Robben Ford Discussion

SixStringSoul · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

I've seen Robben (in videos) make volume adjustments and swells without futzing with the controls on the guitar, so I assume he's using a volume pedal. I've searched the forum as best I could and could find no reference to the particular pedal he uses. Since he has such a discerning ear for tone, I would assume he would pick something that does the job well while preserving or enhancing his sound - anyone know what he uses?

Thanks,
Max

Daved · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

Robben endorses & uses an Ernie Ball volume pedal.

He uses it heavily both as a function (mute between songs and during guitar changes) and as an "audio effect" during the songs.
Many fans often and earnestly argue with me after shows when I am asked what pedal or synthesizer is he using to accomplish those "phaser" or "chorusy" or "weird feedback thingy" things he did during his performance and I reply that the Only FX he uses are a minescule touch of delay with the TC, a Dunlop Wah pedal and, of course, the volume pedal. They just can't make the connection that the sounds/fx they heard were done solely with the volume pedal.

It's interesting that you brought this subject up.

Robben and I were chatting the other night when he asked me if the VolPed had a 'tuner out".
He explained that he misses me keeping his axes tuned when I can't be there and he wondered if a tuner could be worked into the setup for when he is winging it without me.
I told him that setting him up with a tuner is a piece-o'-cake.

The Ernie Ball Volume peds are extremely reliable, durable and user friendly in setup, use, and maintenence/repair.
They consist of a solidly constructed aluminum chassis using a simple spring, string, pulley system to operate one quality potentiameter. A well maintained chassis will last thru many "internal component" replacements. Replacement parts are readily available and easily acquired.
Considering the large amount of use & abuse Robben puts them thru, these pedals hold up very well.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Most models have a "thru" (or "Tuner") jack for auxilary use.
Many tuners can be used "inline", but this also creates possibilities of signal-abuse inheritant in the extra, and often active, circuitry of the tuner processing.
Use of the VolPed "thru" or "tuner" jack splits the signal, allowing the tuner to be used externally of the main audio path.

I've provided Robben with a short cable and a PlanetWave Chromatic Pedal Tuner (item# PW-CT-04). I use this same pedal with Derek Trucks on the Allman Brothers Band tours. It has a LARGE illuminated display panel in the center of a highly visible and simple, but accurate, 'virtual strobe' ring display.

This will most likely be the "new" pedal fans will start seeing in his future setups.

SixStringSoul · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks, Daved, for the speedy and detailed reply!

Do you know which specific EB pedal Robben uses - I am sure they are all similar, but I have owned the 6166 and it was a very nice pedal but bulky. I wonder if the "jr" model (6180) is the same except for dimensions.

Either way, if Robben is satisfied with the EB volume pedals, I am sure they're an excellent choice.

I was very intrigued with a video on youtube where Robben states that his Fender Esprit(?) guitar pickups were wired directly to the selector switch, bypassing the tone and volume knobs - does he still have a similar setup? I have a Strat wired this way, and it seems to me that it is more dynamic and "alive" that way.

Thanks!
Max

CJ · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

I was really surprised to see at last weeks gig in Warrenpoint that Robben didn't have a volume pedal hooked up. Wah > Zendrive > Fender Twin x2

He seemed to switch the Zen in & out a lot to emphasise particular phrases. Cool & very effective but a different approach to what I expected.

He did some vol pot swells late in the set and I thought perhaps he was missing the vol pedal Smile

ZenOvertone · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:36 am Post subject:

The volume pedal wasn't at Milton Keynes either, just Wah>Zen?Single BF Fender Twin (probably reissue) and just the NouPaul and Tele used. Lots of use of the Zen, I attempted to draw the settings on the back of my ticket, checking them out on my ZD tomorrow!

jconstant · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:32 am Post subject:

CJ · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

SixStringSoul · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

edpesco · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Max, I was in Paris and Robben's tone there was unbelievable, not to be compared with what you can hear on the DVD, crazy!
Ed
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www.soultingo.at

Daved · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject: