Robben Ford Discussion

[VERTEX]

Here is an update to the pedalboard that I constructed for Robben Ford:

http://www.robbenford.com

Information on Robben's first Vertex pedalboard can be seen here:

http://www.vertexeffects.com/blog/vertex_robben_ford_pedalboard

Now that Robben has had some time with the rig, he decided to change a few of the capabilities and effects that he's using on the pedalboard. The changes include:

- Removing the Dumkudo (Robben still loves this pedal, but is finding that he rarely uses backline amplifiers which was his intention for using this pedal. My understanding is that he's going to use it loose on the floor when needed).

- Moving locations of the Arion "Landau Modified" SCH-1 Chorus pedal

- Moving Vertex Boost in place of the Dumkudo

- Adding a Custom Stereo A/B unit for the two reverb pedals (Robben was finding that it was too complicated to switch between his two reverbs quickly, and asked that I build a custom A/B unit that could switch between the two pedals with one footswitch and then an additional footswitch as a bypass for when reverb was not needed).

- Adding two output buffer voicings depending on the amp and cabinet combination that Robben is using. I have a toggle switch mounted on the left side of the interface to change the between a dark voicing that Robben prefers with the Dumble, and a warmer voicing that's more for backline/Blackface Fender-style amplifiers.

Here’s a BEFORE and AFTER of the original (pre-Vertex) pedalboard and the newest version:



INTERFACE

Passive Input (no buffer), Stereo Outputs (left and right) with Vertex Dual Output Buffers tweaked to Robben’s taste with two voicings (adjustable via toggle switch), isolation transformer on left output to prevent any grounding when using two amplifiers together, and a polarity switch to optimize sonic performance when using two amplifiers in a stereo set up.

There is also an additional 5-pin DIN to 5-pin XLR junction in the center of the interface to allow Robben’s Dumble to be switched from the pedalboard. The pedalboard side is all 5-pin DIN at both the switcher and interface, on the outboard side the interface is all 5-pin XLR so that any 5-pin XLR. The interface is wired to accept any 5-pin DIN or XLR and the configuration for the Dumble switching is all done inside of the interface so any “off the shelf” cable could be used in an emergency with the same orientation.





POWER SUPPLY

Guitar Laboratory PB-1

SIGNAL PATH

Interface (passive), Korg Pitchblack Tuner, Lovepedal COT 50 Lil’ China, Vertex Boost (Prototype), Vox Wah (Vertex Axis Mod), Vertex Volume Pedal (modified Boss FV-500), Vertex “Michael Landau” Modified Arion Chorus (stereo), Vertex modified Line 6 DL-4 (stereo), VERTEX STEREO A/B BOX (Two T.C. Electronic Hall of Fame Reverbs in stereo), Interface (Stereo Outputs with Vertex Dual Output Buffers, ISO transformer on left output, and a polarity switch).

*Vertex Amplifier Channel Switch is for Dumble Overdrive Special and is connected through the interface which has a 5-pin DIN to XLR pass-through).

*Wah is powered off of batteries as requested by Robben.

* Robben is using Vertex Prototype Instrument Cables going in and out of the rig (see pictures below).

* XLR Cable is wired with Belden 9540 with two leads connected to each pin to maximum durability (if one lead becomes detached or fails the cable will still function flawlessly - see pictures below).















MORE INFO: http://www.vertexeffects.com/blog/vertex_robben_ford_pedalboard_v2
_________________
VERTEX ENGINEERING
Audio Acoustic Systems | Effects Pedals | Sonic Innovation
WEB: www.vertexeffects.com
EMAIL: mason@vertexeffects.com
PHONE: 510.863.0612

[frank0936]

Looks great! I am so envious of the neat wiring runs. I stole an idea from the last post and used plywood (I don't have a source for that lightweight stuff you use) and raised the Mr. Crybaby Super so I could use a pedal crank to connect it to the H20 chorus/delay and remove one patch cord from the board. I have a couple of MXR pedals that are also connected with a pedal crank instead of a patch cord. My thinking was that the direct connection would be a little more reliable than cables. So far it's working.
Frank

[follow_the_music]

Wow, never saw a clean and neat pedalboard like that! Great work.
One Question:
How does Robben use the overdrive channel of his Dumble? Would he put reverb and delay before the overdriven amp?? Seems strange to me, I always thought he uses the Dumbleator for inserting his reverb and delay in the effects loop of his amp.
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"The most important thing is that you make sure you follow the music, which is a musician’s way of saying follow your heart. (Robben Ford)

[yebdox]

Such beautiful work! If I could ever figure out what I really needed on my board, I would be lining up! Looks like you are staying busy with all the great pros' needs. Thanks for raising this stuff to the level of art. If I was in your line of work, I would want to express myself to the high degree that you manage.

[tboulette]

[Phil T]

seems to be using this and not Dumbleator and reverb and delay in the effects loop of the amp.

VERTEX comments from: http://hugeracksinc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81447&sid=6ec6da3e829835cf52c632308de7109c&start=15

"It's going with everything Dumble or not. ... Everything is in front of the amp. ... This is for all of his set-ups. "

[tboulette]

Wow, that seems strange to me. I'd be curious to here the rig in action, but I'd think the gain channel of the dumble would through the delay and reverb out of balance. At least it does in my rig!

[follow_the_music]

tried it myself with my rig, it only works with small amounts of gain plus if the mix on reverb and delay is very low. But as you said, the balance is gone, when you go back to clean you would have to set the mix higher. And the more gain, the more imbalance.
_________________
"The most important thing is that you make sure you follow the music, which is a musician’s way of saying follow your heart. (Robben Ford)

[tboulette]

That leads me to wonder if Robben has abandoned amp overdrive in favor of the Dumkudo? Could it be possible? Seems almost sacrilegious to do that with a Dumble!

[PierreL]

Actually, he is back to the Zendrive again.

[Danny]

Pierre, did you see him recently?
_________________
"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan

[PierreL]

No, but Mason from Vertex posted some updates recently for Robben's pedal board. Check here for instance : http://www.hugeracksinc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=86565