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EBS ValveDrive

#21
I might get "modded" for this, but I suggest:

how_to_stop_computer_viruses.jpg


:hiding: :ninja:
 
#22
OptimusPrime said:
I'm finding the best sound with the volume at 8 o'clock, treble at 1-2, mid cranked all the way, bass at 10-11, and gain cranked all the way. It seems to boost the bass a little, so that needs to get cut some, I boost the treble a little to give my flanger a little more to work with. And the combination of cranked mids and gain is seeming to give the the most βΘИΞКЯŲŜĦÏИĞ sound.
Click to expand...

In the event you haven't read the manual yet (we're guys, whaddayagonnado?) or you didn't know beforehand, the flat setting for the Valve Drive is Treble and Bass all the way counterclockwise, and Mids all the way clockwise.
 
#23
electricimprov said:
In the event you haven't read the manual yet (we're guys, whaddayagonnado?) or you didn't know beforehand, the flat setting for the Valve Drive is Treble and Bass all the way counterclockwise, and Mids all the way clockwise.
Click to expand...
It doesn't mention that in my manual. :help: All I got was a description of all the knobs and switches and how to change the tube, along with a diagram and some suggested settings.

I'm convinced that the best overdriven bass tone ever, is in the song Army of Bono by Clutch at around 3:26-3:39. Can't find a good link to post though. I'd kill a man for that tone.
 
#29
Looks like the ValveDrive is staying. I played with it some more today and realized how much I like it. Very crunchy. For some reason my Hematoma just seems way to dark and smooth compared to it. I need some new strings, but once those are on, I can cut some more treble to take away some high end harshness. The Vintage mode is useless I think. It just seems to add some fizzyness to the very tip top of the highs. Almost unnoticeable. I need to take a night shot with the LED assisted tube next to my wah with ground effects. The jacks on the top are a pain in the ass. And my cables are twisted really weird to get them plugged in. I'm really liking it.
 
#30
I bought mine to test it with the band a week ago. Before i tried it I was sceptic about its price, but once i got it on: what a bonecrushing tone, just didn't have the heart to return it! I run it in modern mode gain at 1 o'clock, bass min, mids cranked, treble 1 o'clock and what an agressive grit with my Sandberg PM5, Ashdown EVO 500 head and Ashdown ABM 8x10 cab, it almost threw me against the wall!

And even that I'm very pleased with the sound, im still wondering if anyone has tried it with different tubes? Always interested if i can make great even better... ;)
 
#32
Kaivinkone said:
...

And even that I'm very pleased with the sound, I'm still wondering if anyone has tried it with different tubes? Always interested if i can make great even better... ;)
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The Valve Drive is one of the few single-tube pre's that really does sound different with different tubes. The differences are usually subtle, but I did compare a bunch of tubes I had on hand when I got my Valve Drive. I found my notes from my testing (I recorded the Valve Drive with various tubes & then listened back later):

Svetlana 12ax7 very compressed & focused with medium overall output

Tung Sol 12ax7 lots of extra "air" and extended lows with "gritty" distortion characteristics

Sovtek 12ax7WA extra mids & very punchy, almost too punchy; very low noise floor

vintage RCA 7025 scooped mids with good lows- very clean, but lower output

Mesa ECC83 (probably Chinese) very high gain, loudest output, very smooth top end that gets smoother with more gain

GT 12ax7R edgy & a little brittle sounding, medium output


I greatly preferred the Tung Sol to the other tubes. It really gave my Valve Drive and almost Neve like top end. I use the pedal for very subtle always-on "hair" & the Tung Sol really nailed it!

For "crunchier" rock type tones, the Mesa ECC83 really shined, but that's not what I wanted out of the Valve Drive (I have other pedals for heavier od...).

Both the Tung Sol & old RCA provide killer clean tones if you want the Valve Drive functioning as a clean preamp. The Tung Sol has more going on, but the RCA was very "honest" sounding.

The stock Svetlana that came with the pedal was fine, but I really like how a couple of the other tubes really "opened" it up.



Of course, all of this is totally subjective.... But, I kept good notes & had an open mind during testing. As always, YMMV!
 
#38
OptimusPrime said:
I don't want breaking glass. But I don't want smooth. Maybe I should just leave it stock.
Click to expand...

The stock Svetlana was definitely smooth. If you want more gain (crunch) - consider a Mesa. It actually compresses more as you crank it up & the "brightness" is definitely controllable with the eq on the pedal. But, the Svetlana sounds just fine too!

Sometimes, I think I'd like 2 Valve Drive's. One set with my favorite "hair" setting using the Tung Sol, and then another set much more aggressively with the Mesa tube! :bassist:
 

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