Zen Drive or Jetter gain stage red?

[jazzguitarplay]

on line for a Zen, considering a Jetter since they seem to cover simular territorys. Anybody have both? or anybody ever do a a/b test on both? Whats your thoughts. I play blues, jazz, fusion, shred and more

[slopeshoulder]

I have both. compared them in detail in another thread.
In soft mode, GSR is warmer, lower gain, less chirpy, less cutting, a bit fatter, a bit clearer.
In hard mode it's a lot like the ZD, but ZD has that voice knob that adds variation.
I can't choose between them.

[jazzguitarplay]

I have both. compared them in detail in another thread.
In soft mode, GSR is warmer, lower gain, less chirpy, less cutting, a bit fatter, a bit clearer.
In hard mode it's a lot like the ZD, but ZD has that voice knob that adds variation.
I can't choose between them.

ill check em both out eventully

[BillyK]

Had the Zen - have the GSR (and have owned too many others!). The GSR is my fave in this category. Both are great pedals - so you just can't go wrong.

IMO, they both have:
- A mid-voicing that stands out in a mix
- A nice "chirp" on note attack - very amp like
- A very natural gain structure
- Dynamic response
- Great build quality

The GSR edges out the Zen IMO b/c it has:
- More of a "singing" quality
- More range in gain
- More dynamic/punchy response that makes the GSR feel super articulate
- A "horn-like" feel that's perfect for single-line stuff
- An overall more pleasing tone - the Zen has a slight edge that got tiring to my ear and I couldn't dial it out
- The ability to easily dial in exactly what I want. The Zen's controls were overly interactive IMO - the Voice knob was just too interactive as small changes in the Voice created a constant moving baseline with the other controls. Some players love this, and you might too. I just didn't.

For me, the Zen moved off my board pretty quickly and didn't make it back, so I eventually I just sold it. I am not a pedal collector so if it's sidelined long enough, it's gone. The GSR hasn't moved off my board and given the amount of time I use it, it might not.

As I reviewed in another thread, my Xotics have been sidelined by the GSR (easily!) and so has my 'burst Eternity (I'll be a "collector" for this one pedal!) and other fine pedals - as I am using the GSR and GSB now. The only other pedal that I find works for me at the same level as the Jetters (but in different territory) is my Tim.

[kingsxman]

Had the Zen - have the GSR (and have owned too many others!). The GSR is my fave in this category. Both are great pedals - so you just can't go wrong.

IMO, they both have:
- A mid-voicing that stands out in a mix
- A nice "chirp" on note attack - very amp like
- A very natural gain structure
- Dynamic response
- Great build quality

The GSR edges out the Zen IMO b/c it has:
- More of a "singing" quality
- More range in gain
- More dynamic/punchy response that makes the GSR feel super articulate
- A "horn-like" feel that's perfect for single-line stuff
- An overall more pleasing tone - the Zen has a slight edge that got tiring to my ear and I couldn't dial it out
- The ability to easily dial in exactly what I want. The Zen's controls were overly interactive IMO - the Voice knob was just too interactive as small changes in the Voice created a constant moving baseline with the other controls. Some players love this, and you might too. I just didn't.

For me, the Zen moved off my board pretty quickly and didn't make it back, so I eventually I just sold it. I am not a pedal collector so if it's sidelined long enough, it's gone. The GSR hasn't moved off my board and given the amount of time I use it, it might not.

As I reviewed in another thread, my Xotics have been sidelined by the GSR (easily!) and so has my 'burst Eternity (I'll be a "collector" for this one pedal!) and other fine pedals - as I am using the GSR and GSB now. The only other pedal that I find works for me at the same level as the Jetters (but in different territory) is my Tim.

You say your using both the Gain Stage Red and Blue. What do you find the differences to be between them? Which works better for chords?

[BillyK]

You say your using both the Gain Stage Red and Blue. What do you find the differences to be between them? Which works better for chords?

Hey King,
Check this thread:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=269188&highlight=jetter

The author of that thread knows what he is talking about ;)

For power chords, both kick ass and I find I'll use the Blue a bit more for that. Overall, I prefer the Tim for all other chord work as it can be very transparent.

Let me know if you need more Red/Blue info.

[kingsxman]

Thanks. I'll check it out.