Zoom G2

I'm only giving this pedal a 9 out of 10 because it takes a little getting used to. This isn't a bad thing at all. This pedal is worth the time it takes to get used to programming it. The fact that it has three knobs instead of the one that's on the cheaper ZOOM pedals makes it really easy to program once you're used to it.

I'm so happy I bought this pedal. For $99, which is the price of some distortions or chorus' ONLY, you get a ton of good useful stuff. I opted to get the one without the expression pedal because I made my own out of an old volume pedal so I can put it anywhere I want on the stage.
The effects in the G2 sound great. I wasn't happy with the flanger, but I made my own flanger sound with the vibrato voice with the speed at zero and the mix at less than half. Try it, it makes a pretty good flanger sound. I also liked hooking up the expression pedal to control the rate of some of the effects so you could ramp them up or down with your foot. The wah is also controlled with the expression pedal and the wah's in this pedal sound good, believe it or not. I like using the Vox Wah voice.
Something else I love that doesn't seem to be available on the lesser ZOOM models is the fact that you can virtually set the Phaser or Wah to be Before or After the distortion, just like in a real rig. I really appreciate that feature because I always liked my phaser and wah before my distortion so I didn't have to give that up in this pedal.
A lot of other people here have gone into more details about the pedal so I'm not going to waste my time doing that. I'm just here to convince you to give it a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I've gigged with it and no problems yet. I doubt there will be.

I've contacted ZOOM before for about other products of theirs and they've been good enough to send me spare parts and manuals at no charge. Even on parts for some discontinued items.

I originally bought this pedal for using at some gigs where the stage is small and my normal 8 pedal chain doesn't fit very well. I normally use a BOSS Tuner that daisy-chains to power a Bad Dog Phaser into a DOD Milkbox Compressor into a CryBaby Classic into a Crossroads Distortion into a DOD FX75B Flanger into a Line 6 Space Chorus (that I swap the modules onstage to be a TapTremolo or a RotoMachine) into a Ernie Ball Volume ending with a Ibanez DE7 Delay/Echo. Whew.
Normally I don't have a problem having all of that in front of me, but I needed to shrink my rig for smaller gigs so I researched the G2 and it seemed like the trick and it is. Now all I need are the BOSS Tuner, the Milkbox Compressor (the G2 has a compressor but I prefer mine), a Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe (the only effect not in the G2), the G2 and a Volume pedal. Also the expression pedal.
I really like this pedal. Plus it's made of metal so it's sturdier than other ZOOM pedals. Try it.

Sound quality is very good except for reverb (decent) and cabinet simulation (although tone is good, you don't get "punch" like from real thing).

At first glance it looks reliable (metal and rubber), but then after a month or two micro-switch mini buttons starts failing. First was one under "patch down" foot switch, but after a year I had to repair most of them (didn't want send to shop because repair takes 30 minutes and sending takes box away for period of days or weeks). Thankfully it's easy operation, but nevertheless -2 for using cheap buttons.

I play mostly metal stuff, and it suits me very well. I have been using it for over a year now, and if it were stolen I would check before buying new one if there is something available without it's shortcomings but in this price and compactness class. Namely: more user programmable banks (well, I don't use all 40 of them, but I use groups like Ax for hifi/phones, Bx for bass patches, Cx for Laney amp, Dx for Line6 amp, and I'm out of banks regarding that I play on two or more amps in different places and this requires different settings; also you cannot insert or move groups so it's better to have spare placeholders around), "LOW inverted" option in CONTROL module ("LOW" lets you modulate effect from n% to 0, meaning that after engaging patch it starts from n%; inverted would start from 0% [yes, "UP" option works from 0 to n%, but n equals 100%, so it is different scale of adjustment]).
I also had Zoom GFX-707 and Digitech RP50, and G2 is way better (i.e. unnoticeable patch switching time and low noise level).

I wouldn't say this is the easiest unit to navigate. Yes, there's lots of flexibility built in. However, getting good sounds take time. You really have to understand the unit and how all the parameters interact with each other.

This is my main reason for writing the review. I'm using the G2 as a stomp box directly into the input of my Ampeg J12-R tube amp since it doesn't have an effects loop. At low volumes, the G2 sounded decent. But using it live was a different story. At gig volume, almost every amp module was either fizzy, mushy or very harsh. The cab sims were off, as the manual suggests, and I tried EQ-ing every which way I could think of. It didn't help. Then I got a tip off a forum that changed everything. I lowered the Gain in the amp modules to almost non-existant levels. Instead of 40-50 (out of 100) they're now between 0-15. What a difference! All models now sound tight, warm and alive without being harsh.

I've had a little problem with one of the bank button sticking, but it seems to have corrected itself.

n/a

For the money, this is a great unit. I've never used it for recording, so I can't comment there. Most people should be prepared for a learning curve, though, to really dial in their sound.

I reviewed this unit a few months ago and I loved it then and I love it now. I am submitting this "review" just to mention that this unit has a feature that many other fx/digital amp modelers dont have. The ability to TURN OFF the amp simulations. My amp already sounds great so why should I lay a digital emulation of some other amp on top of it. I use the G2 for all the nice effects it has, but I like to use it with the "amp" settings off. Oh, by the way, it lasts maybe 6 hrs on 4 new AA batteries.

The G2 has too many features to really drill down into for this review. Here's the simple, basic lowdown:
There are several effect suites-all accessible using a simple rotary knob in conjunction with three multi function (assignable parameter adjustments per suite) knobs to adjust effects for depth, time, etc. Scroll through the various suite parameters using two buttons. The patch select buttons are stomp-box types; one for patch up and the other for patch down-only one patch at a time, either up or down. Store button to save the patch. About 40 patch locations for user patches in 4 banks of 10.
Delay tap function and drum machine built in. Drum machine shuts down the reverb suite when actve. There is a jack for a footswitch that can be assigned to perform various, limited functions with a momentary switch or a CC pedal. No MIDI. Stereo or mono output. Sturdy construction. For the price paid and the physical dimensions of this unit (about the size of two BOSS pedals) this is the most feature laden box on the planet, at this time. Versatile in the extreme. New, FAST computer processor and very, very high quality sampling / processing speed.
Takes a while to get the hang of creating superb patches. Well worth the time spent experimenting to find your sounds.

In terms of achieving the sounds of various artists we know and love there are enough tools here to mimic any genre, style or artist. For example, using a Jay Turser Les Paul copy with Dream 180 pickups I can faithfully recreate anything from a wicked Telecaster clean tone for Surf and Oldies; early British Invasion jangly cleans; Cream/Hendrix/Zepplin-era overdrives/fuzztones/fat woman tones; hard rock ala Lynyrd Skynyrd / Santana / Ted Nugent / ; and modern Metal tones from 80s hair-band metal to Metallica / Creed / Shredmiester (Satch, Vai etc) artists and beyond. NuMetal / Death Metal-the VERY hard stuff....it's ALL in there somewhere and it all sounds good! I mean SURPRISINGLY good!
You can EQ any guitar to sound like many different guitars, provided you start with a decent, clear sounding set of pickups. As mentioned, my LP can mimic a Telecaster well enough to fool Brad Paisley.
Once again, it's just too deep to explain all the "sound" possibilities so here's the short version:
I have 3 Les Pauls...two Jay tursers (both have upgraded electronics and GOOD pickups) and a Gibson with 498T and 490R pickups. I have a modded Telecaster and an Ibanez S-series Fat Strat clone. They all like the box and the box likes 'em back.
My favorite amp models are: Fender Twin (called FC), the BOSS OD-1 (called od) Roland JC 120 (called JC) and the Peavey 5150 (called PV.) These model designations are reference points. You have to work the amp models to suit yourself. To work them you have a TON of EQ options, delays, modulation effects, pitch shifters that track VERY well, reverbs...you get the picture.
I run the G2 in two ways:
1. As a mono stomp box, using a Roland Blues Cube. Sounds killer! All EQ knobs on the Roland are set to 12 o'clock. I have 4 basic "live" patches: Super clean for jangle / surf / some blues. Clean with a bit of hair for blues / British Invasion stuff. Heavy overdrive for the Marshall Plexi-era tones / heavy bluesy stuff and a very heavy distortion for hard rock stuff . Charming, to say the least. Add a bit of delay, 'verb and chorus.
2. As a stereo processor through a Dynaco SCA-35 tube, integrated amp with 20 watts per channel through AR reference monitors. I have lots of patches using lots of amp models, drive levels, mod effects, pitch shifters, delays and more delays on top of delays. Sky is the limit in stereo. WooHoooo.

The stompbox / Roland amp thing works well for live shows. No worries.
The processor / Dynaco setup is more spacious sounding and takes full advantage of the formidable stereo effects.
So...very versatile box that works well with guitar amps or reference / home stereo amps & speakers. I even run this through a stereo boombox from Wal Mart and it works just fine for jams and composing. I don't like using headphones for guitar but you could.

Okay...for the rest: It's quiet, even at high gain settings. The effects are pretty darn good. Pitch shifters (there are several) track very well and sound unbelievably sweet in stereo...not as great in mono (duh!) but still quite useable. Drum machine is cheesy and one dimensional but it works and keeps accurate time. Believe it or not, we used it for a gig when our drummer couldn't make it. It got us through the night. I wouldn't recommend it...but I was glad we had SOMETHING for drums, which is better than nothing...y'know?

Looks pretty tough to me. Built from steel. Switches are right. No worries. I use batteries and DC adapter to run it. No wories.

I've been around guitars pretty seriously since the 80s. Like most players, I went through my woodshedding years. At this stage in my career I think i know what good sound is. I know good tone and good effects. This box is a winner.

The enclosed patches are pretty good and form a good basis for generating your own.

Editing patches seemed a little daunting at first but it's soon easy enough. I think it'll take a little while to learn what all the options are.

Manual is short and to the point, doesn't really need any more.

Through my amps this sounds good at room levels, haven't tried it loud yet.

The effects sound fine to my inexperienced ears, doesn't seem to generate any noise.

I use a Yamaha pacifica, and play through a home brewed Marshall 18 watt, driving celestion vintage and g12h30 speakers.

I find it a bit dead using headphones.

NO problems yet, had it a whole 24 hours so.....

NO problems yet, had it a whole 24 hours so.....

This is my first effects box of any type, I wanted a reverb but was also interested in experimenting with other types of effects and this seemed a cost effective way forward.
I've only been playing a few months so have a lot to learn regarding effects. Would I replace it, at the moment yes but would probably buy the G7 or G9, as I always like to move forwards.

Very friendly interface

Wonderful sound, imo.
I'm a novice so, no special needs. Just G2 and headphone.
I purchased Zoom G1 too.
I'm writing this not as a review, but as a resource to make
you all know the center frequency wich are boosted with the..
ehm the BOOSTER, selectable in the 2nd module of G2.
In fact, i wrote to ZoomJapan which kindly answer to my inquiry
in just one day. Should be nice to find this information in the
manual, but it's no.
so, here they are those center frequency

1: 100 Hz
2: 500 Hz
3: 800 Hz
4: 1.5 kHz
5: 3 kHz

Strong, made of steel.

Very good, they reply to my answer about the booster
in just one day since my e-mail was sent

Very very good.
Again, i don't really want to review this wonderful product
'cause i feel all has just been said about it.
I just would like to make you all know an information which
is not reported in the manual, about the frequency which are boosted
in the BOOSTER effect, 2nd module of G2.

Wonderful sound, imo.
I'm a novice so, no special needs. Just G2 and headphone.
I purchased Zoom G1 too.
I'm writing this not as a review, but as a resource to make
you all know the center frequency wich are boosted with the..
ehm the BOOSTER, selectable in the 2nd module of G2.
In fact, i wrote to ZoomJapan which kindly answer to my inquiry
in just one day. Should be nice to find this information in the
manual, but it's no.
so, here they are those center frequency

1: 100 Hz
2: 500 Hz
3: 800 Hz
4: 1.5 kHz
5: 3 kHz

This unit is fairly simple to use. The manual is very helpful and shows you exactly what each twist of a knob does. You have a limit of 40 patches to edit for yourself, alongside 40 preset patches which you can't edit. Very large variety of options for such a small unit and at such a low price.

I use either a Gibson SG Special Faded or a Dean Razorback with this, through a Line 6 Spider II. Starting with the clean tones, I tend to use either the Roland Jazz Chorus or the Fender Twin Reverb models. These both work well for either sparkly or warm clean tones, and if you like boosting the treble for a spanky, country style twang with a little grit. The Marshall JCM 800 model also provides a sort of dirty, sharp clean which is useful for the rock 'n roll clean tone.

As far as distortion and overdrive go, there are not many useable models in the Zoom G2. The overdrives are often either too thick and flabby (Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face and MATCHLESS Hot Box) or too thin and useless (Marshall JCM 800 and Boss OD-1). This is very disappointing, as it is hard to find a good classic rock tone or punk tone.

However the unit somewhat redeems itself with the distortion. I am partial to the Zoom Extreme Distortion for Dimebag's (Pantera) scooped sound. But when the mids come in it sounds a little too digital for my liking. The Peavey 5150, Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier and ESPECIALLY the Marshall JCM 2000 are not very useful, as without the booster they are far too flabby and farty, whereas with the booster they have a lot of feedback and unwanted noise. Not to mention the fact that all of these models sound very digital. The JCM 2000 model disgusts me beyond belief. It's just UNUSABLE. Even with the bass turned down to -12 (yes, minus 12) and the booster in, the bottom end is chubby and annoying.

There are a few other effects which I don't use very often such as the Zoom Dynamic Fuzz, Marshall Guv'nor and Fender Tweed Deluxe which all sound okay as far as digital modelling goes, but do not often suit my needs.

Last but not least it the Mesa Boogie Mark III model. This is probably my favourite of all of the models on this unit. It has a warm, valve-like response which sings beautifully when driven hard, and a sweet trebley crunch when the gain levels are lower. Not so good for metal as I like to play, but nice for rock and punk.

The effects on this unit are quite good to my surprise, and work well with the better models on the pedal. The chorus and delay especially add together for a lush clean tone which I do enjoy, and the vibrato sometimes creates a nice surf or funk tone. I have used the vibrato for one tone which I do like, however, which is the clean sound from Pantera's 'Floods'. The noise reduction is good on this pedal, but when the booster is engaged it all gets a little too much for the ZNR, which means using the gate which I don't like (cuts off the sustain). The compressor/sustainer helps with sustaining distortion and the reverbs are pretty good, but echo perhaps just a little too long on most models.

This unit is very dependable. I've never had any problems with it, and I have gigged with it four or five times. Definitely a sturdy pedal.

For my main style of music, metal, this pedal is not brilliant. The best distortion available for metal on this pedal only sounds good when scooped, which is a disappointment. If it were stolen or lost I'd get another one because I'd use the effects on it (once I get a better amp, valve next time). I only wish that this thing had a more useable metal distortion model.

I had no problem, so if you're as smart as me you'll be fine.

I used this multi for a little while, but I have since removed it from my pedalboard. The thing about the G2 is that the effects are pretty good, it doubles as a tuner and replaces several single function boxes taking up less room. Unfortunately, the bypass is not true, and it sucks the life out of your tone if you're using a good tube amp. For me that's a 78 Fender Deluxe, a great amp with an excellent sparkly yet warm clean tone. Running the G2 in line basically takes away the sparkliness, which for me is really not a good thing. A lesser amp like a marshall or something probably wouldn't suffer but I'm not going to use this anymore.

I should also mention that it is a little bit noisy. But then again my telecaster is noisy and i've never complained about that.

If you're using a solid state or digital amp it should work well. They don't sound that good to start off with so you're not losing much. sorry but i'm just over pretending that solid state amps actually sound good.

It's well made, and doesn't look immediately breakable.

One of the reasons I still enjoy playing guitar is because i've invested in some real quality gear and can get an amazing sound. The G2 gives me some new effects to use, but decreases the fundamental richness of my sound, hence i've decided not to use it anymore. It would be a great pedal for beginners or those who are not using absurdly expensive equipment.
I'd actually reccomend it to some, but not all. It's a good pedal overall and it's inexpensive, so i'm still giving it a 7.

Muy muy facil de usar esta pedalera, y el manual explica todo muy bien. ademas que muchas pedaleras nisiquiera traen manual en espa??ol, y estas zoom nuevas lo traen. una vez que la tienes solo te toma poco tiempo entender el funcionamiento de la pedalera.

En la parte de las distorsiones le falta mas a esta pedalera, la cual a mi modo de ver suena muy digital en cuanto a distorsiones. estas suenan un poco filosas en amplificadores de transistores. sin embargo si tienes un buen amplificador esto te ayudara mucho. lo que si le encuentro bien a pesar de esto es que puedes hacer distorsiones con bastante gain.

Los acusticos suenan bastante bien, creo que esta es la parte mas fuerte de la G2, si te tomas un buen tiempo en hacer acusticos bien estilizados lograras muy buenos sonidos acusticos los cuales sonaran limpios y transparentes. estos acusticos suenan muy bien tambien cuando usas la pedalera en modo de (simulador de amplificador) y te conectas con audifonos (auriculares), o al conectarla directo a un equipo de sonido, a una PC o a una consola.

en cuanto a los efectos el Chorus, el Chorus Stereo, el delay, las reverbs, y el Phaser suenan bien, pero mas que todo los Chorus, con los cuales puedes colorear muy bien tus acusticos. de las Reverbs solo me gusta la Hall, y la uso en poca intensidad solo para dar color a mis acusticos.

los simuladores de amplificador son mas o menos, te sirven para gravar ideas en el PC, tocar directo a un equipo de sonido, a una consola, auriculartes, etc, pero no son lo suficientemente buenos como para hacer una gravacion profesional, y en cuanto a la parte de simulacion de amplificador la pedalera suena mejor en lo que respecta a acusticos. Si realmente deseas gravar algo semiprofesional o algo profesional directo a una PC no debes usar el G2, para eso esta el POD2.0 de Line6.

no opino.

no opino.

La pedalera brinda buenas posibilidades en cuanto a su costo, a pesar de ser economica no perderas tu dinero si la compras, pero lo malo es que no trae transformador de corriente y esto al comienzo me dio problemas por que cierto tipo de transformadores generan ruido al momento de tocar. el transformador tiene que ser de polaridad positiva pero con polo central negativo, si no es asi te generara un poco de ruido.

en cuanto a que usa pilas esta bien, si te compras unas 4 pilas AA recargables puedes tocar durante unas 6 o 7 horas seguidas sin problemas.