Zoom has Durability Issues

[marcus_gloom]

I was planning to buy the Zoom H4 digital recorder, since we all know Zoom is way cheaper than other brands with the same features

But when I personally inspected it upon borrowing from a friend, the product still has cheap brittle plastic components.

I had the 505 way back, which eventually disintegrated into pieces after a few years but I attributed its demise to the fact I was a kid then and I dont know how to take care of gear.

Three years ago I bought the GFX-3 which has a metal casing BUT the same plastic components. I virtually hid my GFX-3 in my bedroom and treated it like a princess but suddenly the foot switch gave out from the tension of the spring which it it is supposed to retain. Recently, the plastic buttons gave in to the mere pressure of fingers because they have gone so brittle.

So guys, unless, Zoom ups their game regarding the durability of their products, think twice.

I am now looking around for a multi-effects unit (and desperately looking for funds).

Don't scrimp now and spend more later. 

[BrianLP]

i agree with this,all the zooms i had previously either broke the input or output jack really easily,or the patches would just create noise.

[BenjieMusic]

siraan nga yung footswitch ng zoom.

pero pwede naman dalhin sa mga nagrerepair dito sa philmusic (sir yahoo!) 

[Super BisDak]

all my zoom multis (505, 606, 707ii, G9.2tt) have repair history. most of the issues are the switches too. hope zoom could make some improvements on this.  

[BenjieMusic]

all my zoom multis (505, 606, 707ii, G9.2tt) have repair history. most of the issues are the switches too. hope zoom could make some improvements on this.  

sana yung g2.1nu walang ganitong issue 

[gwenmoyk]

Ung 606 ko bukod sa ngtiis ako sa switching gap, ngaun tuner/bypass nlng npapakinabangan ko and i use it as volume ped. Hayz!

[heavensgraveyard]

this would help me too..since di pa ako nakagamit ng multi-effects..balak ko din bumili ng multi-effects..i have lots of stomp boxes pero binenta ko due to inuman sessions..haha so ang zoom pala yun ang main problem nila?how about yung tunog sir ok lang ba?thanks.. nyaha:evil:

[Super BisDak]

sana yung g2.1nu walang ganitong issue  

haha.. sana nga. i'm gassing for it pa naman..

Ung 606 ko bukod sa ngtiis ako sa switching gap, ngaun tuner/bypass nlng npapakinabangan ko and i use it as volume ped. Hayz!

at least may pakinabang pa ang unit!  

how about yung tunog sir ok lang ba?

for the G series, the modulations are pretty good and some of the amp sims are useful too.

[BenjieMusic]

this would help me too..since di pa ako nakagamit ng multi-effects..balak ko din bumili ng multi-effects..i have lots of stomp boxes pero binenta ko due to inuman sessions..haha so ang zoom pala yun ang main problem nila?how about yung tunog sir ok lang ba?thanks.. nyaha:evil:

ok naman ang sound. di ko lang talaga gusto yung drive. kung kukuha ka ng ganito. kuha ka ng analog na drive  

modulations lang nagustuhan ko tsaka kasya kasi sa gigbag walang hassle (G1,G1x,G2,G2.1u)

[marcus_gloom]

The foot switches can be repaired with a little bit of usual "Mcgyvery". I managed to have my GFX-3 repaired with super glue and wires plus the usual Tac switch and jack replacement here and there.

My 505, before the plastic body disintegrated, had so many Tac switch replacements I lost count

My real gripe for my GFX unit is on those little white plastic buttons and those teenie winnie internal plastic components that hold them together.  When I pushed the button to change a setting, it suddenly gave in

And when i opened it up i found that the have totally gone brittle! As in, Piknik Potato sticks brittle! How the heck can one ordinary guy repair that?

They should use a higher grade/quality of plastic material.  

[renz13]

ok naman ang sound. di ko lang talaga gusto yung drive. kung kukuha ka ng ganito. kuha ka ng analog na drive  

modulations lang nagustuhan ko tsaka kasya kasi sa gigbag walang hassle (G1,G1x,G2,G2.1u)

+1....pinag mamalaki nila sa next series yung bagong drive model tatlong drive models lang ata nagustuhan ko dun .....pero sa durabilty ayos naman natapakan ko na yun unit di panaman nag cracrack pero yung peda squeky na

[BenjieMusic]

+1....pinag mamalaki nila sa next series yung bagong drive model tatlong drive models lang ata nagustuhan ko dun .....pero sa durabilty ayos naman natapakan ko na yun unit di panaman nag cracrack pero yung peda squeky na

pwede ba lagyan ng wd-40 yung pedal? para mawala yung squeky. wala kasi akong expression pedal 

[renz13]

pwede ba lagyan ng wd-40 yung pedal? para mawala yung squeky. wala kasi akong expression pedal 

di ko pa na try yun baka kainin nung wd40 yung plastic

OT:ang cute nung bagong avatar ah

[BenjieMusic]

di ko pa na try yun baka kainin nung wd40 yung plastic

OT:ang cute nung bagong avatar ah

ay oonga

OT: wala eh talo si gibo 

[gyrome]

almost 2yrs na yung zoom g7 ko, wala ding pahinga sa gig pero wala nman nagiging problema. alaga ko din sa wd40. dagdag ingat at alaga din siguro.

[BAMF]

I was planning to buy the Zoom H4 digital recorder, since we all know Zoom is way cheaper than other brands with the same features

But when I personally inspected it upon borrowing from a friend, the product still has cheap brittle plastic components.

I had the 505 way back, which eventually disintegrated into pieces after a few years but I attributed its demise to the fact I was a kid then and I dont know how to take care of gear.

Three years ago I bought the GFX-3 which has a metal casing BUT the same plastic components. I virtually hid my GFX-3 in my bedroom and treated it like a princess but suddenly the foot switch gave out from the tension of the spring which it it is supposed to retain. Recently, the plastic buttons gave in to the mere pressure of fingers because they have gone so brittle.

So guys, unless, Zoom ups their game regarding the durability of their products, think twice.

I am now looking around for a multi-effects unit (and desperately looking for funds).

Don't scrimp now and spend more later. 

But Zooms can be modified with heavier-duty switches. Specially the G2 and G2.1. I'm just waiting for the stock tac-switches to give out, then I'll replace them with heavy duty momentary footswitches. The ones which look like pedal footswitches .

Both ricabb and I have successfully modded GFX series effects, replacing the plastic footswitches, with, well, plastic panels mounted on which are heavier-duty (and easily replaceable) pushbutton switches.

Zoom undoubtedly still has a very good tone-for-buck ratio. If footswitch durability becomes an issue, there is still something that can be done about it.

[jed437]

I own a G1XN.. sana di agad masira.. lagi pa namang gingamit..

[dr.distance]

I didn't mind the durability issues, my G2.1u gave me the sound I wanted when I bought it, and I was able to macgyver my way out of the time when one of those little plastic buttons gave out.

basta naman alagaan mo gamit mo, tatagal na yan! kung ayaw mo ng nasisira, pag-gastusan mo na pinakamahal! XD

Anyone have any makeshift-ish techniques on how to improve response from the footswitches? 

[eros00]

sana yung g2.1nu walang ganitong issue 

di ka magsisisi if u ever buy a g2.1nu dude...matibay and footswitch and the sound is really great...u can use their free software to edit patches on ur pc as well...

[metalheadz]

I am now looking around for a multi-effects unit (and desperately looking for funds).

try korg multi effects, mine looks like it had gone through war(even though its plastic) it is still alive today, i have had it for almost 5years and still loving it

[bloodshedd]

My ZOOM G2 still works (with periodic cleaning) after years of relentless gigging, getting soaked in beer and rhum, being stepped on by people of all sorts, stuck in bags, thrown around on plane trips, being soaked in rain, snuck into my hardcase, borrowed by different people, tours, and one crazy G2 pedal owner!

[Hellghast]

i've bought a zoom 606 way back 2005 and is still on my setup till now. countless gigs and almost everyday use sa bahay. only problem na na encounter ko is ung screws nang expression pedal lumuwag. other than that ok pa. i guess depende tlga sa bigat nang pag tapak mo and kung pano ka mag handle nang gamit.

[redjaztin]

I had zoom 505, 707, GFX4, G2.1u, 508, ngayon G7.1ut....wala naman akong naging problema....yung 508 lang kala ko nagkaproblema adaptor lang pala....hehehe....Pati yung G7 ko nagloko yung isang switch tapos bigalang umayos.....more that three years na G7 ko wala parin akong problema......nasa gumagamit yata yun

[BenjieMusic]

I had zoom 505, 707, GFX4, G2.1u, 508, ngayon G7.1ut....wala naman akong naging problema....yung 508 lang kala ko nagkaproblema adaptor lang pala....hehehe....Pati yung G7 ko nagloko yung isang switch tapos bigalang umayos.....more that three years na G7 ko wala parin akong problema......nasa gumagamit yata yun

+1 

[Ben Tsing Co]

Ung 606 ko bukod sa ngtiis ako sa switching gap, ngaun tuner/bypass nlng npapakinabangan ko and i use it as volume ped. Hayz!

Eto ba yung nakuha mo kay Vic??
He he he