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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Lovepedal Zendrive 2

The Zendrive 2 is a big box version of the Zendrive, using a 12AX7 internally. Sadly the tube is only being used for clipping, replacing the BAT41 and 1N34a diodes in the small box Zendrive. But according to reliable sources, it sound very good, with some harmonic mojo happening. Other than the tube clipping, there's only a few value changes from the small box version. Schematic for reference.



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27 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2019 at 11:54 AM

    Thanks for posting this, David. I've never looked at this circuit before and, yeah - a little bit of a let-down to see that the tube is only in there for clipping. I guess I really wanted some extra magic tube mojo going on.

    Any which way... if it sounds cool, who cares what's in the box?

    Funny, though. I was just reading a thread where some real cork sniffer types were going back and forth about which NOS tubes they get the best tone from in this pedal. I guess if you paid $400-$500 and waited on some kind of list for over a year for it, you'll find a way to hype up the mystique.

    Personally, I have a Telefunken 12AX7 that was taken from one of Jimi Hendrix's Marshall heads, blessed by a Navajo medicine man, and then stored for 50 years at an energy vortex in Sedona, AZ. (At least, that's what the eBay seller told me, and he has 100% A++++++ feedback so it must be true).

    That tube is going to do wonders in my build! I'll update as soon as I have results.

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    1. Effects LayoutsFebruary 26, 2019 at 1:11 PM

      "he has 100% A++++++ feedback so it must be true"

      Hahaha best comment I've seen in a while.

      Delete
  2. ClaudioFebruary 26, 2019 at 1:11 PM

    feeding 9V to heaters will short tube life, should be use 9AU7 or any doble triode with 9v heaters, I bet they sound better with that tube, providing less or more current for the heaters is not appropriate.

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    1. jgpedalesFebruary 26, 2019 at 7:16 PM

      More current(A) is ok, less current is no working; less voltage(V) is ok, more voltage will blow the filament. 12AX7 is 300mA i think, and 9V to 13V is ok. Less than 9V will not heat.

      Delete
    2. ClaudioFebruary 27, 2019 at 8:53 AM

      yes you are right, I made a mistake about definitions, I was trying to explain about volatge a not amperage, btw, is 300mA for that tube, I can't understand why feed below 12v those heaters, I know is conected for clipping and not for usual tube use.

      Delete
  3. UnknownFebruary 26, 2019 at 1:22 PM

    Hello, do you haver the schematic? May you share It please

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  4. MiquelFebruary 26, 2019 at 2:21 PM

    Thanks!!!!!

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  5. GNWFebruary 27, 2019 at 1:15 PM

    I guess it will work with a TL072 or a NE5532. Would a 12AU7 work as well?

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    1. ClaudioFebruary 27, 2019 at 2:50 PM

      some users claims that his Zendrive uses NE5532, u can use any doble troide with 9 pins that bleongs that type of tube, in this case the tube is not working a tube, is replaceing the diode clipping section.

      Delete
    2. gennaroFebruary 28, 2019 at 12:25 PM

      Hello everyone, I realize the exact clone of bk butler, and I must say that it is beautiful, this zendrive 2 compare it with my clone tube driver is back light years as sound, here is a link of the pedal that I realize, obviously the graphics are different , the one in video is for illustrative purposes only

      Delete
  6. bluesanderlMarch 5, 2019 at 3:50 PM

    hi everybody!
    thanks for another great layout!
    buildt it last night with the values in the layout and it works like a charme!

    greetings from austria
    bluesanderl

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  7. CANEPLAMarch 8, 2019 at 10:09 AM

    any value between 51pf and 220pf for CX?

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsMarch 8, 2019 at 11:21 AM

      Yep

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    2. DIGI2TJune 5, 2019 at 2:01 PM

      That's my schemo. The reason why I wrote 51p to 220p is because different op amps, tubes, and most of all guitars, will all react slightly differently with this circuit. Depending on how much "ice pick" you want/can endure, adjust this cap accordingly. Use your ears to define the ultimate value for you.

      Delete
    3. Effects LayoutsJune 5, 2019 at 3:09 PM

      Thanks for chiming in, Dino, and thanks for all your contributions to the DIY community!

      Delete
  8. CANEPLAMarch 11, 2019 at 10:30 AM

    i build one but not work. i do pedals every day and i believe i did not know how is the pinout of tube.
    what is the reference point for starting counting on the pins?

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    1. CANEPLAMarch 11, 2019 at 10:33 AM

      i used bs170 inverted and 5532 like op amp but i belive that not is the reason to not work

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    2. Effects LayoutsMarch 11, 2019 at 10:35 AM

      https://www.amplifiedparts.com/tech-corner/12ax7-tube-diagram

      Delete
    3. CANEPLAMarch 11, 2019 at 10:48 AM

      oh guy, i do inverted tube pinout! thanks a lot!

      Delete
  9. JohnJune 14, 2019 at 1:40 AM

    Looking at the drilling template, it appears that the tube is to be mounted through the top of the pedal enclosure. I am looking to rather put it inside a 1590BB like in the original Hermida Zendrive 2. Is there a pcb available that I could print out and use for the 12AX7 tube? Also How are others attaching the tube to the circuit board provided here?

    Thanks

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  10. JohnJune 24, 2019 at 6:15 AM

    I built the circuit and it work, only not with the tube in. I connected a 9 pin socket to the board per the layout, tried 3 12AX7 tubes, what could be the problem here? The socket and tube pin outs match up. I did connect pins 6 & 7 together, and 1 & 2, 4 & 5 with the same lead wires, is that right? Any insight here would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks

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  11. MishaOctober 30, 2019 at 5:03 PM

    It works, the drawing is good. I built a few pedals from the drawings here. Thanks for them.

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  12. UnknownMay 3, 2020 at 8:17 PM

    I build this pedal and it works, but when I take the tube out it has far more gain and sounds more like the videos... I wonder if this is normal

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  13. MerlynJanuary 29, 2022 at 8:47 AM

    As far as tube filaments connection is concerned the Zendrive 2 schematic circulating in the net is wrong! The 9V supply goes only to pins 4 and 5. In the unit I inspected pin 9 was entirely removed from the tube socket so no connection to GND from pin 9!

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  14. brainFebruary 10, 2022 at 2:50 AM

    Do you still happen to have a copy of the schematic? The link in the description is dead. Thanks!

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  15. devenJanuary 8, 2024 at 12:58 PM

    Does anyone know if the Fuchs Plush Valve Job is the same circuit?

    ReplyDelete