I have just received a Bbe bmax t for my rig. Absolutely awesome tone range from this and I am really happy. However I would like a dirtier sound option. I believe changing the tube would achieve this. Is this the case and if so what tube should I be looking at getting?
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BBE Bmax t re tube
- Thread starter Sebetts72
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
If the tube in it is a 12AX7, then changing the tube will not get you any more dirt. The 12AX7 is the highest-gain of its family. If the tube in there is a 12AU7, 12AT7, etc. then you can try a 12AX7.
Your better bet is to get a boost/OD pedal.
Your better bet is to get a boost/OD pedal.
Own one myself, you'll not get it to sound dirty....
I really like this pre-amp, clean with a tad of tube butternes. If you want dirt you'll have to find that somewhere else.
I really like this pre-amp, clean with a tad of tube butternes. If you want dirt you'll have to find that somewhere else.
I too owned this unit but sold it 'cos I hated the Fender tone stack. I thought that the stack spoiled an otherwise great unit. The only way I got any grit from it was by lowering the faders on the power amp and cranking the levels on the pre.
I use the BBE BMax Non-T preamp and had never set it as I would my Alembic F-1X, which I just sold to a TBer. But I've had much success running the BMax just with some mids boosted and other knobs @ noon. Now with the F-1X, I def had to use the 2-10-2 settings to get started. Never did that with the BBE. Then again maybe it doesn't have the huge lows the F-1X had so didn't have to.
Next time I use that rig, I will try the "fender stack" knob settings to see what that'll do. But have been very happy with what I've been doing and using that rig with those settings for "new country" and "funk" band gigs with much success. And to stay OT, yeah OP, might wanna try a OD pedal to get there.
I have been using one for a few years. I love the tone of the BMax-T. Nice tubey warmth but SVT type overdrive is not the Bmax-T's forte. I use a Sansamp BDDI for the overdrive when needed. The combination of the two is very versatile. Haven't had a case of GAS for a new amp since I got this dialed in.
The unit I had generated the worst sounding "overdrive" tone I've heard, sounded like a busted speaker instead of tube grind. So look to an overdrive pedal for that sound. Sounded really good just as a smooth, warm clean preamp though.
