Yamaha SPX-900

having never used multi-effects like this before, i had to read the manual, which was luckily readily available online, but it was easy to understand so it's all good. the only reason it's not a 10 is that there are a lot of parameters to scroll through, and i mean A LOT on some of the modes; like, probably a few more than anyone would ever really need. despite the occasional overkill, it's not hard to get the sound you're looking for - exactly.

unbelievably beautiful. if you want to hear how it sounds, listen to loveless; kevin shields still uses two of these things in his rack on tour (i saw it). the spx also has the same reverse reverbs that slowdive used. and it's not just for reverb, most of the other stuff is pretty intense as well. pitch shifting is amazing, as is the freeze program. i even use the other basic modulation programs from time to time. the only thing is, as anyone else will tell you, the distortion is awful. seriously though, there's not much more to say after listening to loveless knowing that this was pretty much the only reverb he used.

i carry it around in a backpack without fear. it's like 20 years old and still completely solid. i feel like as long as i don't drop it on the floor it'll live forever.

no idea; never needed it.

i picked mine up on ebay for $170. for that kind of money, there's no reason not to get one. you can buy individual electro-harmonics pedals that might sound as good as some of the modes on the spx900, but they aren't nearly as flexible, nor are they midi-controllable. plus, they cost $150 a piece. get one now before they're hard to find. my only advice is, if you can afford it/ if you can find one, get the spx1000. it's basically the exact same thing but it has stereo inputs, which is my only complaint about the 900. more stereo options = always better.

Quite fast to retrieve your effect, I did not have to read the manual yet(I am not using the midi signal anyway). Editing patch is made via the arrow menu. The LCD screen is big enough to see all the info you need.

I used some guitar with this unit and it sounds good. I also using it for my electronic music as a compressor. You can also combine up to 4 effects in series(nice result). The distortion sounds bad, I don't know why. The reverb sounds really good, very realistic.

I figure that this machine is reliable, I got it used almost destroyed. And the unit sounds like new.

Never have to, this unit is 16 years old!!!

Very reliable, sounds good for most of the preset effect program, except distortion. My favorite feature is the reverb(alot of programs are reverb).