Boss GT-10B or ME-20B? (gt10b me20b)

Foamy · #1 09-29-2009, 01:39 PM

I have a large number of effects, and like them all. However, I have a series of gigs on a small-ish stage and was thinking of picking up one of these two.

For the tunes we're doing, I am OK with no effects and straight through my LMII. However, there are a couple songs where I'd like some effects.

For example, I'd like to get a good overdive for "Crossroads". I'd like very deep-bass EQ for "What I Got", and some tighter compression for "Standing on Shaky Ground".

Am I to be disappointed with a ME-20B? Money is not a factor. Space is, to an extent, but either of these is fine.

I suppose I am asking about the quality of the COSM effects on the ME-20B versus the GT-10B. And do the patch changes happen "instantly"?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

Foamy · #2 09-29-2009, 08:28 PM

gumtownbassman · #3 10-01-2009, 01:41 PM

I have a GT-10B which i am very happy with, i can't speak for the ME20B, all i know is the ME20B has just a basic set of effects & things.
The GT-10B has a whole lot of stuff inside it, the preamp sims are superb, great compressors (even a multiband comp), massive E.Q options (you have up to 5 sets E.Q to use at once).
The USB feature allows recording and music playback via the USB into the GT-10B, and provides a midi connection for patch editing and librarian software for sharing patches.
The patch change can be set for smooth transition, so long as the next patch has a simular setup of delay and effects chain order.
The GT-10 also has a parallel effects chain, and all the effects are moveable anywhere, even the external loop, so you could use your external bass amp's preamp as one of the moveable effects blocks.

Foamy · #4 10-01-2009, 05:31 PM

Thanks very much! As a former GT-6 owner, I definitely appreciate what the GT-10b can do. In this case, I have 8 gigs on a very small stage. Locally the ME-50B is $249 and the ME-20B is $189. My take on it is that the "sound" and effects are the same. Looks like the 20 is better suited for patches while the 50 is better suited to be used like a stompbox. I'm trying to hear of one is significantly better or worse than the other. If I could afford that 10B though, I'd be all over it.

Chowowbus · #5 10-02-2009, 09:04 AM

I have an ME 20b. It is small and I like that It can use batteries if needed. However, I wish I had purchased and ME 50b hands down. The ME 20b can be used as a stompbox or patches, it does not however have COSM. It is barebones.
The ME 50b has so much more for so little. The only advantage the ME 20b has is that it is smaller in size.
I know I will pick up and ME 50b when I get a chance.

Foamy · #6 10-02-2009, 12:09 PM

Thanks for that. Hmm. Yeah, COSM is nice.
I picked up the ME-20b last night, and the sounds are fine for me. But.....the deal breaker is that the Compressor is in the group with the OD. I'd like the compressor on for some of my clean and dirty patches and you can only have one or the other.
So it's going back. Kind of a shame. I like its size and weight. And it is super easy to set things up. Off to pick up a ME-50b.