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Behind the Sounds of the BOSS GX-100  

The BOSS GX-100 is a powerful guitar effects processor with a sleek, ultra-modern design. Meet the tone chasers behind many of its sounds.

5 mins read

The BOSS GX-100 is a powerful guitar effects processor with a sleek, ultra-modern design. Featuring 23 AIRD amplifiers and over 150 effects derived from the flagship GT-1000, the GX-100 is an inspiration machine. With assignable blocks, drag and drop functionality, and the ability to use presets as a base or start from scratch, GX-100 sound creation is as intuitive as its layout. Moreover, its preset selection comes from a roster of guitar heavyweights: Jay Leonard J, Jack Gardiner, and John Browne of Monuments. In addition to this trio of tone chasers, the GX-100 includes presets by famed BOSS engineers with decades of experience. Meet the personalities behind the sounds. 

Jay Leonard J  

Vancouver, BC-based Jay Leonard J is a guitarist and prominent YouTube personality. Known for his upbeat vibe and nuanced playing across many genres, he is a true six-string force. In his “Programming Patches From Scratch!” video, the guitarist praises the GX-100’s curated sounds. He then explains that the processor is great for “cats that want the full-quality algorithms of the GT-1000 and the AIRD technology but want to get those cool sounds really fast.”

“The GX-100 is for cats that want the full-quality algorithms of the GT-1000 and the AIRD technology but want to get those cool sounds really fast.”

First, he showcases his GX-100 presets including the smooth and creamy “Expensive Taste,” vibrato-laced “Surf Cowboy,” and others. Next, the charismatic chameleon walks through the patch programming process. Along the way, he covers assigning a tap tempo footswitch, editing parameters in “Knob View,” and programming the expression pedal. Watch the video for a dose of the artist’s infectious guitar energy.

Jack Gardiner 

Originally from Liverpool, UK, Jack Gardiner is a guitarist living in Zermatt, Switzerland. His heavily-trafficked YouTube channel features everything from fusion improv and sweep picking tutorials to a John Petrucci tribute. In essence, Gardiner is a jazzy shredder with impeccable taste. His “Factory Presets Demo” features dazzling demonstrations of his own presets for the GX-100.

"For the 'Skyblue Pink' preset, I tried to recreate the original tone as close as possible both in terms of the feel and sound."

For the “Skyblue Pink” preset, Gardiner says he “tried to recreate the original tone as close as possible both in terms of the feel and sound,” of his 2020 Escapades EP track. Gardiner explains how users can load their own IRs into the GX-100 before demonstrating his “Fusion Swells” preset. In addition, Gardiner showcases a patch based on his song “1993” with his viewers. Dig into the video for fluid playing and detailed explanations.  

John Browne 

Prolific progressive metal guitarist John Browne never fails to keep his hands busy. Based in Bedfordshire, UK, Browne is guitarist for Monuments, a band with four releases on Century Media Records. Metal Injection lauds the group’s most recent album, In Stasis, for its “luminous harmonies, accessible hooks, and dazzlingly vivid instrumentation.” 

"Powerful presets like 'Chunk Town,' 'Ancient Dream,' and 'Proud Dad' could only emerge from John Browne’s brain."

When he’s not touring the globe in Monuments or working on his solo project Flux Conduct, Browne maintains riffhardwhere he posts amplifier demonstrations, guitar demos, mixing tutorials, and more. He also contributed a set of rich sounds to the GX-100. Drawing on his high-gain history and trademark tone, powerful presets like “Chunk Town,” “Ancient Dream,” and “Proud Dad” could only emerge from Browne’s brain. 

Monuments
Monuments, Photo by Joeseth Carter (Creative Commons)

The Studio Rats GX-100 Amp Demo

Made up of core members guitarist Paul Drew, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass, UK-based The Studio Rats have a popular YouTube channel. The Studio Rats didn’t contribute to the GX-100 onboard presets. However, if you want to take a closer look at the GX-100, Drew runs through some of its onboard amps and sounds. Get an earful of “Tweed Combo,” “Diamond Amp,” “X-Modded,” the classic “JC-120,” and others. 

Ari Rosenschein

Ari is Global Editorial Content Manager for Roland. He lives in Seattle with his wife and dogs and enjoys the woods, rain, and coffee of his region.