Alf Hermida appreciation thread

[turtleheadblues]

The man started a revolution here on TGP. He had a vision of creating a pedal that simulated RFs tone and did it and created a slew of competition. I had the pleasure of playing the first one he built years ago and was floored.

He did it first , and made it work doing his own thing.

[Trainwreck]

I love my Zendrive SE....Nice work Alf...Keep up the good work...:AOK

[LVC]

Stand up dude ....

and makes kick ass products!!!!

[IvIark]

Yes plaudits where they are deserved, it's a brilliant pedal. And if imitation really is the greatest form of flattery, then there are a number of other builders who hold Alf in the highest regard as well. Top man.

[Shiny McShine]

I love my Zen 2. At the very low gain settings, it emulates an amp exceptionally well. It's the answer for really low volume playing into a clean amp.

[radioboy950]

I'm still getting to know and LOVE my Zendrive, which I got from Alf a few weeks ago. Sounds great played loud through a clean amp setting. Very responsive pedal.
It is the only OD pedal I own.

[Ed G.]

Alf is truly an innovator. Too bad others have capitalized on his work and pass it off as their own.

[v-verb]

Don't forget his ported 1-12 cabs - killer!

[big mike]

Alf's a good dude. The pedals weren't my cup o tea, but they are certainly good products.

[lv]

Don't forget his ported 1-12 cabs - killer!

Absolutely!

[jpagey]

+1!

[supergenius365]

Very professional recent dealing with Alf. Top notch.

[Snail]

The Zendrive is a very special pedal on my board -- unlike anything else I have tried. I can't see it going anywhere for a long while. And Alf was very pleasant to deal with. People like him are a great gift for us tone-lovers.

Thanks, Alf, and keep up the great work!

[Shiny McShine]

Alf is truly an innovator. Too bad others have capitalized on his work and pass it off as their own.

Doesn't matter. Branding is the issue and resale on the Zen pedals is great.

[PedalFreak]

Got to hang out with Alf & Jim (WCR Pickups) in Nashville for a little bit a couple years ago. Alf was great, very nice guy. Jim too!

[Last Nerve]

Don't look past the Mosferatu, either.
That's a great pedal!

[maxVsf]

I just emailed Alf before seeing this. I've been using a Zen for several years now when needing to use a house amp on a gig. Recently I acquired an ETHOS, which is an incredible piece of gear. Today I gigged with a Tele, Red-Knob Twin (house amp), ETHOS, and the Zendrive. The Zendrive into the CLEAN channel of the ETHOS was a thing of beauty. Zen reigns supreme. Kudos to Alf for such an amazing product. ETHOS guys, if you don't have a Zendrive to plug in with your ETHOS, you're still missing out on some cool tones. Just my opinion...

[archtopjazz]

Great products and great CS.

[this1smyne]

i was in the pet store one day after sending my Zen 2 in for a look (was kinda noisy). Got a phone call from an unknown (which i usually ignore.... but am a youth pastor, so it could have been one of the kids) pick it up, and its Alf. He just wanted to talk through the pedal and the issues i was having. Phenominal customer service. Talked for a few minutes, but made all the difference in the world. Hermida for life.

[turtleheadblues]

I don't really like the Zendrive. I have tried it three times. It colors the tone darkly too much. Much happier with a Menatone Red Snapper.
So you prefer a Tube Screamer. Not on topic. Alf brought something new to the table.

[ahermida]

Thanks to all for your kind comments! There's a lot of good people out there doing great work - I tip my hat to them too!

Alf

P.S. I'm going to hang out at NAMM next week. Should be fun.

[MartinC]

I only have one OD pedal ... and have only ever had one OD pedal ... the Zendrive. Bought it to give me a bigger palette of low gain OD tones to play with as my amp's OD channel, whilst superb, is centred more around classic rock to heavy rock OD. I had no idea previously how fantastic solid state pedal driven OD could sound and feel.

Thanks Alf.

[Galo]

Alf, definitely the best.:bow I have the highest respect for him as an innovator and as a good friend...keep innovating papitoooo!!!
Adios

[Wheeler004]

Alf is amazing. I love my Zen2!

[astigtigas]

Hands down to Alf... :bow

[paaes335]

Got my Zendrive back in May, has not left my pedalboard since. Used it on a bunch of gigs, most recent at a Nyr's Eve jam and got loads of compliments on the tone (335 into a Fuchs ODS 30 which on it's own has an excellent OD channel.)
The range of colors you can get with the ZD is amazing.
Alf is a genius!

[mobis8]

Placed my order for the Zen SE, was at my door within a month, and would have been worth the wait if it took 2 years. I absolutely love this pedal, will never sell it... Sounds amazing, and looks amazing too...

Thanks Alf!!!!

[awallace]

Alfonso brought a limited edition Zendrive (maple case with a CNC'ed logo) by our booth today. It was the first time I've had a chance to check one out- definitely a top notch product and he's a super, super nice guy. We definitely hit it off and he was really digging our pedals and suggested a dealer that he thought would be a good fit for us. I can't say enough about what a nice guy he is. It was really a pleasure to meet and chat with him.

Aimish Wallace
Diamond Pedals

[blue_lu]

I have a zen and a zen SE - I love those pedals. I have an ethos as well.

Robbie and Alf should develop the ultimate dumble pedal together.
Bet they COULD pull that off, too.... :bow

keep it up alf!

[BillyK]

Shout out to Alf.
Big-time Zen and Zen2 user.

I am not above admitting (again) that I bought my first Zen when they first came out and sold it b/c I really didn't understand what it offered. About a year later I bought a Zen2 and discovered that "sweet spot" about 9:00 on Gain. The dynamic quality of the Zen outperformed all other OD's I used. I ran right back to Alf to buy a regular Zen to make sure I have a back-up to the Z2 and that's where I've stayed.

I have systematically sold off most of my OD's over the past year, but the Zens are keepers.

I agree with Alf - there are some great builders out there. But for me, there's nothing like the Zen.