With a name like Zenkudo it should be pretty obvious what this one is based (very closely) on. It’s a great sounding circuit though and at least Mr Tanabe hasn’t (as far as I know) said it’s a totally unique product based on 2 man-years worth of R&D or other such nonsense like some of the other boutique companies have claimed about their ripoffs innovations (Mr J and Mr F, put your hand up if you recognise yourself in that statement). Tanabe has also added what I suspect many will find a useful feature with his Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive style clipping selector switch to add a few extra flavours.
Still I must admit that I’m glad I spent my money on the Hermida original and supported the real innovator behind the circuit. Especially after seeing a gutshot of the workmanship in this one!
The rotary switch (or a DP3T switch if you can find one) will allow you to make an exact copy including different LED colours based on clipping selection, but if you are happy to miss out on the bells and whistles then you could do exactly the same thing with a 3 position SPDT toggle switch. Gain 1 to centre lug, and then the other 2 lugs connected to Sw2 and Sw3 shown in the layout. Then the centre (off) position will give you the “Dumble” clipping, one position will give you the “Zenkudo” clipping with the mosfets and germanium diodes, and the other position will give you the “Marshall” clipping mode with the 3 red LEDs. Of course you won’t have the trendy tri-colour LED but all the sounds will still be there.
