA

    About Me Professional Musician

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Fun To Play
    • Good Feel
    • Good Pick Up
    • Good Tone
    • Solid Electronics

    Cons

    • No Divided Midi Pickup

    Best Uses

    • Jamming
    • Practicing
    • Recording
    • Rock Concerts
    • Small Venues

    Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

    Loved the "right out of the box" playability. This guitar has many unique tones that are great for recording purposes.

    Comment on this review

    (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    What a surprise

    By GGQ

    from Miami

    About Me Experienced

    Ask me a question

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Fun To Play
    • Good Feel
    • Good Pick Up
    • Good Tone
    • Solid Electronics

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Jamming
      • Practicing
      • Recording
      • Rock Concerts
      • School Bands
      • Small Venues

      Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

      I had not many expectations for this guitar, but I was surprised the quality of its sounds, the ability to change pitch or sound like 12 strings is rather surprising. It feels very real, and no delay in modules midi. I think I'll use it a while.

      Comment on this review

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      awesome

      By ultracaster

      from s.i.n.y.

      About Me Experienced

      Pros

      • Fun To Play
      • Good Feel
      • Good Pick Up
      • Good Tone
      • Solid Electronics
      • Wide Variety Of Sounds

      Cons

      • Battery Lifetunerstrem

      Best Uses

      • Jamming
      • Practicing
      • Recording
      • Rock Concerts
      • School Bands
      • Small Venues

      Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

      what a surprise!!! i just put away my american deluxe ash body strat!!!! you must change the tuners to locking ones otherwise you will always go out of tune ..and you should use reghargeable batteries you will get the most life with them. you might have to bend the tremelo bar to clear the middle position selector switch.with the changes made this plays better than any guitar i own including les paul and godin...

      Comment on this review

      (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Nice Little High Tech Axe

      By Tentop Rocker

      from Dallas, TX

      About Me Professional Musician

      Pros

      • Good Feel
      • Good Tone
      • Solid Electronics

      Cons

      • Screw in Tremolo Bar

      Best Uses

      • Jamming
      • Practicing
      • Recording

      Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

      This guitar does what it says. I play in a versatile cover band. With so many genres of music I was seeking a guitar that would capture several guitar styles. The VG Strat does a great job. Sounds like a LP, Strat, or Tele. Nice acoustic guitars but they need to go through the mixing board. It sounds good with the magnetic pickups as well as the Models.
      It is made in Mexico so it does not have the same feel as my American Deluxe Strat. I added locking tuners and strap locks. A great improvement. On the down side, the tremolo bar is a screw in type which causes it to be out of position most of the time. It also sticks up high off of the body which takes extra effort to grab it while playing. I guess I am just spoiled using my Am Deluxe Strat.
      Normal batteries lasted about 5 hours. I bought some nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries and they stayed charged for about 8 hours.
      The alternate tuning is great for slide work and country songs requiring a drop D. The other strings stay in tune now when I change the tuning.
      The finish is nice and all of the hardware screws are tight.
      Overall I am satisfied with this guitar.

      Comment on this review

      (1 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Great Guitar but needs set up

      By Blues Girl

      from Aurora, Colorado

      About Me Experienced

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Sounds Great

      Cons

      • Had to have it adjusted

      Best Uses

      • Plays fine now
      • Recording

      Comments about Roland G-5 Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

      this guitar is great for studio work. However, if you don't have the techinal ability to set up
      the action,trus rod and intonation, you will have to have that done by a professional to keep it in tune.

      Comment on this review

      Displaying reviews 1-7

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