Zoom G2

Took a little time to learn how to change settings. But worth it.

Almost all effects are cool! With an exception of acoustic simulator. But that's still okay.

No problem!

For almost any kind of music style.

considering the number of knobs you have here (not many), it's oparation is very good. it's very vestile, and as soon as you learn how to operate it all becomes pretty intuative, but again, since you have 3 knobs operate all the effects it's a steep learning curve.

i used an american delux strat and a fm65r amp.
i only got the g2 for mods delays and reverbs, and for the most they sound surprisingly good (i didn't like the way the chorus sounds for example, not very clear). nothing amazing, but it does the job very well.
i wouldn't use the amp and distortion models for gigs, but they are very nice for practice, which for the price is actually great. the same with the wha.

the thing is this unit is very verstyle once you get to know it, if you only want some good delay reverb section, i dont think you can beat it at this price range. but if you expect the amp section to do magic you might be desapointed.

well..
mine just stoped working after about a year and a half, and i don't intend to fix it. other then that it had some minor problems before.

on the bright side it's very very raggedly built.

never used it.

it's awsome for thre price. i think that besides some tech problems it's an amazing unit for the begining guitarist, and very good for practice. for gigs it's limited- it's a verstyle and a not bad at all sounding unit if you use it for the things it does good.

Read the Manual. There are so many permutations of possibilities with the different settings available, it pays to know what it is that you're modifying when you start twirling knobs and changing settings.
Takes effort to learn how to create a patch and save it, but once you get up to speed you'll be navigating around easily. Manual is reasonably helpful.

Keeping in mind that I'm running this into a solid-state amp, my experience with it says,"The more distortion you dial in, the crappier it sounds coming out of the amp". I.e. solid state sounds like solid state when it comes to distortion. The Boost setting helps. At cranked amp volumes, I found that I really had to back off on the amp modelling gain settings.
Effects are a mixed bag. I mainly use Chorus, delay, reverb, and the above mentioned Boost. Noise Reduction helpful. Flanger effect sounds processed - I avoid it. I use maybe half of the effects available and avoid the rest, but that still gives me a good palette of things to choose from.
Favourite amp model with this is the Roland JC with some extra chorus, and delay/reverb thrown in. Was disappointed with the Vox and Marshall amp models - perhaps had unrealistic expectations about getting that Marshall sound (with an Epi Les Paul).

I've had it for just under two years. Worked great for the first year. Then, as with so many other G2 users, the foot switches started to fail intermittently. I use it to play on the church music team. Now I'm looking for a replacement.

Well, it failed after the warranty expired. I may contact Zoom - the switch problems are common and I've heard that they may do warranty support even after the product is out of warranty. If I have any work done on it, I'll do it myself or enlist the help of a tech.

I play on the church music team. Musical style varies from slow to uptempo incl rock. I use a Hagstrom Viking through the G2 into a 30W solid state amp. We mic our amps and run the sound through the PA system. Whenever I get comments about my playing, I listen for comments about my tone, as hearing yourself through a stage monitor only tells you so much. Last time out I was encouraged by how warm my tone sounded, the person commenting attributed it to the fact that I was playing a semi-hollowbody. For the price, this was a great buy at the time, it has enough functionality to keep you tweaking for ages. I wish it had the ability to select the order in which effects are applied to the signal (manual describes the order in which effects are applied). Best feature about it is that I get great clean sounds from it.
Based on it's reliability, I won't be buying another G2. But I like the functionality of this thing so much, I'm pulled to getting it's cheaper sibling, the G1, hoping that Zoom hasn't engineered the same defects into it as with the G2. Even with the amp models and effects that you won't use (too processed sounding), there are still lots of features available at this price. It's a roll of the dice on reliability.

Once you program a few patches using the manual, it becomes easy to navigate on your own. I'll still pull out the manual occasionally to remind me of a few things, but for the most part, it's pretty intuitive. It's easy to get a good sound out of it, but there are plenty of ways to get a terrible sound out of it.

You can get these for under $100 brand new, and you can usually pick them up used for around $50-$70. For that price, these can't be beat. The models are very good. Do they sound like what they're emulating? Not usually, but they'll remind you of the amp they're imitating, and they sound good doing it. For example, I have a Vox AC15. The AC30 model on this thing is pretty close to the Vox vibe, though it's definitely different. The same goes for most of the models. Good sounds, although not perfect imitations. The cleans have some character, and the distortions sound nice. Some are a little iffy, but if you can't find an overdrive/distortion sound in here that you don't like, you're obnoxiously picky, and you probably won't even look at pedals that aren't overpriced boutique boxes.

I don't really like many effects, but most of the ones included are usable. Of course they aren't as good as a dedicated stomp box, but look at it this way - a Boss CH-1 costs $90... this unit cost about the same... and the chorus in here sounds just fine. I'm sure others have pointed that out, but I suppose it can't be said enough. The chorus, tremolo, and phaser are just fine. The auto wah is okay, and the flange is passable. Other effects are really just fun to mess with, but you probably won't ever use them.

It sounds great plugged into the front of an amp. I use this at home with a Fender Blues Jr. I haven't used this for gigs, as I have a different setup that I really love, but it could be used in that way as long as you don't need to switch patches too much (there are only two footswitches to cycle through patches). You can run this thing direct into a recorder and get some pretty good tones for demos. You could even use it as your guitar sound for a real recording if you want. It's no slouch. The cab simulator isn't very tweakable - there are two mic models and mic positions, but they seem to just shift the EQ center rather than change anything. Tweakable or not, the cab simulator sounds pretty good. I haven't really tried it direct to PA, but I'm sure it would work. I have the Zoom G7.ut (which I have used direct to PA), and the G2's cab simulator is identical to the one in the G7. For a headphone practice amp, this thing is great.

No problems, but this unit stays at home.

They answer their emails fairly quickly.

I've been playing all kinds of guitar music for twelve years. If you want a fun box for practice or whatever, this is it. For gigs, you may want something a little different, but this unit has the sound quality to hold up to most gigs. As I mentioned before, I've got the G7.ut, and I'm honestly more impressed with the little G2. Give it a try - you'll like it.

OK

Guitars - Jackson, Charvel, Mighty Mite project guitars
Pick up - Ibanez's INF 4 Humbucker and based on Alnico magnet
COMBO - I don't use COMBO ! Combo = Vomit, Combo is not actual for me ! You can play "IN LINE" with ZOOM's G2 "CABI & MIC" Very nice Combo's Simulator !And I even don't want to hear from old rock losers about 'combo is wauh' I'm Modern Boy and I know better ;)
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OK, NEXT, Lets talk about FX
"CABI & MIC" is fantasic as I told You !
"Noise reduction" is wauh, very satisfied
Distortion - I like "Extreme Distortion FX" and "BG Drive"
"Auto wauh" - OK ' plus - minus' I heard much better, BUT Cabinet emulation plus distortion = OK, I can make a really 'vintage hard ' and modern sound !

Reliability = OK ! processor's quality is OK !
No one bug or problem with this ZOOM, even at the dust room

I don't know, because I don't need it

I'm Electro-Rocker 'DJ&El guitar' But I Love 'Hard Rock' And 'Hard Core' too. So this very flexible processor ! just turn handles EQ and distortion level !
Price and sounds = OK !But presets = crap !!! Hey Zoom You must invite James Hatfield or Eddie Van Halen for making new normal presets ;) If they are too busy, so no problem, I can do it ;)Think about it!And Last and I.M.P.O.R.T.A.N.T. ! "CABI & MIC" ! Very nice Combo's Simulator ! Wauh ! I don't need Combo ! Combo Good Bye ! I can play "IN LINE" and it's Amazing !!!
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I love this Guitar Processor and I don't want to lose it ;)

IT'S EASY TO USE BUT BELIEVE ME!CHANGE THE EQ AND EXTRA EQ SETTINGS IT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

EVEN IF I PAID $300 FOR THIS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH IT.I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH ABOUT THE EQ.

VERY STURDY

YOU MUST CHANGE THE EQ AND EXTRA EQ SETTINGS TO GET GREAT SOUND AND YOU WILL IF YOU DO.

My first digital piece of equipment, I expected some hard times, but it's quite easy, though you may get a little confused when editing certain effects parameters.

I have a shitty samick guitar fitted with dimarzios, running through a lame brazilian made small cube (warm music, stay the fuck away from it). I'm not really a fx guy, so I can't say much about delays and reverbs, they just seemed OK to me. There are lots of useless stuff, pitch shifters and the like. You may have fun with it for a while, but, really, it's just crap.
The amp simulations, the actual reason for which I bought this unit, are quite cool, especially the MARK and JCM800.The 6 way EQ (bass, mid, treble, bass-mid, presence, harmonics) is very responsive. I avoid those ultra-gain rectifier sounds, but I've heard some interesting dream theater sounds from it in some youtube videos. Noise is tolerable, and features a noise gate as well, but, as you know, at the cost of some sustain. The tuner should be your last resource, it's quite innacurate. The drum machine is a nice feature.

Now that's the problem with this dog turd. As soon as my warranty expired, this shit went all schizophrenic. Sometimes it gets irresponsive and I can't choose any path nor edit anything. Nothing works and I only get the sound of the patch the unit was left on last time I used it. Then, a few hours later, I switch it on again and everything is perfect. There's no way on earth I would gig with it. As a matter of fact, my buddha-like level of patience and love is the only thing that stands between the g2 and a sledgehammer.

I didn't get in touch with zoom, but I may, eventually. At least to tell them to fuck themselves all the way back to japan.

That would be a very nice unit for the sound and features, but, despite it's steel case, it's nothing but a lame, fragile chinese-made crappy toy. It has a line-out recording feature, but I neve even tried it. My tip for a not so lame yet cheap guitar tone is a solid state laney, crate, peavey or whatever combo with an EQ pedal. Stay away from digital gizmos (ok, maybe a POD) and you're safe.

Pretty easy to use, other than the limitation of a 2-digit LED display. I wish that the bank switches were larger for stage use; jumping from A2 to D9 is a bit of a pain. I wish it had a dedicated bypass switch: pressing both of the Up/Dpwm buttons accomplishes the same thing, but it's hard to do with one foot when standing up. I almost bought the A2.1u for that feature (plus the expression pedal), but I like the size of the A2, and DISLIKE to puny little expression pedal that the form factor allows. An extra switch for bypass is mandatory if this is your main/only effects box, in my opinion. The display is nice and bright, and easy to read.

The manual makes it easy to get at functions, but doesn't always display the nuances of some of the settings. The built-in tuner is a nice touch. I haven't found a use for the rhythm box yet.

One of the things that I really like is how fast the unit switches from patch to patch. On many multi-EFX boxes, there is a noticeable glitch when making changes. Not so on the G2: I can change patches during a ringing chord, and it sounds like I'm using an A/B box to go between amps.

I'm using this with an Fender Tele with Rio Grande pups, an electric 12-string, and occasionally, a Danelectro '59. All of these go directly to a Traynor YCS50 upgraded with a Celestion Gold. Thus, I'm not as concerened with the "tube tone" of the Zoom box as some players might be. I like the sound of the YCS50's clean channel way better than the drive channel, and the G2 allows me to get a good crunch without losing the great bottom end.

There are a pretty wide variety of Drive models, so clean or dirty, there's probably a sound that can start you off. I rarely record direct-to-board, so I have not played much with the cabinet simulations. The effects aren't especially imaginitive, but I would expect that most players buy this box to cover the standard bases, and this box does the trick. The Vox AC30 model turns my YCS30's clean channel (with 5881's) into a very passible copy of George Harrison circa 1965, and the JCM 800 model provides either a third alternative clean sound, or a nice rhythm crunch. The Peavey 5150 has good lead-tone roots, and the "Fender Twin" model can morph into a '59 Bassman with the drive on 100 and a little EQ. The Fuzz Face makes a pretty good approximation of Satisfaction, and the OD-1 is close enough for my needs.

The overall sound is very quiet, and I don't hear any noticeable tone drain compared to a direct-to-amp connection. The delay is good, the reverb a little less so.

What don't I like? Both the Marshall Plexi and Fender Tweed Deluxe models only seem to run from pretty-overdriven to very-overdriven; there is no way to get a clean tone, other then to turn my guitar WAY down. (I mean, even the 5150 cleans up better!) The Fender Twin, on the other hand, can't get very dirty at all. The adjustment of the Flanger and Chorus are pretty limited. The Wah tone will never replace my Clyde-modded Cry Baby.

It's got a metal case that looks pretty rugged. It feels "substantial." If an '80s MXR stomp box is a 10, this is probably about an 8.5 or so. I'm not sure about the footswitches: they LOOK like old-school on/off types, but they appear to be more like a ruggedized momentary switch. I would gig with it without a backup, but I'm something of a risk-taker by nature.

I haven't had to deal with Zoom (or Samson) Support yet.

The G2 gives me access to 95% of the sounds that I need for rock gigs. (My wah and the built-in spring reverb in the amp take care of the rest.) The sound is clean and natural, and the response to patch changes is phenomenal.

Much of my critique takes the cost into consideration: This is not a top-end multi-EFX box, and obviously some compromises have been made, but generally, $100 gets you ONE effects box these days, and the G2 covers the ground of 3-8 of them. Looking at it that way, it can't be beat. If it were lost or stolen, I would gladly pony up another $90 for a new one. I also have an A2 (acoustic guitar model), so the learning curve was shared.

I considered simlar boxes from Digitech, Korg, and Boss, but I liked the Zoom's size and metal body, which is hard to find in this price range.

Not the easiest multi-effector to use, but to make it any easier, it would have to be bigger..and I don't want that.

For $100, I'm very pleased. I use this unit for chorus, vibrato, tremelo, octave divider, and a tuner..basically to replace 5 separate pedals which would make my board unweildy..that I would only use on one tune each, respectively. It's inconspicuous on my board and covers almost every base that my Boss gt6 used to. I love it.

The stomp switches are starting to fail...they had to cut corners somewhere, and it's probably in this area. The exterior are nice looking metal switches, but I'm sure what's going on inside is corner cutting.

Overall satisfied with this product. Even if the switches fail, I'll fix them or buy another one for $100. I'd pay that much for each individual pedal.

You have to read the manual to fully understand the potential of this pedal!Once that's done it's pretty easy to get a good sound.The knobs are great to work with and the footswitch buttons seem like good quality.

I can get some great sounds with this pedal.The effects really sound quite good! Some sounds in there are not for me but the reverb - trem - phaser - and delays all are pleasing to my sound. The pitch harmonizer is a plus and it does it well. I even get a great blues distorted sound but I had to work at that one. Some people say it doesn't have one but you can find it in there.It took a few days for that. I wrote down my settings so I don't lose that sound! NO NOISE! that's what I love about this thing it's QUIET! I'm runnig it thru a modded EPI Valve Jr. This pedal made my amp sound great! I had a PodXT and it sounded so digital but this thing is warm and so much better to record with than my Pod which I sold on Flea-Bay.

No problems - seems well built

never needed them yet!

I play mostly blues and R&B. Been trying to play for 20 yrs. I use a tele and my Epi. I'm glad I bought this and if I needed another I do it again! This is one of the best deals out there.it's stereo output-4AA batteries for portability which is a nice feature.