Robben Ford Discussion

jconstant

According to a guy on the Gear Page, he has.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=376329

He says that it was designed by Mr. Taku Sakashta (RF's guitar builder) and made by Smoky Signal Audio. It's called the "Tubeless" and in his opinion "renders that warm/fat Dumble tone to a T."

Just curious, because I'm done chasing any more gear. I'm focusing on the playing.
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"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Daved · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

As I know you are well aware, Jim, you can't always believe everything you read. Laughing

Taku has indeed given Robben one of these "Smokey Signal" pedals.
However, whoever it was on the Gear Page that said "Robben Loves it" has their head up their ass.

Maybe Robben will fall in love with it but, at this moment, he hasn't even tried it out. Robben told me when he handed it to me that he has not tried it yet but wants to test it for Taku and let him know what he thinks... as he does, and has done, with many other pieces of gear for others. It is not uncommon for Robben to try something out and cast a verdict that it is a good sounding bit of equipment, but not something that he himself has a use for.

Taku's "Smokey Signal" is at MY house, presently sittiing on my desk next to me as I type, waiting to give it a test run next week when Robben and I plan on doing a "tech day" together at his storage (Lon Cohen's Studio rentals in North Hollywood) to go over his gear and test some of the new products that he has either acquired or been gifted.

Currently, Robben still owns, still uses, and truly does still love the Zen pedal.
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jconstant · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

Thank you, Daved. I knew all I had to do was ask and you would give us the straight scoop.
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"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Daved · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:32 pm Post subject:

No problem, Jim.

Pisses me off when these gear guys spread misinformation in an effort to promote and sell their own product by riding on the coattails of other engineers, designers, and artists through attempting to fool the public with deceit and misdirection.

I noticed that the guy who started the post sidesteps when directly asked how he personally knows that Robben loves this pedal with a "No Comment".

Here are facts:

Robben gave the pedal to me on January 26th in Las Vegas (along with a spare Zen pedal, a couple of tubes, and a couple of spare pickups all sealed up in a cardboard box), and asked me to hang onto it till he could properly check it out. When I asked him about it, he told me Taku had given it to him and that he had not yet used it.

It has been in my posession ever since and, for every show since that date wherein he has used a footpedal, he has either brought his own Zen or asked me to bring mine and has used the Zen quite happily with no further mention of Taku's pedal.

Sure doesn't sound like the actions of someone who "loves" some other new product to me.

jconstant · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject:

PierreL · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:07 am Post subject:

Thanks for those infos Daved, that's always really cool to have your insider informations.
I would have one question about the Zendrive. I have seen the pedal on Robben's pedalboard even when he was using his Dumble. Does it mean that he uses the Zen as a boost for instance?

Cheebatone · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:05 am Post subject:

jconstant · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:32 am Post subject:

frank0936 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:54 am Post subject: TGP

I read the whole 10 pages. Wow!
Frank

Bluelobster · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: FUN

It made my sunday morning . Very Happy

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frank0936 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject: the whole thing!

It was pretty good, wasn't it?
Frank

Bluelobster · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 am Post subject: Fun Read

Frank, i must admit i restrained myself from jumping on this one .
Hey but now i can see who is the bluesman. Surprised

jconstant · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:04 am Post subject:

Yep, Blob. That's me.

Interestingly, the thread has gone on for several pages since I dropped that little bomb in there and we have yet to hear a response from Eddie101, the guy who started the thread.
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"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

"interesting" is one way to describe it! Sure would like to hear Eddie's response.

I didn't read the whole thread, but did I see correctly--it's something like $425 for the pedal? If so, wow.

I quite enjoy the Gear Page--I've learned a tremendous amount about both music and gear there, and been frequently entertained. Lots of great musicians on there.

But as a middle-class guy, I am just amazed at the subculture there who think nothing of buying and selling dozens (hundreds?) of the most expensive pedals and doo-dads every year.

Just for an example, that $425 (if I have it right) is more than I paid for a Barber Small Fry overdrive and a '68 silverface Vibro Champ...put together! And I can make a lot of music with that combo.

Bluelobster · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:38 am Post subject: yep

exactly the price i paid for a squier Robben Ford model.
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