G-5

VG Stratocaster®

G-5
Discontinued

Stratocaster Powered by Roland COSM Technology

Roland rewrote guitar-tech history with the debut of COSM technology, which first appeared on the pioneering VG-8 guitar-modeling system. Today, the new G-5 infuses a coveted Fender Stratocaster with advanced features realized by Roland’s COSM technology. In addition to offering all classic Stratocaster sounds and functionality, the G-5 provides a new world of electric and acoustic guitar tones recreated by COSM — including instantly accessible alternate tunings and 12-string sounds for all COSM guitar tones! The G-5 also offers a built-in library of coveted modeled pickup tones, and, thanks to COSM technology, also enables unique “ideal-performance” pickups, such as a humbucker with ultra-wide tone and a single coil with full, bold tone.

Stratocaster with VG engine

Born through a combination of Roland's latest guitar modeling technology and Fender's traditional Stratocaster, the G-5 is a guitar overflowing with creative possibilities. With COSM guitar modeling onboard, the G-5 lets you create custom instruments virtually, including different guitar body shapes, pickup types, and tunings. COSM is what allows this guitar to reproduce the sounds of a Telecaster in perfect detail, or humbucker pickups, or acoustic guitars. COSM can also take you to creative places never imagined, into sonic realms that have been impossible to reach with traditional electric guitars.

Divided pickup dramatically enhances expression

In addition to normal Stratocaster pickups, this model comes with divided pickup that realizes new possibilities for guitar. This pickup transmits signals from each string individually, and is capable of accurately capturing performance information for each individual string. In addition to capturing the performance techniques and nuances characteristic of guitars, such as bending, vibrato, and hammering, the divided pickup also enables an entirely new level of performance through COSM.

From traditional guitar sounds to the unimagined

The G-5 comes with five different modes: Normal Stratocaster, Modeled Stratocaster, Telecaster, Humbucking Pickups, and Acoustic. With its five-way switch, you can create tonal variations with different pickup combinations from any of these modes. In addition, the G-5 enables tonal options that are not available on traditional electric guitars, including Wide Range (which gives you a fat tone while maintaining the wide range of single coil pickups) and Bright Humbucker (that delivers highs that cut through while maintaining the rich mids and lows hat are characteristic of humbuckers). You can also enjoy the sounds of Jazz Guitar and Electric Sitar in acoustic mode, all from a single guitar!

Instantly retune to alternative tunings

The G-5’s Tuning function lets you instantly retune to alternative tunings such as Drop D, Open G, D modal, and Baritone at the turn of a knob. You can switch to a variety of alternative tunings without touching the tuning pegs or switching to another guitar, keeping your string tensions unchanged. A 12-string guitar mode is also provided, which you can use with both acoustic and electric guitar sounds.

Fast, easy control

The G-5 is as easy to use a regular electric guitar. After you plug in your guitar cable, all you have to do to set your tone is turn the Mode and Tuning knobs, and set the five-way switch. It’s fast and friendly to use yet feature-filled and powerful.

Classic Strat, New Horizons

Since pioneering the GR-500 guitar synth in 1977, Roland has been dedicated to developing the ultimate electronic guitar. A perpetual and continuous quest for the next-generation guitar led to electric-guitar giant Fender®. Now, collaborating with Fender, Roland proudly introduces a new era of electronic guitar: V-Guitar!

Color variations
Type 1 (G-5-BLK)
Body Color: Black
Neck:1-piece Maple neck
Bridge: Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Type 2 (G-5-3TS)
Body Color:3-Tone Sunburst
Neck: Rosewood (Fingerboard) on Maple
Bridge: Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Common specifications
Body
Alder
Neck
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (24.1cm)
Backshape: Modern "C" shape
Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8cm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Pickups
Single Coil type x3, Divided type x1
Bridge
Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Controls
MODE knob: 5types
N: Normal (non-modeling mode)
S: Modeled Stratocaster
T: Modeled Telecaster
H: Modeled Humbucking Pickups
A: Modeled Acoustic guitar

TUNING knob: 6types
N: Normal tuning
D: Drop D
G: Open G
d: D Modal
B: Baritone
12: 12-string guitar

TONE Control knob, VOLUME knob, 5-Way switch
Indicator
Power indicator
Nominal Output Level
-20 dBu
Output Impedance
2 k ohms
Recommended Load Impedance
20 k ohms or greater
Connector
Guitar Jack (1/4" phone type)
Power Supply
Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4, or
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4
Current Draw
230 mA (DC 6 V)
Expected battery life under continuous use
Alkaline battery: 6 hours
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery: 9 hours
* These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.
Accessories
G-5 VG Stratocaster® Owner’s Manual, OWNER'S MANUAL FOR FENDER® GUITARS, Tremolo Arm, Hexagonal wrench, Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4, Special gig bag
Size and Weight
Weight
3.8 kg
8 lbs. 7 oz.
0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
All specifications and appearances are subject to change.

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals