Gamechanger has ruined my life

[BUC]

The options are bewildering and overwhelming. 7 million or something like that? I may spend the rest of my life unlocking secret tones.

Mind....blown

What an amazing guitar. I'm surprised it isn't getting more love. The GC threads are kind of dead.

Got a couple gigs coming up next month, and I can't wait to try her out at volume with the band.

I may start a GC Web App dependency group. More addictive than Minecraft.

 

[ozzyrules]

Too complicated for an old dude like me( sorry BP). I like to plug my Balls into a good tube amp and experiment with a few pedals. I have a really small brain.

 

[xjbebop]

yup.... too much of a good thing...???

 

[muggsy]

I love the concept, but I'm a set-it-and-forget-it kind of guy. Too much going on there for me.

 

[EBMMjpXI7]

I cant find the USB port on my majesty , Is it behind the back plat covers?

 

[Wahoonc]

Mine is set to be delivered today. AND I have a Tweaker 40 Amp. So that's something like 7 million, to the 9th power. Hell, running scales can be fun with that many different tones.

 

[Dr. Rock]

So that's something like 7 million, to the 9th power.

7 million tweaks, why not? I usually run my TGC through a Carvin V3M, which has 3 channels, each with three gain settings and two EQ options, so that's a lot of tweaking! Throw in some creative ways to use the piezo, not to mention the infinite range of analog and digital pedal effects, and yep, it's all over.

For the simple setting folks... I know Drew has said it before, but you don't have to use TGC the fancy way. Here's a top ten for "simple" options - I'd like to hear other TGC users give their favorites.

(1) Default settings...boring but good.
(2) Load your favorite artist preset.
(3) A - standard HSH (or HH); B - standard SSS (or SS); Z-override or piezo.
(4) Run it like a standard HH reflex. Use Z for HSH SS-SSS options.
(5) Run it like a standard HH reflex, but switch out that one setting you'd never use anyways for something exotic.
(6) You only use two sounds (say, neck H or bridge H). Set all of the switches those two switch sounds.
(7) Use a standard config, but swap the pickup positions (perhaps make bridge the "up" setting").
(8) Use a standard config, but mix in some piezo or phase switch variations.
(9) A - your "go to" bank. Bank Z, set it up to emulate a tele or some other guitar whose sounds you might want to play with but not necessarily purchase.
(10) Dr. Rock's current favorites:
A1-1s2; A2-1p2; A3-(1s2)p(4s5); A4-4p5; A5-4s5
B1-1; B2-1p3; B3-1p3p5; B4-3p5; B5-5
Z-kick out to bridge 1s2; piezo on w/ third knob push, w/ independent volume.

 

[Jamie M]

I love the concept, but I'm a set-it-and-forget-it kind of guy. Too much going on there for me.

+1 on that

 

[stu42]

7 million tweaks, why not? I usually run my TGC through a Carvin V3M, which has 3 channels, each with three gain settings and two EQ options, so that's a lot of tweaking! Throw in some creative ways to use the piezo, not to mention the infinite range of analog and digital pedal effects, and yep, it's all over.

For the simple setting folks... I know Drew has said it before, but you don't have to use TGC the fancy way. Here's a top ten for "simple" options - I'd like to hear other TGC users give their favorites.

(1) Default settings...boring but good.
(2) Load your favorite artist preset.
(3) A - standard HSH (or HH); B - standard SSS (or SS); Z-override or piezo.
(4) Run it like a standard HH reflex. Use Z for HSH SS-SSS options.
(5) Run it like a standard HH reflex, but switch out that one setting you'd never use anyways for something exotic.
(6) You only use two sounds (say, neck H or bridge H). Set all of the switches those two switch sounds.
(7) Use a standard config, but swap the pickup positions (perhaps make bridge the "up" setting").
(8) Use a standard config, but mix in some piezo or phase switch variations.
(9) A - your "go to" bank. Bank Z, set it up to emulate a tele or some other guitar whose sounds you might want to play with but not necessarily purchase.
(10) Dr. Rock's current favorites:
A1-1s2; A2-1p2; A3-(1s2)p(4s5); A4-4p5; A5-4s5
B1-1; B2-1p3; B3-1p3p5; B4-3p5; B5-5
Z-kick out to bridge 1s2; piezo on w/ third knob push, w/ independent volume.

I agree with this idea. I don't use a ton of different sounds. However, for me, the beautiful thing about the GC is that I can store the sounds that I want in the switch positions I want for easy access. For instance, I like having the neck humbucker but usually when I switch to the neck PUP I want the single-coil tone. With a regular HSH you usually have to flick two different switches to go from bridge humbucker to neck single-coil but with the GC I can set it up so I can get there with one motion. And, I still have access to the neck humbucker if I want to on some other switch setting.

Mind you, there are a LOT of tone choices so it can give you option anxiety because you may discover other tones that you want access to but....this is not a bad problem to have. You still have the option of set-it-and-forget it. Only this way, you get to set it and forget it in whatever switch position you prefer.

Plus...and equally importantly...the Reflex is just a great sounding guitar. It has amazing resonance and a great feel. To be honest, I'm still not really in love with the shape or colour but...that is less of an issue. Tone and playability are more important to me than how it looks...and it definitely wins in the tone and feel department (imo).

 

[DrKev]

+1!

Mind you, there are a LOT of tone choices so it can give you option anxiety because you may discover other tones that you want access to but....this is not a bad problem to have. You still have the option of set-it-and-forget it. Only this way, you get to set it and forget it in whatever switch position you prefer.

Plus...and equally importantly...the Reflex is just a great sounding guitar. It has amazing resonance and a great feel. To be honest, I'm still not really in love with the shape or colour but...that is less of an issue. Tone and playability are more important to me than how it looks...and it definitely wins in the tone and feel department (imo).

 

[decreebass]

To be honest, I'm still not really in love with the shape or colour but...

This is where I'm not sold. If they would incorporate it into other guitars (or make it fully functional on the Maj) I'd be all over it, but as it is, it's kind of a black sheep; I'm sure it's a fantastic guitar, but I can't get excited about it because it seems to be a guitar built for the Game Changer system rather than an already successful model with the Game Changer installed. That was one of the selling points on the Maj until I got it and realized it's not really 'there.' I even did a comparison video where I switch between the pups on the Maj (with the CG) vs the JP13 (no GC) and there is virtually no difference. There's still a part of me that hopes it will eventually be incorporated to full functionality, but the long of the short of it is that I just can't get excited about the Reflex. The Game Changer is phenomenal technology, but I'd like to see it in a guitar that I can get excited about, like a JP, Maj, AL, or Axis.

 

[BUC]

Dr Rock, I smell what you're smokin there. I'm kinda going in the same vein but with slightly different settings. Some not so obvious and some found by accident

A Bank: 1s2, 1s3, (1p5)s(2p4), 5p(4s3s2), 5s4 The middle position I discovered accidentally when I mistakenly tried to create (1s2)p(4s5) But I liked my mistake better.

B Bank: 1, 2p4, 3p(2p5reverse)s(1p4), 1p3p5, 5 I really like that middle position sound and the 1p3p5 is pretty sweet too.

Trying to make Bank A a humbucker type axe and Bank B more single coil sounds. Haven't decided how I'm going to run bank Z yet but I'd like to have some quick lead tones available. I'm going to keep this like it is until my next gig and then decide if it's working for me.

 

[BUC]

This is where I'm not sold. If they would incorporate it into other guitars (or make it fully functional on the Maj) I'd be all over it, but as it is, it's kind of a black sheep; I'm sure it's a fantastic guitar, but I can't get excited about it because it seems to be a guitar built for the Game Changer system rather than an already successful model with the Game Changer installed. That was one of the selling points on the Maj until I got it and realized it's not really 'there.' I even did a comparison video where I switch between the pups on the Maj (with the CG) vs the JP13 (no GC) and there is virtually no difference. There's still a part of me that hopes it will eventually be incorporated to full functionality, but the long of the short of it is that I just can't get excited about the Reflex. The Game Changer is phenomenal technology, but I'd like to see it in a guitar that I can get excited about, like a JP, Maj, AL, or Axis.

Take the plunge, fear the Reflex. Everyone who owns one loves it.

 

[Dr. Rock]

Dr Rock, I smell what you're smokin there. I'm kinda going in the same vein but with slightly different settings.

Excellent settings! (1p5)s(2p4) is one I need to try. I like Z as the quick override - either the a lead or go-to rythm. I couldn't find the practicality of scrolling through a list of Z-sounds on the fly with no switch indicator.

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I'm dying to jump on board for a gamechanger. Only if they would come avilable in other hosts, or another color besides black. No offense intended to the creators and the man in charge for offering it as it currently is; I am sure there is perfectly good reason. I'll just wait and see if something happens. Good luck with yours, I hope you find time to leave the house...

 

[Wahoonc]

I'm dying to jump on board for a gamechanger. Only if they would come avilable in other hosts, or another color besides black. No offense intended to the creators and the man in charge for offering it as it currently is; I am sure there is perfectly good reason. I'll just wait and see if something happens. Good luck with yours, I hope you find time to leave the house...

My guess would be to keep costs down and maybe to also make it an instantly recognizable guitar. Pure speculation, of course, but cost has to have something to do with it. I've had my GC for four days and I can report it has a bit more heft than my Silo, but it is every bit as comfortable sitting or standing. Nice cuts on the body and good ergonomics. I find it much more comfortable than the axis, but I'm sure my physical characteristics have a lot to do with that. And, honestly, I wasn't too high on black, but when you see it with the cream binding it is something more than just a black guitar. My opinion.

I'm loving it.

 

[BUC]

I have to say that the black has grown on me too. Definitely doesn't look the same in person as in the pics.

 

[noise5150]

Too complicated for an old dude like me( sorry BP). I like to plug my Balls into a good tube amp and experiment with a few pedals. I have a really small brain.

I think its a great guitar that has its applications - but I agree it may be more than you need even though thats sounds great on the surface. Until recently I had a beautiful Carvin C66 with a piezo, coil split pickups and a phase switch. All really cool but I think all of those "extras" compromised the tone and as a result I was never able to get a really usable crunchy tone that I liked out of it and I even replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio. I would always reach for my Axis or Les Paul over it all the time.

 

[mesavox]

I'm not really sure why it matters if its too complicated…just take it out of the box, and use the switches on the guitar and don't bother with all the extra stuff. LOL

I say that referring to the idea that perhaps one day all MM guitars would have the GC. If they did, its not like anyone has to use it any differently than any other guitar. The power issues will be improved upon over time just like everything else in life (perhaps a powered midi cable with 3 pins like a trs cable and a 4th pin for power), and one day a generation will not remember not having that much switching power.

As things exist today, the GC guitar isn't quite what I'd want as my main axe because of how different it is from the JPs, but one is on my purchase list for a session guitar because I can't think of a better way to have every sound imaginable in a studio. A person wouldn't even have to ask what kind of session they were walking into except to prepare the technique side of things. Just bring the laptop and viola… 56 Tele and 72 Les Paul for a country rock session in the a.m. and 87 Jem and 88 Jackson Soloist for a retro 80s session in the p.m. LOL

I'm not sure which blows my mind more… the ability to do all that with one guitar, or that people gripe about it. LOL

 

[mesavox]

I think its a great guitar that has its applications - but I agree it may be more than you need even though thats sounds great on the surface. Until recently I had a beautiful Carvin C66 with a piezo, coil split pickups and a phase switch. All really cool but I think all of those "extras" compromised the tone and as a result I was never able to get a really usable crunchy tone that I liked out of it and I even replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio. I would always reach for my Axis or Les Paul over it all the time.

How did those "extras" compromise tone? That's a very placebo-like conclusion to draw. Does a C66without a phase switch sound better? The JP has split coil pickups. Does the split coil version of the Duncan JB sound the same as the non split coil version?