Boss VG-800

V-Guitar Offers Endless Possibilities

The pioneering V-Guitar approach of the VG-800 combines advanced Boss technologies to unlock entirely new musical possibilities. In combination with our hexaphonic Serial GK pickup you can emulate a wide variety of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and basses as well as other instruments like sitar and banjo. You can also play synthesizer sounds — including an authentic emulation of the Roland GR-300 from the early '80s — and with the unique VIO type and its bowing character explore uncharted sonic terrain. The VG-800 delivers great preset sounds you can play as-is or use as a starting point for your own creations.

Dedicated Bass Mode

The VG-800 is also ideal for bass. It offers a dedicated mode with bass-optimized signal processing algorithms and 150 separate memory slots. Choose from a wide range of modeled instruments, including classic electric basses (with and without frets) and an acoustic upright bass. Further options include VIO bass and synthesizer sounds, including a GR-300 model tuned specifically for bass, enabling the creation of unique sonic textures.

Limitless Creation and Customization

The VG-800 features an intuitive menu structure that makes it easy to build virtual instruments and fine-tune them with extensive customization options. First select an instrument type, then pick the sounds and string behavior. Depending on your choices you can also adjust parameters like instrument style, pickup position, resonance and much more. You can set the pitch of each string and the panning to create alternate tunings and ultra-wide sounds. In addition, the unique Dual Guitar and Dual Bass types let you craft extraordinary tones from two individual instruments:

• Split Two Guitars Across the Strings: Play two different sounds by assigning a clean single-coil guitar type to strings 1–3 and a distorted humbucker guitar type to strings 4–6.
• Play Two Guitars at Once: Create powerful hybrid tones by playing two different guitar types through the same amp and effects chain.
• Split Guitar and Bass: Play chord-melody-solo arrangements with the delicate tone of a hollowbody guitar on strings 1–4 and an electric bass on strings 5–6.
• Instantly Transition Between Two Different Instruments: Start with the resonant strumming sound of a 12-string acoustic and switch for the next section to higher registers with a modern humbucker tone for biting electric-guitar solos.

Full Performance Control

The combination of built-in switches and the many external control options on the VG-800 opens up a range of inspiring performance possibilities. With a single tap you can switch instrument types or tunings. Change the pitch of individual strings while you play to create pedal-steel, "B-bender" and other unique effects. You can also seamlessly blend between different instrument types, each with its own signal-processing chain. Your creativity has no limits.

Comprehensive Sound Solution

The VG-800 packs a huge amount of creative power into a compact unit that integrates into any setup. Beyond instrument modeling, the VG-800 offers versatile signal routing and processing drawing on Boss's flagship multi-effect models. Amplifiers and effects can be applied to two modeled sounds as well as to the separate guitar input for conventional pickups. This lets you create complex combinations for extraordinary tones. In addition, send and return jacks are provided for integrating your favorite mono and stereo pedals.

Seamless Computer Recording

The VG-800 features an integrated USB multi-channel Audio/MIDI interface for recording and music production on a computer. This lets you record the stereo mix while switching instruments live in real time. Alternatively, you can record two modeled instrument sounds plus the dry guitar input on separate DAW tracks. If needed, individual strings can even be recorded via the hexaphonic GK pickup to route separate sounds back into the VG-800 for "Re-Guitar" or "Re-Bass" processing. The VG-800 also supports pitch-to-MIDI conversion to drive software instruments with your guitar or bass.

Edit, Download and Share Sounds

With Boss Tone Studio (macOS/Windows) you can make even better use of the VG-800's vast potential. Edit memory slots on a large computer screen, tweak system settings, import your preferred speaker impulse responses and create different setups for various playing situations. The software also provides access to Boss Tone Exchange where you can download professionally crafted live sets and share your sounds with the global Boss community.

Direct Response and Natural Playing Feel

The V-Guitar system captures each string individually via the hexaphonic Serial GK pickup and processes them in real time. This approach delivers a completely natural playing experience without delays or latency that could pull you out of the music. In addition to the user-installable pickup models for guitar (GK-5) and bass (GK-5B), Serial-GK kits are available for permanent installation in the instrument.

Connection to Additional Serial-GK Devices

The VG-800 can also act as the hub of an expanded Serial-GK system. Via the Serial GK output you can control a GM-800 guitar synthesizer or a second VG-800 from the VG-800. The connection allows transmission of digital stereo audio signals and the playback of combined sounds.