Robben Ford Discussion

gemal · New Member Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

Hi people, here's my second post (after my intro post). I've been playing 25 years but I am definitly amp and effect harmonically challenged in creating the best sounds for my taste.
I need a little help... I just received a zendrive on a swap with a friend. I've always been a Robben Ford fan since the 80's but was miles away on the elusive "tone". Most discussions on the zendrive point to it as being the low cost alternative to a dumblesqe mid drive sound. After fiddling with it recently I tend to agree with the high praise attached to it. However, I would like to know if you can share in your opinion the best settings for the zendrive for RF's tone. Now we know that tone is in the fingers, the technique, the artist, the rig etc...as it's been clarified many times before. Having said that I need a starting point from which to experiment on.
I play a PRS custom 24 and a modded PRS Swamp Ash Special, so I prefer a HB sound.
My amp rig is an early flextone duo with a pod xt live footboard.
Should I use the vox ac 30, fender blackface or bassman settings?
Should the settings be more for a clean sound or more on the midrange?
And finally what settings should the zendrive be on to tie this all in?
I'm looking for "help the Poor " lead tones; from there I can work my way down to some of the cleaner tones.

Thank You Very Much for sharing your valued opinions,
Marshall

Bluelobster · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:38 am Post subject: 2 cents

Marschall my personnal opinion is that the Zen is good to excite a tube amp or a good amp in a "Fordish" color at not loud but consistent volume . Now putting it in front of a modeler it will act as a booster, i think . Start searching a sound without the Zen maybe. Anyway when i've got mine it was dialed like volume & gain at 11 and tone & voicing at 13. It matched my amp in volume and gave kind of a growl behind the note. pushing every pot give a nice fuzz too...........

Richard Harris · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:21 am Post subject: new zen drive

Robben uses a Fender Twin and tone is clean. He lets the Zen drive do its magic for crunch or tone and his fingers do the rest. If it was all that easy.
Tone here is a big topic if you look at the other post, that may help you.
There are also pictures of Robben's settings somewhere back in these discussons. Check it out. Everybody here helps and BLOB he has the sence of Humor that you'll grow to love?

Bluelobster · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:13 am Post subject: well

hi Richard Very Happy

, that Zen is something......... Razz

But it pops when i switch , any tips ?

Richard Harris · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: New Zen Drive

BLOB Whats up? My Zen drive is quiet between the switching on & off. I have put away my TS808. I like the tone & sustain of the Zen drive much more than the TS808. The Zen is a real pleasure to use. Does it pop if its all alone (guitar, pedal & amp)? Maybe a bad cord or poor conection? I have heard that Alf isnt taking orders for Zen drives at this time but if something is wrong he will fix them first before filling orders. Man I hate to see you having to send it back since it takes so long to get one. Any ideas out there?

Richard

Bluelobster · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:29 am Post subject: bahhhh

Richard , thanks for the concern. Well i'd rather survive with a pop than sending the stuff back. I might check my connections first you're right and yes my tube screamer is in retirment too.
Now about getting the sound we are looking for, for me i will say playing loud is cool, the Zen delivers overtones when picking harder. Idea

edpesco · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:33 am Post subject: Re: well

Bluelobster · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:11 am Post subject: psssst

Edpesco is a teaser Cool

If it only blobs i would be happy , liquid , but it pops.
Now may be you are drooling........ Razz

edpesco · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: psssst

JohnnyZ · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

Perhaps Blobby saw your video on youtube and is "drooling" for more? Wink

Bluelobster · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:04 am Post subject: Drooling

"... and all the neighbours start to gossip & drool ..." J.Hendrix.

Find the title of the tune

nineacres · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:04 am Post subject:

He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
And his tears fall and burn the garden green

And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually
_________________
"Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982

JohnnyZ · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:53 pm Post subject:

Whoa. Heavy... Cool

frank0936 · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject: Zen settings

Hi Gemal,
Try this. I saved a pic of Robben's Zendrive. Looking down at it as if you were on stage with it, there are 4 knobs. The bottom left is set at 6 o'clock, the top left is set at 3 o'clock, the top right is set at 11'o clock, and the bottom right is set at about 2 o'clock. Try those settings and tweak it from there.
Frank

johan · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject:

Hmm, so that will be

Vol 3 o'clock
Gain 11 o'clock
Tone 6 o'clock
Voice 2 o'clock

A very bright setting