Recording electric guitars direct is hard because most of the sound is usually made by the amp and the moving speaker (mic placement too)
Did you try to record via the Zed without the Bluetube ? Tubes are often slow preamps..
To me I never had satisfying results until I had a highend preamp (the focusrite ISA)
But a good Di may be your first step. I just bought a Radial Di recently and I'm with the sound compared to direct to the instrument input.

Did you try using an amp simulator ?

Thanks for the reply pcrecord. I do recall going direct into the Hi Z guitar input in the past, but I don't recall it changing the sound very much. Perhaps worth visiting again.
Can you be more specific as to the "good Di" I looked up Radial and see they make several products.

I just saw on Radial's FAQ:

Which passive DI box would you recommend for recording an Archtop Guitar with stock Gibson humbuckers?

The JDI is our best passive direct box and will sound fabulous with your jazz guitar.

EDIT: I just checked our stash and found one of these, any good?
http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=DB25

If this Rolls box will work, how should it be connected with my gear, and where should the switches be set to on the unit?

Didn't see your second reply. Do you mean like a VST plugin? If so, I haven't tried an amp simulator. I wouldn't want to change the actual sound of the guitar too much. But as far as that goes, any suggestion for one?

Attached files

Anything from radial is pristine.
It's not all about changing the sound but to give healthy levels to the preamp to record.

There are plenty of amp simulators out there. I use Samplitube with good results. But Positive Grid Bias Amp sounds very good too.

So I guess this Rolls box that I found isn't worth trying out, go for something better?

MC208, post: 455642, member: 49667 wrote: So I guess this Rolls box that I found isn't worth trying out, go for something better?

That would be my instinct but I never tried it.. You may want to reseach reviews..