New Lovepedal Dover Drive

[11 Gauge]

EJ...in a box....what we are really talking about here is...not a fuzz.

IMO, this video sounds rather fuzzy:



And - from this page:

http://www.lovepedal.com/hermida-audio-dover-drive

"the Dover drive is a touch sensitive device that walks a tightrope between an overdrive and a fuzz."

(I love that there's a typo on that page and the word "Drive" isn't capitalized - classy! )...

Here's another one uploaded by Sean, and again - they say it sounds like OD mixed with fuzz. Sure sounds fuzzy to me:

 

[ruger9]

I agree- those videos I hear some fuzz characteristics, kinda like a fuzz hybrid or some kind of FET thing... those demos sound alot like the MXR FET Driver, especially in the low end.

It's been described by Lovepedal as "not being a fuzz". The FET Driver isn't a fuzz either.

Those demos sound more like EJs "rhythm" tone, which is a FF into a marshall. But it's SUPPOSED to be EJ's lead sound, a Tube Driver into a MArshall, which has none of those low end fuzz characteristics.

The plot thickens...

If I want "something between an OD and fuzz" I stomp on my Keeley Fuzz Head

 

[11 Gauge]

Those demos sound more like EJs "rhythm" tone, which is a FF into a marshall.

I dunno...EJ has more than one rhythm tone. For quite a few years now, it's been my understanding that the FF primarily goes into a pair of clean Fender amps.

What got people so wound up with the C.O.D. thing was finding out that it was a Tube Driver split in stereo, running into both inputs of a Marshall 1959 IIRC (maybe a 1987). I think the vol on the Marshall was 7 for both normal and bright channels. And the Tube Driver wasn't run up really high.

...For something like Summer Jam, IMO it is pretty clear that the rhythm tone is not FF & Marshall - it's "something else" and Marshall. I think the FF gets paired with a TR or maybe two of them. There's parts near the end where he switches off the FF and the amp sound is very much clean.

...I don't hear evidence of the Dumble stuff as much any more, but who knows?

And EJ swore off new equipment, but now has his own sig Strat, his own sig Eminence speakers, his own sig FF - this will go into the weeds forever.

Point being that there is no EJ tone IMO, or if there is, why chase that? It's not bad, but just it's an exercise in what to be able to ape it? I posted that link to Oz Noy - that's a guy that it would be cool if 3% of his style rubbed off on someone, because it sounds like his style is a composite of 40 different guitar players. Keep the cross-pollination going IMO.

 

[ruger9]

Point being that there is no EJ tone IMO, or if there is, why chase that? It's not bad, but just it's an exercise in what to be able to ape it? .

ah... now we're getting to it. That's my point: (some) people aren't chasing EJ's tone, per se, even tho the pedal might be marketed that way... rather, we are chasing the characteristics of that tone... fat, smooth, round trebles, gainy and sustainy.... call it "violin tone" (I guess EJ coined that?) or whatever you want, it something I've been chasing for awhile, whether I heard it from EJ, or someone else.... EJ hasn't cornered the market on fat smooth gainy tone.

It's really no different than people chasing Dumble tone with a Zendrive, or a Two Rock, or people chasing Bent Mason tone with a compressor, or people chasing EVH tone with a Peavey 5150.

The fact that people are saying it's "EJ in a box" doesn't make me want to buy it BECAUSE it's "EJ in a box", but because I know that "EJ in a box" means fat, smooth, gainy, sustainy, violin tone.

If I REALLY wanted THAT tone, I'd buy a Marshall and a Tube Driver. (and add a DMM), and I'd bet I'd have that tone, no problem.

Brad Paisley used a Zendrive to get that tone sometimes. Then he started using his own Paisely Drive of course. I've owned both, and while both do it to some extent, I wasn't 100% happy with either.

I've never owned a Tube Driver, but as low as the gain is set the way EJ uses it, I don't see it as relevant very much, imo. He's just bombarding V1 with more level, it's like he's using the TD as a clean boost... it's the clean boost he likes best for the tone he's after.

I simply haven't found the pedal yet that does what I hear in my head, regarding this tone we're discussing... the FET driver did come close... if I would have had a tight bass response, it would have been perfect.

 

[ruger9]

And, I have ZERO familiararity with Oz Noy. But if his style sounds like "a composite of 40 different guitar players", count me out. I'd want him to sound like Oz Noy.

EJ doesn't sound like an amalgam of guitar players... neither did EVH, yada yada yada... the greats have a style that is immediately recognizable as something they created, not a "pot luck" or "kitchen sink" approach. All the great players did sound like the "sum" of their influences... UNTIL they were able to meld it into THEIR OWN DISTINCE SOUND.

Nothing against Oz Noy, I've never heard him. Just speaking to the "cross-pollination" point you're making.

People listeneing to EJ (or whoever), and trying to get his licks and his tone IS part of the "cross-pollination" of which you speak. It's not like everybody that buys the Dover Drive is going to stop gear hunting, and sit at home all day playing "Cliffs Of Dover" because they have FINALLY "found their tone" It will become ONE PART of their own style/sound... to be further developed by chasing more tones and more styles...

 

[Ian]

All I know is that I want one.

 

[11 Gauge]

And, I have ZERO familiararity with Oz Noy. But if his style sounds like "a composite of 40 different guitar players", count me out. I'd want him to sound like Oz Noy.

That's what my comment was intended to mean - you can hear little references of some of our guitar heroes, but there's too many to say he's "the next SRV" or whatever.

There is no other guitarist like Oz Noy. If you like Jim Campilongo, you'd probably find Oz Noy to be like "Jim with a Strat and a monstrous number of pedals." What is interesting about Oz is that he just typically uses whatever backline there is where he's playing. He and Jim have possibly crossed paths in NY. And while I think I've seen him play more than one Strat, it's just more of a utility thing, and probably one is a backup while the other is getting refretted or something. He and Jim both have that ability to "take it out there, and reel it back in," if that makes sense. I'd suggest getting Fuzzy and giving it a spin. Much of the YouTube stuff seems to take something special away, IMO.

My over-arching point with Oz is that I can never listen to him and not go "holy crap!" Whereas with EJ, I might say "wow, what a smooth and sustaining tone," but not "holy crap!" I just need little bits and pieces where it's kind of "unsafe" sounding if it's an instrumental.

...unless it's 40 seconds long...

How about this then - Oz and EJ together on stage:



...and just some other Oz stuff:

 

[ruger9]

Well, I get where you're coming from with the whole "safe/unsafe" thing, and I think that's why some of EJ's best work is live. The best version of COD is DEFINITELY the live one. Anyone who takes that long to make records has the likelihood of sounding too rehearsed, too produced, too "safe." Hence why I can't listen to Boston, in any form.

But, safe or not, he's got creativity in what he WRITES- the "safe playing" be damned- which is why I can appreciate him. I'm all about melodies- and EJ has some damn good ones.

 

[11 Gauge]

Well, I get where you're coming from with the whole "safe/unsafe" thing, and I think that's why some of EJ's best work is live.

...But, safe or not, he's got creativity in what he WRITES...

Did you see the video above with him as a guest with Oz Noy? That's a song that Oz wrote.

So contextually, it's interesting to have two very different players/writers/live performers in that video. Such contrast.

 

[ruger9]

I did watch it. I'm not comparing EJ and ON. Like I said, until today, I never heard ON. But in that video, I don't see where ON is doing anything... "unsafe"? It's safe FOR HIM. Because IT'S WHAT HE DOES. I also wouldn't compare him to JC, but that's just me...

I'm not into funk much. And "weirdness" even less. ON is different, but to me, different never automatically = good. ON is not my bag, baby. Like I said, I like melody.

Actually- not a big fan of JC's latest... too left-field jazz for me, too much abstract, not enough melody. And I LOVE the guy's work- ALL of it- but not the new one.

I've never been into guitarists for technique's sake. Or how "different" they were. I've always been about the song, about the melody. If I can't walk away humming it, it doesn't do anything for me.

 

[11 Gauge]

I'm not into funk much. And "weirdness" even less. ON is different, but to me, different never automatically = good. ON is not my bag, baby. Like I said, I like melody.

Fair enough. Didn't dawn on me that I picked numbers that were primarily funk'ish. But ON has stuff that is much more bluesy, slower tempo. Lotsa cool bits with the Octavia, which I just don't associate with funk at all.

And I don't think of the bulk of his tonal choices as being weird for weirdness sake - he's definitely not a player of noises.

But as far as the bulk of what ON does as maybe not being 4/4 or pentatonic (even the blues based to some degree), I do get that. And that's where IMO it gets unsafe - even for him. There's just note and chord choices that fall just far enough outside to sound dissonant until they are reigned back in. And IMO - that builds some tension and is exciting.

 

[ruger9]

. But ON has stuff that is much more bluesy, slower tempo. Lotsa cool bits with the Octavia, which I just don't associate with funk at all.

.

That sounds interesting, I'll add him to my list of guys to "check out"

 

[ruger9]

Back on topic....

DOVER DRIVE IN DA' HOUSE.....

Can't crank it up today, the wife is home, but will report back soon....

 

[ruger9]

And, an official review from Gilmourish.com...

(link removed)

 

[bloomz]

Did you see the video above with him as a guest with Oz Noy? That's a song that Oz wrote.

So contextually, it's interesting to have two very different players/writers/live performers in that video. Such contrast.

Eric played too many notes.


Not necessary.

 

[whiteop]

I'll wait till the next version when they add more clipping diode combinations with a dip switch. The Gain Changer I have covers so much territory due to the high / low gain switch and the 3 diode selection switch it would be hard to ind a better pedal for what it does. It'll probably be on my board a long time...