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Zoom Owners' Club!

#825
Count me in too... last week I gigged using my B1Xon.

IMG_20160524_101343%202_zpsjdun0jpb.jpg
 
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#828
Guys, I've got an old BFX708 gathering dust in some drawer because I thought the quality of the patches were just not up to par. Now that I have a need for a good quality multi effects unit I'm afraid that the new range of zoom products will just disappoint me again. I'm talking B3 and it's various subsequent models.

So my question is how much of a sonic difference is there from the old BFX708 to the more recent B3? Is it basically the same effects rehashed into a newer casing? Other than number of effects and other interface differences, how could the B3 be a better box?
 
#833
Jafri said:
Thanks Bassbrad. I'm assuming the same could be said for units such as the B1on which retails for like $50, no?
Click to expand...

I have a B1-on, 50G and 100BT. In terms of sound quality there is little to set them apart. The significant differences are

- Some processing power dedicated to rhythms and looper, so B1-on hits the limit a bit earlier;
- 470k input impedance compared to 1M on the MS pedals, so may suck tone from passive basses a little more - it did for me until I put a buffer in front;
- patch up/down footpedals, patch level setting, 5 vs 4 (60B - 100bt has 6) slots and price are obvious pros for the b1on
- Size, enclosure size/construction and slightly easier UI are pros for the MS series.
- Stompshare app is an obvious pro for the 100bt, but is IOS only.

All of them are in a different league to zooms previous offerings, IMHO.

Of course YMMV
 
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#834
Well - the B3 is now approaching 4 years old. In the tech world that's a lifetime. The processing power they could pack into a new bass specific device would be incredible to say the least. I wonder what is holding them back? It seems they are much more concentrated on multitrack and video/field recording tech. Honestly I would love to have the new H4N Pro!
 
#836
jwilson67 said:
At my gig on Saturday I threw a fuzz pedal after the B3 and it sounded fantastic! Used it for Gold On The Ceiling and Starlight. It was better than the B3's onboard fuzzes and the Zoom played extremely well with it.
Click to expand...
I have also stepped away from using the drives on the B3, but then I had some pretty cool drives that do their own things.
 
#837
So have to make a choice between the B3, MS-60B, and B1on/Xon - the more I read up on them the more my preference fluctuates between these three! Plus, they're not locally available so can't pop into a neighborhood music store and test-drive them to make a decision.

  • I love the B3's look and form factor but skeptical about the 3-effects limit and therefore value for money.
  • The MS-60B's compact size is attractive but not sure how it will function in a live setting. Don't want to be bending over fiddling with controls or tap-dancing to scroll through patches and hitting the wrong one in the middle of a set!
  • The B1on/Xon are a steal for the value - or so I hear - but then again, they look like budget units. Not sure how they'll hold up to heavy usage, weather, dust/dirt, etc in the long run.
Also, I have a SansAmp VT Bass DI pedal and not really sure whether it'll come before the multi-effects unit or after. I haven't really used multi-effects, or any modulation effects really in my years of playing. Always been a meat-and-potatoes kinda player, so any words of advice would be much appreciated!
 
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#838
Jafri said:
So have to make a choice between the B3, MS-60B, and B1on/Xon - the more I read up on them the more my preference fluctuates between these three! Plus, they're not locally available so can't pop into a neighborhood music store and test-drive them to make a decision.

  • I love the B3's look and form factor but skeptical about the 3-effects limit and therefore value for money.
  • The MS-60B's compact size is attractive but not sure how it will function in a live setting. Don't want to be bending over fiddling with controls or tap-dancing to scroll through patches and hitting the wrong one in the middle of a set!
  • The B1on/Xon are a steal for the value - or so I hear - but then again, they look like budget units. Not sure how they'll hold up to heavy usage, weather, dust/dirt, etc in the long run.
Also, I have a SansAmp VT Bass DI pedal and not really sure whether it'll come before the multi-effects unit or after. I haven't really used multi-effects, or any modulation effects really in my years of playing. Always been a meat-and-potatoes kinda player, so any words of advice would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Vote for the B3 here. I have one and love it. I like having the 3 screens to view what effects I have going.
 

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