Zoom G1 FOUR Multi-effects Processor

[JakeStone]

Anyone have any experience with this newer model from Zoom.
I realize it's not made specifically for acoustics.

But for $79 seems like a nice deal for adding effects, EQ, looper etc for $79.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...oaAoYgEALw_wcB

Zoom G1 FOUR Multi-effects Processor Features:
60+ traditional and boutique effects
13 classic amplifier and cabinet models
Save and store up to 50 user-created patches for instant recall
68 built-in drum patterns in multiple time signatures
30-second looper with CD-quality sound
Create, edit, and manage effects and patches with Zoom’s Guitar Lab software
Onboard chromatic tuner supports standard, open, and drop tunings
Auxiliary input jack

[Justinian]

Originally Posted by JakeStone

Anyone have any experience with this newer model from Zoom.
I realize it's not made specifically for acoustics.

But for $79 seems like a nice deal for adding effects, EQ, looper etc for $79.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...oaAoYgEALw_wcB

Zoom G1 FOUR Multi-effects Processor Features:
60+ traditional and boutique effects
13 classic amplifier and cabinet models
Save and store up to 50 user-created patches for instant recall
68 built-in drum patterns in multiple time signatures
30-second looper with CD-quality sound
Create, edit, and manage effects and patches with Zoom’s Guitar Lab software
Onboard chromatic tuner supports standard, open, and drop tunings
Auxiliary input jack

I use Zoom G3XN with my acoustic-electric (variety of Reverb, Chorus, Delay) and I would assume Zoom G1 has some of that.

[jonfields45]

I just ordered one today. I'll post a review next week after it arrives.

[pf400]

30 second looper will leave you wanting.

[JakeStone]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

I just ordered one today. I'll post a review next week after it arrives.

Cool! I may just order one this weekend too.

[JakeStone]

Originally Posted by pf400

30 second looper will leave you wanting.

Yeah.. I don’t use looper too much. But yes 30 sec is pretty short.

[jonfields45]

It arrived yesterday and here are my first thoughts:

The best new feature for Zoom's compact electric guitar oriented pedals are four knobs which serve as master volume, bass, middle, and treble. I could switch from my Mi-Si Trio to my passive HFN and take care of the volume boost, bass boost, and treble cut the HFN requires quickly and intuitively.

The tuner works really well and you can set it to bypass or mute while you tune.

The manual and user interface are as bad as the G1 or MS50G. After I invested in figuring it out it was not a problem for me. I did have to use the manual and could not just poke around. It has two interfaces: a desktop small button and foot switches. Some things can be done two different ways which does not help the learning process. The LCD is reasonably bright and visible standing up. I programmed the backlight to turn off after 15 seconds.

The physical construction is low end and you would need to be careful not to abuse it as a foot switch.

You can use up to 5 effects (stomp boxes in their graphical UI) at once and all the things you would need as an acoustic guitarist are there (but you do need to scroll past the majority of them targeted at electric players). I think Zoom's effects sound good. I did not find a way to invert phase which might be a deal breaker for some.

I ended up setting the pedal to not transition between banks. Inside one bank I set up two patches, bypass and boost (compression and reverb), and then loaded bypass into all the even slots and boost into all the odd slots. Set up this way hitting any footswitch toggles me between the two patches. I think it is quite usable for gigs, but I am probably going to stick with my Boss Compressor (and Boss GE7 when I use the HFN).

[JakeStone]

Great review Jon.
Sounds like a winner with a couple quirks.
But to be expected at the price.
Thanks!

[Rudy4]

This one looks to be the "updated" version of the G1on. I purchased the G1on (new $60) to test the waters for looping. I've moved forward in looping and thought that Zoom would increase the looping time in this basic pedal, which would make it a really good multi-effects unit. (I was wrong... they stayed at 30 seconds, which makes a looper pretty much useless as a serious tool.)

The G1on is a great basic pedal and I'm sure this new version is equal in its abilities and sound.

[jonfields45]

I took the G1four to today's gig which was a small food truck festival using their PA. Worked as expected and the tuner is truly first class. I did on occasion hit both foot switches and put it into muted tuning mode instead of alternating between bypass and boost. I might rethink my mute setting for tuning or put a felt pad on one of the Zoom footswitches to make hitting one switch easier.

For my HFN equipped parlor that stayed home that day I did take the second bank and make odd/even bypass/boost patches for my HFN guitar. For that bank both patch types have the 7 band EQ to compensate for the HFN's lack of bass and too much treble. I think the digital control of the Zoom is far better than the sliders of my Boss GE7.

[jonfields45]

A slight mod to make my odd/even patch selection work while singing and standing. It helps me avoid depressing both foot switches unintentionally and going into tuner mode. One thing I left out in the earlier reviews is how convenient it was at that festival to have a single pedal solution running off batteries (18 hour life according to Zoom). I walked onto the stage with one guitar, one cable, and one pedal.

[JakeStone]

Cool.. Easy mod.

Jon can you assign each foot switch to be a "different" effect..
Like 2 diff stomp boxes. Step once to Engage and step again to disengage.

ex. Left is Delay only and Right is Tremelo?

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by JakeStone

Cool.. Easy mod.

Jon can you assign each foot switch to be a "different" effect..
Like 2 diff stomp boxes. Step once to Engage and step again to disengage.

ex. Left is Delay only and Right is Tremelo?

You would first select a patch and then put the Zoom in stomp mode (bending over to push the left mode button). The right pedal selects which effect (cycles through them left to right) and the left pedal turns that effect on/off.

[JackB1]

Isn't this pedal meant for electric guitars?

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Isn't this pedal meant for electric guitars?

Yes, but it has models for multiple reverbs, delays, choruses, parametric and graphic EQs, a collection of compressors... The only thing it is missing is phase inversion and a dedicated notch filter (you can make one out of the parametric EQ).

There are a lot more electric guitarists buying pedals than acoustic guitarists. It drives selection and price. You do need to scroll past all the useless distortions, amp models, and speaker cab models as you select the stuff we need.