Yamaha FX-500

I bought this thing from a classified ad for $100. A friend of mine had one so I was already pretty familiar with it. It certainly isn't the best processor I've ever used (but I work at a recording studio so I've got access to super high-end gear), but for a cheap consumer box it's pretty cool. It took me a little while to figure out how to get into the parameters but once you know it, it's simple as hell. I've never actually refered to the manual for anything more than the specs. As far as I know, Yamaha has never bothered with a software upgrade for it. I also have an FX 500B which is the same box slightly modified for lower bass frequencies (and they threw on a black face instead of the normal grey).

When I first got it I used it for guitar but lately I've been more into playing without effects. I do a lot of live sound/recording and this box has come in handy many times. I use it just for weird delays and tremelos for which it works great. It is a little noisy which is partly why I only use it for weird effects. You can get really cool sounds by reversing the delay/reverb and the tremolo/mod settings so the tremolo is ahead of the delay in the chain (it has a button specifically for doing this). I've never liked the distortion but everything else is pretty good. I've got a Mackie SR 24-4 console that I use it with...always on one of the aux sends that can be switched pre/post fader because sometimes I like to use nothing but the wet sound(which is where pre fader comes in) but I can stll combine dry and wet by using it post fader.

So far I haven't had any problems with it but a friend of mine had to replace the power switch several times. I wouldn't use it as my main reverb (I use an Alesis Microverb 3 for that) but it's great to have as additional effaects.

Again...never had a problem. But when my friend had to replace the power switch on his, Yamaha got it back to him pretty quickly.

Again, as additional effects in my live rack it's great...easy to use. My PA setup includes: Mackie SR 24-4 & 1202 consoles, Peavey SP5 & Subcompact 118 cabinets, Peavey SP112 & 112DM monitors, ART ProMPA dual tube micpres, Alesis Microverb 3, Boss Superchorus, Shure SM-57's & 58's, Shure BG 4.1's & 6.1's, Sennheiser MD504, AKG C451, May AT25, plus cables and stands and more cables...Oh, and a whole bunch more cables. But the whole setup just wouldn't be the same without the weirdo noisy effects of the FX500 & FX500B.

It was fairly easy to use, as far as the presets go. But as far as the user programmable stuff, it sucks because you need to buy a battery to store your programs. The manual is fairly helpful.

I was using an Ibanez RG, through a Peavey Bandit 112(Scorpion equipped)amp. The amp already has good distortion, I was more interested in the flange, delay, reverb, and phase effects. They are good, but the distortion is very weak I thought.

I bought this thing used for 50$, which is a very good price. And after I had it for a week, sometimes it wouldn't turn on, sometimes it would. I never dropped it or anything. It doesn't take much of jolt to hurt it, not that I don't take care of it, but accidents do happen.

Never dealt with them.

I think the only thing that I really like about it is that it has a pretty good resale value, being that you can use it for vocals, keyboards, guitars, or whatever you need it for. It's pretty versatile, but not very reliable. Get a Zoom!! They are pretty good from what I hear.

The manual is helpfull,it is not hard to get a good clean sound out of it.Editing patches isnt hard either.

I use it with either a strat or a tele plugged strait into it and out of it into a peavey classic all tube 30 watt amp.It does get a certain amount of digital noise coming out of it and the noise gate doesnt stop it to good.I like the reverb,chorus and delay.Its good for vocals also.I love the digital compression on it and that is primarily what i use it for.It can get a great tight snapping clean sound for country chickin picken and ads great sustain to distorted Joe satriani type phrases.The distortion is real bad.I used to use it in rock and metal bands but it was too muddy and artificial.The EQ isnt all that versatile either,i use an external EQ in the fx loop of my amp and boost the low mids around 250-350hz.

I have had to re solder the input and output jacks back to the board already and i had to reverse the power switch to get it to turn on. The button comes out for on instead of in for on.The power supply stopped working so i replaced it with a 1000ma generic battery replacement type supply that cost $9 compared to $45 for the one from Yamaha.

Never dealt with them

I play many different styles,modern country,jazz,rock,metal,whatever mood im in,but i play part time in a local country/rock band.I've been playing guitar for 12 yrs and own and been through alot of equipment.I havent been able to find anything else that gives me the clean sound im after.I also have a Digitech 2112 but i dont like the clean sounds,the compression is weak and the distortion also sounds artificial to me even though its tubes.I have a Mesa Tri-Axis on order and i am hoping this is the answer to my problems.As of now i would prabobly buy it agsin for the clean sounds and continue to use the tube preamp in my combo amp for distortion.

This isn't very difficult to use.It has 5 effects (Comp.,Dist.,Eq.,Mod.,Rev.) and their editing is very easy.The manual can be very enlightening.

Well,if you like DIGITAL (the whole thing) effects you're going to like this one.Personaly,I didn't like it at all.This annoying noise is always there whatever I do!! The only things I liked was the reverb patches and some delays.

If you put it in a safe place during the gig,you'll have no problem. Mine fell down once and did very serious damage to it.

Here in Greece the customer support is very poor in such product categories as this. Only if the cash is BIG,you'll get noticed!

NO FUCKING WAY!I wouldn't buy it again !!!