Zoom GFX-1

This thing is a piece of cake to edit. Just turn the dial to whatever effect you want to edit and press the Value keys up or down. Then just hit Store twice. That's it. What I really enjoy is that you can hear the changes as you make them. If you spend a little time you can get great sounds out of the GFX-1, as good or better as more expensive units I've owned. I bought this to use for live gigs. I love the small size that doesn't get in your way, but the four footswitches are far enough apart that you don't step on two by accident. I like the simplicity. I really don't need 300 presets, 40 is even more than I need. It has 10 banks A-J. Each bank has 4 patches 1-4. I like the way you can set a bank up for a particular song. You could have a clean acoustic under #1, clean electric with a little chorus or phase (or whatever you choose) under #2, a nice crunch overdrive under #3, and a good lead solo sound under #4. This is what I've always wanted. It's easy to bank up by pressing 3 and 4 simultaneously, or 1 and 2 to bank down. If you press any footswitch twice you get by-pass, or if you press twice and hold a footswitch down it activates the tuner. The on-off switch is great, you don't have to unplug the input jack to save your batteries. So the GFX-1 is just so easy to use. It was well thought out.

I use this primarily with a Fender American Standard Strat though a Hot Rod Deluxe. The 40 preset patches that come default are pretty good, although you will probably want to edit some to your own tastes. But that is super easy. The distortions are good, although some of the defaults have way too much gain. One patch used BG DRV for the distortion and was super boomy, distorted, and farty. But I came down on the gain and found a beautiful overdrive was there. I also bought the expression pedal and I like the Wahs and Whammy effects. I liked all the effects although Ring modulator is something I'd probably never use. Kinda fun to play with though. The 5 amp simulations are good. Do they really sound like a Fender Twin or a Peavey 5150? Of course not. But with a little tweaking they sound great. I have found every effect can be tweaked to get just about exactly what you are looking for. And it is far more simple than any other multi-effects pedal I've owned.

Well, I've only owned it 2 weeks, but it's built like a tank. I love the metal construction, especially the input and output jacks. The expression pedal is plastic but seems very sturdy. So far everything has worked flawlessly. I would not be afraid to use this at a gig. I guess time will tell on this one. I have owned other Zoom pedals before, some plastic, and have never had a single problem with them. Zoom quality seems to be very good. But, because I haven't owned it long I will give it an 8.

I've never dealt with them so I wouldn't know.

I give this baby a 10 because it is what I have always wanted from a multi-effects pedal. It is incredibly simple to use, convienient size, you can get any sound you'll ever need, versatile, very reasonably priced, and built to take abuse.

This unit is a real dream to use and edit. Don't expect to have a lot of control on the non-distortion effects - about 10 presets for each type. Very easy to use and program. The Zoom is about the width of 3 Boss pedals and the same length. The tuner is superior and it is easy to put the unit in bypass, allowing signal to pass through.

Has an on/off switch.

Awesome!!!!!! Using a Gibson V, SG and a Fender Strat into a Peavey Ultra 60 tube head and Fender cabinet. The Zoom sits on my pedalboard after the wah and distortions before the delay. I was planning to use it only for the modulation effects but the distortions are amazing. I'll need a little more time to determine, but it will likely replace the other distortions sitting on my pedalboard. It is like Zoom figured out what distortions people wanted and included them. Each sounds unique and significant. I have had the Boss ME-50, Korg 1500, Digitech RP80, ART Xtreme, ART, ECC, and the Zoom GM-200. This one sounds better.

Unkown. It is made of metal is looks like it will stand up to wear and tear.

I have dealt with the assholes at Samson before. I like their products, I don't like their support or some of their business practices. For example, the GFX-1 does not come with an adapter. Buy one on line for around $10 or Wal-mart for $12. Order from Samson and they cost $24.99 plus $2.19 tax plus $5.50 shipping. Shouldn't this be included or at least priced right.

I ran into the same issue with a Samson mixer that required a very special adapter not available except thru them. Cost $39.99 plus tax plus shipping.

The FP02 expression pedal for the GFX-1 is priced at $70. See what I mean.

This is a great deal!! It is better than the Boss ME-50 priced at $300. Sounds better and is easier to use.

I play soft rock to extreme metal - this covers all. I have been playing for 10 years plus on and off. I am thinking about getting as second unit for my other set up. For $100, why not.

Its so easy! dial in the effect, change values, thats it
I bought this because I needed an effects unit that I could just pop into a bag and have no problems with space, quick and easy

its clear, the sounds are nice, dead quiet when not playing, only wish the delay could have abit more time added to it and some more tweak options

the distorions are pretty good but you need to tweak to get better ones, presets are not always the best

I own a GT-6 and I have played on a Zoom GFX8, those units are nice but sometimes you feel theres some effects on those flagship units that are totally useless! ie. the Boss Auto Riff??? why? or the guitar synths? you have to pay more for a decent one, I say just play a synth for those sounds, anyway, my point is that the GFX1 has the basic effects you will need and thats good enough for me

blimey! Id say its built like a tank! but in a small/cute size! if u dropped it, I think you would be more worried about it landing on your foot!

I really recommend this mini/easy to use zoom, its perfect for the guitar player who wants a multi effects/space saving option to through in his guita bag, PLUS, its a metal case unit for under 100 British pounds!! its cute to look at and it asks you to buy it

Real easy to get any sound your can imagine out of this little purple "magic" box. Editing is dirt simple... Roll the dial to the desired effect, change the values, touch the store button twice and you are there. The manual is a place to start but you need to play with the box to really get the feel of it. This unit was just introduced to the USA market in October 2004.

Excellent sound and tone to be had. Very quiet especially with the ZNR noise reduction feature engaged. Every major effect imaginable is featured and can be programmed to exacting volume and tone. I was impressed that you could turn off the EQ feature and keep everything according to your amp settings. I am not a preset person and prefer to program the unit myself. Honestly, I did not like all of the presets, however, I was able to get exactly what I wanted out of the unit and program each of the four stomp switches to the four settings I need for gigging the blues. One for a long Santana sustain, one for a blues overdrive, one for a rich tremelo and one for a clean boost.
No more pedalboard and the whole thing fits in my gigbag! Perfect for me.

I've had it just a week. Running it on the same set of batteries. No problems. It is great that they thought of a power switch so I don't have to worry about unplugging the input plug to conserve the batteries. It takes a standard stompbox wall wart as well but it is not supplied with the unit.

Never dealt with Zoom.

This is a great match for virtually any music style. I have been playing over 30 years and am particular about my gear. After using this unit I feel bad over all of the money I was wasted on boutique gear to wind up selling it off later at a loss usually when the tone became stale. I play this through a new stock Peavey Classic 30 tube amp outfitted with new JJ EL 84's. Fender American Strat with EMG David Gilmour DG-20 pickup/control setup and a Korean ES-335 clone with open coil humbuckers. Through the amp or through my headphones, this unit is the S*@T!!!