The Red Crown is a guitar effect pedal from ZenZero Electronics, described by the maker as a vintage overdrive and hi-energy distortion. It was announced in March 2016 and designed in collaboration with Scotty Smith of ProAnalog Devices, starting from his idea of "inverted op-amp distortion." Each pedal is hand-built in Tokyo and hand painted, so no two look alike.1
Circuit and design
The circuit is built around Scotty Smith's concept of inverted op-amp distortion, an approach to how the gain stage is arranged rather than a conventional overdrive layout.1 Premier Guitar's reviewer, looking at the components, noted two parts that stand out: "Two notable fixtures include a Texas Instruments LF353 OpAmp and a fat 516D capacitor."2
The maker describes the pedal's range broadly: "from bluesy SRV licks with a Strat to heavy hard rock riffs with a [Les Paul], anything is possible."1 As a pedal that covers both overdrive and distortion territory, it sits between the worlds of overdrive pedals and distortion pedals.
The PUNCH control
The pedal's distinctive control is PUNCH. According to the press release, "The PUNCH control is unique as it allows cleaner bass frequencies to shine through, and add clarity and impact to the overall sound PUNCH." In practice, that means low notes keep their definition while the gain is pushed, rather than turning to mud.1
Hand-built and hand-painted in Tokyo
Every Red Crown is hand-built in Tokyo using only top of the line components, and the cosmetics are part of the design rather than an afterthought.1
- High quality black serigraphy on the enclosure
- Each crane's red crown is hand painted by artist Diego Zeno Martina
- Every pedal is unique because of the hand painting
- Finished with multiple layers of clear coating1
The Red Crown cannot run on a battery. Power it from a standard pedalboard supply, and plan your layout accordingly.2
Premier Guitar's reviewer did note one practical upside to the enclosure design: "While you can't use a battery, the builder positioned input and output jacks lower on the enclosure."2
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar reviewed the Red Crown in a round-up of dirt pedals, listing it at $185 street and highlighting the LF353 op-amp and 516D capacitor in the circuit.2
Videos
Premier Guitar
ZenZero Electronics
ZenZero Electronics
Questions
Who designed the ZenZero Red Crown?
The Red Crown was designed in collaboration with Scotty Smith of ProAnalog Devices, whom Premier Guitar's press release called a legendary pedal builder. The circuit starts from his idea of inverted op-amp distortion, and the pedal was announced by ZenZero Electronics in March 2016.
Where is the ZenZero Red Crown made?
The Red Crown is hand-built in Tokyo using what the maker describes as only top of the line components. Each pedal is also hand painted there by artist Diego Zeno Martina, who paints the crane's red crown that gives the pedal its name.
How much does the ZenZero Red Crown cost?
Premier Guitar listed the Red Crown at $185 street, both in the March 2016 press release announcing the pedal and in a later Premier Guitar review of dirt pedals.
Is every Red Crown painted differently?
Yes. According to the press release, all pedals are unique: beside the high quality black serigraphy, each crane's red crown is hand painted by artist Diego Zeno Martina, then lacquered with multiple layers of clear coating.
Sources (2)
- ZenZero Electronics Introduces the Red Crown Overdrive, Premier Guitar, 2016-03-18
- Ringside at the OD Rodeo: 5 Dirt Pedal Reviews, Premier Guitar, 2016-05-31