Robben Ford Discussion

Chazsinger · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 10:54 am Post subject: Pedals?

Sold off all my pedals a while back and bought a Digitech RP1000. Has Lexicon delays and it sounds really good using the four cable system through the amp. I hate the distortion boxes included in the package and don't use them. The tone of the Blackstar amp sounds killer already, but I've been searching for that violin type sound that Robben and Joe Bonamassa use and I'm not convinced that it's in the fingers. I've had over 40 years on the guitar and most of that was on stage or in the studio.
My last pedal was the Blackstar Dual tube pedal and it sounded great, but it just duplicates the sound of my Marshall or my Blackstart.
I've looked at the Zen drives and can hear a butt load of compression from the Youtube videos as well as the boost of highs and mids. They do cut through well and at this moment there is nothing wrong with my tone. Guess I'm looking for the next phase of my sound if anything.
I'm wondering if anybody has tried the Zen clones that are built from kits
off ebay. Anybody have any experience with these? I'm waiting for a pedal called the "Umble Drive" and am hoping it will get me closer, but think I might just pick up the Zen kit as well. Any thoughts???

Cheers,
Charlie Glasgow
_________________
Charlie and the Fez Kings
find me on spotify.com, itunes, Amazon.com, etc

tboulette · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:12 am Post subject:

Just a couple that I've heard and are on my short list to try someday soon:

Barber Small Fry
Xotic BB Preamp
Fulltone Plimsoul

Chazsinger · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:17 am Post subject: Pedals?

I worked the last five years behind the counter at a local pro shop and was lucky enough to try most of these. We never had a Zen pedal in stock and we prided ourselves on stocking boutique pedals. The black whole widens! lol

Charlie
_________________
Charlie and the Fez Kings
find me on spotify.com, itunes, Amazon.com, etc

Chazsinger · Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:54 am Post subject: Umble pedal

The Velvet Umble Pedal just arrived from Greece! Hoping to evaluate it later tonight!!!

Cheers,
Charlie
_________________
Charlie and the Fez Kings
find me on spotify.com, itunes, Amazon.com, etc

Chazsinger · Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:00 pm Post subject: Umble pedal

Okay, here's the report! Went to the a local pro shop and picked up a 1 Spot power supply for it and my buddy pointed out a Fender Excelsior amp that is tube and 12 watts. The amp by itself was very clean and warm and from 7 to 10 the amp really opened up!
I hooked up the pedal with a Fender Telecaster and adjusted the master volume on the pedal. Set the E.Q. flat on the pedal and then started adjusting the gain. I found a nice sweet spot by turning up the gain and the guitar can get dirty or clean up all the way from the just the Telecaster volume knob. I was pleasantly surprised by the control and then I turned the highs and mids up on the pedal, turned back the tone on the Telecaster....ah, that lovely violin sound was there! The gain sounded so normal and tube like through this clean amp. Great pedal all the way!!!!
_________________
Charlie and the Fez Kings
find me on spotify.com, itunes, Amazon.com, etc

Nick-O · Senior Member Joined: 09 Jul 2014 Posts: 67

Although this is an older thread, I wanted to see if perhaps you could share an update.
I have one of John's pedals as well and find it very pleasing, the katana. I looked and listened to the Umble, but since I am running a clone type amp I thought I would try the katana as it seemed a little tamer.
John makes great products, so I would be interested to hear how you are liking it a good while later.

tboulette · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:16 am Post subject:

A few months ago (maybe it was Christmas, come to think of it) I got a BB Preamp, and promptly sold my Zendrive. The BB can nail the Zendrive tone, only ... MORE. It's tough to explain, but it sounded like the Zen in surround sound (metaphorically speaking). Although not marketed as a Dumble clone pedal, I recommend giving them a try.

Nick-O · Senior Member Joined: 09 Jul 2014 Posts: 67

I think I will simply because you are the second guy to give this pedal props and I love pedals and gear that stay under the radar.
I think the dude from wildwood guitars uses one on the YouTube demos he does, Greg Koch.
Thanks for the heads up!
I am bound and determined to bring this website back from the past! (:

So many people into RF, just gotta hold fast.

tboulette · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 11:37 am Post subject:

Let me know what you think.