Swell Bass Tube Overdrive - Page 20

LongHairFreak · #**381** 11-14-2012, 09:10 AM

My BPeg is roaming around the cities on the FedEx truck. Looks like domestic chores will be put off for another day...or two.

MSUsousaphone · #**382** 11-14-2012, 09:21 AM

I got my Status S2-Classic back when I was still in high school. I didn't get a lot of packages back then so getting a note of nondelivery on the door was like finding out Bella chose Edward all over again (Team Jacob for Life). The next two hours was a crazy quest of driving down UPS drivers and many many phone calls (tracking online wasn't a thing, yet). I tracked it down. I was very happy.

I hate the shipment wait but I the the needless extra days of waiting even more. I feel your pain.

LongHairFreak · #**383** 11-14-2012, 09:34 AM

Sorry man, my written communication was poor. There's no pain man. I am way excited! What I meant was that once I have it in my hands, I'll be slacking on the chores.

MSUsousaphone · #**384** 11-14-2012, 09:59 AM

Haha. I don't know why I read "domestic chores" as the Fedex guys jon duties.

LongHairFreak · #**385** 11-15-2012, 10:34 AM

Rcv'd my BPeg yesterday! Not much I can say that hasn't already been said. The sound, the touch and feel, the neatness inside, the visual asthetics--I went w/the Hammered Blue w/Cream knobs/Screen (My wife&daughter says it's real pretty); it just reaks of top quality. However, like several others, it's just too much gain for what I'm doing right now. Even though Mike O. did his current mod by lessening the gain before it left the shop. Were I looking for a high gain pedal, this would be the coolest (although there's still my DHA VT-Twin), but I need something less for my current gig.

FTR though, I have yet to put it into the mix w/the guys.

I think I just might take Kringle77's pov and pick up an EH 12AY7 and see what it does for me.

MSUsousaphone · #**386** 11-15-2012, 11:19 AM

I'm going to upgrade 12AT7s.....going from the cheaper stock that Swell sells to a vintage Mullard. I would totally recommend the Mullard because it just....I dunno....has more umph and clarity to it. But the 12AT7 I have was like $7 so I'm not going to post it for sell. PM me your addy and I'll mail it to you snail mail.

LongHairFreak · #**387** 11-15-2012, 02:03 PM

Wow! That's very cool of you, but are you sure? It'd be no problem for me to pass that little amount your way.

BTW, what do you perceive the difference is btwn the two Mullards you're speaking of (12AT7 and the 12AT7s)?

MSUsousaphone · #**388** 11-15-2012, 02:39 PM

Yeah, it's nothing. It would be way too much trouble to sell it in the classifieds.

What I have is a JJ ECC81–12AT7. It's modern. Currently being produced. The ones that Tink turned me on to are Mullard CV4024 12AT7. They're vintage. Nowadays these guys are only made for us peeps but back then the military used them. So if you can find these vintage guys (easy to do), they're military grade. From what I noticed in Tink's B-Drive, the Mullard was more open and clear and the JJ seemed slightly muffled. Now, by itself, I never thought of the JJ as muffled...only noticed it when compared to the Mullard, but I can't go back. The vintage Mullard is more around $30.

LongHairFreak · #**389** 11-15-2012, 03:05 PM

Oh, ok. I misunderstood. Still I thank you for the offer, but I think I'll scan around; perhaps even for a Mullard.

MSUsousaphone · #**390** 11-24-2012, 01:10 AM

So my Black Friday purchase was a vintage 1963 MULLARD/PHILIPS 12AT7 from the Blackburn factory. Let you guys know how it sounds when I get it in and the B-Peg back from MikeO with the low gain mod.

LongHairFreak · #**391** 11-24-2012, 08:38 AM

Looking forward to your report.

I tried a Philips 12AT7 WA, but that was still too much gain for my tastes. So I have an EH 12AY7 on it's way. I took a less prestigious route and had Jeff, the owner of Savage Audio, hand pick it for me.

kringle77 · #**392** 11-28-2012, 06:26 AM

Mike O is pretty good about communicating. Alittle slow but, he's busy and when he does get back to you, there is some substance. He cares what players think.

I've mentioned to him that even with the lower gain mod, the B-peg still gets saturated too early for those wanting just some grit or alittle character. Also, when you use a lower gain tube, the sound gets more dull. I suggested reworking the pedal alittle to fix those things. Still love it though because nothing else sounds or feels like it. It really hits the spot in most ways, just needs alittle more tweeking. The low gain mod would probably be fine for someone using low output passive pups but, not for anthing else. The pedal could be brighter as well, I have the bright switch engaged and the tone all the way up. It should sound that way with the switch off and the tone at 12:00.

LongHairFreak · #**393** 11-28-2012, 06:34 AM

It has always been interesting talking with him. You're right, it does seem that he cares. I believe he is a bass player himself, right?

I did notice a duller sound w/the 12AT7 I tried, but I thought that was just that particular tube. His latest mod is having no Bright switch; which is the way mine is.

kringle77 · #**394** 11-28-2012, 08:24 AM

Right, the bright switch is actually a high cut. It doesn't need that at all. Less gain, more bright, alittle more low extension. Thats what needs to be done. The low end is alittle light, just alittle but, the low boost switch sounds like it adds in a bump which makes the pedal sound more old svt'ish. The pedal is already great, Im just talking some tweaks to make it perfect and more marketable to the largest cross section of bassplayers.

MSUsousaphone · #**395** 11-28-2012, 08:38 AM

Using the stock 12AT7 that Swell sells, I agree. In fact, it dulled the sound so much that I had my B-Peg up for sale. I put the stock 12AX7 in and was like "I love this pedal, again."

I got this same feeling when using the Mullard 12AT7 Tink has. I'm telling you guys. Those vintage Mullards. It's all that gorgeous Swell tone from the 12AX7 but with the gain of a 12AT7....because it IS a 12AT7.....just better quality. Once I get my B-Peg back from Mike modding it, I'll post more thoughts on the tube I got, but I'm pretty sure that's the answer.

Shegmaface · #**396** 12-03-2012, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nillawaffa

Wish you would have listed this 16 weeks ago before I placed my order! Still waiting......somewhat patiently

Did you get your pedal yet? I've been waiting 11 weeks and counting. It will probably ship while I'm gone for Xmas.

LongHairFreak · #**397** 12-03-2012, 03:51 PM

Ooooh Man!! I rcv'd the tube I was waiting for (EH 12AY7) today and loaded it into myBpeg; fed it with my Darkstar'd Pbass and placed it in front of my West Filmore. Man!!! Does this think kick! I'd still like to get my DHA VT-Twin-Bass going again for that smooth dirty fat as my regular signature, but when I want to blast it out... The Bpeg is it!!

Tomorrow, at rehearsal, I'll feed it with my Dolan PH5 through my ss rig. Likely I'll report afterward--Though I know I say very little). I'm sure it'll at least be something akin to...
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH BABY!!!

Thanks Mike O.

Shegmaface · #**398** 01-08-2013, 11:42 AM

It's been almost 17 weeks since I ordered my swell pedal and still no shipping email. Wow.

MSUsousaphone · #**399** 01-08-2013, 12:24 PM

Yeah. Sorry to hear that, man. I mean.....I guess take some solace in that everyone had that experience but I haven't heard of anyone not getting their's. It's such a....just weird situation.....this stuff is a ***** to go through.....but the pedals are so good and they rarely showed up used.

nillawaffa · #**400** 01-08-2013, 01:46 PM

Haha, I've been waiting 30 weeks for the b-peg! I talked to them before Christmas and they said I'm getting close. Crazy.