The Zoom MS-60B+ looks like something cooked up in a mad scientist’s workshop. It’s barely bigger than a standard Boss pedal but somehow crams in five footswitches, a full suite of amp sims, over 90 bass effects, and the ability to stack six of them at once. This thing shouldn’t exist. But it does. And I kind of love it.

First Impressions: Too Much of a Good Thing?

As someone who believes that fewer pedals on the board mean more time making actual music, I was ready to hate this. I didn’t want a pedal that needed a manual the size of a novel. But after firing it up and scrolling through the patches, I started to realize Zoom might have just made the minimalist’s ultimate Swiss Army Knife.

The layout is smart. You’ve got four footswitches for presets and one in the center for on/off or tuner duties. Yes, it looks like a lot. No, it doesn’t feel cramped. They’ve nailed the ergonomics. And the screen, while just a basic LCD, is crisp enough to navigate through your signal chain with confidence. No menu-diving madness here.

Sounds Like a Studio in a Box

This is where the MS-60B+ punches way above its weight. The amp sims? Legit. I dialed up an Ampeg SVT patch and was genuinely surprised by how close it got. It has that woolly low-end growl without getting muddy. Want an Aguilar 750 vibe? It’s here. There’s even an Acoustic 360 model for that vintage punch.

Effects? All here. From analog-style octaves to digital chorus, filters, reverbs, delays, and some gnarly distortions. And they sound good. Not “for the price” good. Just straight-up good. I didn’t expect to say this, but I actually prefer its overdrive to some boutique stompboxes I’ve owned. It reacts well to playing dynamics and doesn’t squash your tone to death.

Built for the Gigging Minimalist

Now here’s where it clicks for my fellow minimalists. It’s plastic, sure, but it feels solid. You power it with either two AAs or a 9V supply, and it has USB-C for patch editing and MIDI switching. Even more impressive is the dual output setup. You can run one line to your amp with effects only and the other direct to FOH with amp+cab sim. That’s pro-level flexibility in a box that fits in your gig bag’s side pocket.

The only thing missing? A headphone out. If Zoom threw that in, I wouldn’t even consider bringing another pedal to small gigs or rehearsals. As it stands, it’s nearly perfect.

So, Is It for You?

If you’re the kind of bassist who thrives on having three boards, a rackmount DI, and a tech just to load in your setup, this pedal probably isn’t for you. But if you’re like me and want a killer tone with minimal gear and maximum control, the MS-60B+ is absolutely worth it.

For around the same price as a single boutique overdrive, you get 95 bass-centric effects, 11 amp/cab models, 100 patch slots, and a form factor that doesn’t scream “I hate my back.” It’s a powerhouse without the clutter.

Final Thoughts

Zoom didn’t just make a tiny multi-effects unit. They made a rig-in-a-box that appeals to both tone snobs and gigging pragmatists. I didn’t expect to like this as much as I do, but here we are.

If your goal is to cut the fat from your setup without sacrificing tone, the MS-60B+ isn’t just a good option. It might be the only one you need.

Filed under: Music Gear Reviews,Reviews - @ May 20, 2025 11:17 pm