Robben Ford Discussion

[ahermida]

Some more background on the ZD and gear:

* Initially my focus was on the Mosferatu(a.k.a. "Mos"). In the process of developing it, the Zendrive (which didn't have a name at that point) was designed as an intermediate step. I was so involved in getting the Mos done that I pushed the ZD to the side.

* I used a Hamer Special FM with a Seymour Duncan JB on the bridge and a SD 59' on the neck, and a Fender Nashville Deluxe Tele (the one with the 3 pickups) to test the pedal. The amp used was in fact a Boogie SOB in the clean channel with all the gains and master very low to keep it as "clean" as a Boogie SOB can be.

* My current "list o' amps" and my feedback WRT the ZD:
- Dr. Z Maz Jr (18W amp with 1x12" speaker)...very sweet tone and ZD friendly.
- 2 different Boogie SOB amps: I used them because I know what the can and can't do. I use them as an obstacle course in the design path...life can't be too easy :-)
- Vox AC155CC (reissue): sweet little amp (even with the Wharfdale speaker). I installed a pair of 12AX7EH tubes and its great. Loves the ZD.
- Marshall JCM800 (model 4010). Haven't tried it yet...I'm doing some repairs to it and replacing dead pots and jacks.
- Marshall Valvestate 8040 (solid state but with a tube preamp).....next!
- Marshall JTM30 (slightly modified). Nice clean channel, haven't tried it with the ZD yet but don't expect any issues.
- Ampeg Jet II reissue: I haven't tried it with the ZD yet.
- Fender HotRod Deluxe. I use it for testing, to make sure pedals are at least alive. Sounds terrible even on the clean channel. Got it cheap.
- Fender Twin Reverb reissue: do I need to say more?

* I've also heard the ZD with CARR, Fender Pro Jr., Fender Blues Jr., Guytron, Holland, GT Soul'O 60, etc amps that people bring to test the pedals at home.

* If you have tried it with other types of amps and would like to share your info, please email me.

Alf
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Alf
www.hermidaaudio.com

[GenoBluzGtr]

Thanks for the feedback guys...

I have tried my ZD with a Super Reverb, the Mark IV, and the Alessandro Working Dog Rotweiller (all 6L6 amps).

I think the only reason I wasn't as into the Boogie with the ZD is that I was trying to use it to "tame" or smooth the overdrive channels. I didn't really try it on the Clean channel of the Boogie. I like the Mark IV for it's versatility (3 channels, 4 power ratings, EQ, different voicings etc) but I have never really bonded with the Overdrive. It was too gritty, buzzy, and just not musical to my taste. I tried the ZD in front and in the FX loop, hoping that it would add a smoothing factor to the overdrive. It just got muddy to my ears.

As I mentioned before, it absolutely KILLS with the Super and the Working Dog, and I have never heard another amp that sounds better. In fact, I think the Working Dog with the ZD in front sounds noticeably D*ble-like and very much like Robben's tone even better than on the Super Reverb. It might be that my Super is a reissue and the WD is a handwired PTP very well made amp, but even without effects, the WD is more prone to a Marshally-Tweedy type of breakup, rather than the Blackface style which, to my ears, is a bit more biting and trebly. The WD clean is like an even better sounding Super Reverb.

I'm with you DD, this is the pedal.

I would be interested in anyones opinion who uses the ZD with an RC Booster. The aforementioned jam guy had the RCBooster on all the time and it really kicked his Maz Jr up a notch. His tone was awesome when he stepped on the ZD. Does this "clean boost" live up to it's hype like the ZD does? Everyone I know that has one says they bought it as a boost, but end up leaving it on all the time due to it's rich organic sound.

Let me know, and if it sounds best before your ZD or btween the ZD and the amp???

[PierreL]

I have used the ZD with the RC Booster in rehearsal lately, and I thought it worked great. I leave the RC on all the time on the clean channel of my preamp ( Egnater ) , then kick the ZD in for solos. Cool volume boost, and a really nice tone, lots of sustain, sounds like feedback is close but you can control it.
I set the gain lower on the ZD than when I use it alone.
The RC comes first in my setup, then the ZD.