“With a unit this affordable, are the effects any good? Yes! They really are”: Zoom MS-50G+ Multistomp review

Guitar World Verdict

The MS-50G+ is a very reasonably priced multi-effects unit that’s smaller (and cheaper) than some single-effect pedals. With 100 different effects and a tuner built in, it’s hard to knock it.

Pros

  • +

    Good range of sounds.

  • +

    Use up to six effects. simultaneously.

  • +

    Great price.

Cons

  • Encoder knobs are a bit fiddly.

  • Plastic cross key buttons.

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What is it?

Zoom MS-50G+ Multistomp

(Image credit: Olly Curtis / Future)

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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Build qualityA solid chassis but a small concern about the navigation cross keys being made of plastic.★★★1/2
UsabilityIntuitively handles the compact pedal / multi-effects challenge.★★★★1/2
SoundsA fantastic range of effects and drives here for the price.★★★★★
OverallAn excellent intro to exploring guitar sounds for a beginner – or anyone looking for a compact multi-effects deal.★★★★1/2

$249/£199
The most affordable and compact member of the Helix pedal family doesn’t have the amp options of the bigger models and you can only use one effect at a time. But there are over 270 of them.

Read more: Line 6 HX One review

TC Electronic Plethora X1

TC Electronic Plethora X1

$179/£179
New from TC and possibly Zoom’s most immediate competition for us, and with 14 onboard effects and no amp sounds, if it lacks in numbers it will likely deliver with the proven quality of its algorithms.

Line 6 M5

$169/£159
An oldie (well, 2011) but a goodie, the M5 can be picked up. It’s bigger than the Multistomp but offers five categories of quality Line 6 effects.

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Richard Blenkinsop

After spending a decade in music retail, I’m now a freelance writer for Guitar World, MusicRadar, Guitar Player and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When my head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, I run a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and I play bass in an alt-rock band.

Larisa Ramage
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