Velvet Katana, Z- drive / Zenkudo / Robben Ford Dumble-esque

 I got my Katana pedal in excellent time, shipping andpacking were great. I want to tell you how genuinely impressed I am that apedal could be so touch sensitive. The number of tones available is more than Iwas hoping for. I have played it thru my amps and a sound board and I cantfind a negative!! I have had a lot of pedals over the years and up until noweach and every one has been a compromise. But this Katana nails is stone cold.

I can also assure you that not ONE player who has heardthis has failed to either comment or proceeded to contact you themselves! Thatspeaks volumes. Again, great workmanship, and D-tones galor!

Sincerely,

Nick Wright - Beaufort USA" (The proud owner of No: 131)

"John,

 I would first like to thank you for an awesome pedal atan affordable price which arrived at my doorstep from overseas veryquickly.  You have exceeded myexpectations with the katana.

      To fill youin on my gear experience I have owned many overdrives including love pedaleternity burst, alpha drive, mojo hand rook, arc effects klon, Maxon od820,wampler paisley drive, JHS superbolt, zvex super hard on, Emerson em drive andfew other cheaper pedals.  I currently amplaying an LSL saticoy strat through a Two Rock studio pro 35 with a 1x12matching cab. My effects consist of strymon timeline and flint.  I dont take tone lightly and have beensearching for years to find gear that compliments each other well.  I have to say that your pedal (katana)instantly became one of the best sounding overdrives with my setup I have everfound.  In a side by side comparison withthe alpha drive (yes the infamous and controversial freakish blues alpha drive)I found the katana to be more balanced with the eq, a cleaner break up, lessbottom end (a good thing) with the ability to cut through the mix a lot better.The alpha drive seems a bit more transparent than the mid hump of the katana,however transparency is not always better. Way more tonal versatility with the katana and has a smoothness aboutthe tone that the alpha drive does not accomplish. Alpha is actually a bitharsh in comparison. The katana will have a permeant place on my board as oftoday and my goal in using pedals is "simplicity".  Having used that word I must say, your pedalis simplistic yet complex at the same time. It is easy to dial in great tones yet the tone is rather complex,colorful and simply beautiful!  Job welldone! 

    Also, yourpersonable attitude in customer service is refreshing.  The pedal is worthy of the pride you showtowards your product. The build quality, sound and attention to detail isexcellent! Loved the numbered and signed back of the pedal.  I will hopefully place a demo of this pedalup and spread the news of what I have found by taking a chance to purchase yourproduct. You may be one of the best kept secrets at this moment, but I expectthat to change with products like this. I am more than pleased with thispurchase and thank you again! 

Cheers,

Stephen Taylor - NC USA" (The proud owner of No: 135)

"Hi John,

Just anote to say thank you for sending me a really fine pedal. I have just receivedit today, and I am very pleased with it. Thank you for a prompt deliveryservice. I appreciate that. Also thanks for the letter inclosed with the pedal.That is a nice personal touch, and its good to have instructions regardinggetting the best sounds from the pedal, using the voice and gain to adjust tothe tone you want. That explanation of the functions is very helpful.

I did alot of research into the pedals available that try to emulate the Dumble tone.I am a real fan of Robben Ford, and love the tones he gets. I know he has usedor does use a Dumble amp, but he also tours using a Zendrive and Fender Twinsto achieve the same tone - rather than taking his Dumble amp(s) where ever heplays.

To myears, you have achieved the exact tone I wanted, and I prefer to supportsmaller builders like yourself, rather than the bigger companies - when I can.

I willtell other musicians about your pedals, so hopefully more and more people willbecome aware of what you are doing, and the quality of the pedals you arebuilding. I wish you every success in your business. No doubt I will buyanother pedal from you in the future

I haveplaced 5 star feedback for you on ebay accordingly.

Thanksagain for the Katana.

Kind regards,

Grant Rowlands - New Zealand" (The proud owner of  No: 136)

"John. Tone blew me away. Bottom end tight and really growls. Nice creamy mids. Top end just snarls. You were right I love it. Must be patient when tweaking. Reward is awesome though. Thanks again for everything you do.

Dennis James - NY USA"

"Can I get a side mount please, just like the last one i bought. cheers!Hey mate, this pedal is so good Ive decided to run two at the same time on different settings, Ive NEVER liked a pedal this much! (yes, Ive played with original Zendrives, even one from the first batch from Hermida Audio) I genuinely prefer these, they also seem to have a lower noise floor.

Dean Fennell - NSW Australia" (The proud owner of  No 200 and No 203)

"Hi John,
My name is Paul Covarelli and I recently purchased a Katana pedal
from you. First may I say that it was amazing how quickly I received it.
Great job on the shipping.
Music is my occupation and has been for over 50 years. I have tried
many pedals including the Zendrive. The search for a clean transparent
overdrive with sustain is and endless one. I sold my Zendrive because it just
didnt have what I was looking for. Your pedal does. Ive been using it since
I received it and its a joy to play through. Im able to retain my tone and still
get that warm sound and feel I require.
Congratulations to you and your pedal. I will be watching for other products from you
although I have just what I need here. I can see your passion come through
and its refreshing to see and hear.
Thanks Again, Paul" - Paul Covarelli CA USA

"Good evening John, I delayed in getting back to you due to work.
I just tried the Katana and I immediately realized it is what I have been looking for. I was missing a medium overdrive between my MJM Phantom Tube Screamer and the Brunetti Murcury box which is a bit heavier on gain, perfect success. It is so adjustable to the level that it doesnt create any problems in which pedal position it will be or how it will be used at high gain or low gain just enough for breakup like a Tube screamer (Here I want to point out that it is fantastic for SRV tones like this), or as a boost. What made a good impressions is that no matter what drive pedals we tried it with (Me and my friends) it worked in all combinations very well. As you might understand it went through many tests, many pedalboards, it was compared to the Zendrive and to my ear it rocked a bit better, although it was almost identical and at a much more attractive price than the Zen.

On Fat settings you can get glorious tones for Fusion Jazz, also it stacked very well with the Archer meaning that with your Minotaur it will perform just as well. I am the type of guitarist that very frequently uses 2 and sometimes 3 overdrives together creating various combinations, this is why I tried it with a good amount of other drive pedals (5 were mine and another 5-6 of my friends).

My warmest congratulations on your work and if you want to post this review somewhere I have absolutely no problem.

I thank you very much,

Christos Bildos
Msc Clinical Psychologist - Musician." Christos Bildos - Athens Greece

I stand by my pedals 100%, and I offer a lifetime warranty on all my pedals, ie if anything ever happens to the pedal under normal usage conditions of course, send it back to me and I will repair it free of charge, you just pay the shipping back and forth.

Here is Geamanndudes take on it:

Great Customer Demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9QhkffKyOI

Hear it here (Im not the best player in the world, but you can get a good idea of the pedals sound):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rHKZnXbeoU

Thank you very much for taking the time...

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