GE-7 vs GE-6?

[fuzzbuzzfuzz]

So, despite it being a bit  obvious, I had previously resisted the idea of an EQ pedal in my rig to sculpt the tone at the end. Yet a week or so ago, as a last minute addition to a frugal pedalboard, a GE-7 did the business, transforming a muddy woofy VOX AC15 into a much more toneful beast. 

Playing single coils mostly I'm usually hunting the mids and balancing out the front and rear pickups, so TS, Klon, SD-1 etc have come and gone..but EQ, voila!

So with that in mind I'm toying with picking up another GE-7..

[ Sidenote one - I do have a PQ-4, yes its wonderful, but on the hoof simplicity I prefer a slider rider! ]

So question time!

1) Is there any perceptible difference between an early MIJ version and late issues? (Mine is 1985 MIJ irrc). (I have seen some being sold on the basis of having vintage 4558 TS chips and therefore being subjectively better?)

2) GE-7 > GE-6?   I see quite a few non functioning GE-6s and sadly mine is that way. They have the large Raytheon(?) chips in. What might be the failure issue there. Are they any better or worse than the GE-7?

3) GE-7B - the brown and goldie, perhaps a dark horse win for less yennies?

Thank you all! (Good to have a little quest)

Sidenote 2 : I do wish they had chosen a more invigorating colour than battleship grey!

[fuzzbuzzfuzz]

Some internet gathered factoids!

GE-6, equalization of 6 ranges is possible.

The adjustable sound range is 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 800Hz, 1.6KHz (1600Hz), 3.2KHz (3200Hz).

- Two Raytheon quad op-amp RC3403 ala an OD-1
- All transistors are 2SC1740

GE-10 Graphic Equalizer, range was generally ±12 dB above and below, but the GE-6 was designed to be variable up to ±15 dB, compared to other equalizers at the time.

GE-7 From 100Hz to 3.2kHz, it works as a peaking type that increases or decreases the center frequency band, and at 6.4kHz, it works as a shelving type boost/cut slider that controls the high range above 6.4kHz.

[fuzzbuzzfuzz]

https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?t=723

A mod thread which as usual ends in narkiness! Nether-the-less quite the indepth "change all the parts" and its better type gambit!

[Old_Iron]

I heard a long time ago that the GE-7 is the only Boss pedal that, the made in Japan is inferior when compared to a made in Taiwan unit.

And the reason is noise, by the time the production was transferred to Taiwan, new chips were available and the noise to signal ratio was much better with those new chips.

I confirm that, my MIJ GE-7 is very noisy, you hear a "ssshhhhh" as soon as you engage the pedal.

Since we're talking about EQs, the quieter and transparent (almost Hi-Fi), the better, IMHO.

So, I believe you will be much better served with a post 1997 (already PSA), silver label, MIT GE-7.

A brand new unit, made in Malaysia, is probably an option too, since they are the "pinnacle" of the GE-7 evolution, but it's just a guess, I never played one.

The GE-7W is likely coming, dressed beautifully in black.

[bigtone23]

Yeah, the MIJ GE7 is an amazing pedal when a noise reducing, hi-fi mod is done to it.
I have a GE7B on my bass board (modded for noise reduction). The sliders are shifted down an octave, but it's just as good as the GE7. I only use it for a slight volume boost and very slight low cut to give a tighter volume boost, particularly when using the looper. Plus, it's dark brown. Looks cool!

[fuzzbuzzfuzz]

Interesting info chaps, thanks.

Yes the GE-7B (Gold/brown) is certainly the cheap underdog here, there are an enormous amount of GEB-7s about too. 
My MIJ has slight hiss I think but not enough to put me off at the moment. 

[chromandre]

I got a pretty neat JOYO GE-6 clone, doesnt look as cool as a boss pedal aesthetically but it does have LED sliders which are actually really practical on stage. I don't miss the added knob boost from GE-7 I just need the EQ to adjust the overall sound at soundcheck

[fuzzbuzzfuzz]

I got a pretty neat JOYO GE-6 clone, doesnt look as cool as a boss pedal aesthetically but it does have LED sliders which are actually really practical on stage. I don't miss the added knob boost from GE-7 I just need the EQ to adjust the overall sound at soundcheck

I see. Yes I think the LED idea is the same as the MXR, a small silver unit. Also quite handy!

[fuzzbuzzfuzz]

oopsy, just pushed the "Buy" button on a second MIJ GE-7

[laurie]

oopsy, just pushed the "Buy" button on a second MIJ GE-7