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Lightning Boy Audio Thread

#642
ahbass2500 said:
I found the 23FE to add quite a bit more color than two 2020s. However, I ended up getting rid of it prior to posting any recordings of it (apologies for not following through on that; work has been crazy the past few months).

The more I used the 23FE, the less I felt it was necessary in my signal chain. I could see it adding some beneficial coloration in the right signal chain. My issue is that I was really happy with my tone before adding it. It added more of what I thought I was after in my tone. It ended up being too much for me.

For reference, signal chain was... Bass -> Broughton BBA -> Empress Bass Compressor -> Broughton Valve Champ -> Modulation/drive stuff (typically turned off) -> Effectrode LA-1A -> Broughton RFE -> Ampeg PF-50T -> 2 x PJB Compact 8

I had the 23FE after the Effectrode LA-1A so I could use the boost on the LA-1A to push the 23FE.

Definitely agree with comments on slight signal loss and low mid bump. I think the moral of my story is that if you are happy with your sound, you really do not need to try new things (disclaimer: this will likely not be the last time I try something new that I did not need to try).
Click to expand...
Is the Valve Champ always on or do you use it as a boost/overdrive? (I have one so I'm not asking how it sounds; I'm curious how it may have affected your experience with the 23Fe.)
 
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#643
Erithon said:
Is the Valve Champ always on or do you use it as a boost/overdrive? (I have one so I'm not asking how it sounds; I'm curious how it may have affected your experience with the 23Fe.)
Click to expand...

Tube swapped to an NOS Telefunken, typically on, tone knob shifted left of center to more of a low mid tone bump. I tried 23FE with and without VC on. Liked 23FE better without VC. Liked overall tone better with VC and without 23FE. You may be on to something.
 
#644
Low Down Brown said:
This is where the 2020 sounded best to me. They sound great when used with my amp, but the digital fx really come alive with these transformers. I like using one after my LA-1A going into my HX Stomp or immediately out of the Stomp and feeding into an LBA T.I. Box. Based on what you and @OnlyFlats report, I think I want a 2023Fe to run at the front of the chain now so I can keep the other on the 'out'.
Click to expand...
Picked up a 2020S and stumbled upon the same, placing it between two DSP effects pedals reduced noise while adding that pleasing transformer rub.
Wish I knew this sooner.
 
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#646
I recently picked up a 23FE. I put it on my pedalboard and used it at a rehearsal last weekend. I could definitely hear a difference. When I dug in, I could hear and feel the compression and harmonics/overdrive. This was with an otherwise clean tone board- no OD pedals at all.

I also had a 2020s on the board further up to input and not connected directly to the 23FE. The 2020s does what it does but the 23FE is noticeable. It's very pleasant to me. It lo-fi's the tone in a vintage sort of way.
 
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#648
Michael Vee said:
I recently picked up a 23FE. I put it on my pedalboard and used it at a rehearsal last weekend. I could definitely hear a difference. When I dug in, I could hear and feel the compression and harmonics/overdrive. This was with an otherwise clean tone board- no OD pedals at all.

I also had a 2020s on the board further up to input and not connected directly to the 23FE. The 2020s does what it does but the 23FE is noticeable. It's very pleasant to me. It lo-fi's the tone in a vintage sort of way.
Click to expand...

Yep, for sure. This is a good description of what I hear too. Dig in and the grit is there in a pleasing way. You can definitely hear a difference with the 23FE inline.
 
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#649
Michael Vee said:
Idly wondering if anyone here has run this combination: 2020s > 2020s > 23FE > DI.
Click to expand...

I have 6 LBA 2020Ss and tried placing a single LBA 23Fe both before and after them for grins. The effect was definitely noticeable. Almost too much so depending on application. I couldn't really get that stellar clean tone that the 6 2020Ss provide on their own. I'm not saying that it was a bad thing. The tone was great. Very vintage and gritty, but just a different flavor than the 2020Ss alone. I hate trying to describe these things... the poverty of words.
 
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#650
Low F# said:
I have 6 LBA 2020Ss and tried placing a single LBA 23Fe both before and after them for grins. The effect was definitely noticeable. Almost too much so depending on application. I couldn't really get that stellar clean tone that the 6 2020Ss provide on their own. I'm not saying that it was a bad thing. The tone was great. Very vintage and gritty, but just a different flavor than the 2020Ss alone. I hate trying to describe these things... the poverty of words.
Click to expand...
wow, 6? Are they scattered around, in stereo, or all in line?
 
#651
I can definitely hear that extra harmonic content - like others have said more eloquently than I can - you hear that hint of “break up” without it getting into drive territory but it’s there.
Tried placing it in a few different locations but right before going into the amp after my pedal board sounded great for now. Not gigging again for a couple of weeks but looking forward to hearing it at a bit more volume.

I’ll certainly be messing about with it in a couple of other spots - direct to daw, di etc. I’ve mentioned elsewhere I have two 2020s’ underneath the board and if memory serves me correct they’re after Simone
(Tuner>Comp>Simone>2020s>2020s..)
I was gonna strip everything off and start over but for now I don’t feel the need to as the board is sounding great plus I have all the cabling nice and tidy and need a bit of time if I’m gonna do a page one rewrite!

The 23Fe will end up underneath as well - I have a Thumpinator under there as the last thing in my signal chain so might run out of that into the 23Fe to the amp but I’ll try it in a few other spots before committing to the dual-lock!


IMG_3144.jpeg
 
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#652
I'd like to put either the 2020s or the 23FE, or both, underboard. Mine is a Nano+ with a SOL clamped underneath. I'm using the EBS flat gold patch cables, and thinking those are still the best bet in a longer length to reach the LBs from on top. Would some of you who have your LBs underboard post pics of how you're doing it, just for ideas on LB locations and cable routing?
 
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#653
No photos of mine, but I have 3 mounting locations I use across different boards.

1. Underneath the board attached with low profile 3M Dual Lock
2. On the back of the board attached with low profile 3M Dual Lock (back as in the back side of the board; this may work better for extremely short boards as long as there is a flat mounting surface on one of the sides)
3. On the under board mounting bracket accessory (Temple Audio Board)

In general, I try to mount 2020S close to where it goes in the signal chain to minimize cable length. This is not always possible and I have never had issues using longer EBS Flat patch cables in longer runs.
 
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#654
Thanks, ahadl. Yeah, with the separated rails on the Nano+, the mountable area underneath is essentially limited to placing the Lightning Boys lengthwise, for the most secure mounting. Something like a mounting accessory, spanning the gap between the rails, would be a good thing if it allowed mounting LBs, Broughton LPFs and Buffer Bandwidths and other underside pedals in the same orientation as the topside pedals. Is there something like that for Pedaltrain and other non-Temple boards? I need to do some searching.

I think it's pretty apparent that the Lightning Boys are long-term keepers for my board.. :D
 
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#656
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#658
Low F# said:
Yeah, I know... Why 6? I didn't intend to have 6 initially. I had a few for a few different boards. I had them in various places, but have found that I want everything running through them, and now all 6 are just at the end of my chain between the Cali76 & Noble.
Click to expand...
As long as they're in a 2x3 configuration held together by rubber bands I have no problem with what you're doing
 
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#659
Michael Vee said:
I'd like to put either the 2020s or the 23FE, or both, underboard. Mine is a Nano+ with a SOL clamped underneath. I'm using the EBS flat gold patch cables, and thinking those are still the best bet in a longer length to reach the LBs from on top. Would some of you who have your LBs underboard post pics of how you're doing it, just for ideas on LB locations and cable routing?
Click to expand...


These are all on a NanoMax secured with DualLock. All using EBS flat golds. I've had them on my Nano+ as well. They don't need to be angled on the Nano+ like they do on the NanoMax.

IMG_3799.jpg IMG_3820.jpg
 
#660
Michael Vee said:
Thanks, ahadl. Yeah, with the separated rails on the Nano+, the mountable area underneath is essentially limited to placing the Lightning Boys lengthwise, for the most secure mounting. Something like a mounting accessory, spanning the gap between the rails, would be a good thing if it allowed mounting LBs, Broughton LPFs and Buffer Bandwidths and other underside pedals in the same orientation as the topside pedals. Is there something like that for Pedaltrain and other non-Temple boards? I need to do some searching.

I think it's pretty apparent that the Lightning Boys are long-term keepers for my board.. :D
Click to expand...

This is what they look like under a Nano+ and NanoMax.
compact2.jpg IMG_3820.jpg
 
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