The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

[brumebat]

The London underground is amazing. Adds some very nice tube grit and growl. At least my perception of tube anyway, having only used hybrid amps. Most musical dirt I've used. Makes we want an AD200. There may be a Terror Bass in my near future and I bet this would pair perfectly.

 

[Killing Floor]

Anybody have a King Nothing yet? Guitar review?

 

[tombowlus]

So, starting off with the Westinghouse, I initially noticed a bit of a whine. The pitch of the whine changed frequency as I increased the Volt control, and the whine disappeared once I turned Volt up past about 1 o'clock. In fact, all was good so long as I kept the Volt knob at 1 o'clock or higher (and I did not notice any sonic difference thus far between 1 o'clock and fully wide open). The Level knob worked as predicted, and I found that if I wanted to match the gain level with the pedal disengaged, I set the Level at about 11 o'clock (and higher than that was of course a volume increase). My Edison is at the practice room, so I will have to wait until later to do a direct A/B, but it seems to be doing fairly similar things to the signal. The tone gets a bit warmer, I hear a bit more bounce, and everything seems more harmonically rich. The Westinghouse does not do anything close to what I would call obvious tube overdrive, even with the Level cranked, but that's not its game. FWIW, when I tap on the enclosure, I hear no indications of a microphonic tube, so I think I'm good there.

My Space Heater also shows no signs of a microphonic tube and seemed pretty quiet, overall. In fact, the noise floor seems exceptionally low. I was able to get a fairly similar level of added harmonic excitement with the Gain set to about noon and the Level turned up slightly to match the volume of the bypass signal. This setting doesn't bring in too much obvious tube overdrive (which you definitely can achieve with higher Gain settings). A/Bing the Westinghouse and Space Heater (with those pre-overdrive settings), the WH adds a bit more warmth and fattens things up a tad, while the SH seems to add more of its "sonic texture" in the upper mids. If you want some more warmth out of the SH, you can get it, but with a bit of audible preamp tube overdrive. The SH is definitely more versatile than the WH and offers a wider variety of tonal impact. However, the SH can't exactly match the particular magic of the WH, and vice versa.

All in all, I'm quite happy with both the Westinghouse and the Space Heater!

 

[Pedalnetics]

Anybody have a King Nothing yet? Guitar review?

April was the first month any King Nothings could be ordered/changed to, so it'll probably be ~ a month before anyone has one besides @Sushi Box FX . There's a Sushi thread over on TGP that'll probably get more guitar answers/reviews than here, worth checking out

 

[jbybj]

So, starting off with the Westinghouse, I initially noticed a bit of a whine. The pitch of the whine changed frequency as I increased the Volt control, and the whine disappeared once I turned Volt up past about 1 o'clock. In fact, all was good so long as I kept the Volt knob at 1 o'clock or higher (and I did not notice any sonic difference thus far between 1 o'clock and fully wide open). The Level knob worked as predicted, and I found that if I wanted to match the gain level with the pedal disengaged, I set the Level at about 11 o'clock (and higher than that was of course a volume increase). My Edison is at the practice room, so I will have to wait until later to do a direct A/B, but it seems to be doing fairly similar things to the signal. The tone gets a bit warmer, I hear a bit more bounce, and everything seems more harmonically rich. The Westinghouse does not do anything close to what I would call obvious tube overdrive, even with the Level cranked, but that's not its game. FWIW, when I tap on the enclosure, I hear no indications of a microphonic tube, so I think I'm good there.

My Space Heater also shows no signs of a microphonic tube and seemed pretty quiet, overall. In fact, the noise floor seems exceptionally low. I was able to get a fairly similar level of added harmonic excitement with the Gain set to about noon and the Level turned up slightly to match the volume of the bypass signal. This setting doesn't bring in too much obvious tube overdrive (which you definitely can achieve with higher Gain settings). A/Bing the Westinghouse and Space Heater (with those pre-overdrive settings), the WH adds a bit more warmth and fattens things up a tad, while the SH seems to add more of its "sonic texture" in the upper mids. If you want some more warmth out of the SH, you can get it, but with a bit of audible preamp tube overdrive. The SH is definitely more versatile than the WH and offers a wider variety of tonal impact. However, the SH can't exactly match the particular magic of the WH, and vice versa.

All in all, I'm quite happy with both the Westinghouse and the Space Heater!

This is comforting to hear. Based on @Sushi Box FX feedback during prototyping the Westinghouse, I assumed I would always run it at maximum voltage.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

I'm still not asleep, but unfortunately I'm not even working on pedals, I'm working on day job stuff (at night???).

Sooooo. Had a few minutes to check out the Westinghouse this afternoon. My tube does have the whistling sound at lower volt settings But it does seem to disappear after about 1 o’clock. I may add my name to the list, or I might get Squirrley and source something myself Even as-is It’s totally usable which brings me to…

You know what? I think the Westinghouse is pretty freaking great! I really like what it does to my tone. Just adds a bit of extra fullness and girth. Exactly what I was hoping for…. Sounded great running into all my different preamp‘s. Definitely miss it when you turn it off. Initial tube issues aside, I think this thing is a winner! I really want to experiment with putting it at different places in my signal chain. I’m getting ready to rewire my whole board so I definitely Want to experiment with it before I do all that…

As always @Sushi Box FX - You’re a class act, man. You work hard when there’s an issue to find workable solutions for everybody and your communication is spot on. It’s appreciated! Hopefully these little occasional trips and stumbles aren’t taking any of the fun out of it for you because I know I want you to keep making cool things. Like....

GONDWANA!

Thanks man, that means a lot to me. I try to deal with everyone as I would a friend, as long as I'm not dumping tons of money to fix a problem I have no problem doing it. That's right, you thought you were my customers, I tricked you into being my friends! Now you're stuck with me!

Anybody have a King Nothing yet? Guitar review?

So far I still have the only King Nothing, but there are a handful (4-5 I think) on order for May.

So, starting off with the Westinghouse, I initially noticed a bit of a whine. The pitch of the whine changed frequency as I increased the Volt control, and the whine disappeared once I turned Volt up past about 1 o'clock. In fact, all was good so long as I kept the Volt knob at 1 o'clock or higher (and I did not notice any sonic difference thus far between 1 o'clock and fully wide open). The Level knob worked as predicted, and I found that if I wanted to match the gain level with the pedal disengaged, I set the Level at about 11 o'clock (and higher than that was of course a volume increase). My Edison is at the practice room, so I will have to wait until later to do a direct A/B, but it seems to be doing fairly similar things to the signal. The tone gets a bit warmer, I hear a bit more bounce, and everything seems more harmonically rich. The Westinghouse does not do anything close to what I would call obvious tube overdrive, even with the Level cranked, but that's not its game. FWIW, when I tap on the enclosure, I hear no indications of a microphonic tube, so I think I'm good there.

My Space Heater also shows no signs of a microphonic tube and seemed pretty quiet, overall. In fact, the noise floor seems exceptionally low. I was able to get a fairly similar level of added harmonic excitement with the Gain set to about noon and the Level turned up slightly to match the volume of the bypass signal. This setting doesn't bring in too much obvious tube overdrive (which you definitely can achieve with higher Gain settings). A/Bing the Westinghouse and Space Heater (with those pre-overdrive settings), the WH adds a bit more warmth and fattens things up a tad, while the SH seems to add more of its "sonic texture" in the upper mids. If you want some more warmth out of the SH, you can get it, but with a bit of audible preamp tube overdrive. The SH is definitely more versatile than the WH and offers a wider variety of tonal impact. However, the SH can't exactly match the particular magic of the WH, and vice versa.

All in all, I'm quite happy with both the Westinghouse and the Space Heater!

Thanks for the detailed review Tom, I'm really glad you like them Looking forward to your thoughts on A/B-ing WH and Edison when you have a chance.

April was the first month any King Nothings could be ordered/changed to, so it'll probably be ~ a month before anyone has one besides @Sushi Box FX . There's a Sushi thread over on TGP that'll probably get more guitar answers/reviews than here, worth checking out

I think most of the King Nothing orders for May were as a result of me posting about it on TGP, but the Sushi Box thread over there (which started as someone asking a question and ended with me hijacking the thread) is nowhere near as active as this one, partially because I just don't spend much time there. I'm trying to get over there more, but alas there are only so many hours in the day.

This is comforting to hear. Based on @Sushi Box FX feedback during prototyping the Westinghouse, I assumed I would always run it at maximum voltage.

And personally that's what I do with mine when I use it. I recognize that everyone's tastes are different, but having listened to the full sweep of voltages I consider it not just to be different at high voltage, but to be completely better. This is just my opinion and I know people like more options better than less options, so at least for now I expect the Volts knob to stay.

 

[krfoss]

I think most of the King Nothing orders for May were as a result of me posting about it on TGP, but the Sushi Box thread over there (which started as someone asking a question and ended with me hijacking the thread) is nowhere near as active as this one, partially because I just don't spend much time there. I'm trying to get over there more, but alas there are only so many hours in the day.

I'd bet you get more buyers in the guitar world if you added some guitar audio samples to the guitar relevant pedals.

Because.... you know... you have all that free time over there

 

[NKBassman]

I have a King Nothing on order for my guitar board.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

I'd bet you get more buyers in the guitar world if you added some guitar audio samples to the guitar relevant pedals.

Because.... you know... you have all that free time over there

It's on my never-ending to-do list Now that I have one of every pedal it would be a lot easier to sit down and do demos of everything, I just rarely find time to even play anymore.

Speaking of which, now is as good a time as any to start letting people know I will be doing a smaller batch in June and I will be taking July off completely. July I have a tentative vacation planned and don't want to worry about building around my vacation, and June I just have so many things I've been wanting to get done and haven't been able to find the time for, so I still want to build but I also want some free time for my to-do list.

 

[Killing Floor]

I'm still not asleep, but unfortunately I'm not even working on pedals, I'm working on day job stuff (at night???).


Thanks man, that means a lot to me. I try to deal with everyone as I would a friend, as long as I'm not dumping tons of money to fix a problem I have no problem doing it. That's right, you thought you were my customers, I tricked you into being my friends! Now you're stuck with me!


So far I still have the only King Nothing, but there are a handful (4-5 I think) on order for May.


Thanks for the detailed review Tom, I'm really glad you like them Looking forward to your thoughts on A/B-ing WH and Edison when you have a chance.


I think most of the King Nothing orders for May were as a result of me posting about it on TGP, but the Sushi Box thread over there (which started as someone asking a question and ended with me hijacking the thread) is nowhere near as active as this one, partially because I just don't spend much time there. I'm trying to get over there more, but alas there are only so many hours in the day.


And personally that's what I do with mine when I use it. I recognize that everyone's tastes are different, but having listened to the full sweep of voltages I consider it not just to be different at high voltage, but to be completely better. This is just my opinion and I know people like more options better than less options, so at least for now I expect the Volts knob to stay.

You need to get some sleep. People are more important than pedals. I can’t believe I said that. But when you think about it maybe there is some truth to it.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

You need to get some sleep. People are more important than pedals. I can’t believe I said that. But when you think about it maybe there is some truth to it.

Depends on the people, depends on the pedals But yes, I agree.

 

[Kelly robinson]

Hi Nathan - any idea of when those June spots will be made available and how many there will be ? Also as to the Westinghouse - any idea of when you’ll know the new price for the upgraded tube ? Many thanks , Kelly

 

[fivestringgecko]

In fact, all was good so long as I kept the Volt knob at 1 o'clock or higher (and I did not notice any sonic difference thus far between 1 o'clock and fully wide open).

A curiosity question for those with the Westinghouse that are okay with the frequency whine/squeal:
Are you going through amps? 80-90% of my gigs pre-covid were through in-ears and I've got an in-ear setup for home practice as well, and that whistle is what made it difficult for me to even hear the Westinghouse itself. And how would that whistle translate going straight to a board? It does disappears for me around 1:00-2:00 like it does for everyone else, but I guess that limits the WH to using the volt knob above that point? And if there's no difference between that and fully CW...

If other people are getting the whistle but not noticing the "tapping on a spring" issue, I'm also starting to wonder if the whine on the Volt knob is a separate issue from my microphonic tube?

I guess I'll see with a new tube, but hoping that will solve both problems.

5sg.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Hi Nathan - any idea of when those June spots will be made available and how many there will be ? Also as to the Westinghouse - any idea of when you’ll know the new price for the upgraded tube ? Many thanks , Kelly

My first batch of the new tubes should be here Thursday, and I'm planning to open June ordering as soon as I've verified that they're winners in terms of noise and microphonics. I'm planning on doing 20 slots in June, I think I can comfortably do that while still having plenty of time for other things, like updating older designs that I can improve for reliability and manufacturability (PAX, Slampegg X, LUX, LRX, Echosaurus, Robot Butterfly) as well as work on some new designs that I haven't found time for (I always thought a tube Echosaurus would be neat).

As for the Westinghouse price increase, the TAD tube costs me $20 more than the Soviet tubes, so I was planning to split the difference and raise the price to $160. This will only affect new Westinghouse orders starting in June, I will never ask for more money on top of an existing order that has been placed, so April and May will not have additional charges and March orders will not pay for a replacement tube.

 

[labeledbass]

@Sushi Box FX you have mail... bought stuff

 

[letsgethandsome]

@Sushi Box FX you have mail... bought stuff

Mysterio

 

[Kelly robinson]

Thanks for the prompt update . My feeling is that you ought to charge full freight for any tube cost increase since your pricing is so reasonable to begin with . It’s very generous of you to split the cost for sure but it’s more important that you cover costs and remain a happy pedal maker ! No one here expects you to eat costs related to better performing products ... Kelly

 

[gtirard]

Thanks for the prompt update . My feeling is that you ought to charge full freight for any tube cost increase since your pricing is so reasonable to begin with . It’s very generous of you to split the cost for sure but it’s more important that you cover costs and remain a happy pedal maker ! No one here expects you to eat costs related to better performing products ... Kelly

Yes! Please, raise the price! We’re all begging you!

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Thanks for the prompt update . My feeling is that you ought to charge full freight for any tube cost increase since your pricing is so reasonable to begin with . It’s very generous of you to split the cost for sure but it’s more important that you cover costs and remain a happy pedal maker ! No one here expects you to eat costs related to better performing products ... Kelly

Yes! Please, raise the price! We’re all begging you!

Fair enough I mean if you want to pay more I could take Westinghouse to $170 to reflect the full cost increase of the tube. I get paid more than I deserve for my day job, so as long as I make enough to not feel like I'm wasting time on pedals I'm okay with it. I will always try to keep a good balance of paying myself for my time and keeping my pedals affordable.

 

[Kelly robinson]

As some one said in roundabout fashion “ perhaps we’re not all begging you “ but I do believe fair is fair and I would hope many will agree with that . FWIW - Of the folks here I am likely amongst the poorest living on a small social security check , permanently disabled and one to whom 10$ actually is something significant . My point was that in the long run - what counts is that you enjoy the work and and are fairly compensated such that you make this a long and fruitful endeavor . If my adding in ten bucks contributes to that in any small way then I’ll consider it money well spent .....Well , of course that’s assuming that the Westinghouse lives up to it's early reviews !!! Kelly