Anyone using EBS Valvedrive?

Rhythm5 · #1 11-13-2007, 08:07 PM

Looking for impessions of the pedal when used to "tube up" a solid state head. Anyone?

stranger0 · #2 11-16-2007, 07:34 PM

I'm curious myself, picking one up tomorrow actually

RickenBoogie · #3 11-16-2007, 08:01 PM

I use one, but I also use a tube amp, so I can't really answer the question specifically. I can say it's a great od, very warm and natural sounding, and it goes from easy grit to over the top with the twist of a knob. I assume it would be fantastic with a SS amp for the very reason you'd think, plus, it looks cool.

scotch · #4 11-17-2007, 09:04 AM

I LOVE mine!

It is great for getting a better tone out of solid state gear.
That's a big reason why I bought mine in the first place. I regularly fly to gigs & need to rent backline. Sometimes, the promoter or backline company skimp on the bass gear. The Valve Drive helps me get a tone & feel that I'm more accustomed to.

It also works great as an overdrive. I use it in front of my tube amps as well for adding grit when I need it.

In my opinion, it's one of the best pedals for bass -ever!

stranger0 · #5 11-17-2007, 11:22 PM

so I picked mine up today...now, I can't crank my amp in the house, fire alarms dont like rattling walls however even set at .5 on the markbass LMII...holy momma, this is what I was looking for, none of this, wannabe distortion pedal guitar wannabe stuff...I can't wait to tweak this thing live with the band.

PandaMike · #6 11-18-2007, 12:34 AM

Where do you suppose the best place to run this pedal is? In an effects loop, or straight in the front? Where are you running it Stranger0? Thanks!

Rhythm5 · #7 11-18-2007, 12:46 AM

Was wondering the same thing myself. I was thinking of putting it in the effects loop. I like the sound of the LMII and Thunderfunks, but they just seem to be missing something to me. I was thinking this pedal just might do the trick. Sort of like the pre amp set up on my Ashdown that lets you mix in the tube pre with the SS. I do about a 50/50 mix and I like the sound much better.

RickenBoogie · #8 11-18-2007, 10:16 AM

It's a preamp, put it straight in the amp, no loop for this pedal. It's designed to go right in line, and you won't be sorry. There's a switch on the back, two actually, one is a mute, the other an input pad, (minus 12 dB, I think), if the unit is too noisey, or if it squeels, use this pad to even it out. Have fun, it's a great pedal.

PandaMike · #9 11-19-2007, 12:56 AM

So I should put the Bass into the Pedal's input, then Pedal's output into my amps input?

Seems easy?

What would happen If I plugged it into the power amp in jack?

Sorry for my silly questions, I'm new to this kind of thing...

scotch · #10 11-19-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandaMike

So I should put the Bass into the Pedal's input, then Pedal's output into my amps input?

Seems easy?

What would happen If I plugged it into the power amp in jack?

Sorry for my silly questions, I'm new to this kind of thing...

Yeah: Bass>Pedal>Amp Input.
I believe that is what the pedal was designed for, however...
You may also get good results going into a "power amp in" jack or an effects loop return. The Valve Drive does have a lot of output.

bassgod0dmw · #11 11-19-2007, 08:00 AM

I bought it for that very reason...to tube up a SS amp. I think that it works great. I just grabbed a new GK amp though, so I'm not too sure if I'll need it anymore. I'll find out tonight...and if not I'll be putting it in the classifieds.

Geddyfleaharris · #12 11-19-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I bought it for that very reason...to tube up a SS amp. I think that it works great. I just grabbed a new GK amp though, so I'm not too sure if I'll need it anymore. I'll find out tonight...and if not I'll be putting it in the classifieds.

I think you will like it with your GK. I use a GK 1001 with a Tech21 RBI preamp and the combination of the GK and "tubeyness" is awesome!

Rickter · #13 11-19-2007, 12:23 PM

Have any of you run the Valvedrive straight to a power amp, as a true preamp yet? I'm considering doing this, so I would like some insight if possible.

Thanks in advance.

bassgod0dmw · #14 11-19-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickter

Have any of you run the Valvedrive straight to a power amp, as a true preamp yet? I'm considering doing this, so I would like some insight if possible.

Thanks in advance.

I recorded all of our songs with Bass-->Valve Drive--> Aggie DB900 DI--> board. It sounds great.

rockern · #15 11-19-2007, 12:54 PM

Soundclips anyone?

bassgod0dmw · #16 11-19-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockern

Soundclips anyone?

www.myspace.com/severancemusicct

Check it out...

rockern · #17 11-19-2007, 01:18 PM

Sweet.

pulse · #18 11-19-2007, 01:35 PM

it certainly saves the butt of an SS amp, was doing that for me for a long time.

also not bad infront af an SVT all tube either, good ruffa uppa

I dont konw about the power amp thing though

Rhythm5 · #19 11-19-2007, 10:43 PM

I read in a Bass Player review that the EBS doesn't do a warm tube sound very well. That is really is more of a aggressive overdrive sound. Anyone using it to give just the slightest bit of edge. I'm not much on distortion, just want to give a SS amp a little tube!

Spencer! · #20 11-20-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhythm5

I read in a Bass Player review that the EBS doesn't do a warm tube sound very well. That is really is more of a aggressive overdrive sound. Anyone using it to give just the slightest bit of edge. I'm not much on distortion, just want to give a SS amp a little tube!

I don't know what Bass Player was talking about; I use the ValveDrive for exactly that. If you turn the gain way down it makes my SS Epifani rig sound like an SVT, no joke.