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MGR/Dave « Zoom GFX-3 »
Published on 05/10/08 at 15:00I've been playing guitar for almost 40 years, harmonica for almost 35 years, and bass for about 25 years. I've played in acoustic trios, and duos, spent a little bit of time in a power-jangle-pop trio and now do mainly singer/songwriter solo stuff in a hybrid style I call "psychedelic country gospel."
I purchased this yesterday at a local dealer. The retail cost was $150 but I got it for $75 because I received a trade-in allowance for a Digitech RP350 I purchased a year ago that I never was happy with.
First off, this can be battery-powered or AC-powered. I prefer battery power to AC because the AC-power packs usually have a power cord that is too short (usually under 6-feet long) and very flimsy (inviting line noise since the power cord usually runs in less than 2 feet from the patch cables between the unit and the guitar and amplifier.
Second, this has an on/off switch. I've noticed that Zoom is the only manufacturer who actually puts a power switch on their floor units.
This is less noisy than the Digitech unit it replaced, it has better EQ, and the modulation FX seem to have more variability than between types of FX and more variability in the range between subtle and extreme.
Finally, the frosting on the cake is one effect that Digitech ignores: reverse reverb/echo/delay. Set the delay long enough and one can get some very Beatle-esque type effects like they did on the song "Rain."
About the only thing I don't like about this unit is the output is a 1/4" stereo jack. I would prefer to have two 1/4" mono jacks: one for left channel and one for right.
The construction and quality of this unit is solid. The base and upper case are metal. The jacks are anchored to the case with metal retaining rings. I've had a few cheapos that anchor the jacks to the circuit board and they do not last.
Lest I forget to mention, this has 120 settings: 60 factory and 60 user. It is easy to edit and store user settings--very similar to the old DOD AcousTec, VoTec, 4Tec series FX boxes.
I do not regret dumping my Digitech for this. I do regret not getting this to begin with instead of wasting money on Digitech stuff.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
I purchased this yesterday at a local dealer. The retail cost was $150 but I got it for $75 because I received a trade-in allowance for a Digitech RP350 I purchased a year ago that I never was happy with.
First off, this can be battery-powered or AC-powered. I prefer battery power to AC because the AC-power packs usually have a power cord that is too short (usually under 6-feet long) and very flimsy (inviting line noise since the power cord usually runs in less than 2 feet from the patch cables between the unit and the guitar and amplifier.
Second, this has an on/off switch. I've noticed that Zoom is the only manufacturer who actually puts a power switch on their floor units.
This is less noisy than the Digitech unit it replaced, it has better EQ, and the modulation FX seem to have more variability than between types of FX and more variability in the range between subtle and extreme.
Finally, the frosting on the cake is one effect that Digitech ignores: reverse reverb/echo/delay. Set the delay long enough and one can get some very Beatle-esque type effects like they did on the song "Rain."
About the only thing I don't like about this unit is the output is a 1/4" stereo jack. I would prefer to have two 1/4" mono jacks: one for left channel and one for right.
The construction and quality of this unit is solid. The base and upper case are metal. The jacks are anchored to the case with metal retaining rings. I've had a few cheapos that anchor the jacks to the circuit board and they do not last.
Lest I forget to mention, this has 120 settings: 60 factory and 60 user. It is easy to edit and store user settings--very similar to the old DOD AcousTec, VoTec, 4Tec series FX boxes.
I do not regret dumping my Digitech for this. I do regret not getting this to begin with instead of wasting money on Digitech stuff.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com