My HONEST Opinion Of The ZOOM G6..

Today I'm uploading a much overdue review on the Zoom G6. The ZOOM guitar effect products have always been really interesting to me. They are quite a bit different than the majority of options that are available, and have some.. well, quirky things about them, and the G6 is no exception!

𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗦!
Barry Prosser
David L
Kevin Puumala
Ronny Webster
Apoplexia
Failusekilltake
Adr1an0
Stephen Campbell
Ian Lambert
Royce

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮

** My videos may or may not contain products that were given to me with the expressed intent for me to make an unbiased review. I may also receive products at a discount in return for making a video on these products. In such cases, the opinions expressed are my own, and not the opinions of the companies providing the equipment. I try to mention this when relevant.

Links in the description may be affiliate, and I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. **

[TheBloggingMusician]

Thanks for your honest review (and subbed) It hasn't dissuaded me to buy a G6 though... here's why, :
1. Sounds. Zoom absolutely trounces Line 6 (and most others) for modelled tone, especially OD. That's counts for a lot.
2. UI. I get the menu needs refining, but zoom are already doing it via updates. Also, once tones are setup its less of an issue. Not a deal breaker at all.
3. PedalBoard mode. A few have commented they prefer the G5n bet that has the awful paging needed to switch between footswitchable fx. G6 solves this is by allowing you to configure them. The switching is also more flexible than the pod go which restricts you with only 4 custom FX.
4. Build..well the G3 was plastic and never had an issue with that. Do I prefer metal ? Yes. Is plastic a negative? Not necessarily.
5. DSP. A feature of all zoom multis....and never really an issue unless you try and Max the DSP with hungry FX. In a gig situation with an amp / OD / MOd / delay / znr / never ever an issue. And never has been.

All in all. The G6 is taking the sounds of the G5n, improving them (slightly) and sorting out the g5n switching issues by taking a leaf out of Line 6s book (but without the awful tone).

They didn't quite nail the UI but I think the G6 is the Perfect G5n upgrade. Especially at around £300.

Bought one.

[stedyedy]

I’ve got the G6 and it has some great tones and also sounds good through my Marshall as a pedal board. I really like the looper and i’ve put an SD card in it for the extra recording time. I’ve managed to get my beat buddy connected and can use the looper to record whole songs as well as loops.
The menu system is horrible to use its a real mess with a touchscreen that is so slow and outdated. I don’t use it much now i’ve made the presets i like thank god.
The presets are awful please don’t let the sound of them put you off as you can make your own great tones but its not a pleasant experience going through the menus to make them.

[formercakid]

WOW...love the G6, great touch screen, like the graphics, after tweaking love the tone, SD card ok, always have one laying around in my studio...It's a winner for me!!!

[isaiahj]

The first zoom pedal I have was the MS-50G. It’s a good pedal, used it as a delay / reverb solo pedal, but can not bank up or down only rotating. Then now I have a zoom G1X Four, with expression pedal, 2 foot switch for bank up and down, which is more easy to use; however, there is a gap/latency while bank up or down.

Line 6 helix / HX / Pod Go with the snapshot mode solves this problem.

I would rather buy a pre-own Pod Go than buying a brand new Zoom G6.

[gustavogarciapalacio]

I have the Zoom G6, firmware updates can be done via Guitar Lab software, you don't need the SD card for that. I agree with you (more or less) it has some flaws. But i really like the tones, effects quality and simplicity of my G6, and i've had a couple of the alternatives:
- Mooer GE200: Didn't like the tones, effects quality is bad
- Hotone Ampero: Amp tones are...decent, effects quality is bad
As for other alternatives (based purely on Youtube videos):
Line 6 Pod Go: Sounds compressed and digital
Nux MG-30: Just going to say this: COME
Headrush MX5: mmm...maybe, maybe...
Going to be patient and wait for updates, or jump to the bigger unit the G11. I want to stay with Zoom, i really like the tones in this unit, it has great playing dynamics across the fretboard.

[gabrielmiranda]

So, i just bought the g6, ii´ve been a long time user of zoom multieffects, i had the g7 and the g3nx, wich am upgrading for the g6, and i have to say that what Taylor says leaves with a good sensation, because, i would agree that the lines6 pod go may be better, but for the price, here in Chile at least, the zoom g6 is the best bang for your buck, and, more importantly, it sounds great

[toddmerriott]

Wow I thought the ease off use was so good. Loved the lighting on the thing when I saw it. Im really surprised at this review. Let me say one more thing, This is the first guitar processor I Didn’t need to get out the instructions. The zoom G6 is awesome. The only thing negative I will say is the tones out of the box did not compare to my boss out of the box, but can be dialed in to sound great!

[JonDeth]

I'm just totally put off with the last couple years of digital gear but especially since Zoom stopped using tubes at the end of the circuit path. Their G5 and 9.2tt, both of which are dinosaurs, still sound phenomenally better than everything I hear coming out today.
I'm a major fan of Zoom and I've bought something from everyone including Headrush and Line 6, and the Zooms that came out at the same time have always been superior.

With prices rising though and their really trimming features down, I went back to the Zoom G5 with it's tube exciter that puts it miles about the sound quality of everything today.

[tobins]

After hearing the sound demo...glad I went with the mx5. Way way way back when, they did sound good and were slightly ahead of the time. They seem to be still stuck in the late 90s. The DSP issue will be their downfall. Units in the same price range that are 5-7 years old don't have that issue and sound better.

[portuguesebeer]

Except for the FX Loop, i prefer the Zoom G5n to this G6.
Can you put the G6 "against" the Pod Go?
You you could get a G5n to compare it would be awesome!
Cheers from Portugal 🍺🤘🇵🇹

[PaxHominibusBonaeVoluntatis]

I have pod go and frankly like better g6 because of coolest looper I ever seen. I gig on street so this is more better than in pod go 20s stereo loop or 80s half speed mono. Modulations are better on G6, reverbs are better on G6 and finally harmonizer is better too. Pod Go have only 4 slots for effects and in real getting DoubleTank Rev and Rotary 145 eat all DSP power so you have only 2 effects and another two slots are not usable. To be honest pod go have stereo loop what is not much necessary for me.

[badbear]

I just got this g6, no issue to connect it to my iMac. However, I noticed that if you use the micro usb cable meant for charging only, it will show something like “no usb data support” on the G6. Need to change to a real data Usb cable. I use the usb cable came with my kindle ereader.

[MonteD]

Good to see a gear channel that is honest and doesn't love every piece of gear that it reviews.

[jconner]

I have had the helix the helix lt 3 times. Pod go and other. Never could be any tones I liked. But you guys make them good. I usually used them for effects. Now probability looking at getting the hx for effects. Nice videos

[IScreamedWolf]

For the record 24 bit and 44.1k is pretty standard but 88.2 would be nice

[BrokenDreamRox]

I think Headrush really threw down the gauntlet with their Gigboard. I think they've clinched the 400-500 dollar market with their MX5. This Zoom was intriguing because of it's price point for me, but your review saved me the 400 bucks lol!

[thedanksavatron]

🍻
🤔I'm leaning towards the Headrush MX5 in my future!

[joellebrodeur]

Still using Zoom PS02 Palmtop Studio that I've had since 2001/2002. It is a 4 track digital recorder with built in emulating multi effect unit. Also drums, too. I've saved many useable tones in their own patch but need a unit where I can pretty much copy over the settings from my patches into another Zoom product, hence why I was considering the G6.

My ancient PS02 has DNR (was the first product offering with it) like all current offerings. The drawbacks of the G6 may have me consider a different Zoom product. I don't play lead and pretty much cycle through settings I use for rhythm guitar and laying down riffs.

[cesarsaezherrera]

La mejor forma de sacarle provecho es armar un preset lo mas cercano a la realidad y creo de esta pedalera lo hace bastante bien...

[grzegorzgalant]

Which of the cheap modelers you tested in your opinion gives the best felling, the closest to playing real amp?