On 2003-11-27, Joe gave this Johnson Guitar Effects a 5


Purchase: I got this baby at Sam Ash in New York City. I paid $150, but you can pick it up for $99 now since it dropped price.
Pros: Everything. Huge range of effects and it can model so many amps, it's amazing. I like it better than the POD because you can edit it on the fly with your computer, and it is really easy to use. It comes with 30 factory presets and 30 user-defined presets that you can create or edit whenever you feel the need to do so.
Cons: The auto-wah. When you're looking for a wah pedal, get a wah pedal and not auto-wah. Especially on this unit because it is cheaply made. But that is the only gripe I have about this whole unit.
Quality: It is built solid, in a metal casing unlike several other guitar processors, like DigiTech or POD.

Summary: I really like this thing, and I'm going to buy the foot board for it because it screams to be played live.

On 2001-12-20, Tim Ellyson gave this Johnson Guitar Effects a 5


Purchase: I bought my J-Station at Mars Music in Somerville MA for $149.99.
Pros: I like several things about the J-Station. The sounds are incredible!! I have been using this unit in gigging situations and have been very pleased. I can pretty much dial in any tone that I need, and unlike most "Multi-effects processors" I have used (e.g. Digitech rp7)the tones are really usable. The programmability of this amp simulator is extremely easy, and "on the fly tweaks" are not a problem. When you attach this unit to a computer via the MIDI ports, the J-EDIT software really shines. In this "deep" edit mode, effect editing is very easy and flexible. I also appreciated the fact that the website has so many usable patches. The best part of the J-Station is the price. For $150.00 you just can't go wrong.
Cons: A CD input jack would be great.
Quality: Metal case, sturdy looking construction. I have not "drop tested" my J-Station yet, and I prefer to let someone else do that with their own unit.

Summary: Excellent unit!! At $150.00 it is really a bargain.

On 2001-12-12, RBPerez gave this Johnson Guitar Effects a 5


Purchase: I bought my J-Station in May of 2001, I purchased it at Mars in SLC and paid 150.00
Pros: I originally bought the J-Station for recording into my computer, all of the effects and amp models were just too good an investment to pass by. After only owning it for less than a month I started using it to play live. I play an Epiphone Les Paul with a Vox Pathfinder amp. The J-Station gets surprisingly impressive tone for a digital processor. You can purchase a foot controller for live applications. You can preset all your individual tones with effects, and deep editing for all parameters to really tweak to your taste, and tap delay for adjusting on the fly. Also, it is a small lightweight unit so you can take it along, and with a set of headphones you can plug in and practice or play anywhere, and the stereo line out(s)outputs eliminates the need of even having an amp. (But that would just be wrong!!) The manual was very easy to go through, and you can quickly and easily set up new settings, access preset settings, and make changes to any setting already saved. I have gotten alot of compliments on my sound, and hey, if you can't find your own sound you can go online to the website and get the parameters to someone else's sound.
Cons: The J-Station is made to sit on a table top or flat, I wish it had a mount you could set it on the top of an amp or even a mic stand. Or, hey, maybe even a rackmountable version.
Quality: The unit is built pretty stout with solid knobs and switches, no wimpy little plastic stuff on this jobby. And it has a sturdy METAL casing. Just pick it up and you can feel how touch it is.

Summary: I am very pleased with my purchase of the Johnson J-Station. It has become a necessary piece of my guitar rig, not only for recording but in just about any situation. And I highly recommend it for the sound quality and it's power to help you create.

On 2001-12-08, Barry J. gave this Johnson Guitar Effects a 4


Purchase: Purchased from Sam Ash...$149.95. This seems to be the price at every retailer, so go where you're most comfortable with the service. Two reasons for acquiring this unit instead of its many competitors (POD, V-Amp and the like); the first was the fact that the J-Station also includes bass amp emulations, the second was the various options for hooking up this unit to a PC (MIDI and SPDIF connections)
Pros: This unit has some terrific guitar amp emulations, pretty decent effects (though maybe not quite as good as a dedicated effect-only unit), and some really good bass sounds. This last feature is a godsend for those who own both a guitar and a bass and only want a single unit for both. Programming is ridiculously easy with the included PC software, and there is a decent number of user-created patches already available to download online.
Cons: As mentioned above, programming this unit is very easy using a PC; the same programming functions are available just using the front panel buttons and knobs, but you better have your manual handy because you WILL need it. Most of the factory presets are WAY over-processed (every multi-effects manufacturer in the business does this....stop it!), but that can be easily cured by the user. The acoustic guitar simulations are cool in their own warped way, but don't plan on trading in your Martin anytime soon.
Quality: This unit seems extremely well constructed; fairly heavy duty casing, solid feeling knobs and decent quality jacks. At least equal to every other unit I looked at, and at a better price point to boot!

Summary: The J-station seems to be the forgotten child in the huge family of amp emulators/effects processors that have flooded the market as of late, and that's a shame; this unit's wonderful amp emulations, effects, bass settings and connectivity options make it one of the most versatile units of it's type. Factor in the $149.95 price tag and you have a nearly unbeatable choice for the typical "sofa superstar" like myself and most of the guitarist out there. Let's hope the word gets around about this terrific little box before it's too late

On 2001-11-13, RFW gave this Johnson Guitar Effects a 5


Purchase: I bought it at a local music store for $150.00.
Pros: I does amp and cabinet emulation amazingly well. It comes with midi software to control and upgrade it from a computer. It has an s/pdif output and even a power switch. It has a power supply that isn't a wall wart. The price is very low and it's made in USA. Also they have a nice front screen on their web site!
Cons: The control/expression pedal is an extra $190 and it's not real easy to find. It wasn't at the place where I got it or for sale on their web site. If you get the pedal,it can't be used at the same time as the computer midi hook up is in use.
Quality: Good quality and they really put some thought into what the customer would like.

Summary: Nice unit. Very good processor for the price. The amp and cabinet emulation is about the best Ive heard.