Can you swap tubes in a T-Rex squeezer compression pedal. Also are they made in Denmark? Do they "warm up" a SS head ok?
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T-Rex Squeezer
- Thread starter trex69
- Start date
It was a long time ago, but I read somewhere in their website that if you change the tube, it'll void your warranty; they'll change it for you. Also, with expensive pedals like this ($300+), I wouldn't go experimenting with it's tube.
Being a new product, I'm quite sure it works with an SS amp, and yes they are made in Denmark.
I read somewhere that if you power Boss pedals with anything other than a Boss power supply it voids there warranty. Manufacturers look for anything nowadays to give them reason not to pay out for a pedal they've already sold.
If the manufacturer mentions something about changing tubes then I guess it could be done but I'm not sure why you would want to...just my opinion of course.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
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I owned a Squeezer. The tube is not easily accessible. Not only do you have to remove the bottom plate, but you essentially have to dismantle the entire pedal (knobs, switch, jacks...)!
Doesn't sound worth the trouble. I know that with the Swell pedals and Dave Hall pedals it's not only an option but encouraged. You can run lower gain levels with 12AU7s or AY7s to not distort as much but still provide warmth and drive. Thanks for all the help.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
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For the record, the Squeezer is a very flexible, warm & organic comp. But for a tube-swapper, it's a P-I-T-A!
i had one for a bit. i couldn't set the attack fast enough not to get volume spikes. t-rex agreed it was a problem with the compressor. maybe they've addressed it on the newer ones. colored (warmed up) the tone a lot. if it wasn't faulty I'd still have it. a $300 compressor pedal shouldn't have inherent flaws.
I've been using mine, (with the stock 12AX7 tube) for exactly 2 years now. Yes, it warms up a ss amp, and a whole lot more. Mine's set up at about, (there's no marking) 2:1, or maybe 3:1, (very gentle), but slightly higher than unity gain. What it does for my tone is pure magic. MarkBass has a new comp out that looks to be alot like the Squeezer, for $250. Same controls,(6 Knobs) and also a 12AX7. But it's alot bigger, and yellow.
bongomania
Commercial User
There are reviews of the Squeezer and the Markbass on my site, and in the Markbass review I directly compare them.
IMO, and this is very subjective stuff, not meant to contradict anyone else's experience, the Squeezer doesn't "warm up" a signal any more than a decent solid-state FET buffer/booster would do. IOW yes it can improve many qualities of your tone, but the "warming" is very subtle, especially compared to what you can get from a DHA VT1 or some other more tubey-sounding or low-mids-emphasizing pedals. I would not buy the Squeezer for "warming". Again though, we all hear things a bit differently, and I'm not knocking other people's perceptions.
It does not say what country it was made in, on the pedal, the box, or the manual.
Trying to swap the tube in it is a nightmare. Edit: I also just discovered changing the tube in the Markbass is a bit of a PITA as well.
IMO, and this is very subjective stuff, not meant to contradict anyone else's experience, the Squeezer doesn't "warm up" a signal any more than a decent solid-state FET buffer/booster would do. IOW yes it can improve many qualities of your tone, but the "warming" is very subtle, especially compared to what you can get from a DHA VT1 or some other more tubey-sounding or low-mids-emphasizing pedals. I would not buy the Squeezer for "warming". Again though, we all hear things a bit differently, and I'm not knocking other people's perceptions.
It does not say what country it was made in, on the pedal, the box, or the manual.
Trying to swap the tube in it is a nightmare. Edit: I also just discovered changing the tube in the Markbass is a bit of a PITA as well.
Thanx again boyz. The DH MK3 and Swell pedals are top of the list. I was considering the Squeezer for possible tube "warmth" and perhaps xtra headroom due to compression. I seem to clip out when I am really digging in. I own a Eden WTX260 that suits my need at the moment. What I am trying to do is get a little more out of it without hitting the "limit" light. I run the head at 4ohms through a 210xlt 4ohms cab.
scotch
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+1 I second Rickenboogie's suggestion.
Trying to accomplish more "warmth" is one thing, but if you find yourself regularly pushing your system to the limit- you might need more system!
Thanks yet again...Can an Eden WTX260 push a 4x10 @ 4ohms or two 2x10 @8ohms without any problems?
bongomania
Commercial User
Sure. Naturally the quality of the results will depend on the specific cabs (in terms of power sensitivity and tonal character), but you could even drive a couple of 8 ohm 8x10's without any problems, if you wanted.
whats the name of the markbass pedal that has the 12AX7.The markbass compressore apparently has a Tube ECC 81
Just to ressurect an old thread (as long as I'm about to bite the bullet and buy a Squeezer),the 12AX7 tube as factory-installed is a Chinese 12AX7.Not sure wich generation (4th or 5th?) because I cannot see the entire tube and it's innards but the visible details are pointing in the above direction.
I'm almost 100% sure that the Chinese 12AX7 might be the "Achille's heel" regarding the possible malfunctions (or odd behaviour) I'm read here and elsewhere about the Squeezer.Understandably,a series manufacturer as is T-REX must go with whatever components can get at a good price,in large quantities and reliable as much as it goes.Otherwise said,the Squeezer looks like a good platform for testing and,eventually,settle down with a certain tube (NOS or modern),assuming that one can go through the relatively complicated tube replacement proccess.
UPDATE:
Got the forementioned Sqeezer in a mint state,with the original tube installed.After a few days of testing and sound tweaking I decided that it's time for a tube swap.Yes,for the tech-impaired it's a nightmare to do it because the pedal has to be fully dismantled (pots and both PCBs).However,not a problem for me since I have +30yrs experience with tube equipment.
The "original" tube (branded "T-REX") is,as I identified it in the first place,a Chinese,5th generation 12AX7/ECC83.Put this tube in my trusty tube tester and did the readings:looks like a selected aka "premium" sample,with both triode sections of a very close parametres.A little microphonic,though but this doesn't look like a problem since the tube isn't exposed to any significant vibrations inside the pedal.
Long story short,I installed and tried several NOS (Telefunken,Valvo,Brimar,RCA,etc) samples I pulled out from my "safety stock" box-o'-tubes.Tough the Telefunkens made the best figures (especially the ECC803S,the mother of all 12AX7 ever existed),I settled down with a Philips Miniwatt that was the closest to the Telefunkens-tonally as well as regarding the thermal noise.Agree,since the tube is schematically put at the compressor's output,it has a rather shy intervention....but is audible WHAT it does.
That's it for now.I'll eventually make some other swaps w/some other tube types and flavours and I'll report back here.
Cheers!
Got the forementioned Sqeezer in a mint state,with the original tube installed.After a few days of testing and sound tweaking I decided that it's time for a tube swap.Yes,for the tech-impaired it's a nightmare to do it because the pedal has to be fully dismantled (pots and both PCBs).However,not a problem for me since I have +30yrs experience with tube equipment.
The "original" tube (branded "T-REX") is,as I identified it in the first place,a Chinese,5th generation 12AX7/ECC83.Put this tube in my trusty tube tester and did the readings:looks like a selected aka "premium" sample,with both triode sections of a very close parametres.A little microphonic,though but this doesn't look like a problem since the tube isn't exposed to any significant vibrations inside the pedal.
Long story short,I installed and tried several NOS (Telefunken,Valvo,Brimar,RCA,etc) samples I pulled out from my "safety stock" box-o'-tubes.Tough the Telefunkens made the best figures (especially the ECC803S,the mother of all 12AX7 ever existed),I settled down with a Philips Miniwatt that was the closest to the Telefunkens-tonally as well as regarding the thermal noise.Agree,since the tube is schematically put at the compressor's output,it has a rather shy intervention....but is audible WHAT it does.
That's it for now.I'll eventually make some other swaps w/some other tube types and flavours and I'll report back here.
Cheers!
