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Roland G-3030 Guitar

Roland G-303 Guitar Synthesizer Controller

Features and Specifications:

  • Body: Maple top mahogany back
  • Finish: Acrylic ("robert" brown or white)
  • Neck: Set-in 3-piece maple
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Frets: 22
  • Bridge: Fixed, adjustable
  • Nut: Polycarbonate
  • Tuning machines: Gotoh
  • Pickups: Two Roland PU-114H Humbuckers
  • Scale: 24 3/4"
  • Truss Rod: Adjustable
  • Neck Width: 1 11/16"
  • Body Width: 13"
  • Body Depth: 1 3/4"
  • Overall Length: 38 3/4"
  • Weight: 8 lbs 8 oz.
Pat Metheny Group at the Montreaux Jazz Festival
Pat Metheny Group at the Montreaux Jazz Festival.

Introduction to the Roland G-303:

If there is one guitar that has become the "gold standard" of guitar synthesizers, it has to be the Roland G-303 guitar. No doubt much of the popularity of the G-303 comes from Pat Metheny, who has played this guitar year after year on stages across the world, always amazing audiences with the moving and emotional quality of the G-303 and GR-300 rig.

There is another reason why the G-303 is so popular: it is just a really great guitar. There is no learning curve to the G-303, no time required to "get acquainted," this is a guitar you want to play as soon as you put your hands on it. In Los Angeles I have seen jazz players using the G-303 plugged straight into a Polytone amp, just for the sound and playability of this great axe. In terms of sophistication of design and electronics, the weighty Ibanez IMG2010 comes out way ahead of the G-303, but like the Roland G-707, the IMG2010 is a bit of an acquired taste, and its curious body design means that the Ibanez IMG2010 is virtually impossible to play sitting down without a guitar strap!

Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew with G-303s. Photo Tony Levin
Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew with G-303s. Photo Tony Levin

The other vintage controllers, the G-202 and G-505, are well-built, fine guitars. But they cannot escape the feel of being really well made Fender copies, no matter how nice they are. The G-303 has a sibling, the G-808. The more expensive G-808 has through-neck construction and other nice features, like gold hardware.

There are some ideas as to why the more expensive, classier G-808 never quite took off with the same following as the G-303. Aside from the fact that Pat Metheny is not dragging a G-808 out every night, the G-808 guitar seems slightly neck heavy when compared to the G-303. Also, vintage guitar synth guru Rich Hilleman has suggested that the through-neck design of the G-808 adds to the resonance of the guitar, making the G-808 less suitable as a synth controller. I have tested and played both guitars, and can not say that I was able to detect a difference.


Links to more information:

Version History PC Boards A - B - C:

Roland G-303 PC Board, Version A
Version A - Click on image to enlarge
Roland G-303 PC Board, Version B
Version B - Click on image to enlarge
Roland G-303 PC Board, Version C
Version C - Click on image to enlarge

Like the GR-300, there are three versions of the G-303 and G-808 guitars, distinguished by changes to the PC board.

I was contacted by a G-303 player in the States and a G-808 player in Norway both using the first run, early "prerelease" version of the guitar electronics. The cards are labeled as version "A." The published Roland documentation supports version "B: and "C."

These rare "A" cards are unusual in several ways: the component layout is very different and the outputs trimmers seem to be arbitrarily placed on the board. You can also see jumper wires soldered across the board. In addition, the standard 1/4” output jack solders directly to the PCB, rather than the ribbon connector.

The first time I tried to repair a failed op-amp in a G-303, I realized that the pin-out documentation was wrong on the schematic. The pin out information was correct on the G-505 Service Manual Schematics schematic, which uses almost the same circuits.

All the G-303s and G-808s that I have checked have op-amp pin outs consistent with the G-505. Which made me wonder if the op-amp information in the original G-303/G-808 Service Manual Schematics refers to the very rare "version A" board.

It is difficult to see in the photos, but on the standard cards, version "B" and "C", three op-amps, IC1, IC2 and IC3 are used to amplify the signals to line-level for the GR-300. These op-amps are the top three 4558 op-amps in line with the 24-pin ribbon connector. IC4, IC5 and IC6 op-amps are used to create the hex fuzz sound. This is consistent with the G-505 schematic. The line-level amplifiers are surrounded by resistors for a simple gain circuit, and the hex fuzz amplifiers have the network of diodes used to create the fuzz sound.

From looking at the version "A" photo, it appears the one op-amp is used per string to both amplify the signal and create the hex fuzz sound. If you look at IC6, at the top of the version "B" and "C" card, you can see resistors just to the left of the chip creating gain in the negative feedback loop, and additional diodes just to the right side of the chip for generating fuzz. This is consistent with the G-303/G-808 schematic.

Photos - Brown Finish:

Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish
Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish
Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish
Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish
Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish
Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish Roland G-303 Natural Brown Finish
Click on any image for larger view.
Shades of G-303 Guitars:
Two Brown Roland G-303 Guitars Two Brown Roland G-303 Guitars Two Brown Roland G-303 Guitars
Click on any image for larger view.

I had noticed that from time to time, G-303 guitars seem to come in slightly different shades. There is no official designation in the Roland product brochure that indicate the guitar actually had different finishes. Nevertheless, I happened to have two G-303s that were curiously identical, yet different. Both had a Kahler locking trem installed, most likely inspired by the Kahler tremolo Pat Metheny installed on his G-303. But one guitar is distinctly light than the other guitar. The light guitar has the stamped serial number indicating it is from an earlier production run, while the darker guitar has a metal plate on the headstock, suggesting it is from the later period of production. The backs of the guitar are almost identical, so its it possible the color variation is more a function of the wood used for the top.

Photos - Left Hand:

Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build
Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build
Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build Roland G-303 Left hand Build
Click on any image for larger view.

For everyone who has emailed to ask about a left-hand Roland G-303: Yes! They made a few! The electronics card is the same as the right hand model, with the componnents attached on the reverse side for left-hand operation.

Photos - Rare White Finish:

Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish
Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish
Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish
Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish Roland G-303 White Finish
Click on any image for larger view.

White Roland G-303 White Roland G-303 White Roland G-303
GR user Randy sent me photos of his rare, white finish G-303.

Patrick Phelps White G-303 Patrick Phelps White G-303 Patrick Phelps White G-303
Patrick Phelps White G-303 Patrick Phelps White G-303
GR user Patrick Phelps sent me photos of his rare, white finish G-303. Click to enlarge.

Photos - Left Hand Blue - Elliot Easton Custom:

Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303
Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303
Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303
Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303
Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303
Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303 Blue Elliot Easton Roland G-303
Click on any image for larger view.

This guitar was owned by Elliot Easton of the band The Cars. As far as I can tell, this rare left-handed G-303 guitar has the same blue/turquoise color found on the more familiar Roland G-505 guitar. Roland describes this color as metallic blue. Note the auction includes the rare CB-300 carrying case! These photos came from a sale at Rudy's Music, and GR-user Joe Bartone brought them to my attention.

Peter Frampton - Breaking All The Rules

Peter Framption - Roland G-303 Guitar - Breaking All The Rules - Live Peter Framption - Roland G-303 Guitar - Breaking All The Rules - Live Peter Framption - Roland G-303 Guitar - Breaking All The Rules - Live Peter Framption - Roland G-303 Guitar - Breaking All The Rules - Live
Click on any image for larger view.
Check out the live video on YouTube. Thanks to Eric Fisher for the tip!

Custom Finish - Flame Maple Top and Back

Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back
Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back, done at the shop of George Furlanetto Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back
Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back Roland G-303 Flame Maple Top and Back
Click on any image for larger view.

Trevor Harley sent me these photos of his Roland G-303. The guitar was refinished with a flame maple top and back by the Canadian Luthier George Furlanetto. Note that the touch pads have been relocated below the bridge pickup.

Also working on the guitar is Eric Blimkie of Euphoric Guitars.

How I Wish I was a G-303 - The Breedlove Mark II Roland-Ready Guitar:

Breedlove Mark II Roland Ready Guitar
Breedlove Mark II Roland Ready Guitar
Breedlove Mark II Roland Ready Guitar
Breedlove Mark II Roland Ready Guitar
Breedlove Mark II Roland Ready Guitar
Breedlove Mark II Roland Ready Guitar
Click on any image for larger view.

A few years I was quite surprised when I saw an eBay auction for a Breedlove Mark II Custom Chambered Electric Guitar with an RMC Synergy PolyDrive guitar synthesizer controller. It is quite an expensive instrument, a look around shows the guitar with a suggested retail price of $6,529. Holy smokes! But more than anything else, I kept thinking to myself...wow, this guitar really looks like a G-303!

Videos:

Origins of Roland Guitars - Fujigen:

Greco GO1000Roland G-808 Advertisement

Roland guitars were not built by Ibanez, or Hoshino, as is often erronously posted on various websites!

In 1977, through a joint capital investment between Roland Corporation and Fujigen, FUJI ROLAND CORP is established, based in Matsumoto. Together they developed the world's first guitar synthesizer (GR-500).

Some have noted the the Roland basses have the logo "F Roland" on the headstock, for Fuji Roland. And the Roland guitars have "GR" on the headstock, perhaps for "Greco Roland." The 1981 Greco Catalogue shows every Roland guitar synth product in production at that time. The Roland G-808 is a modified version of the Greco GO1000.

Fujigen Gakki built a lot of guitars, for a lot of people, including Greco Guitars. Greco Guitars were sold almost exclusively in Japan. Fujigen Gakki also built guitars for Ibanez, Fender, Fender/Squire, Yamaha, and of course Roland.

1981 Grecco Catalog - Pages 40 - 43 - Japanese

Japanese Brochure Japanese Brochure Japanese Brochure Japanese Brochure
Click on any image for larger view.

1982 November Roland Guitar Synthesizer Catalog - Japanese

Roland 1982 Japanese Catalog Back
Roland 1982 Japanese Catalog Back
Click on the above images to enlarge. I do not have larger versions of the images below.
Japanese Catalog 1982
Japanese Catalog 1982
Japanese Catalog 1982
Japanese Catalog 1982
Japanese Catalog 1982
Japanese Catalog 1982
Japanese Catalog 1982

Little help please! The above photos are from an eBay auction which closed on March 28, 2013. I am not sure who the lucky winner of the auction is, but if anyone has access to higher resolution scans, I would love to add them to the website. Email me!

Modifications:

Original Anderton GR-300 Modifications, by Craig Anderton, Guitar Player, January 1984:

Improving hex fuzz high-frequency response

The hex fuzz section of a Roland G-series guitar (which is built into the guitar) mixes the fuzzed signal from each string into a single output. Note, though, that this hex fuzz mixer starts rolling off high frequencies around 2k Hz. To eliminate this roll-off, remove the metal plate on the back of the G-series guitar'ts body (the one on the other side from the controls and switches). Next, orient the guitar'ts circuit board so that the lettering is right side up, and look for the capacitor labeled C72 (470 pF). On my guitar, this cap is located a little to the right of center of the board, in the upper middle section. Once you've found the cap, snip one of its leads with a diagonal cutter - you will be rewarded by a brighter fuzz sound with more presence.

roland g-3030 modifications roland g-3030 modifications roland g-3030 modifications roland g-3030 modifications
Interior G-303 guitar. The clip is attached to C72, located just below the ribbon connector. Interior G-303 guitar. The yellow arrow points to C72. C72 is a flat, ceramic capacitor. Interior G-505 guitar. The yellow arrow points to C72. The layout is similar to a G-303. Interior G-505 guitar. Note C72 in the lower left corner. The op amp IC8 is part of the hex fuzz.

Schematics - Repairs - Service Bulletins:

There are no known service bulletins from Roland addressing any G-303 problems

Vintage Roland Guitar Hex Pickup Repair

Vintage Roland Guitar Hex Pickup Repair

If you remove the guitar electronics for repair, it is quite possible to crack the divided hex synthesizer pickup ribbon ever so slightly. These ribbons become very brittle as they age. The conductive metal traces are layered on to the plastic ribbon, and are fragile. Fortunately, there is a possible fix for this problem, but be forewarned, this is the most difficult and tedious vintage Roland repair.

Learn more...
Roland G-202 G-303 G-505 G-808 Opamp Failure - Repair

Roland G-202 G-303 G-505 G-808 Opamp Failure Repair

You suddenly notice that one string on your guitar synth system stops working. The first thing you want to do is try another cable! Cable failures are the most frequent GR-system problem.

If you do not have a spare cable, try jiggling either end of the connector, though the problem is most likely to be the end that plugs into your guitar. If the sound comes and goes, then you need to fix your cable. If not, then you most likely have a problem with an op-amp inside the guitar electronics. A more remote possibility is that you have a damaged pickup.

Learn more...

Dating Early Vintage Roland Guitars:

dating Roland guitars

The top G-303 was made in
November, 1982,
"K82", the bottom in
January, 1980 "A80"

dating Roland guitars

The top G-808 was made
in December, 1980,
"L80", the bottom in
July, 1980 "G80"

Have you wondered what year your Roland controller was built? I located some excellent information on dating guitars produced by Fuji Gengakki. This information is from an ebay page called Ibanez Does Not Make Every Japanese Electric Guitar

"Guitars made at FujiGen from about 1976 through 1985 use a signature serial numbering system. All Ibanez-branded guitars from 1976-1985 use it, as do Grecos and the other Hoshino-associated brands I discuss below. This serial number system makes it very easy to date the guitar. The serial number is made up of a letter followed by six numerals, for example, B781234. The letter corresponds to the month of the year (A = January, B = February, etc.) and the first two numbers correspond to the year (in the example I give, 78 stands for 1978).

Later Roland controllers uses a metal plate attached to the headstock with serial numbers only, and no letters.