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Topic starter
19/12/2004 5:55 pm
Well, I received my new Zoom GFX-1 pedal yesterday. I spent hours on it last night. I like it a lot.
I know I just got it, but I gave it a real workout last night. Here is a review.
First of all, lo and behold, there is no delay between patches! Woo Hoo! I couldn't be happier. I was really beginning to believe that all of these multi-effects pedals had a delay. My old Zoom pedal had one. But not this baby! That alone makes it fantastic in my book.
It is small. It is only about 12" wide and 6" deep. I can almost completely cover it with my foot. That is not a complaint. I wanted a small pedal because I sing. I have to put the pedal between me and the mic. This does not take any room at all. So I like that. And the footswitches are just far enough apart to where you can easily step on one without hitting another. The whole thing is made of metal including the input and output jacks. It is a cool purple color. The expression pedal is plastic, but seems to be very well made. It operates flawlessly (so far). The GFX-1 runs on 4 AA batteries. It has an on-off switch so you don't have to unplug from the input jack to save your batteries. I had a 9V 300mA adaptor from Radio Shack which is the perfect match for this thing.
It has 10 banks A through J. Each bank has 4 patches, 1 though 4. It came with 40 patches preset already. They are pretty cool, although most of them are very metal oriented. Many sound very similar to each other. But there are some nice overdrives and quite a few clean patches. The distortion patches were a little loud and the clean patches were a little too low in volume. My first editing was to slightly turn the distortions down, and the clean patches up a little. Easy. In fact, editing this thing is super easy. You just turn the dial to whatever parameter you want to edit. It shows the current setting. Then you just press the Value buttons up or down. What is great is that you hear the changes as you make them. With my old Digitech you had to hit a button to listen to the new setting, and hit another to return to the edit menu. But with this you hear the changes as you make them. That is nice.
To change banks up you step on 3 and 4 at the same time. To go down a bank you step on 1 and 2 at the same time. If you step on any switch twice it bypasses the pedal so you can use your amp or other effects. If you hold a switch down after hitting it twice the tuner kicks in.
The expression pedal is nice. You can get some great Whammy effects. I really like the sound of the Wahs too. You can use the pedal as a volume control, or what is really cool is that you can use the pedal to adjust gain on any distortion patch. So, you can bring a distortion down to a clean sound, step on the pedal and bring it up to full distortion. This makes 1 patch into 2!
As usual, many of the patches are way cranked up. I will have to reduce the gain on many to use live. But it is so simple to do. You can get just about any sound you want out of this thing. It is not a modeler at all, although is has quite a few cab imulations that sound really nice.
The acoustic guitar simulation is very good.
So is this as good as a $400 Digitech, Line 6, or Boss? Probably not. But to me it is better. 40 patches is more than enough for my simple mind. This thing is just right for a gig. You can have a clean patch with effects, go to a nice crunch overdrive, go to a nice distortion for rhythm, and then a patch set up just for lead guitar. And no delay! I like it.
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
20/12/2004 6:15 am
Thanks for the review. I have figured out that I'm the kind of guy that tends to lean twoards simple setups. After playing on my buddie's line 6 and messing around with my behringer amp (99 presets o_O) I've learned that I get overwhelmed easily and prefer a simple combo. This sounds like what I've been looking for. I'll have to look it up when I get the cash.
I'm seriously thinking of selling my amp. I got it for 150, which is a great price. But the effects arent doing it for me, and the delay between switching channels is annoying. It typicaly goes for around 300, so used I might be able to actually make a profit on it. Then if I can add a couple hundred bucks I could get that Hot Rod. Then another hundred and I have my stomp boxes. Sounds like a plan (actually, it sounds like a fantasy 8) ).
The king of rock, some say lives
the lizard king, is surely dead
the king of France, lost his head
the King of Kings... bled
( email me at esherman@wideopenwest.(com). I almost never check my hotmailaccount.
Topic starter
20/12/2004 11:43 am
Yes, I agree with you. I had a little extra for once. I could have gotten the Line 6 PodXT Live or a Boss GT6. And I thought about it a lot. But who needs 350 patches? I can't keep up with all that. And when you read the manuals they get all scientific and show you all sorts of charts and graphs.
I just get overwhelmed with all that. I know there are some people who really love to get deep into this stuff, but not me. I just want to hear it. If it sounds like a great tone and effect I don't care what the graph looks like.
You should check out Instrument Exchange. They have tons of used gear. But the guarantees are great. You get 48 hours to inspect anything you purchase. You can send anything back for ANY reason whatsoever. If you do, you get a 100% refund including shipping. And you are not sending your money to some mystery person. You pay Instrument Exchange and they pay the Seller. I've bought quite a few items on there, so far everything has been great. They always have Hot Rods on sale there, many other amps as well. You can get some real deals.
Check this out. A 2003 HRD in excellent condition. You can buy it today for $400. That's a $200 savings. It still has 4 more years warranty on it.
So you see, you can get some pretty good deals on there.
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
20/12/2004 11:35 pm
Thanks for the link! Some cool deals there, I like it.
Oh yeah, and I almost peed myself thinking that HRD was a hot rod deville... alas, it's a hot rod deluxe... Still cool, just not what I'm after.
Do something you love and you'll never work a day in your life...
21/12/2004 12:00 pm
Glad the Zoom works for you, I'll have to check it out. I'm usually pretty happy with the sound from my Zoom PS-04's effects, certainly better than anything built into my amp. Except for the goofy ones like the ring modulator and the weak ones like the compressor (which has a very slight compression ratio, it seems, and no adjustment for that parameter)..
How is the tremolo? I've been desperate for a good tremolo since I saw Los Straightjackets last week and don't think I should run out and buy a Vibrolux a week before Christmas. Can you control the rate from the pedal?
Also, can you control the mix; e.g. can you send 50% of your signal through the effect and 50% through clean?
I'm also confused by the choice of including cab models on an effects pedal without amp models. It seems that the cab models are often the problem when people run multieffects into real amps. Wouldn't you only want cab models when going direct, but then need an amp model as well? Unless this was intended for use by Bass players going direct...
By the way, I'm pretty sure the Instrument Exchange is GuitarCenter. I think they are auctioning off their in store used gear to get the best possible price. The good thing is that you get to shop every GC in the country and their prices seem lower on Instrument Exchange than the marked price in the store.
Topic starter
21/12/2004 12:58 pm
Slothrob
I must be old-school, but I've never understood why someone would want to use compression on guitar (or vocals for that matter). I mean, doesn't that defeat the purpose of playing with feel? Anyway, I've never used compression. It's there, but I pretty much skip over that.
The tremelo is ok, but nothing like the old tremelo built into my 1958 Premier Twin-8 amp. Now that has awesome tremelo. I did play around with it a little, but I am turning most effects down to use live. I would say it is sufficient. After hearing my little Premier amp, everything else would fall far short. You can control the rate. With the expression pedal you can control the depth and intensity as well. Maybe I'll tweak it more when I get home tonight and be able to tell you more.
I am pretty impressed with the cab models. They have Combo, Bright Combo, and Stack. You get 9 different choices between each of these catagories. They sound pretty good to me. I have been using Stack the most.
There are some Amp Models in the drive or distortion settings. One distortion is called PVY DRV which the manual implies is copying a Peavey 5150. Another is called FDR CLN , which it says is copying a famous combo known for it's clean sound, so I am guessing that is a Fender Twin. There is MS DRV which it says imitates a British tube stack amp. Would that be Marshall?? :D
And so, you can match up these Amps with their Cab. At least that is what I have been trying. But I just go by ear.
I spent about 4 hours tweaking it last night. I'm trying to get all the volumes and degree of effect right for live use. I am not using the Ring modulator at all. Sometimes it's kind of fun to play with those though. I am not really using the Whammy either, although I might to get a lower tuning without retuning my guitar. The Whammy effects are good.
Most of the effects are way too cranked up. I am having to tweak everything. One of the distortions called BG DRV sounds lousy with the default setting, but when I came way down on the gain it sounded awesome. So, if you spend some tweaking this unit, you can get some nice tones out of it, same as all the other multi-effect pedals.
I'll check out the tremelo more tonight. Compression? I don't get that one.
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
21/12/2004 1:45 pm
Yeah, we all have our own needs. I like compression to smooth out some rhythm. Unfortunately, from me, "feel" sounds an awful lot like noise, sometimes it's nice to round off some of those peaks.
I also like it for slow-wave style where I want a lead note to hang around a bit longer. Like Mazzy Star or that Chris Isaak "Wicked Game" lead sound.
I can't sing passably without compression, either. At the very least the compression you get by being too far from the mic. Better yet, with the mic off.
21/12/2004 1:55 pm
I find compression to be very usefull for those tight funky rhythm. Not mandatory, but sounds nice. And ofcourse, compression to create sustain that isn't even possible with the best LP. Check David Gilmour and tell me he didn';t play with feel. Same with gary Moore, he sometimes used very thick compression but it still is packed with feeling.
Anyway. Wes, just last week did I find some way to make sane use of the ring modulator. I don;t know much you can tweak it, but by adding an ring modulator with a level of 4% and attaching a low level but quickly repeating delay right after it, to my lead sound it sounded awesome. You can't identify it as ring modulator anymore though, but it is darn nice.
As for the amp models, indeed ignore the labels and follow your ears. I get the best metal sounds out of my GX700 by using the fender amp model. Go figure.
But the big question: how about recording some clips for us? 8)
Topic starter
21/12/2004 2:09 pm
OK Arjen, I'll experiment with it and see if I like it.
You know, I wouldn't have even got this GFX-1 if it wasn't for the other guitarist in my band. He uses effects so much that my basically non-effect style just did not sound right. It would be like Steve Vai playing lead in a Country band. This group is a little heavier and more toward Metal than anything I've done in awhile.
Anyway, I've already spent many hours tweaking this with only 40 patches. Imagine how long it would take to tweak a Boss GT6 with over 300!
I don't own any recording equipment. The group is going to record a Demo CD in a month or two, I'll see if I can get that on here.
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
21/12/2004 5:00 pm
Wes,
I know you've mentioned in the past you use just a few effects. Do you mainly buy this because of the new band or is this because your individual pedals weren't enough?
Can you use the pedals with this too? What does a unit like that cost? I just checked it out $99, that seems like a value for the money.
Are the effects better/worse than having individual pedals for each? Obviously you couldn't have a pedal for everything cuz there'd be to many.
Chris
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
21/12/2004 5:25 pm
"Check this out. A 2003 HRD in excellent condition. You can buy it today for $400. That's a $200 savings. It still has 4 more years warranty on it."
Such is the plight of a teenager! Not quite enough money.....
I got a tip from a freind I bought one of my electrics from. He's a big tube amp guy, and he said that there are alot of people who make their own tube amps and sell them for cheap. I might look into that at some point.
The king of rock, some say lives
the lizard king, is surely dead
the king of France, lost his head
the King of Kings... bled
( email me at esherman@wideopenwest.(com). I almost never check my hotmailaccount.
Topic starter
21/12/2004 7:47 pm
Chris
I've have quite a few individual pedals that I would set up at gigs, but I used them very sparingly. Maybe a little chorus or phase on a song, delay to get a slapback sound on another, but really not much at all.
The new guitarist uses effects pretty heavy on every song. It is also very Metal with delay, chorus, and everything going at once. My guitar just sounds naked compared to his. It is a clash. So I wanted a simple pedal to get multiple effects without having to step on 4 pedals all at once to make a change. It is hard enough for me to step on one pedal, especially when singing, and you don't want to come off the mic. I also like this GFX-1 because it is small and takes up almost no room between me and the mic, but the footswitches are far enough apart not to step on two at once.
This little pedal was thought out pretty well. I have always wanted a pedal with these features. Maybe they talk to real musicians. :D
And E. Sherman,
I can feel your pain brother, I really can. I have always been a poor musician. What kills me is to run into someone who owns a $4000 Les Paul and never plays it! All I can say is when you finally get the money to buy some quality gear, you will appreciate it more. And you will play so much better because of the quality sounds you are getting. Hang in there, and save your money. You'll get that good gear someday. 8)
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
24/11/2005 9:50 am
Another thumbs up here for the GFX-1.
Got one about a month ago and having great time with it
Working on some nice tones for it.
Havent tried to recreate anyone elses tones as yet.
Does anyone know of any sites with patches for this?
I have tried to copy over some of the Zoom 505 patches and they are ok but the GFX1 has more options.
Topic starter
24/11/2005 3:09 pm
Drak_nyen
Welcome to GuitarNoise.
Wow, this is an old thread. I still have my GFX-1, almost a year now. I don't know of any specific sites for the GFX-1, so I use the 505 database. Over 500 patches!
Yeah, the GFX-1 has some additional features, but still, you can get a lot of great ideas from this site. And the pedals are very similar.
I have an old 505II I use at home to experiment with new patches. Then when I go to practice (leave most of my gear there), I set up my GFX-1.
After all this time, I am still amazed by this little pedal. It is incredible the different tones you can get out of this thing. You can go from the heaviest Death Metal to pure Country twang. This week I figured out how to make a patch sound just like a church organ. I wanted to do some old Doors songs, the other guys complained we need a keyboard. This practice I showed up and played the keyboard part for Light My Fire. They were so impressed that we are adding it to our set list.
Go GFX-1 :!:
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
24/11/2005 4:10 pm
I must be old-school, but I've never understood why someone would want to use compression on guitar (or vocals for that matter)
Actually compression is really great for getting a good clean sound.
Just a slight bit of compression really helps bring out the nuances of playing when applied correctly.
It is true that if you crank it way up, everything sounds just the same. But you don't have to play with all the dials at 10 :)
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
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