boss me-20b vs boss me-50b

[korey L]

I looking for a good bass multi-effects pedal. I like Boss products alot so I think I want a Boss multi-effect. First is the me-50b worth the extra 100 bucks or not. Secondly Im looking for just the basic effects and easy use. Please post your ideas on which one is better. Also if you have any other ideas post them too.

[kreider204]

I can only comment on the ME-20B. I have it, and it's certainly worth $200.

Some good points:

- Good tuner
- Good noise reduction
- Good t-wah
- Simple but excellent sounding modulation and delay effects.

Some features are not quite so good, but still decent:

- Wah is kinda vanilla sounding, but I love that you can adjust how hard you need to step on the pedal to turn it on or off
- Octave tracks well with pick, but tracks and sounds kinda "meh" with fingers.
- Compressor isn't as versitile as I'd like (just a "sustain" parameter, no individual threshold and ratio), but it does work well and sounds transparent.

Some things I don't like about it (but may be more a matter of taste than anything):

- Distortions aren't too pleasing - in particular, the one that's supposed to mix overdrive with clean signal way overemphasizes the clean
- Synth sounds are atrocious.

I'm keeping it mainly for the delays and the wah - at $200, it's still a good price for just those two effects - but I like my individual compressor and distortion pedals better.

[korey L]

I would like good distortion, good modulation sounds in the unit.

[kreider204]

Distortions are usually one of the weak links in digital multi-effects units. I would definitely try before you buy, if at all possible, to make sure that you are happy with what you hear.

[Bassman 100]

I have the ME50-B & the GT6-B, distortions not good on either. If weight is ever an issue for you, the 20-B is far lighter. Very comfortable in the gig bag with your other bits & pieces. It does however feel a bit "Toyish" under foot. One thing I hate about the 20-B is the fact that there is no on/off switch - so like stomp boxes, if you leave your cables plugged in, the batteries die. Not the case with the 50-B, it has an on/off switch. Both are a wonderful piece of kit, whichever you purchase.

[korey L]

Thanks for the input guys. I think im going with the me-50b but buying a seperate dist. pedal like the MXR D.I. distortion.

[wolffman]

i love my 50-b, first effects pedal i got... helped me decide/figure out what effects i like/will use the most then upgrade with better stomp boxes. as far as playing live goes- its got everything I need and almost all of the sounds "good enough". enjoy!