Rumble Mod and Zenkudo tagboard builds?

[chubly]

New to the forum and hoping I can get some opinions on the tagboard builds that others have done.
I have built some pedals, Howie (7knob), MB Neutrino/Quasar dual, tube overdrive, as well as Mission 5e3 kit. I am considering building the Rumble Mod and Zenkudo, (love dumble inspired) and hoped someone has compared the rumble Mod and Zenkudo tagboard builds to the original pedals and tell me how they compare? Thanks in advance!

[rocket88]

Welcome to the forum and the community man. I personally haven't built those effects, but can say that if you follow the layout and use the correct value parts it should sound spot on to the original.

[Frank_NH]

First, there really is no such thing as a "Dumble in a box".  It all depends on your guitar, amp, and other effects in your chain.  Still, it's fun to try to get that sound if it's what you like...

The Zenkudo is a variant of the famous Zendrive, which I have built and it IS a very nice overdrive.  It's a simple build, so a good one to start with.

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/01/hermida-zendrive.html

The Hao Rumble Mod looks to be a tube screamer variant, based on the schematic.  A nice overdrive nonetheless.

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2014/07/hao-rumble-mod.html

There's also the Gaspedals Dumbbell (haven't built it)

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/03/gaspedals-dumbbell.html

And the infamous Dumbloid...

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.nl/2014/03/shins-music-dumbloid-special.html

And finally there's the Mad Professor Sky Blue Overdrive, which some claim gives you a "dumble in a box" (see video below)

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/03/mad-professor-sky-blue-overdrive.html



Good luck with your quest!

[chubly]

Thanks for the welcome rocket88! For the cost of the materials it might be worth it to just do it!

Hi Frank, several good suggestions. And your right, "Dumble in a box" is certainly a lofty goal.  A bit confused, did you build the Zenkudo clone or Zendrive clone? I do have an early Zendrive and wondered how the Zenkudo clone compares to it? Actually I would like more of a Bludotone in a box kind of tone. There are some great examples on ytube of the sound. Maybe you can compare them?
Gregor Hildon does the clips to showcase the guitars he is selling but the tone come from the amp. Although the amp is much less expensive it is still out of my range so the pedal quest is my salvation.
Hope you have time to listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9asODc2hNlU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNnZjB40Xds

Thanks,
chubly

[Frank_NH]

Hi Chubly,

I built the Zendrive - again, it's a great overdrive!  Lot's of gain on tap and the tone/voice controls provide a lot of tonal flexibility.  It's an easy build too.

As for the Zenkudo, I'll refer you to this post by Fred Briggs:

http://revolutiondeux.blogspot.com/2012/03/tanabetv-zenkudo.html

"It's supposed to do Dumble, Marshall and the original Zendrive tones - I'll tell you now; it's a straight Zendrive clone with a clipping diode switch and using the 4558 opamp instead of the AD712 op amp in the original Zendrive."

You can judge for yourself.  If you want to build the Zenkudo, then by all means go for it!  Should sound good.  

That 335 tone in those videos sounds great, but it's hard to know what overdrive pedal will achieve that with your amp.  I would start with a Zendrive and maybe think about a transparent OD like the Timmy.  You'll probably have to build several effects to know what works for you - but hey, that's a good thing around here!

[rocket88]

Mmmm. I'll second the Timmy. Fantastic OD, especially stacked with a zendrive. Shit you can them both in one enclosure and have an order switch to choose which one comes first. But I get ahead of myself. I would do something like that after you get a build of two I ss your belt.

[chubly]

Thanks Frank! I had read part of the article on the Zenkudo but re-read it for Freds comments and also read Neils. Since there are some changes it sounds like the Zenkudo may be an interesting build. My ears may or may not hear much difference from the ZD.
Rocket88, The Transparent OD that I have is the DanElectro and is supposed to be a clone of the Timmy. I will try moving it pre ad post Zen to see how it sounds. If I like it, putting the two into one sounds like an interesting proposition!
Great feedback on my question, Thanks! Now if I could hear something on the Rumble Mod that would be nice also.