I have been in the market for a modelling floor pedal for sometime now, and I really like the idea of the Boss GT-100 or Line 6 HD500 as a simple, throw in the bag solution for some gigs and recording work. Also, a part of me thinks that I should have one just to keep up with what is going on in the guitar world. Now of course I would love to try the Axe FX II, but currently that is out of my price range and would not give any advantage over my existing rack (Marshall JMP-1, TC Electronic G-Major 2) in terms of portability (i.e I might as well just take my existing rack!). I have tried out the Boss GT-10 and I didn't like it, I have had various Line 6 Pod's and amps over the years (as well as the M-series) effects, but they have all found their way on to eBay or gumtree, none of them have been 'keepers'. So I am yet to be convinced, but I do really like the idea!So, I was recommended the Zoom G5 and it did seem to be getting some good reviews online. Unfortunately, there was no where local stocking it, so I plumped for a deal online with Thomann, and eagerly awaited it's arrival. So I had the Zoom for a few hours and then…….. sent it back. Now don't get me wrong, I think for a lot of people this would be a mighty fine unit, but it just wasn't for me, and here is why….The construction was very impressive, robust and looks like it could take a fair amount of abuse. Not so sure about the lateral movement of the Z-pedal, but I am not really sure how much that would be used anyway! The looper is really easy to use and a lot of fun, coupled with some interesting sounding built-in rhythm tracks (and metronome) make it a really useful learning and practicing tool. The clean sounds were really nice, highlighted by some of the presets. I loved how simple it was to use and the individual LCD displays were a joy to work with. There were a huge amount of effects on board to play with, on the whole they were impressive, for me, the delays, reverbs were pretty cool. I will hold my hands up and say I am not a fan of some of the more synthy/filter effects, but I am sure for some people they would be a joy to use. I did also like some of the wah models, although the Autowah sounded rather fake, and I couldn't quite get the sensitivity control to respond well to my guitar at all.In terms of the amp modelling, I found that the clean models were really nice, and worked will when adding the Tube Screamer model to get a lovely crunch, and then hitting the fantastic 'tube booster' could get a nice lead tone. I think the tube booster is a fantastic idea and is implemented really well in the unit, I really do wish more units (and amps!) had this function. The MS (Marshall) amp models weren't too bad, but I found that the higher gain amps were just to fizzy and quite noisy at higher gain levels. I found this quite off putting for my own personal tastes, in particular the Zakk Wylde and Eddie Van Halen 'soundlike' patches weren't fantastic at all, in some respects were quite terrible! I did try to work with these patches to get a better approximation (not to the tone but to something which wasn't just fizz), but I didn't succeed. I also found the the Jazz patches were rather sterile, rather than warm. Having said that, the models on the whole were quite responsive to changes in guitar volume.Connectivity wise, I found the unit slightly lacking when compared to the others (but hey it is half their price), although the lack of midi was a bit of a disappointment as the unit could have been incorporated into a bigger set up. Not fully sure how the eco mode works though! The G5 does have a USB recording interface too, which makes it really useful for home recording.Pros
- Very simple to use
- I thought the clean sounds were really good, in particular the FD model was really nice
- I wish every pedal, amp had the tube boost function, extremely useful and tailorable.
- Very reasonably priced
- Ground lift on the XLR output
- Z-pedal is a nice idea (does take some getting used to)
Cons (for me)
- I just didn't like the distortion sound at all. Rather too 'fizzy' for my tastes.
- No Midi control
- Noisy on high gain
- Some of the effects sounded quite 'fake'
I think overall, that this is a really useful tool! It seems equally at home in the studio, practice room or live. Taking time to dial in some sounds would certain get some good useable results. I appreciate that this is a quick review based on a few hours playing with the unit, but I have to say that if I am not inspired by a unit then it has to go back. I am sure that this would be a great unit for some people, just not for me. I certainly put it on your list of units to try out if you are in the market for a modeller.I guess I am still yet to be convinced by modelling, I really can see the potential for these units, I really would love to rock up with a pedal and a guitar and with one cable connect directly to the PA and be good to go. Unfortunately, at the moment I am not quite there, I would say the Zoom is in the same league as the other modellers and really worth your consideration if you are in the market for one of these units, as it really does have a fantastic price tag.I should also point out something extremely important, I am really NOT a tone snob! I will happily play through anything, but ....and it is a big but, I do know what I like and I do need to be inspired by a sound (be it valve, solid-state, digital) and unfortunately with this unit I wasn't inspired at all. About 12 years ago, I had the Johnson J-Station earlier modeller and there were a few sound on there which were inspiring and usable, so I am not anti-modelling, I just need something that makes me want to play more and more and more.....PeaceNeil
