Anyone use the SFX Ultra Tone?

[cybersnyder]

Just wondering if anyone has any details about the Ultra Tone.

Thanks!
Rich

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Just wondering if anyone has any details about the Ultra Tone.

Thanks!
Rich

I use one. What would you like to know?

[cybersnyder]

I was interested in a comparison between the Submarine and the Ultra Tone. The Submarine does even order distortion to give a fatter, warmer tone. I wasn't sure if the Ultra Tone is just a one knob EQ or if it did a little "more".

(wicked Ritter, BTW.)

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Just wondering if anyone has any details about the Ultra Tone.

Thanks!
Rich

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I was interested in a comparison between the Submarine and the Ultra Tone. The Submarine does even order distortion to give a fatter, warmer tone. I wasn't sure if the Ultra Tone is just a one knob EQ or if it did a little "more" (...)

As far I know the Submarine is based on the Albert Kreuzer’s “Onboard JFET Preamp”.

The [sfx] Ultra-Tone is also based on the Albert Kreuzer’s circuit. During the design stage I tweaked the in/out stages to make it more efficient in a pedal format but the core “processing” it's the same.

Albert Kreuzer’s “Onboard JFET Preamp” is not an entirely new circuit. It uses a combination of Tillman’s “Discrete FET Guitar Preamp” and a Big Muff tone control circuit followed by a class-A FET amplifier.

I haven’t personally tried all the possible combinations but from the feedbacks from the people that tried them, all the 3 circuits sound very similar. Everybody, at different levels, added his personal touch to the circuit design but I would be surprised if in an A/B blind test was easy to spot the difference.

At the moment I am designing a new version of the Ultra-Tone: the B³ (Big Beautiful Bass). It will have the same tonal characteristics but with far more efficient input and output stages.

Moreover, the [sfx] B³ will have a scoop switch that increases the natural subtle scoop of the Ultra-Tone.

This is photo of the prototype.


I hope the above answers all your questions.

[My name is Mudd]

The physical size looks to be about the same as a Hyperpak...correct? And any idea when it'll be in production?

[bongomania]

That looks terrific! Now I'm "fantasizing" about a variation on the m: D4, with the B^3 circuit replacing the transparent input and EQ stages.

Also, have you considered making a drop-in onboard-the-bass version?

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

The physical size looks to be about the same as a Hyperpak...correct? And any idea when it'll be in production?

Yes, it is the same size of all the other [sfx] micro-pedals (Hammond 1590A box).

I ordered the first PCB and it should be here in around a week. If you place the order, the first one is yours. After that, if there is enough interest, I will order a batch of PCBs.

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by bongomania

That looks terrific! (...)

Thanks Bongomania

Originally Posted by bongomania

Now I'm "fantasizing" about a variation on the m: D4, with the B^3 circuit replacing the transparent input and EQ stages.

It shouldn't be a problem.

Originally Posted by bongomania

(...) Also, have you considered making a drop-in onboard-the-bass version?

I have already done it.

A while ago I developed an on-board Ultra-Tone circuit with active pickup mixing for a local bass builder but to be honest with you, on-board preamps are not something that [sfx] is like to pursue in the short/mid term.

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

If you place the order, the first one is yours.

Oh jeez...I just blew my bass funds on a new half-stack, but I gotta ask about the price + shipping to California...

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

Oh jeez...I just blew my bass funds on a new half-stack, but I gotta ask about the price + shipping to California...

Same price of the Ultra-Tone.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

Yes, it is the same size of all the other [sfx] micro-pedals (Hammond 1590A box).

I ordered the first PCB and it should be here in around a week. If you place the order, the first one is yours. After that, if there is enough interest, I will order a batch of PCBs.

Subscribed!

Sfx has had a couple things that I've always wanted to try out, out of curiosity (the Ultra Tone being one of them). The B³ though... now that's something that would definitely be more than just a curiosity, count me in as interested!!!

5sg.

[Mark Latimour]

Is there any chance of modding a Ultra-Tone into a B³?

In terms of the OPs question, I haven't tried the Submarine to be able to compare them, but if you look at the frequency charts on both the SFX and Zeibek websites, it seems to me that there wouldn't be a lot of difference between them (except perhaps size and reliability! )

The one thing that I really love about the Ultratone is just how much tomal variety you can get with the circuit using just about any bass, active or passive. For example, my Ritter is apssive and with the humbucker jammed up against the bridge, it really benefits from the added low end boost you get from the Ultra-Tone. Its great for fattening up that bridge pickup sound. OTOH its also good with the MTDs which have a lot of presence in the lower and upper mids to tame it a little. I find the tone of all my basses through it is great and pretty much leave it on all the time when I'm playing. The size of the SFX pedals is also a plus because, for example, i've been able to fit 9 pedals on a PT Mini!

[Matt Dean]

Subscribed... this has peaked my interested as well.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

I hope the above answers all your questions.

Definitely answers my questions. If nobody buys the first by tomorrow, I'll have to get it.

What's the center frequency for the scoop? On my Submarine DE I kept everything in the stock position except for the 300Hz scoop switch.

Thanks!!!

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Is there any chance of modding a Ultra-Tone into a B³? (...)

Unfortunately, it is not possible. The two circuits are slightly different.

I can try to add the scoop switch to the Ultra-Tone though. If you bring the pedal here next time you pop in for a visit I’ll have a look for you.

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

If nobody buys the first by tomorrow, I'll have to get it.

As much as I'd love to have the first issue of this, it's gonna be a little while before I can get mine...go for it.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

As much as I'd love to have the first issue of this, it's gonna be a little while before I can get mine...go for it.

Right in the middle of transferring money from PayPal to my bank account. It's funny how money to PayPal is instant, but money from PayPal to me takes a few days. I'm trying to fund new purchases with old gear sales when possible.

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I'm trying to fund new purchases with old gear sales when possible.

So do I, with the occasional injection of random extra pocket change, etc. Clips when you get it, please...

[BigBeatNut]

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

As far I know the Submarine is based on the Albert Kreuzer’s “Onboard JFET Preamp”.

The [sfx] Ultra-Tone is also based on the Albert Kreuzer’s circuit.

At the moment I am designing a new version of the Ultra-Tone: the B³ (Big Beautiful Bass). It will have the same tonal characteristics but with far more efficient input and output stages.

Moreover, the [sfx] B³ will have a scoop switch that increases the natural subtle scoop of the Ultra-Tone.

I want a B³ ... you'll hear from me soon.

What are the possibilities of the B3 circuit in a box with two presets ... that is with options 'off' 'channel 1' 'channel 2' with channel 1 and channel 2 each having dedicated vol/tone/scoop controls ?

Andy

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

(...) What's the center frequency for the scoop? (...)

It is around 850Hz with the ultra-tone at 12:00. However, it shifts turning the ultra-tone knob. It is not easy to describe but the overall effect of ultra-tone and the scoop shift is actually very musical.