Ok, so you got the gig. There’s one problem. Your average-joe acoustic guitar sounds, well, average. In your head you sound like John Mayer.  In reality, you’re just a guy singing and strumming firewood with six strings. Not to worry because salvation has come in a shiny green box known as the ZOOM A2 Acoustic Effects Pedal.

Zoom, the company that gave us some of the most innovative digital effects processors for stringed instruments (and a staple brand for us budget-conscious musicians), has put the acoustic guitarist in the captain’s seat with the Zoom A2. It’s a total package for the guitarist on the go: acoustic modeler/emulator, effects processor, amp modeler, equalizer, rhythm machine, chromatic tuner, and so on, all in one compact and sturdy metal chassis. It even has rubber damping and heavy-duty foot switches.

If your acoustic guitar is a lemon, the combination is your tequila - salt optional.

I gave the test unit a good workout using my trusty Montana full-sized dreadnaught with a piezo undersaddle pickup and passive controls. Piezos, by the way, have low output and are notoriously trebly, so I figured this would be the perfect setup to take the effects pedal through its paces.

The Zoom A2 has a dedicated bank designed to model twelve of the most popular guitar tones, ranging from the full-bodied Gibson J-45 to the rock standard Ovation Adamas. I found this feature a breeze to use, and it sounds pretty damn good. A little tweaking on the EQ settings gave my guitar some serious tone overhaul. Not too sure if the A2 actually cloned the tones but I think it’s near the sweet spot.

The ZOOM A2 Acoustic Effects Pedal is chockfull of features, with more than I intend to discuss, but I bet this is more than enough information for the guy who’s trying to make his mark in the acoustic plane. So to you, my guitar-wielding friend, hold your cheap instrument up high. Make those college chicks scream. There’s a little green box that’s got your back.

Rating: 4/5

- Dexter Ayala