Digitech vs. Zoom multi-pedal

[mgriffith]

I'm new to multi-effects, having only used "stomp boxes" in the past (flanger, EQ, Bassballs, mainly).

A local store is selling several multi-effects at what look like good prices.

Zoom 506 II Bass pedal for $60

Digitech BP 50 for $70

Digitech bp 80 FOR $100

I did not have the time to try any of them, and frankly, the sales "help" did not live up to its name. They didn't seem to care too much to make a sale or offer much help. (His line was "I'm a drummer. What do I know about effects?" Yeesh!!)

Anyhow, I read the reviews of the Zoom 506 pedal here and found them helpful.

Anyone have any experience with the Digitech pedals I listed? Anyone able to compare the Zoom pedal with the Digitechs for me?

Again, I am more used to using individual effect boxes and don't know if I'll adapt well to fiddling with knobs, buttons, and dials, but at these prices, I might be able to learn!

Thanks, all!

[fireincairo]

Zoom, in my opinion, kills Digitech tonewise.

[bassbrad]

Zoom all the way but please not the 506/II, it's an older model not worth 60 bucks, more like $20.
The newer models are much better and still in your price range. The new Zooms all have rhythm functions for practice and expanded control and other features.
B1 $60 comparable price with better & more sounds
B1x $80 same as B1 with expression pedal,
B2 $99 much better
or even more better B2.1u $189 all the bells & whistles.

[KarateKid25]

Yeah, I agree. I have owned Zoom and Digitech units. I generally prefer the zoom for their sounds and general build of the unit.

I owned a 506 II once. While its not a bad unit, they certainly are getting on a bit now, age wise.. I wouldn't say $60 is an amazing price for it.

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by mgriffith

I'm new to multi-effects, having only used "stomp boxes" in the past (flanger, EQ, Bassballs, mainly).

A local store is selling several multi-effects at what look like good prices.

Zoom 506 II Bass pedal for $60

Digitech BP 50 for $70

Digitech bp 80 FOR $100

I did not have the time to try any of them, and frankly, the sales "help" did not live up to its name. They didn't seem to care too much to make a sale or offer much help. (His line was "I'm a drummer. What do I know about effects?" Yeesh!!)

Anyhow, I read the reviews of the Zoom 506 pedal here and found them helpful.

Anyone have any experience with the Digitech pedals I listed? Anyone able to compare the Zoom pedal with the Digitechs for me?

Again, I am more used to using individual effect boxes and don't know if I'll adapt well to fiddling with knobs, buttons, and dials, but at these prices, I might be able to learn!

Thanks, all!

I owned the Digitech BP8 for less than a day. It wasn't horrible, depends on what you want it for. What I liked about it was the ability to use the expression pedal to change your gain settings on the amp models, but the amp models generally suck, so how useful is that, really? I also own the Zoom B1, for almost two years, although I don't really use it all that much now, it's more of a toy for my two kids when they play with my guitar. I agree that the B1 sounds better than the BP80, but it's kind of a case of "in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king." I've recently come to the conclusion that all multieffects pedals are not for me at all, and are useless for gigging because they're too complicated. Your mileage may vary...

If you just want something to play around with, and don't plan on actually gigging with it or anything serious, I'd go with the BP80. You can do a lot of things with it, it's just not what I would call pro-level gear. You might see if you can talk them down to $90, and then you can make a little back when you sell it a year from now.