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EBS ValveDrive

#42
scotch said:
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!
Click to expand...


Where did you find the Mesa tube? I can only seem to find them on eBay, and in the U.K....would prefer to buy not from eBay, and somewhere in the U.S. if possible.
 
#44
A.CLAYTON said:
What settings is everyone using?Iv'e only had mine for 2 days but iv'e got mine on Vintage with mids on full with bass and treble on minimum.Gain is at 12.
Click to expand...

Modern mode w/ pad engaged
Volume - 10 o'clock
Treble - 1 o'clock
Mids - 2 o'clock
Bass - 9 o'clock
Gain - 11 o'clock


Man, I love this pedal! I really miss it when I don't have it....
 
#45
You know what this thread needs? Pics!

Let's see your Valve Drive's "in context". Pedalboard, rehearsal space, countertop, sock drawer, whatever!

nov08board.jpg


flightboard.jpg
 
#46
scotch said:
I pulled it out of my V Twin preamp pedal. I also have some from my Mesa tube amps laying around...
Click to expand...

You wouldn't be willing to sell/mail me one, wouldja? :D I've been dying to experiment around with different tubes in this sucker, and to know that there's one out that (it sounds like) meets my tonal goals is good news.

scotch said:
You know what this thread needs? Pics!

Let's see your Valve Drive's "in context". Pedalboard, rehearsal space, countertop, sock drawer, whatever!

nov08board.jpg
Click to expand...

And what's that switcher-box thing there at the bottom?
 
#48
Bob C said:
I was just going to comment on scotch's pedal board. It looks like that switcher thing is a patchbay, to keep the on/offs consolidated. Less tap dancing. Am I right? Very nice.
Click to expand...

Yes, plus it keeps any tone-sucking pedals out of the signal path when not in use.

It's called a True Bypass Strip (or loop strip). http://www.loop-master.com/ for all the juicy details!
 
#53
I've always used my valvedrive very subtly. So subtly that it's tough to hear the difference sometimes when running through a cabinet.

I bought an EBS Microbass II to use as a Swiss Army Knife eq/DI and was surprised to find that their Tube Sim button it does a good enough job of hair/wool on my tone when needed/wanted that it's 'good enough' for my needs. So the Valvedrive was sold.

So now my Pedaltrain Mini only has an EBS Microbass, EBS Multicomp, and Pitchblack tuner on it. Kind of lonely. But refreshingly simple.
 

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