Anything Similar to Tronographic Rusty Box?

[gpTron]

I don't think there is a flat setting for the RB. With all knobs at zero there's an emphasis on bass and low-mids, but cutting seems to work better than boosting from noon, especially since each EQ knob increases the gain/distortion.

If I can't find the Steve Albini production tones I'm looking for from playing around with it some more and reading older threads, I'll try a used MXR M80 into my GK.

There's a pic of Bob Weston's RB and settings on either Instagram or FB. I could try to find it if you think that'd help.

edit - I found it quick so here it is anyway

 

[MrDinsdale]

Anyone tried a Rusty Box and the EAE Model FeT?

 

[Wan-Zega]

There's a pic of Bob Weston's RB and settings on either Instagram or FB. I could try to find it if you think that'd help.

edit - I found it quick so here it is anyway

Thanks, this helped a ton actually! I'm sure I can get the tone completely if I fiddle with an EQ pedal.

@xJasonSmithx My signal chain is Peavey T-40 > Rusty Box > Gallien-Krueger Backline's FX return (directly into the poweramp)

 

[Surco]

Are Darkglass AO or Microtubes X still only non-boutique alternative?

 

[xJasonSmithx]

Are Darkglass AO or Microtubes X still only non-boutique alternative?

I don't know of anything.

 

[xJasonSmithx]

I just read about a German company called FF-Audiotechnik who make a TS-50B inspired pedal called the Royale TS. They did a small run a while back but are looking to do another one next year. The pedal looks great. It has a volume control for the boost and a cab sim XLR out DI.

 

[mezatron]

Sooo, anything new?

I really like the Rusty Box but it”s really heavy (weight) and the boost switch is pretty useless because of the massive volume jump.

I run my RB before a final limiting compressor in my signal chain and it swallows the volume jump pretty well.

 

[Groove Doctor]

There’s a 15V to 9V internal conversion mod that can be done to eliminate the special power supply causing extra bulk.

Also, is the casing on the RB aluminium? If not, you could make a DIY Aluminium casing and swap them to reduce weight.

I love my RB. That and my OC-2 are my keeper pedals.

 

[sifrancis]

Moose Electronics are making an interesting take on the TS50/TS50B preamp.
EQ section has been mixed up with the Acoustic 360 preamp EQ section, and the gain staging and boost have all been tweaked. The boost is still has a bit of a volume jump, but it's tasteful and not as crazy as the Rusty Box can be.

Cosmic Trigger — Moose Electronics


Definitely worth checking out for something that retains much of core character of that Traynor preamp tone, but with a few changes and modifications that you may prefer or find to be a refinement.

 

[gpTron]

That Cosmic Trigger sounds awesome. I'd be curious to hear them side by side. Bassist for Kylie Minogue uses one. Kylie's going noise rock!

 

[Feral Feline]

Here is my dream pedal: a Rusty Box but the boost has a level knob and can be used independently of the pre and the order can be switched. Added Cab sim XLR out and Headphone out.

If you look at the schematic, the way the boost works it is just a SPST switch.

You could, however, implement two separate volume controls and use a 4PDT switch that swaps between the vol-pots while activating/deactivating the boost.
(Indeed, this is what I'll be doing for my own TS-50B Pre build)

The way the boost works, it cannot be independent of the pre and as such ther order cannot be swapped. You'll need a separate boost to have independence and order-swappability.

The added cab-sim, XLR-out and headphone-out are great ideas, many thanks for those as I may steal them for my Aion-build.
If the high end is "brittle", I'll add a SWTC (Stupidly Wonderful Tone Control) to tame it.

...
If I can't find the Steve Albini production tones I'm looking for from playing around with it some more and reading older threads, I'll try a used MXR M80 into my GK.

What about a Harmonic Percolator, or running a Harmonic Percolator into the TS-50B circuit?

 

[PVt40man]

What about a Harmonic Percolator, or running a Harmonic Percolator into the TS-50B circuit?

I got amazing results placing a Blammo Percolator after my Rusty Box. But placed before it sounded like crap IMO.

 

[Jantelagen]

Moose Electronics are making an interesting take on the TS50/TS50B preamp.
EQ section has been mixed up with the Acoustic 360 preamp EQ section, and the gain staging and boost have all been tweaked. The boost is still has a bit of a volume jump, but it's tasteful and not as crazy as the Rusty Box can be.

Cosmic Trigger — Moose Electronics


Definitely worth checking out for something that retains much of core character of that Traynor preamp tone, but with a few changes and modifications that you may prefer or find to be a refinement.

Big fan of Moose Electronics. Cian is a solid dude and a top notch builder

 

[Groove Doctor]

How hard would it be to add a pad switch or trim pot to the Boost section of the RB?

 

[sifrancis]

That Cosmic Trigger sounds awesome. I'd be curious to hear them side by side. Bassist for Kylie Minogue uses one. Kylie's going noise rock!

That was me - I used a previous pedal that became a prototype for the Cosmic Trigger as my -end-of-chain/always-on preamp for the work I did playing in her band during the 2018 promo campaign. I'd begun with a Rusty Box, but then Cian at moose was selling a few modified Traynor preamp pedals, so I bought one and put it to use immediately.

Had it setup so it would breakup a little when pushed. I really love how that Traynor preamp sound helps the bass sit in and poke through a mix. I feel there's a natural compression to it as well which I really like.

 

[triviani]

Also, is the casing on the RB aluminium? If not, you could make a DIY Aluminium casing and swap them to reduce weight.

The RB case is one of the heaviest I’ve seen, much more than the usual Hammond.


I know this mod is difficult or not possible but it would be great to swap the lo/hi gain toggle and the boost switch.