[Electric Guitar] Reviewing the BOSS EURUS GS-1

Hello, I’m Yoshitaka and I’m the one writing this post.
I am an amateur acoustic guitarist who is not very familiar with electric guitars, but due to my collaborations on Instagram, I couldn't resist the desire for more sound variations, even though I can't play keyboards. Miraculously, I was able to secure a reservation and got my hands on the cutting-edge synth guitar, the BOSS EURUS GS-1, which I’ll be reporting on today.

BOSS / EURUS GS-1

1. Features of the BOSS EURUS GS-1

This guitar (hereafter referred to as EURUS) has the following features:

• Produce synth sounds with the same feel as an electric guitar.
  With just a switch, you can switch from an electric guitar to a synth guitar and output dynamic sounds.
• Set and edit synth sounds via a smartphone app.
  You can select synth sounds from the app and save up to six presets. Additionally, each sound has adjustable parameters. You can enjoy a wide variety of digital sounds such as synth leads, pads, synth basses, and synth strings.
• It can also be used as a regular electric guitar.
  In addition to being a synth guitar, it also functions as a full-featured electric guitar with a humbucking pickup and a tremolo arm.

2. How it Feels to Use in Practice

• Easy to play and surprisingly light
  First of all, what I would like to emphasize is how easy it is to play (I acknowledge that playability is subjective, but this is my initial opinion). Since it's a synth guitar with electronic circuitry and holds four AA batteries, I expected it to be quite heavy. However, thanks to the good body balance and materials like alder, it felt lighter than I anticipated. While I'm not great at fast picking, I was surprised at how easily my fingers moved on this guitar.
• No false notes or latency even in synth mode
  To my surprise, even with my fast picking, I couldn't feel any of the typical false notes or latency associated with electronic instruments. Whether during live performances or in the studio, I could switch from electric guitar mode to synth guitar with just a button and play without any discomfort. The performance is truly amazing. As stated in the product's webpage, I was simply amazed that "as long as you play an electric guitar, you can produce synth sounds." The usability is excellent.
• Well-made and solid construction
  Priced at over 200,000 yen, the guitar’s build is meticulous and solid. It’s made in Japan and features high-quality parts such as the Gotoh 2-point bridge and locking nut, ensuring reliability. The included case is not a hard case, but a dedicated gig bag that is lightweight, stylish, and offers good protection, making it quite practical.

BOSS　EURUS GS-1
It feels easy to play, and I also find the body balance to be good.
For the guitar amplifier, I use the Positive Grid Spark. With just the EURUS and Spark, the possibilities are endless.

3. Points to Consider Before Purchasing

If you carefully read the product homepage and user manual, you will likely notice the following points. Please note these before purchasing.

• It’s a synth guitar, not a MIDI guitar
  The sound source for the EURUS is a dedicated one, meaning it does not support external MIDI sound sources (as of October 25, 2021).
  Therefore, it cannot be used as a MIDI input device, and it does not have a MIDI interface.
  Although it has a USB port, it is currently only for software updates.
• Sound sources are limited to synth types
  Currently (as of October 25, 2021), sound sources such as piano, organ, various wind instruments, and orchestral string instruments are not available, and it cannot produce sounds like a (keyboard) synthesizer. You can check what sounds are available on the EURUS by looking at the GS-1 sound list on the product’s homepage.
  If you’re looking to play other instrument sounds with the guitar, you would likely use the Roland GR-55. The GR-55 connects either by installing the dedicated GK-3 pickup onto an electric guitar or using a guitar with a GK port, such as the Godin Synth Access. Unfortunately, the EURUS does not have a GK port.
  Personally, I would appreciate it if the EURUS’ sound variety expands in the future to include sounds from other instruments, but as I mentioned later, it may have a different focus.
• The range of sound adjustments on the smartphone app is somewhat limited
  Unlike an analog synthesizer where you can set the oscillators and filters from scratch, the EURUS only allows you to edit the installed sounds. It doesn't seem like you can create sounds from the ground up.
  For those who need analog synth-style sound creation, devices like the BOSS SY-1000, SY-300, and SY-1 would seem to better serve those needs.

In that sense, the EURUS seems to be a synth-equipped instrument designed specifically for live performance. It’s neither a MIDI input device, nor a GR-series instrument offering a wide range of digital sounds, nor an analog-synth type like the SY-series. It may be an independent entity, positioned uniquely within the Roland/BOSS product lineup.

4. Overall

The build quality is solid, and it’s easy to play. You can play it just like an electric guitar, and since the sounds are limited, they are easier to choose from. Despite being a cutting-edge instrument (excluding price), it’s very accessible and user-friendly.
I’ve also had the chance to try some relatively inexpensive, new MIDI guitars. While the purpose is different, the playability of the EURUS feels exceptional, with no glitches or latency. It’s so seamless that you forget you’re playing a synth guitar. That said, the available sounds might be a matter of personal taste. I believe this is an instrument that will attract more users over time, and as it gains attention, we will likely see more reviews on video-sharing sites.
Personally, my main electric guitar has become this instrument. It’s relatively light and easy to use, which I appreciate. As for using it as an electric guitar, it’s passive, so it works just fine without any issues.

That’s the BOSS EURUS GS-1 introduction. Thank you for reading until the end!

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