Drive Dilemma - Zen vs POT

[timmyo]

I'm coming to the conclusion that I'm going to have to put both on my board temporarily and see which one I end up going for when I'm playing out.

By all means do, but you'll likely never come to a conclusion that way and always be fretting about which one is "best" for you and compare the tiny differences. Choose one and use it for a while imho.

[monquixote]

By all means do, but you'll likely never come to a conclusion that way and always be fretting about which one is "best" for you and compare the tiny differences. Choose one and use it for a while imho.

You are right of course.

I've just been through every permutation and decided that though the Zen Drive is great as a one pedal click for a smooth solo into a clean amp it doesn't stack that well with other pedals or work into a dirty amp (or my dirty amp at least). So I'm sticking with LS into POT for now.

POT into LS was also interesting, with both on it made a tweed deluxe about to explode type noise which was quite interesting, but not something I need. I now have the LS to give slight hair and clank to cleans. POT for light gain solos. POT + LS for a nice tight rock rhythm, drive channel + POT for awesome shred power.

Works for me

[WazMeister]

I feel for the OP, I really do... I spent most of last year wrestling with similar issues. I had a SS22, which I loved, but preferred the simplicity of the ODs into a single (awesome) clean channel. So, I got a Carr Rambler, and paired this up with just about every OD out there... In order of brilliance/success/sound/feel...

i.) Kingsley Jester
ii.). Himmelstrutz Fetto Nord
iii.) Wampler Euphoria/ Black '65

But still, 'bedroom' sounds are different from live sounds. One of my favourite 'live ' sounds ever was a SS22 cranked with MP Sweet Honey.... Simple, powerful, perfect...

At bedroom levels, this set up was quite tame. And here, my friends, is the problem. Its the volume of a valve amp which produces the drive that we all love. We, also, all know this... BUT FORGET about it when we buy/gas/forum....

So, recently, I thought f&@# this.... i started selling some of my pedals, and with the money saved, bought a Redplate Blackverb (apologies for those who have heard this before).

Now, THAT is an overdrive sounds that works at ANY volume, any where. I've rehearsed and played live in the past few weeks (for the first time ever) with NO boost, volume, or OD pedals !!!! Any you know, I ain't missed 'em....

nothing gets that cranked valve amp sound, like a cranked valve amp. IMHO of course...