Opinions on Zoom B1 Multi-Effects Pedal?

Olde Axeman · #1 06-07-2011, 04:53 AM

I see that Zoom B1 multi-effects pedals are only $60 and seem to have a lot of bells & whistles for the money. Are they any good? I'm interested in your experiences with a Zoom B1 (or Zoom B2 as they are still fairly inexpensive at $100).

AJ Brown · #2 06-07-2011, 05:10 AM

I would say that you typically get what you pay for. With Zoom, you might get a tad more.

The B2 is decent. It's not the most quiet multi-effect, but it give you a lot of cool sounds.

Wannaflea · #3 06-07-2011, 07:57 AM

I have a Zoom B1X (it has an expression pedal as well) and I have been really quite pleased with it, I'd recommend it.

cchorney · #4 06-07-2011, 08:05 AM

Some of the effects are cheesy, some are quite serviceable. I wish it had a "no effect" option, the closest I found was going with a amp/cab model I liked. I actually ran my B2 thru my SWR rig using the SWR model, thought that was as clean as I could get it (when I wasn't running a specific effect).

I eventually upgraded to a Zoom B2 so I could have the expression pedal built in, then I upgraded again (or downgraded) to just a volume pedal and a few single use pedals.

GregDunn · #5 06-07-2011, 10:36 AM

I like the B1X because it has effects the B2 does not (which I need on stage) and it's small and light enough to stick in a gig bag. Wish it was made of aluminum instead of plastic though.

bassbrad · #6 06-07-2011, 11:55 AM

B1 or B1x are good "starter" pedals but you may out grow it sooner than you will the B2 or B2.1u. IMO the B2 B2.1u are worth the additional cost for the added features and parameters and the B2.1u also has a DI and USB outputs and comes with Cubase LE.

walldaja · #7 06-16-2011, 06:42 PM

Isn't bypass (BP) without effects when you press the two buttons at the same time?

oldcatfish · #8 06-16-2011, 07:52 PM

I have all 3 of Zoom's *2 series. They offer a lot for so little money. And you can easily bypass any effects that you don't want to use...even all of them and just use it as a tuner.
The only real complaint that I have is that they don't have an auxiliary input...it'd be great to be able to jam with MP3's.

Venom of God · #9 06-16-2011, 07:55 PM

I have a B2.1u, I don't use it live or recording any more as I've upgraded to single pedals, but it's still a great little unit to practice with at home and play with effects I wouldn't have otherwise! Fantastic pedal for someone new to pedals!

Bassmike62 · #10 06-16-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrad

B1 or B1x are good "starter" pedals

I have the B1, which I still use as a rythm machine for practice. I didn't like it much, other than its price, but it did introduce me to the wonderful world of effects. It did have a decent SansAmp sim. But on the whole, I didn't like the effects and even found a few of'em pretty crappy, IMO.

Swift713 · #11 06-17-2011, 06:34 AM

I found the B2 was pretty decent and well worth the money. Some of the amp sims were nice at lower gain settings, the delays were very good. The drum patterns were pretty good, and I enjoyed the filter, tremolo, and some other stuff. The phaser was a little noisy but not bad. The next step up IME is either single pedals or the Line 6 M series.

bassbrad · #12 06-17-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walldaja

Isn't bypass (BP) without effects when you press the two buttons at the same time?

Correct but it can be tricky hitting both buttons at the same time, I use a FS01 to bypass/tune/mute. I have mine set up as an always on with neutral patches every so often.

GreggBummer · #13 06-17-2011, 10:51 AM

I have a B1 that I used on bass for a long time. I liked it. For the price range, it is the best multi box on the market right now.

I've since moved on... have a pretty decent pedal board now... but I still use the B1. If I need an effect that I don't have on my board, I break it out. Also, it sounds wicked when hooked up to my keyboard. I run a clean organ sound through the "fuzzface" amp model and... look out.

Also, in a pinch, it works great with guitar. I have used it a jam sessions for that too.

It is worth your money.

HunterBurgan4Me · #14 03-10-2013, 04:09 PM

I'm not really a fan of multi FX pedals. I know that they are great for trying out different things and this one is extremely cheap. But I can't see anyone who's very far along in their career as bassist using it because of the quality and as for the people who are just starting out it seems more of a distraction from learning to play well. That's just me though, and probably also so snobbery, I can see why it has its uses.