Robben Ford Discussion

[johan]

FordFan - That has probably more to do with the amp than the pedal. I have a 66 Super Reverb and a 65 Deluxe Reverb. You don't have to push them to the limit of breaking up you have to play them at 4 or higher to get the amp cooking. Playing at 2 will make all pedals sound thin.
Where I play (is where I live ) I can't push the amp very hard but you have a sweet spot around 3-4 which make the amp/OD combo sing at a volume most people can live with.

Regards from Sweden

[Aeolian]

I was playing my Deluxe Reverb at bedroom levels. Maybe I don't expect the same sound that I would get from my Fuchs opened up in a large stage, but I found the Zen very un-pedal like. And could get perfectly acceptable tones quietly. In fact I was having a ball pulling my various guitars out and trying them. This may be my practice rig. Normally I just practice acoustically, or into the DR clean. But the Zen is fun!
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[FordFan]

Don't get me wrong guys.....It is a killer pedal. I just feel it shines once you get to the 4-5 range on the volume (of my amp). Yet....other pedals have not reacted this way. They have actually sounded more responsive at lower volumes, and gotten progressively harsh as the volume went up..... Zen is worth every penny, and has found a home on my pedal board....permanently.

[Aeolian]

I guess that it's different perspectives. Most overdrive pedals sound more natural when the amp is cooking. I have a Klon that sound like a cheap Maestro at low levels, but makes the DR on 6 really sing. What I really dug about the Zen, was that it still sounded great at low levels. I'll be able to put it in front of the volume pedal on my board and play sweet overdrive tones at lower levels. Something I can't do with most pedals. I like being able to have a simple rig for some songs, where it's just me and the ODS. Putting volume pedals and other junk in a series loop, just takes away from that responsiveness. So I'm stuck trying to get a "tone in a box" from a pedal for overdrive comp parts at lower levels. The Zen is the first pedal that reasonably imitates the Fuchs wide open sound, without needing to be into a cranked amp.

Of course, it will be fun to plug it into a backline Super or Twin during next summer's festival season, and let 'er rip.
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com

[PierreL]

I'm mostly using my Zendrive at bedroom volumes ( although I crank the amp up as soon as the kiddies are not at home ! ) , and it sounds really great to me.