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Submitted by
Name: Thomas Weitzel
From: Germany
E-mail: Contact
May 31, 2013

Comments:
Regarding the photos of the pedal: The thing in the middle of the third photo actually IS a potentiometer, just not one for mounting on the axis. It is most likely built by ALPS, it is held by the ground clips to left and right, and the four pins in the middle are left, right and center with some pin NC or doubled.

Submitted by
Name: Dutch (DarthGrumpy)
From: SoCal
E-mail: Contact
May 2, 2013

Comments:
Hey Ash... I did some digging, and came up with a bit more info on the Module6 section of the individual patch sections, specifically, the Prm3 values for controlling effects with the expression pedal. If you're interested in updating Effecturator, let me know, and I'll send you what I have.

Great mods, thanks for all your work in figuring this stuff out. I'm a bit leery about modifying my G3X, since I don't have a backup rig, but as soon as I can pick up a G3 used, I'm going to give it a whirl.

Submitted by
Name: Dennis
From: Moscow
E-mail: Contact
April 21, 2013

Comments:
Hi. I am a little bit confused about zoom "Z" stompboxes(?). Their output levels and being put after Hotbox make me think that they aren't supposed to be a typical stompboxes like DS-1 or OD-1, but modelled like preamps that are not intended to be used in front of an amp (especially an amp model). Therefore, it's hard for me to get good sound when using "Z" models without real amp because amp models are overloading. Or maybe i am doing something wrong?
Second question is related to the first one. Somewhere on forums i've come to an info that stompbox level set to "100" (which is by default) is too high and it overloads amp model's input resulting in to much gain and unusable sound. Do you prefer setting stompboxes' "level" to a lower values?
Thanks.

ashbass reply:
The G5 manual describes several of the Z effects as being based on, or modeled after, amplifiers. "Z MP1"-An original sound created by merging characteristics of an ADA MP1 and a MARSHAL JCM800. "Z Dream"-A high gain sound for lead playing based on the Mesa Boogie Road King Series II lead channel. "Z Neos"-A crunch sound modeled on the sound of a modified British class A combo amplifier. So maybe those aren't supposed to be run into an amp model. But, the Marxhall Guv'nor is a real effect pedal that is designed to sound like a Marshal and it is intended to sit in front of an amp. Even though the "Z" effects come after the Hotbox, they also come before the Extreme Distortion and Acoustic Simulator effects. And then come the amp models.

2nd Q. I for sure think that default of 100 is too high. Just like with real pedals, turning the level up to maximum is going to be very loud and overpowering. I've only ever had two real effects that needed to have level at the max. One is an MXR Distortion Plus and the other a FUZZbrite fuzz pedal. All the others I've had, Muff, Rat, TS9, Xotic, Metal Zone, Satchurator, have had the level in the 40-60 range. I wish that Zoom would do a new firmware that lets users modify the default parameters of effects and models.

Submitted by
Name: Mike
From: TN
E-mail: Contact
March 30, 2013

Comments:
Thanks for the reply. Very informative, the pix gave me knowledge of the inner workings of the pedal. There is a pot inside, it's just a Miniature Pot with a gear on it, first time I've seen a pot with 4 leads though. The number of leads dont even correspond with the diagram you have posted on Mods for the Zoom FP-02 Pedal.
Thanks Again :) Oh ! The readings you took, are they all as is ? Reason is, the highest reading is 212.6 ohms,no where near the 100k (100,000) ohm value of the pot.
Based on, that is what the value of pot is suppose to be

Submitted by
Name: Mike
From: TN
E-mail: Contact
March 27, 2013

Comments:
Ashbass,
Please explain the reply you posted about the impedance. "My meter says 95-96 from several positions"
What posistions ?

ashbass reply:
I took readings from within the pedal, putting the meter on the various solder spots that appeared related to the pedal's action. There was no actual pot inside the pedal, just a circuit board. Here are some pictures. Click for larger versions.

Submitted by
Name: Mike
From: TN
E-mail: Contact
March 15, 2013

Comments:
I am converting a pedal to use on my Zoom G2 (Zoom FS02 Expression Pedal), problem that arose that I haven't thought about is the travel of the pot vs the limited pedal movement. The pedal I have just turns the pot about 1/4 turn (if that) of it's full range.
Question is: Does the Zoom FS02 Pot travel the whole value of the pot (i.e. Min & Max stops on pot / 0 ohm - 100k ohm)..
If the FS02 does not travel the whole range of the pot, what values (ohms) are at pedal back (min) and pedal forward (max), on a true Zoom FS02 Expression Pedal?
Oh, thanks for the resistance info on the potentiometer.

ashbass reply:
These are from my FP-02 Silver pedal. I put the meter on the stereo cable output of the pedal.

Toe Down
095.9 tip and sleeve
212.6 tip and ring
096.0 ring and sleeve

Heel Down
096.0 tip and sleeve
096.0 tip and ring
003.6 ring and sleeve

Submitted by
Name: Mike
From: TN
E-mail: Contact
March 9, 2013

Comments:
I seen the modification on the Zoom Expression Pedal you have on your site, very informative, I might add.
I am constructing a pedal of my own. Could you please advise me on the value of the potentiometer used in the
Zoom FP-02 Expression Pedal ?

ashbass reply:
My meter says 95-96 from several positions. So, I'd go with 100k. There is "1A2" on the little circuit board that the control is attached to. Maybe that means Audio taper.

Submitted by
Name: Hugo
From: CZ
E-mail: Contact
January 31, 2013

Comments:
Please advice:
If I set the individual effects parameters in stompbox mode, remembers G5 this settings even when turned off and turned on again?

ashbass reply:
Yes, both the G5 and G3/X can be set to remember whatever changes you make to an effect or a patch without you having to manually save changes. A setting in the Global menu lets you turn this feature on/off.

Submitted by
Name: dave
From: Harrisburg, PA
E-mail: Contact
January 20, 2013

Comments:
Have you tried the newer FP02M Expression Pedal. It appears to be like the FP-02 Silver that you say you like best.

ashbass reply:
I didn't know about it. Looks like the same as the current silver pedal but with a metal chassis. The 'm' of FP02M surely means 'metal'.

If it's got the same physical range between toe-down and heel-down I'd go for it over the plastic one I have now. They're not available yet it appears after a quick search. Thanks for the head's up.

Submitted by
Name: mark anderson
From: newport or
E-mail: Contact
December 29, 2012

Comments:
can i buy these switches for the g5?

ashbass reply:
The pedals aren't sold in stores. I made the foot pedals with parts that I bought online from parts sellers. See the "Mod Examples" page to see how other people have put these ideas to use.

There are two steps to the mod process. First, the new switch boxes need to be made. Then the G5 needs to be opened and some wires soldered together. I can make you the switch boxes and have them all ready to go for when the G5 wiring is finished. I'll send instructions on how to do the G5 wiring.

If you send me your G5, I can do both steps and return the pedal to you. If you can't send me your G5 then I can only do the switch boxes as stated above. If you're still interested, email me at ashbass@ashbass.com and we'll talk about it.