Enter for a chance to win an RC-3 Loop Station pedal autographed by John-5, Steve Stevens, Billy Duffy, Herman Li, and Darryl Jones. Contest ends April 5, 2013.

On Friday evening, January 25, 2013, loop artists from 12 different countries gathered at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney to compete in the international finals for the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 3. Held as part of Roland Connect during the 2013 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, the finals event was an exciting conclusion to the BOSS global competition that began in the summer of 2012. Over 500 looping fans were in attendance, with another 8,000-plus viewing live on the web as the event was streamed online.

RC-3 giveaway ends April 5, 2013

The large audience enjoyed an entertaining evening of inspired and innovative performances, with all the loop artists delivering high-level musical presentations. Ultimately, Grison Beatbox of Spain claimed the looping title with a mesmerizing beatboxing performance that featured impressive technical skill with his RC-300 Loop Station and VE-20 Vocal Performer effects. For his efforts, he earned $3,000 in BOSS gear.

Now in its third year, the BOSS Loop Station World Championship spotlights artists around the globe that make fresh and inventive music with BOSS’ industry leading Loop Station products. This year’s international finals showed how the relatively new and wildly expressive art form of live looping continues to evolve at a lighting pace, with the artists performing an eclectic array of music styles with vocals, effects, a huge range of instruments, and full-throttle musical creativity.

All 12 loop artists were winners of BOSS Loop Station competitions held in their home countries throughout the latter part of 2012. Regions represented were the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Iberia, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe.

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Related links and articles:

• The Art of Looping
• Meet the Loop Station World Championship 3 Judges
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

Guitar legend Steve Stevens is perhaps best known for his nearly 30-year association with ‘80s icon Billy Idol and his pyrotechnic playing on Idol tracks such as “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face.” Additionally, Stevens boasts an impressive resumé of achievements as both a solo artist and sideman, working with a diverse range of artists, including such greats as Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Vince Neil and many others. In 1986, his contributions to the Top Gun soundtrack earned Stevens a Grammy Award. Considering his incredible experience, Roland approached the guitar legend for his take on our ground braking G-5 Fender Strat. Check out the video below for his thoughts and enter to win the featured G-5 Strat autographed by Mr. Stevens himself!

The G-5 features the following guitars and tunings:

MODE knob: 5 types

• N: Normal (non-modeling mode)
• S: Stratocaster
• T: Telecaster
• H: Humbucker
• A: Acoustic

TUNING knob: 6 types

• N: Normal tuning
• D: Drop D
• G: Open G
• d: D Modal
• B: Baritone
• 12: 12-string guitar

Darryl has played bass guitar for the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Cher and Peter Gabriel. He also plays with an amazing trio, the Stone Raiders. Darryl uses BOSS effects and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

John 5

John plays guitar for Rob Zombie. He has also played with Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and many others. John’s innovative and versatile guitar style has been featured on many projects. John plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer. John is featured on the new BOSS compact pedal Connect videos.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Steve Stevens

Steve is the guitarist for Billy Idol. He has performed with Michael Jackson, Vince Neil, Ric Ocasek, Robert Palmer, Tony Levin, Terry Bozzio, the Atomic Playboys and Flamenco a GoGo. He played guitar on the mega-selling soundtrack “Top Gun” which earned him a Grammy Award for Pop Instrumental Performance. Steve plays BOSS compact pedals, the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer and Roland G-5 V-G Stratocaster.

Billy Duffy

Billy has played guitar with Johnny Marr, Morrissey and many others. He is best known for his work as guitarist for the Cult. His iconic guitar riffs are known to millions of music fans. Billy plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland JC-120 amplifier.

Herman Li

Herman plays guitar for DragonForce. His blindingly fast and precise guitar playing has won the respect of many fans around the world. Herman is originally from Hong Kong and studied in the UK where he now lives. Herman uses BOSS compact pedals, BOSS eBand and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is the Product and Marketing Manager for BOSS and Roland Guitar Products. As a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Related Links and articles:

• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 2
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1
• 18 Exciting New Products For Winter NAMM

In this video Steve Stevens demonstrates the Roland G-5 V-Guitar and the plethora of sounds it covers. We could continue to write about the demo but it wouldn’t give justice to Steve’s  talent or the product so just check out the video.

The G-5 features the following guitars and tunings:

MODE knob: 5 types

N: Normal (non-modeling mode)
S: Stratocaster
T: Telecaster
H: Humbucker
A: Acoustic

TUNING knob: 6 types

N: Normal tuning
D: Drop D
G: Open G
d: D Modal
B: Baritone
12: 12-string guitar

Guitar legend Steve Stevens is perhaps best known for his nearly 30-year association with ‘80s icon Billy Idol and his pyrotechnic playing on Idol tracks such as “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face.” Additionally, Stevens boasts an impressive resumé of achievements as both a solo artist and sideman, working with a diverse range of artists, including such greats as Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Vince Neil and many others. In 1986, his contributions to the Top Gun soundtrack earned Stevens a Grammy Award. Join Roland, Guitar Center and Steve Stevens for an evening of insight, discussion and live performance.

Published on May 24, 2012 by Rolandmedia

Location: Guitar Center #110 7425 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90046

When: Thursday, November 8, 2012

Live streaming here via GuitarTV.com. Live streaming begins at 7:00pm EST

7-7:30pm: Steve Stevens V-Guitar demonstrations
7:30-8:00pm: Q&A with Steve, autograph session

Giveaways include:

Roland G-5 Strat autographed by Steve Stevens
Roland Micro Cube guitar amp
BOSS TU-10 Clip-On chromatic tuners
Lots of T-shirts

V-Guitar 2012 World Tour:

9/22 Calgary
10/2 Nashville
10/4 Birmingham
10/6-7 Copenhagen
10/10 Redmond
10/11 Portland
10/12 Keizer
10/17 Torrance
10/25 Budapest
11/3 Sterling
11/5 San Antonio
11/6 Austin and Warsaw
11/8 Hollywood
11/10 Albuquerque
11/13 Pensacola
11/15 West Seneca
11/17 Fukuoka
11/18, 22-23 Tokyo
11/24 Saitama
11/25 Osaka

Links and related articles:

Michael “Nomad” Ripoll Demos the Roland G-5 V-Guitar
Billy Duffy (The Cult): How I Discovered My Signature Sound
Mike Scaccia (Ministry): How I Got My Tone