Robben Ford Discussion

frank0936 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 7:28 am Post subject: Zen Drive availability

I see a lot of Zen Drives on Ebay for $400 and up. Before you pay that for one, Alf Hermida's website says that Zen Drives are shipping out now, slowly but regularly. For the big difference in price, you might want to check on the waiting time and get one from Alf.
Frank

DaveH · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

I hope they come soon.
It will be a year on Tuesday that I put my order in.
*waits patiently*

frank0936 · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 5:41 am Post subject: Shipping schedule

I think Alf's exact word was that zendrives are shipping "consistently". I hope you get yours soon, Dave! I know low supply and high demand drives prices up, but the prices on ebay are unreal.
Frank

Millibobs · Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 291

Actually, one night when I was listening to my Robben Ford CD and hitting the Merlot, I foolishly allowed my impatience to get the better of me and sent a somewhat frustrated message to Alf which included detailed instructions for the insertion of a Zendrive into his rectal orifice. It was too late, I'd hit the 'send' button and as I sobered up and the implications sank in, I searched the kitchen for sharp-edged blades and other means of self-harm.

Later, I got the most wonderfully self-effacing e-mail from Alf explaining the manufacturing problems he'd been having and the fact that he didn't think the Zendrive would easily fit into said orifice, despite its compact design. Needless to say, I was now reduced to a tearful, gibbering wreck and begged to remain on the list (which I have) and somehow, this cleansing experience has induced a 'zen-like' state of mind in which I can wait as long as I have to - and it's a damn good job.

I'm not sure what I learned from this personal voyage of discovery other than Alf is a genuinely nice bloke who gives a damn about the players but will not compromise his standards in order to get more product out the door. As I sit here, with an open bottle of Merlot and my foot twitching precariously against my pedal board, I am reminded of this sobering experience and well aware that a Zendrive could be easily fitted - sideways - into my mouth...........

Listen and learn!

DaveH · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 1:07 pm Post subject:

I never asked him "where's my ZD?", but I did once confirm that I was on the list, and twice to inform him I would be out-of-country and that if my turn came up, would he please hold it until I contacted him(no more than 2weeks).

Being an independent contractor myself, I can understand being under the gun.

Millibobs · Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 291

I just got an e-mail from Alf - my Zendrive ships next week - yeeeeeeehhhhhaaaaaargh!

DaveH · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

Lucky bastid!

*waits patiently*

bluesman · Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 219 Location: UK

Big respect to Alf, but here is my story:
17 MONTHS !!! ago my friend has ordered ZEN for me and we are still waiting!
I’ve mailed Alf and asked if he can do me a custom ZEN with additional switch for more drive like this

He loved the idea but had no time to built one. I mentioned the order and he could not fined our request mail.
Well I was just interested to try it, not necessarily use it on gigs (I’ve got couple of D***le clone amps or play the Pedaltone) probably on some jam nights, just put it in the pocket and just grab the guitar.
Than friend popped in with the modified KORG AX1G processor ($40 on Ebay) and we programmed it to imitate ZEN. I think it felt and sounded pretty nice.
Here are short mp3 demos:
1. Pick attack dynamics http://www.drika.biz/dinamics.mp3
2. “ZEN” blues http://www.drika.biz/AX1G.mp3

Cheers

Millibobs · Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 291

Hey Bluesman - those soundclips are pretty b****y good. Lovely, fluid style of playing that had me reaching for my pistol, knife and poison....

The sound is also pretty convincing, speaking as a new owner of a Zendrive which I just tried for the first time today. It's going to take more mastering than I thought and I was surprised to find that running it alongside my Fulltone OCD, I could get the OCD to give me a better range of transparent sounds with plenty of bite and grunt if I needed it, with minimal twiddling. I think the Zendrive will come through on top in the end but the OCD is still a staggeringly good and reasonably priced pedal. More twiddling via my Boogie V twin (which I use as a recording pre-amp, set clean)

Incidentally, I have already established that if you run a moderately cooking Zendrive into a moderately cooking OCD, the sum of the two is quite amazing - you get an immediate, significant gain boost and the volume jumps - just the ticket for solos. Alf is undoubtedly a bit of a genius and the Zendrive was worth waiting 12 months for (!!!!), but hats off too to Mike Fuller - his workmanship and understanding of tone are far better than some of the familar names

Millibobs · Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 291

Hey Bluesman - those soundclips are pretty b****y good. Lovely, fluid style of playing that had me reaching for my pistol, knife and poison....

The sound is also pretty convincing, speaking as a new owner of a Zendrive which I just tried for the first time today. It's going to take more mastering than I thought and I was surprised to find that running it alongside my Fulltone OCD, I could get the OCD to give me a better range of transparent sounds with plenty of bite and grunt if I needed it, with minimal twiddling. I think the Zendrive will come through on top in the end but the OCD is still a staggeringly good and reasonably priced pedal. More twiddling via my Boogie V twin (which I use as a recording pre-amp, set clean)

Incidentally, I have already established that if you run a moderately cooking Zendrive into a moderately cooking OCD, the sum of the two is quite amazing - you get an immediate, significant gain boost and the volume jumps - just the ticket for solos. Alf is undoubtedly a bit of a genius and the Zendrive was worth waiting 12 months for (!!!!), but hats off too to Mike Fuller - his workmanship and understanding of tone are far better than some of the familar names

DaveH · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:18 am Post subject:

Well, I got notification from St. Alphonso the other day.
I'm all payed up, I hope he doesn't make me wait much longer!

Bluelobster · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:59 am Post subject: ZEN

The best way to be zen is to wait for your Zendrive in a Zen way.

XII CEn tury aiku.

DaveH · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

Well, that may work, because mine showed up in today's mail! I'll report back after I've had a chance to test drive it.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject:

Way to go, DaveH! Let's hear some Zen notes!
_________________
Soul on Eleven

DaveH · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

Wow.
Fat,sustaining,enormous tone.
I'll get a clip up as soon as I can(when the wife leaves the house for an hour),I couldn't put my guitar down. Shocked