“I don't know why the B3n is even discussed. It's a toy on all accounts compared to actual pedals, not worthy of attention from serious musicians.”
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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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“I don't know why the B3n is even discussed. It's a toy on all accounts compared to actual pedals, not worthy of attention from serious musicians.”
Given an unability to express boutique snobbery, say in a blind test, I think the B3n could be compared soundwise to any pedal on the market producing similar tones without suffering much if any from the comparison. I certainly wouldn't say so about the GT1B.
And you're basing that on...?
It has the same (albeit slightly upgraded) internals as the GT100 which is certainly NOT a toy.
Can anyone give me an overview on how the amp/cab sims, compressors and drives sound compared to the B3 and compared to the real deal?
I think the quality of these things would be the deal breaker for me. I only tend to use these effects.
I think the quality of these things would be the deal breaker for me. I only tend to use these effects.
In my opinion, they are all improvements over the B3. I think the drives are the biggest improvement overall, they have a much better clarity (in my opinion). The amp sims/cabs and compressors are also a nice improvement over the B3 (they already sounded great on the B3). The "real deal" amps and cabs will always sound better (as they should) but are incredibly expensive. For $200 you can have an arsenal of classic amps, cabs and drives and various other effect that sound fantastic!!! To me, it was a no brainer to get the B3n.
I'm in a similar situation as yourself, I only use the amps sims/cabs, compressor and drives as my sound. I don't use a ton of other effects in my bands. I have been going direct to the mixing board from my B3n (using a D.I. box) and it has sounded great. In a full band situation everything still cuts through the mix and you can hear the different characteristics of each amp/cab/drive. I've been extremely happy with my sound so far, don't be afraid to pull the trigger on the B3n if you're only concerned about these effect.
Thanks for that little summary. I'll probably wait until people can do a detailed A/B with the GT-1B. Although, I may get a Tech 21 VT yet. I really don't know.
I have a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe as well. LOVE IT!!! Unfortunately it's been in the shop for the last few months (some dirty power fried the board and waiting to get it replaced). I was using that for my amp simulation until it got messed up. I think that's one pedal I would never sell. You can find good used one's at a decent price. If you don't want all the extra effects that would be a great choice for you!
My personal experience. It's all I have.
B3, B3n you plug them and they sound great, solid, bypassed you find back the tone of your instrument and it mixes well with other pedals. The B3 proved its constant worthiness after having being used for hundreds of hours to practice, experiment, record, emergency DI other instruments, whatever is needed. Very solid all metal construction to top the cake.
These units have so far unbeatable quality for the price or even a much higher price.
GT1B, good enough for bedroom practice or spaceship tones but I wouldn't dare bringing it to a gig. It feels weak on both individual effects and readymade patches.
As its name and design clearly imply, the GT1B is based on the GT1, not GT100. At less than half the price, you'd guess they had to cut a few corners. I have no experience with the GT100 though so I can't really compare them.
Although it's a fact that that the GT-1 has the exact same internals as the GT-100, the differences being a slightly modified and upgraded firmware and possibly better components, as many people report a slightly better tone out of the GT-1 with like-for-like settings, and the GT-1B is a bass-specific version of the GT-1, so it is essentially a smaller hypothetical GT-100B and not a "toy". Most of the GT-1 is made of metal but some of it is plastic, but even being part plastic it's more than sturdy enough to use on a stage unless part of the act involves hitting it with a sledge hammer.
I don't mean to be rude but it does look like you're just slamming it without good cause here, if you were saying "I didn't like the way XX effects or YY drives sounded and the amp models didn't work for me" I would understand it, but your post is full of claims that are demonstrably untrue.
Nice and tidy!
Does the steep angle make it hard to hit the paddles along the front edge of the B3n?
No. It doesn't follow the slope of the door stops it just rests on their front ends which affords me some space underneath foe the Timelord and the excess cable and unused connectors on the Pedal Snake. Just a temporary board until I decide my ultimate configuration (which will immediately change)
My personal experience, actually owning a GT-1B, is different. I've been quite happy using it both home and live.
I now own both the GT-1B and B3n and have compared them side by side. I'm probably going to end up selling one, since they serve the same purpose. I haven't decided which yet. The sounds are comparable, and they both have little things that bug me about their functionality.
Oh, I remember you, the RATM fan!
Yes, the B3n is so much better than the B3, so I definitely recommend upgrading to either that or the GT. It seems that the GT is pretty much the B3n's equal, just different, rather than one being better or worse than the other, but the difference is immediately apparent compared to the B3.
Definitely do it, you can't lose, and the B3 is still in high demand in terms of resale value for the XLR, so there's that too.
You have a bloody great memory! Since then my music taste has expanded a lot, and I'm really loving Robert DeLeo's tone and Chris Wolstenholme's tones at the minute.
I'll have a look into it! Thanks for the advice. I might sell my B3 now
never knew they were in high demand purely because of the XLR out. Does the GT-1B have an XLR?
You have a bloody great memory! Since then my music taste has expanded a lot, and I'm really loving Robert DeLeo's tone and Chris Wolstenholme's tones at the minute.
I'll have a look into it! Thanks for the advice. I might sell my B3 now
No XLR. To just repeat what others have said, you really can't go wrong with the B3n or the GT-1B, but they are sort of conceived quite differently. I'd suggest you dive into the owner's manuals for both pieces and see if anything strikes you as suiting you better, one vs. the other. Though I'm not an owner of the GT-1B (maybe some day, who knows?), you can be certain that it is a good value for the money.
Personally, I favor the Zoom G5n!
Personally, I favor the Zoom G5n!
G5N that I bought yesterday and seems amazing!
Think I'm diggin' it much more than my B3n... Let's see how things evolves with time.
The more I use my B3n .... the more I LOVE IT !!!
