|
Post by bluzsteel on Sept 19, 2005 4:51:32 GMT -7
any owners care to chime in ?, so I can drool as I wait for mine
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Sept 19, 2005 6:05:15 GMT -7
Mines on order too, expected the end of the month. ;D
|
|
|
Post by guitarboy02451 on Sept 19, 2005 17:55:31 GMT -7
Please let us know what you guy's think of the Zendrive...
|
|
|
Post by Lefty on Sept 19, 2005 19:34:40 GMT -7
Had one, played it for about an hour. I thought it was cool but just missed the mark. It had a nice compression to it but not alot of treble on tap. With the voice knob up it controls the mid voice of the gain and then seemed a little "honky". It would of been nice to be able to have the voice control down and add some treble but it did'nt happen.
When I buy a pedal I'm looking to enhance the natural break up/overall tone of the amp itself. And it seemed to be the Zen Drive changed it more than enhance it. And there wasn't a whole lot of "distortion on tap". I dunno, I thought it was cool, maybe the Mosferatu (hate the name) 4 knob version would suit me better.
|
|
|
Post by rodeoclown on Sept 19, 2005 19:43:47 GMT -7
Waiting for mine too, and a Mosferatu.
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Sept 19, 2005 21:43:48 GMT -7
Had one, played it for about an hour. I thought it was cool but just missed the mark. It had a nice compression to it but not alot of treble on tap. With the voice knob up it controls the mid voice of the gain and then seemed a little "honky". It would of been nice to be able to have the voice control down and add some treble but it did'nt happen. When I buy a pedal I'm looking to enhance the natural break up/overall tone of the amp itself. And it seemed to be the Zen Drive changed it more than enhance it. And there wasn't a whole lot of "distortion on tap". I dunno, I thought it was cool, maybe the Mosferatu (hate the name) 4 knob version would suit me better. was this a live gig try out or at the house deal ? and what amp where you using
|
|
|
Post by Lefty on Sept 20, 2005 8:59:46 GMT -7
At the house, and my Ghia 2x10 and Z-28 2x10.
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Sept 20, 2005 9:10:55 GMT -7
I find it real hard to check anything out unless youre really blowing
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Sept 20, 2005 9:31:56 GMT -7
I've had amps, pedals and guitars that felt/sounded great at the store or home only to get them on the gig and after one tune you say to youself "that ain't it!". The Zen Drive clips sound really good to me, Robben Fordish.
|
|
|
Post by guitarboy02451 on Sept 20, 2005 10:11:14 GMT -7
I too heard a lot of Robben-ish tone from the clips as well. I think that is the tone that I'd really like to take the Z in.
I also run a two amp setup, each with it's own distortion paths on the pedal board, so I already have a lot of variety. But I think I'm getting a Zen Drive for a b-day present. I've dropped the hint to my wife... ;-)
Lefty, have you checked out the Xotic AC Boost? I think that will do what you're looking to do. I tried one with a Ghia and it's now on my wish list.
|
|
|
Post by Lefty on Sept 20, 2005 17:54:03 GMT -7
Yea I had an AC Booster, cool box but a little "Stiffled" in the mids. I've considered the BB Pre Amp but heard some comparisons to the FD2.
And Bluzsteel my Ghia was really blowing, care to come over and help me repaint my ceiling? ;D
It's a cool box don't get me wrong, but not what I'm looking for at the moment, I need something with a Ghia grind at not so Ghia volumes.
Funny thing is I don't need another pedal I just like trying them out...
On the floor currently is a OCD, FD2, Fat Boost, Red Snapper, AM DS-1, Klon, Timmy, & AM NKT Fuzz. And on the way a Pro Analog Dual Drive, and a Tone Factor Hell Billy. Up for consideration is the BB Pre Amp, Mosferatu (4 Knob), Keeley Blues Driver, and I would consider checking out the Mos FD2.
|
|
|
Post by hdahs143 on Sept 20, 2005 19:05:48 GMT -7
The "not alot of treble'' on tap sounds perfect to me! My MAZ SR has plenty of that available. And I'm looking for a lower gain O/D pedal than my FD2 anyway. I emailed Alf yesterday about trying one out. He was very cool about it. If you don't like it, send it back for a refund. I'm gonna have to order one. Did you guys know he's making a tube driven Zendrive as well with a GT 12AX7 Mullard reissue in it? Let us know how you like yours when you get'em
|
|
|
Post by hollywood5150 on Sept 20, 2005 21:18:13 GMT -7
I have a BB and a Fulldrive. I don't think they sound anything alike. The BB has a more little compression to it, which is cool. The problem is, I run a compressor most of the time. I was using the BB for a heavy overdrive until I bought an OCD last week, but the BB is still on the board. The BB defiantly has a ton bass and treble.
|
|
|
Post by guitarboy02451 on Sept 21, 2005 10:53:28 GMT -7
The "not alot of treble'' on tap sounds perfect to me! My MAZ SR has plenty of that available. And I'm looking for a lower gain O/D pedal than my FD2 anyway. I emailed Alf yesterday about trying one out. He was very cool about it. If you don't like it, send it back for a refund. I'm gonna have to order one. Did you guys know he's making a tube driven Zendrive as well with a GT 12AX7 Mullard reissue in it? Let us know how you like yours when you get'em I'm with you on the "not a lot of trebble." I crank down all my highs anyway. I put a GT12AX7M in my Tube Works Real Tube pedal... Sounds cool! Looking forwared to a Zendrive!
|
|
|
Post by taswegian on Sept 21, 2005 19:42:17 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Sept 22, 2005 4:55:31 GMT -7
That Guitar Player article mentions the Speedster Turbocharger. Last February I was at True Tone Music in California and I tried a half dozen o/d pedals Menatones, HAO and I forget what else but the best one was the Speedster Turbocharger. Very natural and smooth sounding, I'm still stuck on my Reverend Drivetrain (gain barely on) but I thought the Speedster would work just as well. I think the treble and bass controls on the Reverend make it more versatile.
So far I can't see the deal about boost pedals. I've set up my Guyatone compressor for high volume and low compression and it works really well, very neutral. Are guys wanting a "tone colored" boost?
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Sept 22, 2005 5:28:47 GMT -7
Uh.............. any Zen Owners? so far Lefty tried one for an hour, and several of us have on order
|
|
|
Post by hdahs143 on Sept 30, 2005 7:04:30 GMT -7
Hey Dave, I found a Zendrive owner in the RX/RXES section and he seems to like it ;D. His post is below!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I took a couple of weeks to dial in my ES with some sweet tubes. The difference was amazing. With my combination I get very close to the "robben Ford " tone. I put in telefunken 12ax's in v1 and v3 and a telefunken ef-86 in place of the miniwatt. I realize these tubes are hard to come by, but the search will be worth the extra time and $$. This is my third Z and I love them and never plan to play any other brand. What sort of tube changes are you guys toying with? I'm always interested in pushing that tone just a little further. I also use a Hermida Zendrive for all the dirty stuff and if there was ever a D##ble in a box-this is it: DEAD ON. Pure sweetness. Thanks Dr. for giving us pickers the quality we pay for!
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Oct 13, 2005 4:58:44 GMT -7
Hey Dave, I found a Zendrive owner in the RX/RXES section and he seems to like it ;D. His post is below! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I took a couple of weeks to dial in my ES with some sweet tubes. The difference was amazing. With my combination I get very close to the "robben Ford " tone. I put in telefunken 12ax's in v1 and v3 and a telefunken ef-86 in place of the miniwatt. I realize these tubes are hard to come by, but the search will be worth the extra time and $$. This is my third Z and I love them and never plan to play any other brand. What sort of tube changes are you guys toying with? I'm always interested in pushing that tone just a little further. I also use a Hermida Zendrive for all the dirty stuff and if there was ever a D##ble in a box-this is it: DEAD ON. Pure sweetness. Thanks Dr. for giving us pickers the quality we pay for! thanks , still waiting on the Zen , got a OCD to hold me over
|
|
|
Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 13, 2005 5:52:37 GMT -7
Bluz, how do you like the OCD? I tried one but didn't care to much for it. It was a little over the top in the dist area... What's your thoughts?
pg
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Oct 17, 2005 5:18:01 GMT -7
Bluz, how do you like the OCD? I tried one but didn't care to much for it. It was a little over the top in the dist area... What's your thoughts? pg not real knocked out by it, but need to test drive it in the gig to say for sure
|
|
|
Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 17, 2005 16:30:38 GMT -7
Gotcha... You know I'm just really digging how the Voodoo Sparkle drive really sounds with the Maz Sr. Real Robbenesque. With the amp cranked prett well, the Zbrake on like setting 3 and giving a little head room, I can really dial in that Robben tone, like he used on the tune Chevrolet.
I think the only pedal I want now is a Xotic AC and I'm done. The only other thing I need to invest in is seroius cables. I'm running just plain ole crap for cables.
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Oct 17, 2005 17:21:29 GMT -7
wish my Zen would get here
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Oct 19, 2005 6:14:17 GMT -7
got an Email from Alfonso, Zen sent yesterday. he is a hell of a guy. I asked him how much I owed him ......ahhhh this ones free .I owe him big time , already put in an order for a Zen 2 ,told him Im paying cash for the 2, he told me I am #50 in line for the 2 will send review as I will get to use it on several shows this weekend
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Oct 19, 2005 7:56:43 GMT -7
Thats good news and even better price! ;D
There was a batch shipped to MusicToyz as well... with any luck I'll see mine soon.
|
|
|
Post by jzguitar on Oct 19, 2005 16:22:18 GMT -7
Finally ordered mine today! I'm assuming it will be a few weeks - I'll post a report on it then. Anyone else have any reviews? Take care, jz
|
|
|
Post by hollywood5150 on Oct 19, 2005 18:11:34 GMT -7
Hey Blue. If you get it and don't like it I will give you what you paid for it!!!! hehe
You are right, Alf is a unique person. I don't think he does this for the money. I called him about the Grinder pedal, and he said he was not making them right now but would get back with me. If he was doing this to get rich, he would have 20 or 30 people cranking out pedals. Defiantly a class act.
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Oct 21, 2005 5:14:09 GMT -7
Hey Blue. If you get it and don't like it I will give you what you paid for it!!!! hehe You are right, Alf is a unique person. I don't think he does this for the money. I called him about the Grinder pedal, and he said he was not making them right now but would get back with me. If he was doing this to get rich, he would have 20 or 30 people cranking out pedals. Defiantly a class act. I would at least have to double my money!!!
|
|
|
Post by bluzsteel on Oct 21, 2005 5:15:33 GMT -7
The Zen is on my pedal board and is going out this weekend for 2 shows it sounds real real good. !!!!!!will follow up with review
|
|
|
Post by toneking on Oct 21, 2005 6:34:29 GMT -7
Enough Already!!!! I've read all the reviews, followed the discussions and listened to the sound files. For $150, sounds like a deal to me and besides I bought a late 70's Boss OD-1 on fleabay for $125 and Alf's Zen seems to sound a lot better than that. So I ordered one yesterday, I mean what the heck, I've spent that much on a round of golf or a good bottle of single malt scotch!
Peace and love, TK
|
|