I've owned both versions, too. I noticed with them as I do here that there's the slightest amount of extra top end in the Lovepedal which, in my view, helps when more gain is applied and when engaging the neck pickup. The difference is hardly worth noting and as Alexander points out, there's always going to be differences because of the electronics tolerances etc. In all i'd say that they both can sound amp-like and, have the same DNA and will fool even the most ardent Zendrive boffin as to which is being played at a gig or blindfold test. Get either.
I think the differences you are hearing are slight differences in the knob tolerances. You can adjust the voice clockwise on the original to cop the perceived brightness in the newer lovepedal
great demo mate . I have a Lovepedal zen and it's a sweet heart . and I'm a bit biased I do dig all the stuff that Sean makes. Love battles make some killer stuff. Cheers have a good one
Lovepedal has ever-so-slightly more top end sparkle and better individual string definition. Mids are eq'd a bit different. I actually prefer the Lovepedal. Nice demo. Enjoyed it. oNe LovE from NYC
Both sound fine to me...the sound that Robben Ford gets is the ONLY overdrive sound my tired old ears can tolerate. Other than that it's bell- like clarity all the way.
Can definitely her the difference. Alf's has more low end to be sure, The LP is a lil brighter, and dare I say more articulate? Compression seems to be about the same. Hermida for rhythm, LP for lead? Both very cool, smooth. Just got Carol-Ann OD-2R, gonna have to add ZD to the board!!
I've had an "Alf" Zendrive for about 9 years but I recently bought a Simble to compare. I quickly sold The Simble and kept the Zendrive. Draw your own conclusions.
Nice demo. I can see where all of the comments talking about taking a blanket off of the speaker come from. I am getting one of the new ones. I wish I played as poorly as you do.
ok guys, these pedals are the same. Ima tell u the difference which i don't think anyone has mentioned yet- the Hermida version is older, so its more played in and may have a TINY bit softer edge to it, but c'mon guys...that level of nerderiffic guitar snobbery ain't healthy.
Great demo! Botg pedals sound great and I agree with you, doesn't seem to be a lot of difference, although the originals sounds a bit smoother to my ears.
Thanks for sharing that. Which delay & reverb unit/pedal were your using? no compressor unit? Would be great to have their setting as well. Would you be able to share that?
I should have listed my signal chain but didn't, sorry. I'm not 100% sure but I'd say a Deluxe Memory Man for delay, Supernatural Reverb. Best I can remember.
I have an older Hermida ZenDrive. In this clip, I think that the one that you said is the Love Pedal sounds better. A slight bit more in the high and high mid.
N2F1 the newest Zendrive by Lovepedal, "old school build" is my favorite this far. being able to run at 18 volts make a really big difference imho. Sean knows how to improve on circuits.
Whilst very similar there is a slight difference in sound spaciousness and EQ. Also the Lovepedal version looks slimmer. I was wishing you would hit the ZD2 also... but I guess that would mess with the comparison?
Jr. SugarFingers Linton thanks. The lovepedal zendrive is the one in the middle. They are hard to tell apart. The face may be a tad darker and the LED is different looking, blue.
Hey Gary, Sounds good, both pedals sound very similar, the original doesn't seem to be worth hundreds more ? used to own an original. What speaker are you using in your Deluxe Reverb / Thanks !
Hi and thanks Sam! The backing track is from Coffee Break Grooves. It's one of the smooth jazz albums. Check them out. They are a lot of fun to play with and each song is 15 minutes long!
Hi Gary. Great comparison! Noticed in your comments below you're liking the "old school build" Lovepedal is currently selling on their website the best. I just ordered one based on your recommendation. Seems like you know your zendrives ;) Are you really running it at 18v? I had asked Alf about running my original at 18v back in the day and he had told me not to do it and referred me to his FAQ on his website stating not to do it. Curious if you knew about a change to the new pedal that allows you to do so? Thx for your time.
Doug Cannon yes the new Zendrive unit that Lovepedal is building is saw to run at 18v. The original Hermida units were not intended for 18v. The old school build is totally fine at 18 volts. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks
just got the lovepedal for $100 on reverb.should arrive im a day or 2. ,im using a TS9 & SL Drive for 2 years & i need a change,the xotic bit aggressive for some stuff .the zen seems to have a fatness like no other pedals. hope i like it as much as your demo.
QUADROGONG great deal! It's a killer killer pedal. I actually prefer Lovepedal's version. The newest by them the "old school build" Zendrive is the best yet. Especially at 18v! Thanks and Enjoy!
QUADROGONG that's the "red dot" zendrive. It has more gain on tap than the original. Try a Jackson Audio Prism with it. This is head and shoulders above everything out there IMO.
Which Zen drive would have the most sustain and most overdrive sound as I want one but not sure which one. Would the Zen drive gold be best or is there a better option,? Can anyone help? *thank you
Well done ... to my ears the 'chirp' is the same but the original pedal is darker. The LP pedals also jumps out in the mix more and seems to bloom (sustain a little quicker) ... Nice playing. Very early Carlton-ish!!
Same circuitry. Same pedal. No arguments. However, one is older and may have had time to lose a bit of the high end on in. That's why the Lovepedal sounds like it is crispier. I, personally, like that better. It cuts through the mix better than the original. The original sounds a lot muddier. I might use the lovepedal version for a solo and the other for rhythm, if I was getting really particular.
would be so funny if he claimed the pedals the wrong way round - the obviously "wrong" original zendrive from hermida would have earned the appreciation anyway.. Both pedals sound the same way, and never forget, the sound is in your fingers anyway! Cool pedals, I like to get one but I don't care at all which one it is..
just got one today, this is a true representation of what it sounded like into my ac30 unlike my arc klone which doesn't sound as much like the videos ive heard.
With a vox ac30 I thought the arc klone sounded terrible, I had it turned down so low that I just returned it. It just made everything nasally sounding with no bottom end even with the bass boost setting. I kept the zendrive, which is just an amazing distortion. Creamy and you can dial it back so its minimal distortion and natural sustain if you like. If you have a fender amp, the arc klone would probably sound pretty good. The wampler euphoria sounds good with a fender amp as well, which also covers the zendrive sound.
Actually, here's a list of identifying features . www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/visual-difference-between-hermida-zendrive-vs-lovepedal-zendrive.1398295/
lgoncay probably just a matter of component tolerances. You could get 2 made by Alf Hermida and notice they also would sound a tad different next to each other.
I can hear a very subtle difference, but stacking them with that amount of reverb/delay and I think there's also chorus doesn't help at all. Bass is loud as well.
OK so I guess I like the new one just a tad better but they both sound fantastic. I wish I wouldn't have let that jackass on ebay outbid me last year for the big box version. Now I need to get one from watching this.
The early model Zendrive's Alf made did not have the Hermida Audio USA on them. The latter models did indeed have the Hermida Audio USA under the Zendrive script.
They sound a bit different. The Love Pedal is a bit "brighter", but close enough that it makes no difference to me. In fact, if the cheap looking cable has anything to do with it, there is a bit of capacitance on the original signal, which is probably what makes the Hermida sound a bit less bright and edgy. Honestly, nearly no difference in practical terms.
The original Zendrive is smoother, slightly darker, and has a lower (mid) voicing. The newer one is brighter, "crisper", and has a higher (mid) voicing. Sound like different pedals to me. MUCH prefer what I hear in the old Zendrive (owned 3) to what I hear in the newer, Lovepedal version. The newer version sounds like a pedal to me, whereas the older version sounds more like it's a part of the amp. Obvious differences in knob tolerances taken into consideration. Bummer. :(
The reverb is masking the differences if any. Food for thought.
What an incredible tone they all sound great and so is the playing
I've owned both versions, too.
I noticed with them as I do here that there's the slightest amount of extra top end in the Lovepedal which, in my view, helps when more gain is applied and when engaging the neck pickup.
The difference is hardly worth noting and as Alexander points out, there's always going to be differences because of the electronics tolerances etc.
In all i'd say that they both can sound amp-like and, have the same DNA and will fool even the most ardent Zendrive boffin as to which is being played at a gig or blindfold test.
Get either.
I think the differences you are hearing are slight differences in the knob tolerances. You can adjust the voice clockwise on the original to cop the perceived brightness in the newer lovepedal
They're both pretty good! I'd say there actually is a a bit of a difference, though I couldn't describe it if I tried.
The socks.
great demo mate . I have a Lovepedal zen and it's a sweet heart . and I'm a bit biased I do dig all the stuff that Sean makes. Love battles make some killer stuff. Cheers have a good one
Zebulon Chadwick thanks for watching. Agreed about Lovepedals. Sean’s a stand up guy. Cheers mate!
Thanks Joe. I'd agree with you on that. I have been listening to a lot of LC lately. Just wish I could play that well!
These are both great pedals I would say that love pedal has done a fine job on this and I would have either one, great demo Gary
Doug J thanks Doug!
Lovepedal has ever-so-slightly more top end sparkle and better individual string definition. Mids are eq'd a bit different. I actually prefer the Lovepedal. Nice demo. Enjoyed it. oNe LovE from NYC
Both sound fine to me...the sound that Robben Ford gets is the ONLY overdrive sound my tired old ears can tolerate. Other than that it's bell- like clarity all the way.
Great Video Man ❤
Thanks!!
my girlfriend says she's gonna need you to put some shoes on...
They sound exactly the same to my ears
Pots can have a tolerance of 20%, so setting them visually isnt going to be the same sound even with the exact same batch of pedals.
Exactly
I like both but the one on the right seems more open sounding to me and amp like. And I don't remember what he said was on the left or right.
Nice picking, BTW. The Lovepedal sounds bit "brighter" if that is the word. However, it is so subtle as to be barely noticeable. Both sound great.
They both sound killer. Through my tiny iPad speakers, I couldn't really tell any difference.
Hello. Definitely the lovepedal sounds a bit brighter to me. Both sounds great.
Would it be possible for you to do a comparison between the Zendrive and Zendrive 2 as well? :)
Gary, love to see another one of these comparing the even newer Red Dots, Golds, and original (RF?)
Guitar pedals break in? Capacitors may dry out and drift a bit, but a pedal does not age like fine wine.
Can definitely her the difference. Alf's has more low end to be sure, The LP is a lil brighter, and dare I say more articulate? Compression seems to be about the same. Hermida for rhythm, LP for lead? Both very cool, smooth. Just got Carol-Ann OD-2R, gonna have to add ZD to the board!!
Nice review and playing
I Like Pedals. Appreciate it!
Nice playing, Gary. Can you please speak about your signal chain in this video? Are there any other pedals in use other than the drives?
Thanks. I was using a little reverb and delay and that's it.
Love the both of them. But you can try the simble by mad prof too. Nice tone also.
I've had an "Alf" Zendrive for about 9 years but I recently bought a Simble to compare. I quickly sold The Simble and kept the Zendrive. Draw your own conclusions.
Nice demo. I can see where all of the comments talking about taking a blanket off of the speaker come from. I am getting one of the new ones. I wish I played as poorly as you do.
ok guys, these pedals are the same. Ima tell u the difference which i don't think anyone has mentioned yet- the Hermida version is older, so its more played in and may have a TINY bit softer edge to it, but c'mon guys...that level of nerderiffic guitar snobbery ain't healthy.
Great demo! Botg pedals sound great and I agree with you, doesn't seem to be a lot of difference, although the originals sounds a bit smoother to my ears.
Cut back a little on the gain and there's your smoother
great demo..as far as tone..both sound great..however ..love pedal's zen driver for the price is well worth noting
Thanks for sharing that. Which delay & reverb unit/pedal were your using?
no compressor unit?
Would be great to have their setting as well. Would you be able to share that?
I should have listed my signal chain but didn't, sorry. I'm not 100% sure but I'd say a Deluxe Memory Man for delay, Supernatural Reverb. Best I can remember.
Gary Jarvis OMG why didn't you hit the ZenDrive 2 so we could hear that comparison also!?? So sad :-(
I have an older Hermida ZenDrive. In this clip, I think that the one that you said is the Love Pedal sounds better.
A slight bit more in the high and high mid.
N2F1 the newest Zendrive by Lovepedal, "old school build" is my favorite this far. being able to run at 18 volts make a really big difference imho. Sean knows how to improve on circuits.
Whilst very similar there is a slight difference in sound spaciousness and EQ. Also the Lovepedal version looks slimmer. I was wishing you would hit the ZD2 also... but I guess that would mess with the comparison?
Hello Gary, good demo. What color is the lovepedal Zendrive??.
Jr. SugarFingers Linton thanks. The lovepedal zendrive is the one in the middle. They are hard to tell apart. The face may be a tad darker and the LED is different looking, blue.
Thanks Gary, I appreciate it!. enjoyed listening to it. the original seems a tad darker tonally. I LIKE them both though. (thumbs up)
Jr. SugarFingers Linton the Lovepedal Zendrive is in the middle between the Zen 2 and Zen 1
Hey Gary, Sounds good, both pedals sound very similar, the original doesn't seem to be worth hundreds more ? used to own an original. What speaker are you using in your Deluxe Reverb / Thanks !
Thanks! Stock speak
Herrmida zendrive all the way, rounder and smoother
Very cool tone nice playing ! I built 10 of these love them all different tones . What that Jam track your using very nice !
Hi and thanks Sam! The backing track is from Coffee Break Grooves. It's one of the smooth jazz albums. Check them out. They are a lot of fun to play with and each song is 15 minutes long!
Hi Gary. Great comparison! Noticed in your comments below you're liking the "old school build" Lovepedal is currently selling on their website the best. I just ordered one based on your recommendation. Seems like you know your zendrives ;) Are you really running it at 18v? I had asked Alf about running my original at 18v back in the day and he had told me not to do it and referred me to his FAQ on his website stating not to do it. Curious if you knew about a change to the new pedal that allows you to do so? Thx for your time.
Doug Cannon yes the new Zendrive unit that Lovepedal is building is saw to run at 18v. The original Hermida units were not intended for 18v. The old school build is totally fine at 18 volts. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks
Thanks for the response and the info! Looking forward to checking it outl
Im going with the original….thanks for posting
just got the lovepedal for $100 on reverb.should arrive im a day or 2.
,im using a TS9 & SL Drive for 2 years & i need a change,the xotic bit aggressive for some stuff .the zen seems to have a fatness like no other pedals. hope i like it as much as your demo.
QUADROGONG great deal! It's a killer killer pedal. I actually prefer Lovepedal's version. The newest by them the "old school build" Zendrive is the best yet. Especially at 18v! Thanks and Enjoy!
Gary Jarvis THANK YOU ; ) it's the white one with the red outline,
Looking next for a royal blue or sweet honey OD to pair up w the Zen
QUADROGONG that's the "red dot" zendrive. It has more gain on tap than the original. Try a Jackson Audio Prism with it. This is head and shoulders above everything out there IMO.
Gary Jarvis thank you, not familiar w it, but I'll research it, thnx, gnite
Need to get a mosferatu for comparison.Nice toe jam going on!
Would have liked to hear the ZD2 kicked in at least once, I've got one and have wondered the differences compared to the ZD1
wanted to hear the zendrive 2 was well...
Nice drawl, man. I'm from Texas, so I'm sure I sound similar. 😂
Which Zen drive would have the most sustain and most overdrive sound as I want one but not sure which one. Would the Zen drive gold be best or is there a better option,? Can anyone help? *thank you
Harry S the "signature" Zendrive had the most sustain. The red Zendrive is second. Try the red as the gold sig is hard to come by.
Gary Jarvis thank you for your quick reply and for your advice. I will try to find a red Zen drive. All the best and I wish you well !
Well done ... to my ears the 'chirp' is the same but the original pedal is darker. The LP pedals also jumps out in the mix more and seems to bloom (sustain a little quicker) ... Nice playing. Very early Carlton-ish!!
Same circuitry. Same pedal. No arguments. However, one is older and may have had time to lose a bit of the high end on in. That's why the Lovepedal sounds like it is crispier. I, personally, like that better. It cuts through the mix better than the original. The original sounds a lot muddier. I might use the lovepedal version for a solo and the other for rhythm, if I was getting really particular.
What is the backing track you were using, is it on You tube ?
Coffee Break Grooves backing tracks. Smooth Jazz
I hope not, it sounded like shit.
Wow - have you tried selling sand to Saudis ? Gorgeous tone ... a superb demo altogether but at least as much technique as pedal I suspect.
John Buxton thanks John!!
We’re you playing the lick from Kiss’s Shandi?
I don’t know that one. I was never into Kiss.
would be so funny if he claimed the pedals the wrong way round - the obviously "wrong" original zendrive from hermida would have earned the appreciation anyway.. Both pedals sound the same way, and never forget, the sound is in your fingers anyway!
Cool pedals, I like to get one but I don't care at all which one it is..
Ha don't tell my secret!
Playing is great - Lovepedal is better!!! brighter and more open
just got one today, this is a true representation of what it sounded like into my ac30 unlike my arc klone which doesn't sound as much like the videos ive heard.
do you like your arc klone? i've been looking into getting one.
sorry this is 6 months later hah
With a vox ac30 I thought the arc klone sounded terrible, I had it turned down so low that I just returned it. It just made everything nasally sounding with no bottom end even with the bass boost setting. I kept the zendrive, which is just an amazing distortion. Creamy and you can dial it back so its minimal distortion and natural sustain if you like. If you have a fender amp, the arc klone would probably sound pretty good. The wampler euphoria sounds good with a fender amp as well, which also covers the zendrive sound.
Gerry V Oh man I've been gassing over the arc klone forever... but I use a vox ac15
Where can i find music like this??
The Substance coffee break grooves backing tracks. Smooth Jazz. Good tracks. Each track is 15 minutes long.
Rhythm section is the chorus of Lovely Day. czcams.com/video/B4PQQyYQ7Cg/video.html
How can you tell a Lovepedal ver. they all say Hermida Audio dont they>?
Originals don't say that and they're signed on the inside.
Actually, here's a list of identifying features . www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/visual-difference-between-hermida-zendrive-vs-lovepedal-zendrive.1398295/
the LP is more full at least thats what I hear
Lovepedal's zendrive(right one) sounds like less compressed IMHO. Hermida sounds like it could get lost in the mix.
lgoncay probably just a matter of component tolerances. You could get 2 made by Alf Hermida and notice they also would sound a tad different next to each other.
I can hear a very subtle difference, but stacking them with that amount of reverb/delay and I think there's also chorus doesn't help at all. Bass is loud as well.
The love pedal has a little more presence.
OK so I guess I like the new one just a tad better but they both sound fantastic. I wish I wouldn't have let that jackass on ebay outbid me last year for the big box version. Now I need to get one from watching this.
i dont think the real ones say "hermida audio usa" do they? it looks like both of those do
The early model Zendrive's Alf made did not have the Hermida Audio USA on them. The latter models did indeed have the Hermida Audio USA under the Zendrive script.
They sound a bit different. The Love Pedal is a bit "brighter", but close enough that it makes no difference to me. In fact, if the cheap looking cable has anything to do with it, there is a bit of capacitance on the original signal, which is probably what makes the Hermida sound a bit less bright and edgy. Honestly, nearly no difference in practical terms.
The original sounds a bit more compressed.
original sounds a bit smoother.
The original Zendrive is smoother, slightly darker, and has a lower (mid) voicing. The newer one is brighter, "crisper", and has a higher (mid) voicing. Sound like different pedals to me. MUCH prefer what I hear in the old Zendrive (owned 3) to what I hear in the newer, Lovepedal version. The newer version sounds like a pedal to me, whereas the older version sounds more like it's a part of the amp. Obvious differences in knob tolerances taken into consideration. Bummer. :(
The lovepedal thinner little more overtones in the attack.Lovepedal also a bit stupid name.
Alfs has a distinctive lower mid notch.....in a band the love pedal would sound better, Alfs bedroom lololol