Vintage Zoom 9000 — Still the Best Forgotten Budget Pedal?

Is the Zoom 9000 the best cheap multi effects pedal nobody talks about anymore? I put this vintage 90s electric guitar pedal unit through its paces to find out if it still holds up in a modern home studio setup — and the answer might surprise you. The Zoom 9000 was built in an era when multi-effects and FX pedals were changing what guitarists could afford. Decades later, you can pick one up for next to nothing — but does cheap still mean capable? In this review, I break down every key effect mode, the signal chain routing, real-world tone tests through a clean amp, and the one scenario where this vintage unit still outperforms modern budget alternatives. What's covered: Sound quality: reverbs, delays, modulation, and drive How it compares to modern cheap multi effects pedals Quirks, limitations, and hidden features Is it worth buying in 2026? Join us for testing vintage zoom gear to see which units still function. We are sorting through a massive collection of retro effects. I am joined by my friend Harry Seven to tackle a room stacked with vintage zoom gear. We are going through a pile of retro guitar pedals and multi-effects units to determine what works and what is destined for the scrap heap. It is a raw look at the hit-or-miss nature of collecting older equipment. Whether you are a collector of vintage effects pedals or just curious about how these older units hold up over time, this comparison offers a clear view of what to expect. We put various zoom multi effects units to the test, checking their functionality one by one to separate the gems from the junk. Subscribe for weekly vintage gear breakdowns, and leave a comment telling us which piece of retro equipment you want to see us test next. 00:00 Intro — Is this the best forgotten budget pedal? 00:45 Meet the Zoom 9000 — First Impressions 01:45 Live Demo Through Amp — Effect Patches 03:30 What's Actually Usable? 04:50 Availability & What to Pay Today 06:45 What Did it Cost New? (Vintage Magazine) 07:50 Verdict — Worth Buying in 2025? Elsewhere - New Music Review is the go-to channel for honest music gear reviews, real-world comparisons, and troubleshooting guides for guitarists and home studio producers. Whether you're shopping for a new audio interface, dialling in your DAW setup, or trying to figure out why your pedal won't cooperate — we break it all down in plain English so you can make smarter decisions with your gear budget. What we cover: 🎸 Guitar amps & effects pedals — from Boss Katana to boutique boards 🎧 Audio interfaces & studio monitors — real-world tests, not spec sheets 🖥️ DAW setups & music production workflow — Logic, Studio One, Ableton & more 🎤 Microphones, wireless systems & recording gear 🔧 Gear troubleshooting — quick fixes for common problems 🎵 Music reviews & artist spotlights — discovering the best in indie & underground music New videos every week — subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a review. 📩 Got gear you'd like us to cover? Drop us a message.