I've had a 12AU7 in my V2 for the past few days and I've really enjoyed the sound so far (prompted by the ltd edition version) I'd also be tempted by a 12ay7 possibly depending on how much opportunity to drive it you want.
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The Sushi Box FX Secret Society
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Played my Nobelium with another band tonight. Still very impressed. Even the six string player had to ask what that pedal was all about. 
I think now that the Nobelium has sold out on the SBFX site, it's okay to ask if anybody else thought the knobs and pots were placed a bit too far to the left. That volume knob just about overhangs the left edge of the enclosure. A little bit more "left margin" would have looked better.
This has absolutely zero to do with how they sound, which by all accounts here is excellent, and it also is not coming from me being envious of those who bought one. That's just the way they looked to me. I would imagine Nathan had a reason for laying it out that way, and it was a good one.
This has absolutely zero to do with how they sound, which by all accounts here is excellent, and it also is not coming from me being envious of those who bought one. That's just the way they looked to me. I would imagine Nathan had a reason for laying it out that way, and it was a good one.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
i just used smaller diameter knobs on mine:
Yup, there were a lot of big things in the box (pair of tubes, XLR jack, D.I. transformer) that I had to work around so I tried to make the most of the space available while still giving a nod to the aesthetic of the original. I tried to move them in a little, but every way I tried either made something else not work or just looked weird to me, so this was the best I could do without wildly changing things.
No worries Man, life is not so simple. In my ears this is a thing of beauty. The volume on the edge is easier to "toe". Many "flaws" have unintended benefits
Hey there !
My Nobelium finally arrived. More than three weeks to get accross the ocean was a long journey. It’s a very nice piece of gear, and I really like it. I don’t know yet how where in the chain I will use it, I still need some time to figure that out (before or after the Finally v2 ? Only one of the two ?).
But, when I plug the power into the Nobelium, the pedal blinks, and the amp makes a « bop » for each blink, for a few seconds. Then it finally stays on. Is that a normal behaviour, or something wrong with the power source ? I use the power plug from my EBS ValveDrive Di (9 V 1000 mA).
My Nobelium finally arrived. More than three weeks to get accross the ocean was a long journey. It’s a very nice piece of gear, and I really like it. I don’t know yet how where in the chain I will use it, I still need some time to figure that out (before or after the Finally v2 ? Only one of the two ?).
But, when I plug the power into the Nobelium, the pedal blinks, and the amp makes a « bop » for each blink, for a few seconds. Then it finally stays on. Is that a normal behaviour, or something wrong with the power source ? I use the power plug from my EBS ValveDrive Di (9 V 1000 mA).
No, that’s not normal. Sounds like your power source can’t handle the warm up current.
If the lights are blinking, that means your power supply is rebooting because it's being presented with a heavier load than it can handle. Coming on eventually means it has enough power for steady-state operation of the pedal, but the power supply isn't happy with the amount of current it has to put out for Nobelium. I see this in some supplies, even ones that are high rated. I have a supply that's rated for 1700mA (basically a cheap OneSpot knockoff) but that has trouble when supplying a pedal with 3 tubes in it. It eventually warms up enough to settle in, but it takes a minute.
It was the power supply for the EBS ValveDrive, another power hungry pedal, and it should be able to provide 1000 mA. And when I power the Nobelium with the Cioks DC7, it does not blink anymore. So now I know why the Cioks is a great power supply. Many thanks !
Yeah it really comes down to how the power supply was designed. Like my cheap 1700mA is designed as "I can theoretically do 1700mA as long as you get there gently" but Cioks is just ready to go all the time for whatever.
I'm putting together another pedalboard at the moment (for the rare times I actually get to just sit down and play) and am trying to figure out what I need to get rid of to justify buying another DC7.
I think I own 3 or 4 DC7s at this point. I've lost track!
Well I spent the evening looping and recording 3 different tubes at 3 different gain levels in The Detectives red channel.
I uploaded them all to SoundCloud and they were immediately removed with a random copyright claim
I'm happy to share with the class if anyone has a solution that doesn't involve me jumping through hoops.
In the meantime I can tell you that there were only subtle differences between the stock tube (12AX7/ECC83) and the 12AT7/ECC81 (shocker!).
The 5751 did not sound as good at any gain level, though did break up more (in a thinner way) at high gain.
I should note that this test was conducted with a passive bass with no other pedals involved (slight gain was applied to the original loop). Id like to try this test again with the preamp at the end of my pedal chain where I have some more drive prior to the tubes.
I uploaded them all to SoundCloud and they were immediately removed with a random copyright claim
I'm happy to share with the class if anyone has a solution that doesn't involve me jumping through hoops.
In the meantime I can tell you that there were only subtle differences between the stock tube (12AX7/ECC83) and the 12AT7/ECC81 (shocker!).
The 5751 did not sound as good at any gain level, though did break up more (in a thinner way) at high gain.
I should note that this test was conducted with a passive bass with no other pedals involved (slight gain was applied to the original loop). Id like to try this test again with the preamp at the end of my pedal chain where I have some more drive prior to the tubes.
So…I’ve gone from lurking in this thread with no Sushi Box pedals to lurking in this thread with several Sushi Box pedals.
I don’t generally use an amp if I can avoid it. My “A rig” is built around an Origin Effects BassRig SV and Cali76 CB with an HX Stomp for anything else that I might want. That rig is perfect for me, but I like options.
With some downtime from gigging, I decided to build a “B rig” with pedals sitting on a shelf. I did, but then I started upgrading. I added a Slampegg Bee to replace my B3K. Then I added a Nobelium (11/25) to replace the AO Ultra.
Apparently, I have to much downtime from gigging, because I decided to build a “C rig.” I carry a 3-space rack with my wireless systems. I decided to expand to a 4-space rig and add a rack preamp. For that, I went to a preamp I used in the early 90’s - an ADA MB-1. Then I decided that I like the Sushi Box stuff enough that a Finally should replace the DI out. I’m still building that patch panel on the back of the rack, but now I’m wondering if I need a Sushi Box pedal on the ”A rig” too.
I don’t generally use an amp if I can avoid it. My “A rig” is built around an Origin Effects BassRig SV and Cali76 CB with an HX Stomp for anything else that I might want. That rig is perfect for me, but I like options.
With some downtime from gigging, I decided to build a “B rig” with pedals sitting on a shelf. I did, but then I started upgrading. I added a Slampegg Bee to replace my B3K. Then I added a Nobelium (11/25) to replace the AO Ultra.
Apparently, I have to much downtime from gigging, because I decided to build a “C rig.” I carry a 3-space rack with my wireless systems. I decided to expand to a 4-space rig and add a rack preamp. For that, I went to a preamp I used in the early 90’s - an ADA MB-1. Then I decided that I like the Sushi Box stuff enough that a Finally should replace the DI out. I’m still building that patch panel on the back of the rack, but now I’m wondering if I need a Sushi Box pedal on the ”A rig” too.
Whoa! An ADA MB-1 sighting! Mein Gott! I remember that era in Bass Player magazine - the ADA MB-1 was quite the rage back in the 90's. I wanted one but never got one. How do you like it in 2024, wvbass?
You have a fine collection of gear, sir. -- MVee
Yeah, that MB-1 is a blast from the past! Kudos for hanging on to it and in such good condition too. And to answer your last question - yes, yes you do need a Sushi pedal for your “A” rig. I have found that using a Finally after my PodGo sounds great and brings back a little organic-ness to the signal.
I traded my MB-1 off somewhere around 1994 as part of a deal for a Fender Urge bass. This is a new one. In 2024, part of my opinion is the same, and part is new.
Same: three bands of semi-parametric EQ is extremely useful. Having limited Db adjustments of 0,3,6,8,10,12 feels a little limiting. The preamp contours still seem to me to be missing a couple options that I think would be go-to’s for me.
Different: I had no use for OD tones in the early 90’s. The tube preamps’s “full” setting aren’t that great, but the “edge” settings are incredible. The preamps appear to be parallel, so I can blend clean SS preamp back in with the tube preamp. All this makes me wish I had a couple more contour settings, though.
Other: The chorus is kinda cool, kinda sucks. Like all choruses. The compressor only has a threshold, ratio, and makeup gain, but it is impressive. Somebody needs to make a 3-knob ADA compressor clone.
I also have the midi foot switch, and while I specifically wanted that, I will probably never take it to a show. Just part of the history, I guess.
Overall, the preamp doesn’t sound like am Ampeg, a GK, or anything else. But, it gets into the family of all that and more. Can’t wait to gig it!
Some people are evil/enablers.
The Bassdude is very interesting, and on “the list,” but I’ve got so many great sounds to explore right now…
