Zoom Fire-36M Guitar Combo Amplifier (36 Watts, 1x10 in.)

Feature:
No accessories came with the amp but I'm not going to complain. A footswitch would have been nice. But I'm probably better off purchasing exactly the footswitch I want, rather than have them give me something I probably wouldn't use. Features galore: I won't bother listing all the amps and effects boxes it emulates but it really provides a "powerhouse" of effects and sounds. The built-in tuner and ZNR (zero noise reduction) are handy features to have; especially if you're planning on using the amp for recording. That brings up another point. The direct out XLR from the amp is perfect for recording. The built in mics are also handy to have. I really like be able to push a button and get right to the sound I want (or stored). I know it's going to save me a lot of time not having to fumble around to get the right setting. The case appears to be plywood but that's pretty standard. It's wrapped in a very tough to tear or damage vinyl and comes with solid rubber feet and plastic corner protectors. It should take most bumps and bruises without much sweat. Just don't drop it off the stage or out the back of your truck. Probably the feature I like the most about this amp, besides its incredible array of sounds, is the headphone plug in. It makes practicing late at night a real joy. I can play as loud as I want without waking up the neighborhood (or my wife).

Quality:
Yes, this amp is well made. While it's not built like a tank. It will take some abuse without folding up on you. I love its overall look. Clean, precise and no loose parts. The knobs aren't the heaviest and sturdiest I have seen. But if you are reasonably careful with your equipment you shouldn't have any problems. If you plan on gigging a lot with it, then a hard shell case is a must. I play out once or twice a month and don't expect to have any problems. Barring a major accident, it should last for many years. Considering the size of its speaker 25 cm (just under 10 inches). It can get surprisingly loud. Unless, you're into heavy metal or tend to play in open air venues. I doubt you will ever need much more volume than this can provide.

Value:
In this price range it blows everyone else away. I tested amps costing twice this much and liked them only half as much. I know ZOOM gets a bad rap as being the low-cost alternative to other name brand products. But damn ... anybody who can pack this much quality into such a small affordable package has my support. (Behringer is another company I suport for the same reasons.) You can pay a lot more for your amp and feel good about the name on box or save the bucks and use them for something else ... like food. The few amps I did like better cost nearly 3 times as much and they were going to be a lot heavier to lug around. Speaking of which here are some specs: 36 watts RMS, speaker 25 cm (just under 10 inches), weight 12 KG (26.5 pounds), dimensions: 485mm 19.1" (W) x 240mm 9.4" (D) x 410mm 16.1" (H).

Desirability:
I really like the Zoom Fire 36M! It's aesthically pleasing to look at. Easy to use and is helping me expand my horizons far beyond my acoustic background. It's amazing how far guitar amps have come in the past 20 years. In one small guitar amp you have sounds that would have cost you thousands of dollars to acquire only 15 years ago. I have always wanted to dip into the electric side but didn't want to give up my acoustic in order to do it. This amp, along with the Trinity Western Acoustic guitar pickup I installed, allows me to play my acoustic and still get the electric sounds I want without switching guitars. Now, I'm not bad mouthing electrics. I just love the feel and touch of my Martin D35. I realize I won't be able to do everything that I might do with an electric. But then I don't need to, at least for now.

Sound:
Sounds pretty damn good to me. Just about every sound you could possibly want. It can go from soft and quiet to loud and screaming if that's what you want. You can tweak practically any individual sound until you get it just right. It can emulate the sound of most other amps. And what does this currently cost you as of 1/15/05. $229.00? Incredible ...

Support:
Haven't had any contact with them on this product. But I have contacted them in the past on other items I have purchased. They have always been good about getting back to me within a couple of days.

Overall:
This amp should last me for years. I might eventually add an effects box like the Andrenalinn II but other than that I won't be looking for another guitar amp. If I wore it out or if an accident were to destroy it. I would buy another one without hesitation. In my humble opinion, there are no other amps that sound better then the 36M in its price range. And when you compare its features versus price it's the clear winner hands down! I really can't think of anything I dislke about the amp. For on stage, a lighted display for the dials might be nice but other than that I would be nit-picking. By the way, if you're planning on buying this guitar amp on-line. Buy it from ZZounds! They really do stock more items than anyone else in the U.S. I made the mistake of purchasing this amp from a competitor and it took nearly 3 weeks for them to get it to me. The other online companies don't stock nearly as many items as ZZounds does. Instead, they take your order and then have a "fulfillment house" send you the product if they are out. Which usually ends up being the case. What's a fulfillment house? That's basically a wholesaler who dropships the item for them. ZZounds, on the other hand actually stocks multiples of everything they sell. They delivered a behringer headphone amp (which I ordered at the same time) to me in 5 days. I'll be buying future on-line purchases ONLY from ZZounds!

Feature:
Umm, loaded much? YES! There's no footswitch that came with it, but I'd rather buy the one I need that get something I *might* use. Anyway, the 22 amp models and the different effects that there are on this thing is unreal. I was looking at the Roland Cube 30X and the Line6 Spider III in the same price range, and neither one came CLOSE to having the same amount of options. Not too many of my friends talk about Zoom in a glorious light, but they're quiet now that they've seen the options on this thing. Plus, it sounds great no matter what kind of music you're playing (well, at least anything I play, which is basically all but country). ZNR really works - it cuts out extra noise without sacrificing sound, and you can boost highs and lows if you want with the touch of a button. There's a built-in tuner that's easy to read from a ways away and it's pretty accurate. ANY of the effects that are available on this thing are tweakable to your specs, and there are 10 patches that you can change and save as your favorite sounds. For $230? Way too much for the price tag.

Quality:
The vinyl is pretty basic and the corner protectors don't seem like they've been made of the sturdiest stuff (or fastened as well as some other amps) but if you're careful with your amp (and you should be no matter what amp you buy) there shouldn't be any problems. I've used it as a seat while playing and it doesn't buckle under my weight (180 lbs.). The knobs are nice and smooth to use but don't seem like they're really sturdy and they probably wouldn't stand up to a lot of pounding, but again, if you're careful they won't fall off on their own. It's light enough for me to move it from the church to my house to my classroom and back again without trouble, and I haven't scratched the thing once and having bumped it once or twice going in or out of doors hasn't left a mark yet.

Value:
Why the heck isn't there an 11 out of 10 setting? This thing is worth way more than the money paid for it, way more than more expensive amps. Why buy an amp from a glitzy, overpriced company that simply won't deliver the options and quality of this amp? I looked at everything in the same price range and when I came upon this fell in love. Too much bang for your buck. It's unhealthy, but in a good way :)

Desirability:
Okay, so this isn't the prettiest or most stunning amp I've ever seen. It's pretty basic with its old-style knobs and simple buttons, but if you're looking for sound and options, who cares? Buy a pretty guitar since that's what most people actually see anyway and go for an amp that will give you sound.

Sound:
I love this thing! I got it for Christmas a few months ago and I immediately took it to my classroom (the missus won't let me play loud in the house) and started playing. About 3/4 of the way up, I had the whole room shaking - the desks, the shelves, the blinds. Sweet. I cranked it up a little more and just love it. The speaker has kept great sound - both highs and lows all the way up. I play praise music in church and also some rock and this baby gives out good tones no matter what. The other guys I play with immediately said, "Wow, that amp really makes your guitar sound good." It's true! There's a gazillion different setting you can play and tweak with (I haven't tried all of them yet - not quite enough free time in a first year of full-time teaching), but what I have played with, I'm most definitely satisfied. I look forward to being able to record (I've got the M version with the mics) and see what kind of sound I can keep on file.

Ease of Use:
Once you get used to the Zoom system, it's not bad, but you've gotta spend a little time getting used to how it switches back and forth between different patches and you've gotta have the manual handy to know what some of the different effects are doing on the different settings. That's the only thing I don't like about it. If you want to just have some straight drive, though, it couldn't be simpler. Just plug in, pick your driver (again there are TWENTY TWO awesome amp mods on this thing) and play. Simple as that. If you want some echo or delay, there's an easy knob that you turn and it tells you to what degree you're adding the effect. Want to turn the mix of your guitar and the amp up or down? Turn the dial for it. Crank your strings out of tune? Push the "Tuner" button and tune it up. Push it again, and you're ready to go. Want deeper lows? Push the appropriate button. Catch my drift? LOTS of sounds literally at the push of a button or the turn of a knob.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with them at all. No need.

Overall:
I'm sure I won't need another amp for a LONG time. This thing is built well enough to last a while and the options likely won't be surpassed by more expensive brands for quite a few years. If I broke this amp, I'd go out and buy another one of them for sure. It's worth the investment.