i'm finally starting to learn my zoom g1x four

Ever buy something for your guitar playing stuff, use it for a little bit, then put it away and not use it for a year? How about 2 years? How about 3?

That's what happened with my ZOOM G1X Four.

Why? I really didn't feel like learning yet another guitar effects processor, especially when my now-old DigiTech RP360 gets the job done.

However... I bought the thing, I really like the smaller size of it since it can work on the floor or on my desk, I really like that it's powered by USB-C alone (no need for a bulky power adapter), and said okay, let's learn this thing.

After messing around with settings, I'm finally figuring out how to wrangle a good tone out of it that works with both my Yamaha Pacifica PAC112VM and Squier Affinity Stratocaster.

It was actually the Pacifica I wanted to sound right more than the Strat since I play that more these days, which leads me to my next point:

Some guitar effects processors are guitar-specific

The RP360 or even the older GSP1101 (which I also used to own) are amazingly good at making Fender and Squier guitars sound like a million bucks. DigiTech circuitry really works well with a single-coil and can make a Fender design guitar sing - but not so much for humbucker pickups, at least in my experience.

ZOOM G1X Four, once I dove into it, can accommodate both humbuckers and single-coil guitar tones, but it seems to "favor" humbuckers more. This is fine, since the Pacifica is an HSS.

It did take me a while to figure out the G1X Four. I've still not learned it 100%, as it doesn't exactly have the most intuitive interface. Usable, yes, but absolutely not 1-2-3 easy.

But then again, when choosing a do-everything multi-effects processor, choices are limited. It's pretty much either the ZOOM or the BOSS GT-1. The BOSS is nice, but... it's 15 inches long. Good for floor and not for desk. The G1X Four is 8.5". And I suppose the Line 6 POD Go also counts. But again, for-floor only because it's 14" long.

Only the Mooer GE100 comes close to the G1X Four's size at 9" long, but I'm not a fan of the footswitches it uses. I prefer the larger/wider style.

For those of you who would say, "just send your guitar sound to your computer and use software", no, not doing that. I want a dedicated effects processor with its own 1/4" inputs, footswitches and expression pedal, and have that with the G1X Four.

Yeah, it took me 3 years to get around to using this ZOOM, and now I'm finally getting into it. Hopefully this will result in making some new tunes soon.

Published 2025 Jul 20