
FEATURES
CAUTION
The G-33 and G-88 Bass Guitar are turned
on and played in exactly the same manner
as an ordinary electric bass guitar.
•The VCF cutoff frequency and resonance,
vibrato ON/OFF, etc. are controlled from
the bass guitar.
CONNECTIONS
Using the electric bass guitar.
•A single coil bass pickup and two band
equalizers for a good normal bass guitar
sound.
• Can be used as a normal bass guitar
without the Bass GUITAR Synthesizer.
• Newly designed humbucking pickup for
improved noise rejection.
• Vibrato ON/OFF touch plates for simple
guitar-like control of synthesizer vibrato
effects.
Using the GR-33B BASS GUITAR SYNTHESIZER
• When storing the Bass Guitar Controller
in its case, leave the strings tightened
as when playing.
•To maintain good sound quality, do not
allow the strings to become too old before
replacing.
•Extreme temperatures and humidity will
damage the Bass Guitar.
•The G-33 and the G-88 Bass Guitar
cannot be used with the GR-500 and the
GR-300.
The NORMAL OUTPUT jack may be
used simultaneously with the GR-33B
Guitar synthesizer.
To protect the 24-pin con
nector, leave its rubber cover
in place.
ToAMP.
TOGR-33B
BALANCE control will
have no effect on the
NORMALOUTPUT sound

USING THE GR-33B BASS GUITAR SYNTHESIZER
Master Volume Control
The master volume control controls the
overall volume levels of both the normal
bass guitar sound and the synthesizer
sound. When the Bass Guitar is connected
directly to the guitar amplifier from the
normal output jack, the master volume
control can be used as an ordinary volume
control.
2-Band EQ/Treble, Bass
These control the tonal quality of the normal
bass guitar sound. When the treble and
bass controls are set to their center click-
VCF Resonance
This produces a peak at the VCF CUT
OFF frequency point to impart an accent
to the tone.
Turning the control fully clockwise in
creases the peak, while turning it fully
counterclockwise causes the peak to dis
appear.
Vibrato Depth
This adjusts the depth of the vibrato ap
plied to the VCO. When the knob is turned
clockwise, the depth is increased. When it
is turned fully counterclockwise, the depth
Upper (VCO) position, only the synthesizer
sound is produced. In the Middle (DUET)
and Upper (VCO) positions, the normal
bass guitar sound can be mixed with the
synthezier sound by using the Balance
Control.
When stopping strings with the left hand,
there is no problem because the left hand
fingers are touching the strings which are
metal and at ground potential. With vibrato
effect on open strings, it may become
necessary for the player to form a bridge
to ground. This can be done by touching
stop position, the EQ characteristics are
flat, and the single coil pickup delivers
a normal bass guitar sound. Turning either
of these knobs clockwise provides an EQ
■‘boost", and turning them counterclock
wise provides an EQ "cut".
BalanceControl
When the Voice Selector is set in the DUET
or VCO position, it is possible to mix the
normal bass guitar sound with the synthe
sizer sound.
When the Balance Control is turned fully
clockwise, only the synthesizer sound is
produced. As the knob is turned counter
clockwise. the normal bass guitar sound
is produced in relation to how far the con
trol is turned.
In the fully counterclockwise position, the
synthesizer sound disappears, and only
the normal bass guitar sound is heard.
VCF CUTOFF Frequency
This control accents the frequencies at
the cutoff point of VCF. When this knob is
becomes zero and the vibrato disappears.
Touch Plates (Vibrato Switch)
The ON/OFF function of the vibrato is con
trolled by touch plates located on either
sides of the divided pickup. One touch of
the upper touch plate will turn the con
tinuous vibrato effect ON.
The lower touch plate is used for one-
touch vibrato—vibrato will be produced
only as long as the plate is touched. It is
also used for stopping the continuous
vibrato effect started with the upper touch
plate. Since touching the lower plate pro
duces vibrato, the continuous vibrato will
end when the lower plate is release.
The operation of the touch plates depends
on using the body of the player to form a
bridge between the plate and electrical
ground.
Voice Selector
This selector functions in 3 steps. In the
Lower (GUITAR) position, only the normal
bass guitar sound is produced. In the
bare skin to any metal part of the Bass
Guitar (or Bass Guitar Synthesizer) while
simultaneously touching the plate. For
example, the right hand could touch the
plate and the bridge or strings, or the left
hand could touch an unused string or any
part of the tuning mechanism.
Normal Output Jack
This jack IS used when the G-33 or G-88 is played as
an ordinary bass guitar without employing the GR-33B
Bass Guitar Synthesizer Even when using the GR*33B.
however, normal bass guitar output can be derived
from this jack. In this case, the normal bass guitar
Output is delivered from the normal jack irrespective
of the position of the Balance Control.
Battery Box
When the G-33 and G-88 are used as ordinary elec-
iric bass guitars without connecting the GR-33B. sound
is not produced unless 2 "006P" batteries are inserted,
since the Bass Guitar incorporate a 2-band EO. Bat
teries can be replaced by simply opening the battery
box
Battery On/Off Operation
Inserting the olug of a normal gullar cord mio the
normal jack of the G-33 or G-88 turns on the batteries.
Connectors
A 24-pin connector for the GR-33B and a normal output
jack for any conventional guitar amplifier are provided.
turned fully clockwise, the effect will be
come stronger: when this control is turned
fully counterclockwise, it has no effect.
Middle (DUET) position, the synthesizer
and the fundamental pitch extracted from
the bass guitar sound are mixed. In the

SPECIFICATIONS
G-33, G-88 BASS GUITAR
G-33, G-88 OWNER’S MANUAL ’80 DEC. E-2
Body
Neck
Finger Board
Pick-up Divided Pick-up (GOD1BS)
Hardware Nicrome Plating (G-33)
Controls
Ash
Set Neck, Maple (G-33)
Thru Neck, Maple Walnut Laminate
(G-88)
Ebonized Rosewood
Gold Plating (G-88)
Total Volume. Guitar EQ (Trebel,
Bass), Guitar/Synth. Balance.
VCF CUTOFF Freq.,VCF
Resonance. Switch: VCO/DUET/
GUITAR Select-SW, Vibrato
Depth
Switch: LATCH VIBTOUCH-SW.
UNLATCH VIBTOUCH-SW
Weight 4.2kg
Roland Corporation