EBS ValveDrive lives up to the hype...

JazznFunk · #1 11-26-2011, 02:55 PM

Indeed, this pedal is expensive, but WOW at the presence this gives to the sound, particularly when recording. I've been tracking lately with my Lakland 44-02 Deluxe and also a 44-01 and when set 'clean' (low gain, little distortion on the 'modern' setting), it adds just the right thickness to the track. With the pickup(s) panned forward and the 'vintage' setting engaged, the P-Bass-like thickness is incredible... just enough natural compression from the tube to make it sit in the mix without any work. I occasionally will use the VT Bass in conjunction with the pedal to give a different 'flavor' and that combo is great as well. Anyway, to those who wonder if the ValveDrive is worth its expensive price tag, the answer is yes.

JimmyM · #2 11-26-2011, 11:29 PM

DOH! If you like it, that means I probably would, too, and I can't afford to buy any more pedals I don't use! Never tried the ValveDrive, but I used to have a Microbass II, which I've heard has the same distortion unit as their Multidrive, and it's pretty awesome.

chuck3 · #3 11-26-2011, 11:35 PM

I don't use pedals much, but the ValveDrive is my "always on" pedal and is not even on my board, it's basically part of my head and as such sits on top of the cab with the head. It solved every problem I was having with both my tone and driving an instrument level signal through the pedalboard. Love it.

that said, I have got a line on a Traynor all tube head and if I get that, well, who knows. But I don't think I'd ditch the Valvedrive, it's a great piece of equipment.

Tendollarcat · #4 11-27-2011, 03:32 AM

I totally agree. Its the most used pedal on my board. I use it to get a "cooking tube amp" type overdrive. There are a bunch of cool tube emulation and actual tube pedals out there. I've bought a bunch of them looking for the sound I now get from the Valvedrive. I think it's main advantage is that it puts out a really natural full low end as part of the tone. It's sort of like the polar opposite of a tube screamer type circuit. It's a big pedal, not overly simple to power, expensive......and worth every penny :-)

RickenBoogie · #5 11-27-2011, 08:25 AM

I used one for years, and yeah, great tones from that giant of a pedal. Only swapped it out for a TRex Bass juice due to size and power requirements. The Juice gets me about 90% of the VD's awesomeness.

JazznFunk · #6 11-27-2011, 10:09 AM

Jimmy, if you want to hear the ValveDrive just by itself with a 'P-Bass' type sound, this recording from a recent live gig may help give you an idea of the sound. This was WITHOUT the VT Bass in the mix. The tone is just the bass (Lakland 44-01) panned all the way forward, flat EQ onboard, into the ValveDrive, and then into a Radial JDI.

S/W/T Trio - Black Napkins

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

DOH! If you like it, that means I probably would, too, and I can't afford to buy any more pedals I don't use! Never tried the ValveDrive, but I used to have a Microbass II, which I've heard has the same distortion unit as their Multidrive, and it's pretty awesome.

Manndreas · #7 11-27-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazznFunk

Jimmy, if you want to hear the ValveDrive just by itself with a 'P-Bass' type sound, this recording from a recent live gig may help give you an idea of the sound. This was WITHOUT the VT Bass in the mix. The tone is just the bass (Lakland 44-01) panned all the way forward, flat EQ onboard, into the ValveDrive, and then into a Radial JDI.

S/W/T Trio - Black Napkins

Nice sound!

I've been wanting to try one out for a while now, but the price scares me.

RickenBoogie · #8 11-27-2011, 11:06 AM

Jazznfunk, nice bass tone, and great rendition of Black Napkins. Thanks.

gastric · #9 11-27-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manndreas

...but the price scares me.

Totally reasonable concern. Consider the price on some of the real tube pedals are approaching a nice chunk of change that may be better spent on a real tube amp of some sort.

Note I'm not dissing the pedal. Just adding my $0.02 regarding the large price tag of some of the real tube pedals.

chuck3 · #10 11-27-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastric

Totally reasonable concern. Consider the price on some of the real tube pedals are approaching a nice chunk of change that may be better spent on a real tube amp of some sort.

Note I'm not dissing the pedal. Just adding my $0.02 regarding the large price tag of some of the real tube pedals.

It's a fair point but also a matter of philosophy. I have my eye on an all-tube Traynor right now and, if I get it, I'll see if I still think the ValveDrive adds a lot. However, there are lots of practical reasons to use a SS or hybrid head and, if you do, the Valvedrive adds a lot. I use a passive Jazz into the ValveDrive into a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0, which itself has one tube. It's pretty tube-y considering it's extremely lightweight and comprised of two small pieces.

chuck3 · #11 11-27-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazznFunk

Jimmy, if you want to hear the ValveDrive just by itself with a 'P-Bass' type sound, this recording from a recent live gig may help give you an idea of the sound. This was WITHOUT the VT Bass in the mix. The tone is just the bass (Lakland 44-01) panned all the way forward, flat EQ onboard, into the ValveDrive, and then into a Radial JDI.

S/W/T Trio - Black Napkins

Nice stuff.

JazznFunk · #12 11-27-2011, 01:53 PM

Indeed... I like the idea of the ValveDrive (and the VT Bass for that matter), allowing you to keep componentry 'discrete' and mobile, letting you bring that flavor (or not) to a variety of heads. Plus, if you ever want to, you can go all SS and not use the ValveDrive or VT... If you just have a tube head then you don't have as many options. YMMV, and it's all good either way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck3

It's a fair point but also a matter of philosophy. I have my eye on an all-tube Traynor right now and, if I get it, I'll see if I still think the ValveDrive adds a lot. However, there are lots of practical reasons to use a SS or hybrid head and, if you do, the Valvedrive adds a lot. I use a passive Jazz into the ValveDrive into a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0, which itself has one tube. It's pretty tube-y considering it's extremely lightweight and comprised of two small pieces.

RickenBoogie · #13 11-27-2011, 04:30 PM

I used my Valve Drive into an all-tube amp, (Ampeg V4BH/ Mesa Buster), and it still added a warmth and tubey character above and beyond what the amp was capable of.

chuck3 · #14 11-29-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

I used my Valve Drive into an all-tube amp, (Ampeg V4BH/ Mesa Buster), and it still added a warmth and tubey character above and beyond what the amp was capable of.

OK, well, I took the plunge and got the all tube Traynor, so I will report back after the weekend how it went using the ValveDrive with it.