Robben Ford Plays Cincinnati

[martin manning]

Saw this guy last night. Great band, small venue (20th Century Theater, ~400 seats), front row. One thing I am now sure of is that a D-clone built to the schematics posted here (my 124-ish amp with two G12-65's, same as RF's rig) sounds very much like the real deal. He didn't touch the amp all night, and played his Epi Riviera, Tele, and a black Strat. All of the guitars sounded good, mostly clean channel.

[halfbackstrat]

The black strat is a guitar made by UK luthier Simon Law (SVL Guitars) who works as Robben's tech sometimes, he also techs and builds guitars for Matt Schofield! Great instruments.

Glad you enjoyed the show Martin. You said 124 schematics in your post, I thought the blonde amp was #102?

[martin manning]

Hi Matt, my 124 is only 124-ish. It is a low-plate, with 124 voltages, but 102 filtering on the power supply, and some components in the preamp are more 102-ish. What was unmistakable to me was the overall tone character. BTW, last night the knobs on RF's amp were all nearly straight up across the preamp (maybe 11:45), and the four OD and power amp knobs were all at ~10:00.

[Teleguy61]

I saw Robben in Fall River MA last Saturday night. He is on a tour of make up dates from those cancelled by the broken wrist.
He and the band were still jetlagged from playing in Honk Kong on Tuesday, and then back in NY on Thursday, pretty much playing every day to fill commitments.
However, the band sounded excellent, really good players all, Ricky Peterson on B3 outstanding, and Robben sounded great.
Same as martin reported, most overdrive sound from a Zendrive pedal.
His Tele playing was on fire when we saw him, really cooking.
Excellent show, and a very nice man also.

[martin manning]

They all seemed to be doing well last night, and the house was packed with a very enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.

[rogb]

Hi Matt, my 124 is only 124-ish. It is a low-plate, with 124 voltages, but 102 filtering on the power supply, and some components in the preamp are more 102-ish. What was unmistakable to me was the overall tone character. BTW, last night the knobs on RF's amp were all nearly straight up across the preamp (maybe 11:45), and the four OD and power amp knobs were all at ~10:00.

I have just been chatting to Simon in Chicago, he plays thru 102 every day.
We had an interesting chat about guitars, Dumbles and their clones...

[CHIP]

Hi Matt, my 124 is only 124-ish. It is a low-plate, with 124 voltages, but 102 filtering on the power supply, and some components in the preamp are more 102-ish. What was unmistakable to me was the overall tone character. BTW, last night the knobs on RF's amp were all nearly straight up across the preamp (maybe 11:45), and the four OD and power amp knobs were all at ~10:00.

Martin,
Did Robben use the overdrive on the amp or pedal (Zendrive)?

[martin manning]

I couldn't say for sure. A couple of times he stepped on something on his pedal board and got overdriven sound, but I couldn't see what. I didn't get a pic of his board either, and in retrospect I guess I should have. If you haven't seen it here is a video of RF talking about his rig. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LO-QZNeIBYU

[CHIP]

I got to see RF last evening at the Rex theater in Pittsburgh. Same 3 guitars he used in Cincy. The amp settings were different though, as on a clock dial as follows ; vol (11), treb and mid (10:30- 11), bass (12) OD controls (11) , master and presence (11).
He really fiddled with amp and foot pedal settings for the first 4 songs, then he got it dialed in for the rest of the show.

Small pedal board consisted of ; Zendrive, xotic ep boost, TC electronics HOF and Flashback, mini Polytuner, and the amps 2 button footswich.

No Dumblator

I'd guess that 75% of his playing was clean. The tele was the exceptional sounding guitar, and when he dug in with a slight OD it was very good.

I really couldn't tell if he was using the Zen or the amps OD.
I think he used one or the other at various times, because a few times I heard that type of tone he got on the Mystic Mile CD that I really enjoy.
So I just guess that was the amps OD.

Excellent show and very good band.

[martin manning]

So some tweaks to adjust for the room, I guess, and it seems he has reduced his board from the one described in the video linked above. I'm sure I heard some "solid-state" OD, as well as some of a smoother and less distorted variety. I agree with you the Tele sounded very good, and if I had to pick a favorite number from the show it would be "Chevrolet."

[CHIP]

Martin, I agree about tweaking for the room. I think the room was smaller than the one in Cincy. It was an old theater with the original seats removed and replaced with folding chairs.
When the band first hit the stage Robben hit a chord on the Epi,and went like, whoa, and began making adjustments.
Yes, Chevrolet was great.

I was just messing with the settings on my #183 copy, and in order to come anywhere near the stage volume he had, my Vol and master pots have to be at 1:00. I guess it's because the taper on his pots must be 30%, and mine are new CTS 10%.
I'd like to get a hold of some 30% 1megA pots some day. I'm always looking for them, no luck yet.

[rogb]

Martin, I agree about tweaking for the room. I think the room was smaller than the one in Cincy. It was an old theater with the original seats removed and replaced with folding chairs.
When the band first hit the stage Robben hit a chord on the Epi,and went like, whoa, and began making adjustments.
Yes, Chevrolet was great.

I was just messing with the settings on my #183 copy, and in order to come anywhere near the stage volume he had, my Vol and master pots have to be at 1:00. I guess it's because the taper on his pots must be 30%, and mine are new CTS 10%.
I'd like to get a hold of some 30% 1megA pots some day. I'm always looking for them, no luck yet.

Me too, I would love to find some 30% taper

[markusw]

I'd like to get a hold of some 30% 1megA pots some day. I'm always looking for them, no luck yet.

Angela has a J taper 1M CTS pot.
http://angela.com/fender1maudiopanelmountpot.aspx

According to http://www.ctscorp.com/components/Datasheets/450g.pdf J taper is 30%.

Might be worth a try.

[rogb]

I'd like to get a hold of some 30% 1megA pots some day. I'm always looking for them, no luck yet.

Angela has a J taper 1M CTS pot.
http://angela.com/fender1maudiopanelmountpot.aspx

According to http://www.ctscorp.com/components/Datasheets/450g.pdf J taper is 30%.

Might be worth a try.

I didn't even mention Angela's as I have seen those before. 4 pots shipped to the UK by USPS - $35 + $47 shipping, and that will be plus some $35 at this end in duties and admin charge from ParcelForce.
I also did it through Angela's on ebay and it came to a round $100 for 4 pots.
If you live in the US $9 a pot isn't too bad.

[CHIP]

I'd like to get a hold of some 30% 1megA pots some day. I'm always looking for them, no luck yet.

Angela has a J taper 1M CTS pot.
http://angela.com/fender1maudiopanelmountpot.aspx

According to http://www.ctscorp.com/components/Datasheets/450g.pdf J taper is 30%.

Might be worth a try.

Never knew about those.

Thanks, I'll give them a try!