• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Valeton GP50 or Tonex or ??

karter2000

karter2000

Aug 21, 2005
959
274
Nowhere land
#1
Hi all,

I was thinking of entering the 21st century and getting a newer modeler pedal with a budget of around 200 dollars. I narrowed it down to the GP50 as the features look useful as compared to the GP5. I've looked at the Tonex stuff as well and it looks great but I'd like to have the option of using NAM captures.

Just looking for everyone's thoughts, experience, etc.

Thanks!
 
#2
From what I've gathered so far the 5 and the 50 are essentially the same pedal on the inside in a different casing, with the addition that the 50 has a built-in battery. And of course, because of the larger casing there's more room for I/O's. Both can do NAM profiles, but at the same time they kinda don't. NAM profiles are converted to Valeton's own system. People have reported a bit less clarity compared to the 'true' NAM profile. This is normal for NAM conversions and not something specific to Valeton. Depending on the profile and your taste this doesn't have to be an issue. And you can fix many of the conversion 'issues' (if any) with the EQ. But it's something to be aware of. They're still the cheapest NAM 'players' on the market I believe.

I can see how the extra foot switch and I/O features on the 50 might be attractive to some if you need to choose between the 2 models. But if you prefer a small pedal without all the extras, the single foot switch on the 5 can be programmed to do a lot of different things as well. For example, you can set a short tap for next preset and long tap for tuner. Just something to consider.

If you want my personal opinion, I'd take the 50 over the 5. Not that I'm against technology. Far from it. It's great they can do it this way. I just prefer on the fly editing on the pedal itself and don't want to have to rely on my phone or bring an old spare tablet to do it on. And that appears a lot easier to do on the 50 than it is on the 5. Having the ability to add an expression pedal (which I'd probably use for output volume) is a nice bonus. Since I run everything through powerbanks already, the built-in battery is not that important to me. But I know how good it feels not to have power cables running all over the place so it's definitely a nice thing to have.

In the end, the choice is yours. Welcome to the 21st century and happy playing!:cool:

As with everything, YMMV.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cdef and karter2000
#3
Honestly, If they took the UI of the GP50 and merged it with the models / captures of the tonex, they'd have something amazing. That said, I messed with the tonex stuff for a while, and the sounds were solid, but the UI on both pedals Tonex pedal and Tonex one are so incredibly bad, I found them very frustrating to use. The GP50 on the other hand, has one of the best UI's I've come across in a non-touch screen based pedal. It's simple, has the necessary physical buttons the internal battery is an excellent feature to have, and actually, the tones are decent. I actually recorded a few things and found the pedal more than satisfactory in the sound department. The other benefit is at $120, I find myself more than willing to forgive the few short comings it has. One bass drive model, which is not amazing at all, but can be usable. Also, not being able to use the amp models and NAM profiles at the same time is a bummer, but there are ways around it. All and all I give the GP-50 a solid 8 out of 10. It's value well exceeds its price and I recommend it.
 
#4
karter2000 said:
Hi all,

I was thinking of entering the 21st century and getting a newer modeler pedal with a budget of around 200 dollars. I narrowed it down to the GP50 as the features look useful as compared to the GP5. I've looked at the Tonex stuff as well and it looks great but I'd like to have the option of using NAM captures.

Just looking for everyone's thoughts, experience, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The Valeton stuff sounds pretty good. My buddy uses the 200 as his live rig for guitar. Sonically it gets it done nicely. Time will tell on the durability / road worthiness of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: karter2000
#5
Ive bene using the GP-5 for a while, but have always wanted to try the Tonex One. what stopped me is I use a Chocolate Plus foot switch to give me more control. It seems the Tonex one is more complicated to do this. Then the GP-50 came out and all notion of trying the Tonex One went. I believe each has its pros and cons, but the extra foot switch and battery operation was a big deal for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: karter2000
#7
I got a Pocketmaster for Christmas, a week after i brought the GP-50 to replace my GP-5 lol. Ive only used the PM a few times. Sounds are comparable (both are probably using the same chip set and are both owned by the same parent company i believe). I prefer the formfactor of the GP-50, the footswitches are more useable when on the floor IME, but sonically id be happy with either. At least with the PM you can program it on the device, unlike the GP-5

Make sure its the Chocolate plus and not the standard one if you do get it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: karter2000
#8
I had a Tonex One and recently got a GP-50 and they're not even in the same ballpark.
The ToneX sounded so much better.
The GP-50 didn't sounded that good and Will be returned.
You should also check the Zoom MS-60B+. I have one and sounds better than the Valeton unit.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back