Nightowl Industries Edison Batch 12

[NarchoBlaster]

I am a newly registered member of TalkBass, though a lurker for years, and this is my first post and definitely first time starting a thread. I just received the new (Batch 12) Nightowl Industries Edison tube preamp and wanted to give my two-cents worth on it. I was a bit leery at first to order since no info about warranty or returns appears on the Nightowl website, but Seth was prompt to reply to an email inquiry and state his policy (though still a tad vague, imho). But, having ordered and now received and spent an afternoon playing the Edison, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Below my email to Seth:

"Hi Seth,
I received the pedal a day early and got around to installing it on my pedalboard today. Firstly, I appreciate the thorough packing you did to ensure safe transit, as well as the constant communication. Secondly, I think the gold-flecked powdercoat looks bloody marvelous, and suggest that you retake the photo on your website to show the gold flecks. And, purple is my color. Finally (brace yourself for some profanity and gushing): this thing sounds f**king amazing! It is exactly what I was hoping for: creating a 3D articulation that opens and reveals the vibrancy of the bass strings. Words fail, but it’s like cleaning the windshield to reveal mountain splendor. My budget Ibanez fretless sounds much closer to the Wal I wish I had, and my beloved 35-year-old Guild Pilot bass never sounded better (at least through headphones). You should create a page to leave testimonials and reviews on your site: I would gladly contribute to that. I will find a thread on TalkBass to give my two cents’ worth in the meanwhile. I can’t wait to hear what it does for my Strat.

Well done, sir.

On a related note: I have read on TalkBass that you recommended swapping the stock tube for a Tesla. Not that I can imagine the Edison sounding better, on that it lacks anything, but tube-swapping is a particularly insidious form of G.A.S., and I am curious just how much better a N.O.S., or current production tube could make it sound. Any thoughts appreciated."

Anyone else jumped on the Batch 12 release?

 

[never-enough]

I have a much earlier version, he’s really added a lot of pizzaz to the newer finishes.
I have to say though, mine still sounds incredible. And feels great to play through.
I love it with bass and electric guitar both, it sounds great adding just a touch of hair to a clean amp.

 

[gregmon79]

Post some clips if you can. Love it when you get a pedal/piece of gear that brings out the best in your bass sound/tone. Chased that for years. I found what I was looking for for the most part. But there are still things that peak my interest. Things like this and say a Capo. Great stuff!

 

[2saddleslab]

I am a newly registered member of TalkBass, though a lurker for years, and this is my first post and definitely first time starting a thread. I just received the new (Batch 12) Nightowl Industries Edison tube preamp and wanted to give my two-cents worth on it. I was a bit leery at first to order since no info about warranty or returns appears on the Nightowl website, but Seth was prompt to reply to an email inquiry and state his policy (though still a tad vague, imho). But, having ordered and now received and spent an afternoon playing the Edison, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Below my email to Seth:

"Hi Seth,
I received the pedal a day early and got around to installing it on my pedalboard today. Firstly, I appreciate the thorough packing you did to ensure safe transit, as well as the constant communication. Secondly, I think the gold-flecked powdercoat looks bloody marvelous, and suggest that you retake the photo on your website to show the gold flecks. And, purple is my color. Finally (brace yourself for some profanity and gushing): this thing sounds f**king amazing! It is exactly what I was hoping for: creating a 3D articulation that opens and reveals the vibrancy of the bass strings. Words fail, but it’s like cleaning the windshield to reveal mountain splendor. My budget Ibanez fretless sounds much closer to the Wal I wish I had, and my beloved 35-year-old Guild Pilot bass never sounded better (at least through headphones). You should create a page to leave testimonials and reviews on your site: I would gladly contribute to that. I will find a thread on TalkBass to give my two cents’ worth in the meanwhile. I can’t wait to hear what it does for my Strat.

Well done, sir.

On a related note: I have read on TalkBass that you recommended swapping the stock tube for a Tesla. Not that I can imagine the Edison sounding better, on that it lacks anything, but tube-swapping is a particularly insidious form of G.A.S., and I am curious just how much better a N.O.S., or current production tube could make it sound. Any thoughts appreciated."

Anyone else jumped on the Batch 12 release?

Seth is a real gentleman and provides great customer service. Been an Edison fan for a few years now. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Turns out it sounds even better than it looks. Mine is version 5 [I think] w/out the boost switch.

Per Seth's suggestion I purchased an NOS Tesla tube [what a ride that was, vintage tubes are not for the faint of heart]. I didn't hear much difference in tone but it did increase the headroom.

The Edison is an always on permanent addition to my board.

 

[Aqualung60]

I am a newly registered member of TalkBass, though a lurker for years, and this is my first post and definitely first time starting a thread. I just received the new (Batch 12) Nightowl Industries Edison tube preamp and wanted to give my two-cents worth on it. I was a bit leery at first to order since no info about warranty or returns appears on the Nightowl website, but Seth was prompt to reply to an email inquiry and state his policy (though still a tad vague, imho). But, having ordered and now received and spent an afternoon playing the Edison, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Below my email to Seth:

"Hi Seth,
I received the pedal a day early and got around to installing it on my pedalboard today. Firstly, I appreciate the thorough packing you did to ensure safe transit, as well as the constant communication. Secondly, I think the gold-flecked powdercoat looks bloody marvelous, and suggest that you retake the photo on your website to show the gold flecks. And, purple is my color. Finally (brace yourself for some profanity and gushing): this thing sounds f**king amazing! It is exactly what I was hoping for: creating a 3D articulation that opens and reveals the vibrancy of the bass strings. Words fail, but it’s like cleaning the windshield to reveal mountain splendor. My budget Ibanez fretless sounds much closer to the Wal I wish I had, and my beloved 35-year-old Guild Pilot bass never sounded better (at least through headphones). You should create a page to leave testimonials and reviews on your site: I would gladly contribute to that. I will find a thread on TalkBass to give my two cents’ worth in the meanwhile. I can’t wait to hear what it does for my Strat.

Well done, sir.

On a related note: I have read on TalkBass that you recommended swapping the stock tube for a Tesla. Not that I can imagine the Edison sounding better, on that it lacks anything, but tube-swapping is a particularly insidious form of G.A.S., and I am curious just how much better a N.O.S., or current production tube could make it sound. Any thoughts appreciated."

Anyone else jumped on the Batch 12 release?

I have one (Batch #8) and love it. I wouldn't even consider replacing the tube.

 

[monsterthompson]

I’ve had one for a while, since before the boost switch and fancy finishes were added. I haven’t used it much lately, but that’s true of several nice pedals in my collection. Seth is a delightful person to correspond with, and I love seeing his products get recognition.

I have considered selling my Edison and getting one of the newer ones. I have the Parabellum v2 and wish it had a bit more low gain “clean” range on the gain knob, and I wonder if the newer Edison would get me there.

 

[Arkamsrazor]

I may have missed it in the thread somewhere, but if he recommends the Tesla over the stock tube that it comes with, why not just manufacture it with that tube to begin with?

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

The Wing =C= EF-86 that is OEM is something like $20.00 per tube. The Tesla EF806S is on the expensive side...

This one has a '65 Mullard Blackburn NOS 10M gold pin "creme de la creme" EF-86 that cost more than the used Edison preamp! It is a thing of beauty!

 

[2saddleslab]

I may have missed it in the thread somewhere, but if he recommends the Tesla over the stock tube that it comes with, why not just manufacture it with that tube to begin with?

To keep the cost down.Seth said the tube used in the Edison is the best compromise between tone & $$. Plus, finding reliable sources of vintage NOS tubes would be difficult. And the stock tube sounds good.