Roland GKC-5

I have had 3 of these cables over the past 8 years and there have been a few things I have learnt.

You really need to take care of this cable!

I use this cable for my VG99 effects processor and had it break on me, possibly due to carelessness on my part (Not storing it correctly/abused on stage) but what i had found was that the cables inside must have torn/worn out at a certain point in the cable which meant that certain strings themselves would not ring out whilst the rest of them did. It made it very difficult to discern what the problem was but also made it clear that this is a delicate cable indeed.

You need a backup!

Buy two or more of these things as if one goes you will be unlikely to be in a in a situation where you can easily go and buy one. Even shops that sell the VG/GR units rarely sell the GK cables so it's better to be safe than sorry especially since the cable is delicate.

All in all, you need it if you use the GK compatible equipment so just be carful with them!

I have a 13-pin cable from over fifteen years ago (still works), but sometime in the interim period, Roland changed their manufacturing/materials; sadly, not for the better. It works, and it?s useable, but the construction/material of the cable means it?s not very flexible (in comparison to the old cable), and has memory.

As I said, it works?it does what it?s supposed to?but your mileage may vary. (I wish there was an alternative short of soldering 13-pin DIN connectors yourself.)

After using this cable I'll have had a permanent connection trouble with my Godin Multiac guitars: fourth string connection is poor. I ordered a new cable and I had the same problem with it with my other Godin Multiac guitars as well, so it must be a fault it the cable. Cable should be a little stronger. Every time I use this cable I'll have to spray a contact spray to the connection pins and after that I'll get the fourth string working but the sound is lower that the others.

I have not unpacked this yet; it is bought as a spare. I would hate for my guitar synth to be out of action. So, what's to get excited about? Well, it is a direct and official replacement cable. You know it will work and work well straight out the pack. Of course, no cable, especially a complex and delicate 13 pin job will last forever if used in the studio every day, or on stage. So having a spare is a smart move. Gotta love Roland gear.