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 ...

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

Active musician, recording engineer.

Country, Rock, Acoustic Rock,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 :)

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

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.

Hobbyist

Rock, Alternative, Jazz

Its really, really versatile. can get lots of variety from the 22 drives it has. you can boost over al sound, boost highs and lows separately, and do all other sorts of things!

jesus christ, this thing is LOADED for the price. 22 drives, 36 differsnt delays, 4 EQ buttons, about 8 different effects (chorus, flanger, etc.), and much more!too bad it didnt come with a footswitch

i never had any problems with it, but my friend said that his' input jack got unscrewed and fell in.

Defnitely well worth the price. could have been a lot more expensive

never ahd to deal with em

well, it looks kinda small, but it can kick ass anyway...

In 2 bands, records, composes

Rock, metal, Jazz, classical

it is the best sounding amp in its price range. i first had a cube-30 that i was borrowing, and i thought it sounded pretty good, but as soon as i heard the zoom, i wanted one! it is so much better, and i can get a perfect sound out of it, even when i crank it up.

it didnt come with accesories as far as i know, i bought it second hand, and the guy i bought it off also bought the footswitch. it has so many options! like 22 drives or something like that. the roland only had 7 i think

it was hard to get used to at first, but after i played around for about an hour, i had it down pat

it is very sturdy, but i did have a problem with the input. my friend accidently kicked the lead while it was plugged in, and it shredded the thread on the jack, and the plug fell in. but it was an easy fix, and the rest was pretty sturdy. the foot switch is nice and strong aswell.

i am paying $200 australian, so i think that im getting a heaps good deal, coz the retail is awesome already

havent dealt with them

as soon as i heard it, i new i wanted one

I have tried the Roland Cube 30 watt and the Zoom Fire-36 blows it away. This is the second generation fire amp from zoom (the updated version of the older Fire-30) and the new "10-inch driver [speaker] with extended low frequency response" simply rocks. Used with the "Bottom" button it gives you mega bass. For you metal shredders out there combine this with the "edge" button and the Metal (Standard) amp model and you are ready to shred, big time. The R-fier setting of the cube 30 doesn't even come close to the settings I just described on the Zoom Fire-36. Also there are 22 amp models to choose from--much more than the 8 of the Roland Cube! (I have nothing against roland, by the way, its just that if you are going to spend the same money you might as well get the better sounding one...) I should also mention that the built in ZNR Noise Reduction works well and you can raise or lower its settings (even my Line6 Spider 2 does not allow you to do that!) I also was able to get a good acoustic sound with the Fire-36: Clean (Vintage) + Boost + Edge + Chorus. This brings me to the stellar effects of Fire-36. There are 19 including some wild ones like pitch-doubling (you can harmonize everything in perfect 4ths or 5ths, etc.). You can alter the speed/intensity of the effects but you cannot lower or raise the mix (bummer!). You can lower the mix, however, of Delay/Reverb effects, which is nice.

I don't think any amp in this price range has more features than the Fire-36. It even has more features than some amps ABOVE its price range. For example my Line 6 Spider 2 only allows me to save 4 personal presets--the Fire-36 allows you to save 10! My spider does not show you what your settings are (for example: bass 7, mid 4, treble 8) but the Fire-36 shows it to you digitally. When you turn the bass knob it shows you from -12 to +12 in a two digit window. Even better if you make a change a "." goes next to the number and the "." goes away if you put the bass setting back on the default value. All of this allows you to easily find out and write down you settings if you want to. Plus you get almost double the amount of amp models over the Spider 2 112 (22 vs 12). The Fire-36 has 7 effects modules and 19 effect types and the 36M features 2 mini-condenser microphones mounted in front of the speaker cone at different locations, with a dedicated pre-amp out section for direct output recordings. However, you can save 30 bucks by getting the non-M version, which is what I did. As the manual says it is identical to the M version except for lacking the mics ($199.99 without the mics). Finally, there is a Power Damp switch that lets you play at low volumes. Its nice to have but you do lose some tone.

It looks well made, and I like the fact that it is light weight wise. The manual says 12kg (24.4 lbs) but it feels lighter to me. Zoom gets knocked often, with Behringer, as "low-end". But my zoom drum machine mrt-3 is awesome too. I think they did a good job on this one. Try it out in the store before you buy if you can. I did this and as I said the Roland Cube 30 just could not compare, though the cube is built like a tank and probably could withstand more abuse than the Zoom. In fact the Zoom manual tells you to be careful with it because the knobs are (somewhat) delicate.

Most features and best sound in this price range. The Line 6 Spider 2 30 watt only has 4 amp models! The Roland cube has 8. Zoom Fire-36 has 22! Even if you don't like half of them you are still beating the competition. Plus the bass response of the Zoom Fire-36's 10 inch speaker beats that of the Spider and Cube. For a practice amp this is the real deal. If you get the optional footswitch you might be able to use it for SMALL (emphasis on SMALL) gigs. I didn't test the mic feature so I don't know how good it is for direct recording but that is another plus if you get the M version. (See my "Features" above for the minor differences between the 36M and non-M versions.)

Never had to deal with Zoom.

It sort of looks cool. I like everything except for the "old style" knobs.

Hobbyist - played guitar 16 years...

Rock