You know how the HX Stomp has less processor than the Helix flagship?

Is this some sort of commentary on TOP?
Ok ok ok ok. I have to take a rape shower after this… but..
There’s a dude at TOP that just can’t engage in any thread without commenting on how marvelous and perfect the GT-Core is in every way no matter the subject is while at the same time point out that there certainly is room for improvement, without saying what that would be…. And so on.
And ironically his avatar is that Dawson image. So naturally… in our typical fashion… we make fun of it.
 
Ok ok ok ok. I have to take a rape shower after this… but..
There’s a dude at TOP that just can’t engage in any thread without commenting on how marvelous and perfect the GT-Core is in every way no matter the subject is while at the same time point out that there certainly is room for improvement, without saying what that would be…. And so on.
And ironically his avatar is that Dawson image. So naturally… in our typical fashion… we make fun of it.
Ah. Thanks for catching me up. I felt like an outsider experiencing an inside joke.
 
The amp models need A LOT of work to sound decent, IMO.
100%. I had the Boss GT1000 Core for about a year. I was running it as the brain for my amps. I used to gig with the MS3 and my amps, so the whole system was pretty easy to work with from my perspective, but there were a few glaring flaws:

  1. The screen is pretty bad, I think the screens on 20-year old devices like the TC G Force, G Major, Axe FX Ultra, etc., are better and easier to see/read from different angles.
  2. You can't change routing in the box. This is a big miss. You have to use the PC app to change the routing of effects.
  3. The reverb is only passable. I'm a reverb snob for sure, and I eventually ran a Neunaber Illumine with the Boss just to get a good reverb sound. My taste is that Strymon, Fractal, GFI, Eventide, and Neunaber make the kinds of reverbs I want to use, and I haven't really found any others that come close. YMMV. Instead of letting us use 6 delay blocks in a preset, how about 1 good reverb?
  4. The amp modeling is quite bad. I was setting up a gigging rig with the GT Core and I wanted to use a modeling preset or two as my backup rig. I could not find a passable high gain tone that came anywhere close to my expectations. I'm not a big fan of the heavy tones in the Helix either, they're still too digital sounding for me, and I fully admit I'm a tone snob, but I could play gigs with a Helix. I simply will not use the amp models in the Boss.
On the flipside, I found the wah, overdrives, compressors, choruses, and delays to be spectacular. I thought the pitch shifting was also quite good and really accurate. I could see using these in a main rig, and they appear to be the same models as was in the MS3 and the stand-alone pedals (like the excellent OD-200).

I feel like this gen was a good step up for Boss, but just like Nintendo is always a gen or two behind Sony and Microsoft with gaming consoles, Boss is a gen or two behind on their tech from their competition.
 
Why do all the YouTube videos that compare the HX Stomp to the GT1000Core show the Core sounding better? What am i missing? Are they purposely manipulating the results?
 
I find that to be outlandish, but everyone likes different things.
Yes, I’ll have to try one for myself, I suppose. I’m not exactly over-the-moon for the Helix offerings so far.

This example really shows the Boss unit standing above the Stomp.


So far none of the videos show the Stomp outclassing the Boss in terms of tone. What am I missing?
 
Last edited:
Yes, I’ll have to try one for myself, I suppose. I’m not exactly over-the-moon for the Helix offerings so far.

This example really shows the Boss unit standing above the Stomp.


So far none of the videos show the Stomp outclassing the Boss in terms of tone. What am I missing?

To me in that video the HX Stomp sounds nicer and fuller every time and the GT-1K has a weird hollowness to it.
 
To me in that video the HX Stomp sounds nicer and fuller every time and the GT-1K has a weird hollowness to it.
Yeah. I just don’t know what to do with this information as I’m hearing a congestedness in the HX and a clarity in the GT.
 
Yeah. I just don’t know what to do with this information as I’m hearing a congestedness in the HX and a clarity in the GT.
My ear gravitates to the HX, probably because I'm familiar with it. Either one can work though, really comes down to the whole workflow + tone package.
 
I’m actually after the amp models. I’m hoping for something that sounds excellent rather than sounds authentic.
I’m not a “gotta be authentic” either..but, there’s plenty of people that like the X amps a lot.
And tbh…I get why…cause they have a special feel, and sound good.

Just didn’t match my personal “nitty gritty”..which says nothing..I dislike plenty of gear others became rockgods with ;)
 
On the flipside, I found the wah, overdrives, compressors, choruses, and delays to be spectacular. I thought the pitch shifting was also quite good and really accurate. I could see using these in a main rig, and they appear to be the same models as was in the MS3 and the stand-alone pedals (like the excellent OD-200).

Pretty much my experience trying the GT-1000 (non-core). Amp tones were... ok, yet effects were pretty damn good, specially if you lust after those classic Boss sounds.
 
Last edited:
I’m not basing it on videos. I’m basing it on a ton of experience with both. If you can replicate what you like in those videos, then I’d say go for it.
I think maybe I’ll pick up a used Core just to see. That way, if I can’t get along with it, I won’t be out very much and I can put it on Craigslist.
 
Back
Top