Zoom Review: GFX-707 Guitar Effects Processor

History:

Purchase: This is my first effects pedal , and since it was roughly the same price as two single effects pedals, I thought I'd go with a pretty basic multi effects processor. I got to play around with it for about 20 minutes, and then decided to buy it. This unit was purchased at Steve's Music in ottawa for $190 CAN plus tax.

What I Like About This Zoom GFX-707 Guitar Effects Processor: I was very pleased with this effects processor. There's 8 parameters that can be changed for each effect, and around 4 different settings for each parameter, each of which can be tweaked in many different ways. There's 50 presets, 25 of which you can overwrite with your own effects, an expression pedal which can control everything from wah-wah to reverb to volume, and you can either cycle through the effects or jump directly from one to another, even if they aren't adjacent in the bank. Also, this pedal incorporates a digital tuner, which comes in handy and saves you from bringing one around with you, as well as a rythm machine which can help your practicing as well as let you jam without the help of a drummer. The rythm machine itself is very versatile, with many different styles to choose from, and the tempo is adjustable. Lastly, it includes an amp simulator, which is kind of a fun toy to play around with, but isnt a hot selling point for it.

What I Do NOT Like About The Zoom GFX-707 Guitar Effects Processor: For the most part, I was very impressed, but I did not like the sampler function of the pedal. It records around 8 seconds of play, and while it can loop, it will loop the whole thing, which can hinder it's use. For example, if you want to practice soloing on a chord progression, you have to record the chord progression so that it takes exactly 8 seconds, otherwise there will be a break in the playback while it plays the silence before or after your chord progression, which ruins the beat of your playing. The pedal did not come with an AC adaptor, which is another sour point. The adapter itself adds another $20 CAN to the price. Also, the patches can only have 6 character names. Not exactly a huge issue, but it was a bit of a pet peeve for the first couple of patches.

Zoom GFX-707 Guitar Effects Processor Quality Rating: The construction seems pretty good on this pedal: while I wouldnt take a flying leap off a riser and land on it, I'm not worried about crushing it by using the foot pedals. The case is pretty durable plastic, and will probably last if it's not overly abused.

Review Summary: All in all, I think the pedal was a great purchase and I'd buy it again given the choice. Even with the issues with the sampler, I think for the price of the unit, the sampler should just be considered as an added bonus, albiet one that isnt that great. Overall, I'd give it a 4.8 on 5 for a beginner-intermediate multi effects guitar pedal within it's price range.

Rating of this Zoom product: 5

This Zoom GFX-707 Guitar Effects Processor Guitar Effects Review Submitted By: Sometimes Joe

Review Date: 2002-12-28