father of fires
Commercial User
I have a Blue Tube but could never find a use for it. Maybe I should dig it out and give it another shot.
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BK Blue Tube as a Preamp??
- Thread starter gregmon79
- Start date
Maybe someone can give you some tips. I'm sure it's not for everyone. Who knows, I may not like it either. But I won't know till I get it.
father of fires
Commercial User
Ahhhh. I didn't edit in time. I felt my post was too negative so I tried to revise it. Not fast enough I guess.
I hope you do like it. They have a lot going for them. It just never worked for me.
I hope you do like it. They have a lot going for them. It just never worked for me.
Maybe you should dig it out. It's amazing what a little time can do to your perspective on a pedal. I know it did for me.
I felt teh same at first, below unity, sounded weak and crappy. Talked the Jmac and changed some tubes, WOW, totally different pedal.
Its a shame I have to move this on, but I know Greg will love it.
So the tube makes that big a difference huh? I take it you didn't have those issues that he described duke? The ones of of bring weak?
With the crap cheap tube that was in it when I bought it, I had similair issues. Almost gave up on the pedal. Changed tubes (I'll include a brand new tube with it, but the one in it is awesome) and it has way more than unity gain available. And not what I would describe as distortion (tube screamer it is not) but certainly all the overdrive you need. The bass, mid and treble are not standard boost and cut but more boost only. I find subtle changes around the middle position to be most useful
I just spent 30 minutes playing with it, MAN I hope the Myco is all its cracked up to be. I have another blue tube in the next city I go to for work on hold, but its $149!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you try it and have any issues described by others I will buy it back and $120, I think that is fair, but I am 100% certain you will love it.
Shipping tomorrow
Sounds like a plan to me duke. You're. Great dude to deal with, so think you. I appreciate a the input and the extra tube. Is it the original tube or another 12ax7? Man this thing can't get here soon enough!
I think you'll be pleased with the Three. I've never personally used one but have wanted one since I first heard of it. You'll have to let me know how the blue tube stacks up to the Three once you get some time with it.
There is a groovevtubes Russia 12ax7r in it and a brand new ehx12au7 included. Both are brand new. Different tones. I prefer the one that is in it.
Wwwoooooowwwwwww...... The bk blue tube is awesome!!! It's so rich and it warms my tone for days. I've already tried a groove tube 12ax7, which is what it came with, and I dig it quite a bit. Then I put the ehx 12au7 in it that the trader, dirty duke, was so kind to include in the package, and man, I love it even more. It's so rich and full of warmth. I like the break up of the au7 better too. The EQ on this thing is very handy as well. There are a lot of tones to be had from just this one little box. I'm off to eat and play with it some more!! Very pleased 
I have one. It has travelled the world wit me as my "secret" weapon. It is huge soundin. I use it for the same purpose someone else mentioned... "filling out" my SWR Redhead an 550x. Bypassed, it still adds some clarity to my sound. But turned on, the pedal can get filthy. The controls are passive, more like a Fender tone stack. When the eq controls fully left, no sound. They aren't as interactive as the Fender, but they have a LOT of range and can change yer tone quite a bit. Mine still has the original Czech tube innit. It is still killing! Same tone as when new. Big, warm, thick. The mids add tons of definition, and help to control the drive really well. That's a bad ass pedal. Pots do get scratchy, but that's my only complaint. I'll never get rid o'mine.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
No I've left mine on for days at a time check eBay for some nice NOS tubes my favorite for that pedal are either an Ampeg Bugle Boy or a nice RCA Black Plate 12ax7.
I will most definitely be trying lots o tubes in this thing. Thanks for the suggestions. I have no exp tubes before this really. Do the tunes you mentioned make that big a difference?
I have to be honest. I just don't get or cannot perceive the "tube sound." I have owned or tried tons of tube preamps/ pedals/ amps and I just can't hear the difference. What am I missing? I'm sure the issue is my ears given the love tube based tech gets from musicians.
I hear quite the difference. I got a small taste with a VT pedal when I had it, it actually does emulate a tube rather well. But there is this inherent warmth that comes over your tone when it's got tubes running through it. I hear a difference for sure. I've been playing the blue tube straight with my bass then BT then into my ampeg B50R with my P. It sounds great. I can see why so many dig the tube sound. Even though it's only a single tube and it's quite different from a full on ampeg all tube rig but it gets me there a little. The EQ on it is such a plus too. But that's what I can say it adds, warmth and body.
I find a lot of the warmth I am looking for comes from my fingers and string attack. That is warmth I can definitely hear and appreciate. Perhaps my ears are tuned for the finer subtle tones.
Can anyone else recommend some nice tubes for this pedal like Mac did above please? I want to start trying all different kinds of them. How are the NOS or tungsol tubes?
