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  1. #1
    Premium Member legatofix's Avatar
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: London
    Posts: 52
    Hi there fellow IG-ites,
    Does anybody on this forum own the Zendrive Overdrive by Hermida Audio?? I've just been researching YouTube clips and I think the pedal sounds phenomenal...seriously thinking of taking the plunge. Would love some 1st hand reviews by you guys.....

  2. #2
    Premium Member billmeedog's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: Burlington, Mass. - U.S.A.
    Posts: 915
    Hi Ajay,

    Sorry, I don't own, nor have I tried the Hermida Zendrive, but I have also seen demo-clips of it on YouTube and was impressed with it too. That said, I have tried the Fulltone OCD and the Z-Vex Box-O-Rock Boost/Distortion, and they are BOTH outstanding pedals that sound natural, and they both respond nicely and clean-up with dynamics/volume-knob adjustments.

    Best of luck with your pursuit of "sonic-nirvana"

    ~Bill Meehan~

  3. #3
    Basic Member rockymtnblues's Avatar
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Boulder (CO) USA
    Posts: 18
    Hey there Legatofix!

    I was seriously lusting after a Zendrive for so long...but...I have to say the wait list last I checked was just too long for me

    So, in my search for that elusive creamy Ford/Carlton/Johnson tone, I went about trying to see what else might give me a similar tone. I've had luck with my current setup: two OCD's stacked in gain stages and a BB preamp after that. I have to agree with the Fulltone OCD is killer and the dynamics are, indeed, pretty phenomenal.

    I'd also check out the Jetter Red or Blue pedals, the Ecstasy Drive by Wampler (the guys who make Brent Mason's signature pedal), or the Ethos Overdrive.

    Cheers!

    -Marc
    “...the blues are composed of feeling, finesse, and fear.”
    ---
    American Strat/Tele, Bogner Shiva, Bogner Alchemist, Fender Deluxe Reverb RI, DD-3, Fulltone OCD (x2), BB Preamp

  4. #4
    Premium Member legatofix's Avatar
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: London
    Posts: 52
    After extensive YouTube research
    Fulltone OCD ...sounds amazing but too "Marshall-like" for me

    The Z-Vex Box-O-Rock sounds too trebly

    Jetter Gain Stage Red sounds quite good

    Xotic BB Preamp...sounds amazing when Greg Howe plays it through his Cornford but it sounded terrible in another amateur clip

    the Fuchs Plushdrive and Ethos Overdrive are quite expensive

    the Zendrive sounds the most "creamy and warm" for a good price....I've just sent an
    e-mail to Hermida Audio enquiring shipping charges to the UK and current waitlist!!

  5. #5
    Basic Member rockymtnblues's Avatar
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Boulder (CO) USA
    Posts: 18
    Congrats! Let us know how it turns out when it arrives. Would love to hear soundclips at some point

    On the OCD "Marshall-like" comment, your definitely spot-on. To my ears, a bit of a JTM45 tone. Thankfully, the HP/LP switch gives it a more Fender-like breakup and a little less high frequency output (that is, in the LP mode).

    Also, did you opt for the Zendrive or the Zendrive 2?
    “...the blues are composed of feeling, finesse, and fear.”
    ---
    American Strat/Tele, Bogner Shiva, Bogner Alchemist, Fender Deluxe Reverb RI, DD-3, Fulltone OCD (x2), BB Preamp

  6. #6
    Premium Member legatofix's Avatar
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: London
    Posts: 52
    hey rockymtnblues,
    I'm interested in the original Zendrive 'cos of the price and the fact that it doesn't have a 12AX7 in it!


    But you have to admit the Zendrive 2 sounds great as well
    (check out 0:48 to 1:15)

    I must say that the Wampler Ecstasy grabbed my attention (any pedal that has a Dumble and Bogner voicing is worth checking out!!)
    I haven't yet actually ordered the Zendrive....just enquired re: pricing and waitlist.

  7. #7
    Premium Member legatofix's Avatar
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: London
    Posts: 52
    hey guys!!
    I've just placed my order for the Zendrive!! I've opted for ExpressMail delivery with insurance. Used PayPal and the whole transaction cost me USD232.00 (translates to about 148.00 BritishPounds). Can't frickin' wait!!....Just hope it reaches safe.

    Did a bit of research on UK prices for boutique pedals:
    Fulltone OCD(ver4)- 130GBP
    Xotic BB Preamp- 170GBP
    Wampler Ecstasy- 170GBP
    Zendrive- 148GBP

    Thought I'd go "Zen" and opt for the middle path!!

  8. #8
    Basic Member rockymtnblues's Avatar
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Boulder (CO) USA
    Posts: 18
    Quote Originally Posted by legatofix View Post
    Thought I'd go "Zen" and opt for the middle path!!
    lol...great choice!
    “...the blues are composed of feeling, finesse, and fear.”
    ---
    American Strat/Tele, Bogner Shiva, Bogner Alchemist, Fender Deluxe Reverb RI, DD-3, Fulltone OCD (x2), BB Preamp

  9. #9
    Have the Zendrive for over a year and it's a great pedal. The only pedal Robben Ford uses for overdrive when he is using Fender Twins. Says it all.


  10. #10
    Premium Member billmeedog's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: Burlington, Mass. - U.S.A.
    Posts: 915
    Quote Originally Posted by JanB View Post
    Have the Zendrive for over a year and it's a great pedal. The only pedal Robben Ford uses for overdrive when he is using Fender Twins. Says it all.

    Hello Jan,

    I just wanted to add that when I saw Robben Ford live at the NAMM night-club show back in 2002, even though I'm not sure what amp & pedals he was using, (I believe he was representing some sort of Robben Ford "custom-shop-signature" guitar at the time?) I came back from that NAMM show telling anyone who would listen three-things about Robben Ford:

    1. He played AWESOME!
    2. His personal stage-volume was LOUD-AS-HELL!
    3. He had the best live guitar-sound I'VE EVER HEARD!


    End-of-story!

    ~Bill Meehan~

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