Tube pre-amp pedal

Chris V. · #1 05-12-2008, 04:12 AM

Hello,

I'm looking to get a tube pre-amp in pedal form so that, when needed, I can really fatten up my sound.

I do not want it in amp form because I prefer having the ability to have a very clean, clear and crisp sound that tube amps do not tend to offer.

So, any suggestions for a tube pre-amp in pedal form that will fatten up my sound? I am not looking for a tube overdriven sound, just fatness.

(EDIT: Forgot to say that the pedal does not absolutely have to be stuffed with a tube, but needs to give a fat, full sound that most tubes do.)

Thanks everyone.

Ps. Yes, I did a search. All I could find was pre-amp suggestions in pedal form for a tube overdriven sound.

dannybuoy · #2 05-12-2008, 04:26 AM

DHA VT1 overdrive set to low gain will give you fatness without overdrive. He also makes a tube compressor pedal that might do the job, similar to the EHX Blackfinger.

Chris V. · #3 05-12-2008, 05:30 AM

Thanks for the reply.

Do you know what the dimensions of it are? It looks pretty huge.

wazzel · #4 05-12-2008, 07:34 AM

EBS valve drive. I have never played one, but from the description of the pedal it looks to be what you are looking for.

scotch · #5 05-12-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzel

EBS valve drive. I have never played one, but from the description of the pedal it looks to be what you are looking for.

The Valve Drive can definitely add fatness without adding overdrive. In fact, I use mine all the time in the studio to add tube warmth & richness.

However, it's $300 and is capable of many layers of overdrive. Plus the "yellow" channel would be useless to the op (in my opinion). I think the op would end up spending a lot for a pedal that would only be minimally utilised.

It seems to me that the op is a little biased against tube amps, so it might behoove him/her to try out something like a Fulltone Fat-Boost. It adds a little bit of midrange as you turn it up, is a small form factor, and a lot less $$$ than the EBS Valve Drive.

Or - maybe something like the T-Rex Tube compressor? Just set the compression low & get the benefit of the tube warmth, without the compression effect or any overdrive.... :
http://www.t-rex-engineering.com/Def...D15&VariantID=

wazzel · #6 05-12-2008, 07:51 AM

It is pricy, but I have never done the tube pedal pre. My tube pres have always been rack mount units and more than $300.

Colonel Monk · #7 05-12-2008, 08:02 AM

check out a blue tube pedal. They aren't made anymore but you can find them around...

THSL · #8 05-12-2008, 08:11 AM

There's something by Tech 21 NYC called the VT Bass... No tubes, but it looks interesting...

http://tech21nyc.com/character_series.html

speak_onion · #9 05-12-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Monk

check out a blue tube pedal. They aren't made anymore but you can find them around...

Yeah, I had this and tube "fatness" was exactly what it did. I wanted more drive though, so I sold it. I think I sold it for like $85? Yeah, if you can find them, they won't cost you too much.

dannybuoy · #10 05-12-2008, 08:35 AM

If you're not committed to tubes and want a smaller pedal that's easier to power, the Electronix Submarine is along the same lines as the Fat Boost mentioned earlier and gets rave reviews.

Colonel Monk · #11 05-12-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speak_onion

Yeah, I had this and tube "fatness" was exactly what it did. I wanted more drive though, so I sold it. I think I sold it for like $85? Yeah, if you can find them, they won't cost you too much.

Yeah, I think it's kicka$$. Tubey warm thru Jack Bruce to well, pretty good distortion. I found mine at a local music shop, brand newish, for $75 bucks!

keb · #12 05-12-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Monk

check out a blue tube pedal. They aren't made anymore but you can find them around...

+1 on this. I used to have one years ago... I miss it now!

mgmadian · #13 05-12-2008, 11:13 AM

My favorite for this purpose is the (appropriately-named) SIB FatDrive. Big... full... phat... sweet-sounding.

Look into other boost pedals also, esp those that advertise themselves as "transparent". I've also used the Duncan Pickup Booster (good, but could be a bit harsh), and a couple others, incl some ODs like the Buddha Phatbass, Boogie Bottle Rocket, etc.

The Fulltone FatBoost is also a good choice, esp with the Drive knob turned down and run at 18V. This is actually on my pedalboard now -- it doesn't sound quite as nice as the SIB FatDrive IMO, but it's smaller and I'm runnin' outta room...

bongomania · #14 05-12-2008, 11:33 AM

I have used the Fatboost and a few other similar FET-based boost pedals, and they are pretty nice, but subtle. I would say yes they "add fatness", but only like one step up in trousers waist size, one extra buckle-hole on the belt. Pizza night.

If you wanted a dramatic amount of fatness available, like going from trousers to a muumuu, from a belt to a bedsheet, then I recommend the DHA VT1. Yes it's big (9.5mm by 14.5mm), but many of the other similar pedals (Valvedrive, Muff'n, SIB) are even bigger. The DHA is not stuck on super-fat though, it can also do subtlety.

gentry · #15 05-12-2008, 12:27 PM

i've got a svt-di direct box and love it. punch, clarity and fattyness. they don't make 'em anymore, so you'll have to hunt. but i dig it.

cybersnyder · #16 05-12-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

If you're not committed to tubes and want a smaller pedal that's easier to power, the Electronix Submarine is along the same lines as the Fat Boost mentioned earlier and gets rave reviews.

+1. Give it a shot. It doesn't have a tube, but you may find that it's all you need.

Chris V. · #17 05-12-2008, 01:21 PM

So, essentially we have -

SIB! Fat Drive
Electronix Submarine
DHA VT1
Tube Works 903 Blue Tube
EBS ValveDrive
SVT DI
Fulltone Fat Boost

In my personal opinion, it feels like the DHA VT1 is winning.

The EBS is plainly too expensive and I don't think the SVTDI is really what I'm looking for from what I've read. The Tube Works 903 Blue Tube and the SIB! are still possibilities, but seem to be quite hard to get a hold of. I didn't like what I heard with the Submarine. It just wasn't quite warm and fat enough, for my taste.

I really would like to try the Fulltone because they stock it in my local store.