Robben Ford Discussion

[StratCat]

For some time I've been using a Zen with an AC Booster to give the combinations of OD that I wanted in my setup. I use a Boss GT8 and go direct into the desk and IMHO the Zen and AC gave me better sounds than any of the many OD combinations available in the GT8 (or the GT3 tonesucker I had previously).

The only issue was that together - in the search for more overdrive/saturation but even with each at relatively low gain levels - they sounded good but tended to get a bit flabby with some notes at random. Sort of like the flabbiness exhibited by PODs at higher gain levels for one of the the so-called "boutique" (ahem) amp options.

I received my BB from PedalGeek today and this thing sounds great in conjunction with the Zen. When they run together the flabbiness is gone and there's a nice smooth saturated OD but still with note definition.

On it's own it's great also - less crunchy the the AC and bit more mellow than the Zen. Very usable gain and tonal control ranges also and great as another "mild" overdrive option or wound all the way up full.

It's not for those wanting huge distortion sounds though - there's not *that* much OD there, although I suspect into the front end of a good JCM or Recto it'd be something else. I won't have the chance to try this with a real amp for a while though.

Thought I'd just post my initial impression here anyway as I know there's been a lot of discussion in these parts about the Zen and comparisons to Xotic's offerings. Personally I like all of the Zen, AC and BB and find them very useable but I've been struggling in the sterile environment of the GT8 and this new combination seems to work for me.



Chris
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