Zoom B2.1u Pedal / Zoom B2 - to buy or not to buy.

Ganky · #1 02-18-2009, 01:10 PM

Hey I've just come across the fantabulous Zoom B2 pedal and in comparison from what I've seen from my pedals this is very nice. I am thinking of purchasing it as the price doesn't seem too far out of reach but don't know whether to buy the B2 or the B2.1u. The only difference that I've noticed is that the B2.1u has the footswitch, the XLR connection and a difference in the USB connection.

Basically what are your opinions on the pedals, are they worth getting at all, and is it worth spending £120, rather than £60 for the B2.1u?

Rather rushed message as I've gotta go!

Hope you can help

JimmyM · #2 02-18-2009, 02:37 PM

IF the expression pedal, the USB, and the XLR are important to you, get the B2.1u. If not, get the B2. I got the B2 myself. For a cheapie multi-effects unit, you can't beat it.

optikhog · #3 02-18-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

IF the expression pedal, the USB, and the XLR are important to you, get the B2.1u. If not, get the B2. I got the B2 myself. For a cheapie multi-effects unit, you can't beat it.

+1. I used a B2 for a while and liked it so much that I've just upgraded to the B9.1ut. I don't need the expression pedal (yet) but I may start using it in the future.

niftydog · #4 02-18-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganky

...and a difference in the USB connection.

? The difference being the B2 doesn't have one at all!

This seems an odd question - like JimmyM says, if you want the extra features then go for the .1u. Simple.

Personally, the B2 would be utterly useless to me, whereas the B2.1u I rate as one of the best purchases in the last couple of years.

Psychotic_Hell · #5 02-18-2009, 06:56 PM

BUY BUY BUY!!! lol

My dad got me the .1u for my birthday bout 3 years ago and even though i have got several pedals to replace it with, it is still on my board.

I found my tone on that thing so i cant chuck it now

optikhog · #6 02-19-2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychotic_Hell

I found my tone on that thing so i cant chuck it now

LOL!

HATTLER_Lover · #7 02-19-2009, 04:25 AM

It's a stable device that sounds very good for the low price... I've one and I love it... also good for practising proper grooves... you can easily put two delays together... like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=DE&hl=de&v=29R3Hzkf_hM cheers.

Sorry, was talking about the B2.1u :-)

JacobE · #8 02-19-2009, 04:35 AM

get a b1x than that way you solve 2 problems

Nyarlathotep · #9 02-19-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

IF the expression pedal, the USB, and the XLR are important to you, get the B2.1u. If not, get the B2. I got the B2 myself. For a cheapie multi-effects unit, you can't beat it.

+1

I love mine, and will prolly never get rid of it simply because its small, cheap, and good at what it does.

EDIT: I have the B2, but already had an exp pedal and don't really care much for recording ATM.

musicman7722 · #10 02-20-2009, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by optikhog

+1. I used a B2 for a while and liked it so much that I've just upgraded to the B9.1ut. I don't need the expression pedal (yet) but I may start using it in the future.

Not to hijack this thread but
I was wondering how the B9.1ut compares to the b2? I read a few reviews.
CP

musicman7722 · #11 02-20-2009, 05:16 AM

bump to scribe sorry

optikhog · #12 02-20-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman7722

Not to hijack this thread but
I was wondering how the B9.1ut compares to the b2? I read a few reviews.
CP

It's probably appropriate given then my primary experience is withe B2. The most obvious difference is the ability to add/remove an effect using the footswitch setup, that was a big selling point for me as I've had to resort to remembering which patch had chorus and which didn't, etc. on the B2. Now I can pull multiple effects in/out or combine them all in the time it take to step on a switch. Yum.

The additional footswitch setup is also excellent for single-switch mute/bypass (no more hoping I hit both switches and standing like a stork while I wait to tune) or turning on/off the compressor or anything you might have int he effects loop.

As for the effects, they're pretty similar but with several additions which are either new or were only found on the B1 models (e.g. "slow motion", one of my faves). They still sound excellent. The addition of the horizontal slider on the foot pedal is also nice for fine-tuning effects while in the middle of a song (e.g. chorus rate). Oh and the M-Comp compressor is light years better than the default compressor on the B2. The M-Comp reacts like an optical to my ears while sucking virtually no highs from my tone.

My favorite part of the B9.1ut is the "accelerator" tube stage. They're only using 2 plates of the 12ax7 and it's backlit but it still adds just enough warmth to my sound to make me pleased with my overall tone - no matter what gear I use, I tend to dial everything in to get a rather bright SS tone and then like to add grit for just a bit of breakup in the mids.

Overall I'd say it's worth the $ I spent. After being 2 songs into rehearsal this week our drummer turned to me and asked, "Did you get a new bass? That one make you sound like a pro and I can finally hear everything you're doing." After I explained that the only change was the Zoom box (set to use a modified version of the "Pick" preset), the guitarist agreed that it's a keeper.

bassbrad · #13 02-20-2009, 09:47 AM

Thanx for the hands on the B9.1ut, OptikHog!
I use the B2.1u as the anchor of my pedal board and also as a stand alone for gigs I don't use/need many efx. For me the extra was worth it to so many handy things ion one box. Having the control pedal lets me have volume, wah, as well as controlling other parameters on the fly, XLR out is very handy (but be careful it's a hot output) for recording and live, I have not used the usb out (& included Cubase LE!) but it would be an ez way to get into recording your bass if you aren't already.

NoFrets4Me · #14 02-20-2009, 01:15 PM

I bought a B2.1u a few months ago and have been really happy with it. It's the only effects unit that I have and seems like a solid buy for the money. (I was looking into some individual effects and those suckers add up fast.)

For what I wanted/needed, the B2.1u really fit the bill. I've got a handful of sounds dialed in that I really like. It's great for practicing. The tuner works fine, but it's a little tricky to activate (hold both switches down simultaneously).