The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

[psychovox]

I know I mentioned this before, (like over a year ago) but I happen to have a functioning 1965 B18 that I never use. I'm in New England, and Chicago is just a little out of reach right now (mostly for time reasons). You can probably guess that there is no chance I will consider shipping this baby. Anyway, if you ever want to head to the coast for some leaf peeping, let me know.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

I know I mentioned this before, (like over a year ago) but I happen to have a functioning 1965 B18 that I never use. I'm in New England, and Chicago is just a little out of reach right now (mostly for time reasons). You can probably guess that there is no chance I will consider shipping this baby. Anyway, if you ever want to head to the coast for some leaf peeping, let me know.

We don't have immediate travel plans out that way, but I've been wanting to head out that way for some historical sightseeing, just need to talk my wife into it. I'll let you know for sure, I would absolutely love to see it in person.

 

[FenderP]

The only analog way to accurately emulate a 6L6 power section is to make a 6L6 power section and throw a dummy load on the output so the signal can be run through a speaker sim/IR etc. This is how the SWR Interstellar Overdrive does it, they have a full EL84 push-pull power section with an output transformer and a dummy load on the output so you can run it as line level instead of speaker level. But it's no different from any 15W power amp, they just have a dummy load for it.

The only other way to do it with analog is just filters that have been tweaked to mimic 6L6 response.

Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. Looks like I'm sticking to the C.A.B. M+ for now.

 

[moon-bass]

I picked up a Finally off of the classifieds and it finally (see what I did there) arrived today. Holey schnikeys is this thing great! Talk about adding tube warmth! This thing is killer, and I do mean KILLER! This is exactly what I needed for my Bourbon St Board!

I feel like Harold and Kumar at the end of their first movie ...

Seriously great job on this!

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. Looks like I'm sticking to the C.A.B. M+ for now.

Yeah I wish there was a better way. When I record at home I plug a reactive dummy load into my head and run that into my CAB M+ into the interface and the tone is excellent, but I absolutely wish I could get that tone without my head as it obviously isn't a convenient gig-friendly setup. I haven't completely given up, but doing a really good job on it would be reaaaalllllyyy hard.

The most reasonable idea I've thought of is using a tube that isn't a typical output tube, possibly even something like a 12AX7, and getting a custom wound output transformer so it would effectively be like a 50mW amplifier, so I could use a much smaller transformer and much smaller dummy load, so the size can stay small while heat management wouldn't be an issue.

The downside? It obviously wouldn't sound like a 6L6.

 

[FenderP]

The downside? It obviously wouldn't sound like a 6L6.

Which is why it would probably never make my radar.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Which is why it would probably never make my radar.

And also why I haven't taken the time to do it. It would absolutely be a tube power amp emulator, but if it doesn't sound like we want it to then what it is doesn't matter.

 

[watt]

nathan,

I vote yes big time on this idea - what is your take: translation from discreet to op amp stuff OR no op amps in these boxes?


on bass, watt



mike watt's hoot page

Several...

I'm considering gutting it and building a B-15N inside instead, seems like a good December project. Thoughts? (don't give me your opinion, just tell me to do it)

 

[mmbass21]

And also why I haven't taken the time to do it. It would absolutely be a tube power amp emulator, but if it doesn't sound like we want it to then what it is doesn't matter.

Not sure if you've ever played through a newer Fender Bassman 100T but with the 100w, 25w and silent recording switch you can get that 6L6 tone albeit with the Fender tone stack any way you want. I'd want that amp in a pedal but knowing that wouldn't be possible I'd settle for the drive channel as a pedal in a heartbeat if it's dead on.

 

[macmanlou]

The downside? It obviously wouldn't sound like a 6L6.

Some of the 6L6 power amp IRs I've heard sound really good. A tube DI box with a James tone stack, and separate IR loaders for both cab and/or power amp sims could be the "bees knees".

 

[Lowendtech]

Some of the 6L6 power amp IRs I've heard sound really good. A tube DI box with a James tone stack, and separate IR loaders for both cab and/or power amp sims could be the "bees knees".

Ooh. A SlamBIR DI

 

[macmanlou]

Ooh. A SlamBIR DI

Or an SBVT_IR DI

 

[Sushi Box FX]

nathan,

I vote yes big time on this idea - what is your take: translation from discreet to op amp stuff OR no op amps in these boxes?


on bass, watt



mike watt's hoot page

I try to avoid op-amps wherever possible. Fortunately it's usually possible

Some of the 6L6 power amp IRs I've heard sound really good. A tube DI box with a James tone stack, and separate IR loaders for both cab and/or power amp sims could be the "bees knees".

Yeah IR has come a long way in realism, which is why I started working on Gondwana. The IR module I'm using has a power section emulator with a handful of tube options, as well as the choice of class A or push-pull.

I guess that's probably another thing I should work on during my December break.

 

[Kendescending]

Yeah I wish there was a better way. When I record at home I plug a reactive dummy load into my head and run that into my CAB M+ into the interface and the tone is excellent, but I absolutely wish I could get that tone without my head as it obviously isn't a convenient gig-friendly setup. I haven't completely given up, but doing a really good job on it would be reaaaalllllyyy hard.

The most reasonable idea I've thought of is using a tube that isn't a typical output tube, possibly even something like a 12AX7, and getting a custom wound output transformer so it would effectively be like a 50mW amplifier, so I could use a much smaller transformer and much smaller dummy load, so the size can stay small while heat management wouldn't be an issue.

The downside? It obviously wouldn't sound like a 6L6.

Reminds me of the old pedal sized Zvex Nanohead, but I don't think it had a line out.

https://www.zvex.com/guitar-pedals/nano-head-tube-amplifier-micro-amp

 

[macmanlou]

I try to avoid op-amps wherever possible. Fortunately it's usually possible


Yeah IR has come a long way in realism, which is why I started working on Gondwana. The IR module I'm using has a power section emulator with a handful of tube options, as well as the choice of class A or push-pull.

I guess that's probably another thing I should work on during my December break.

I'm "Gond - wana" get one when it's ready!

 

[labeledbass]

Why no OPamps in @Sushi Box FX camp?

 

[NKBassman]

Yeah I wish there was a better way. When I record at home I plug a reactive dummy load into my head and run that into my CAB M+ into the interface and the tone is excellent, but I absolutely wish I could get that tone without my head as it obviously isn't a convenient gig-friendly setup. I haven't completely given up, but doing a really good job on it would be reaaaalllllyyy hard.

The most reasonable idea I've thought of is using a tube that isn't a typical output tube, possibly even something like a 12AX7, and getting a custom wound output transformer so it would effectively be like a 50mW amplifier, so I could use a much smaller transformer and much smaller dummy load, so the size can stay small while heat management wouldn't be an issue.

The downside? It obviously wouldn't sound like a 6L6.

What about a pentode preamp tube like an EF86 or something? Or does that bring back too many painful memories?

 

[Killing Floor]

Speaking of Sashimi…

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Why no OPamps in @Sushi Box FX camp?

Because tubes

There are exceptions of course, obviously Lab Rat has an LM308N in it, it wouldn't sound like a Rat without one. There have been cases where I have been impressed by opamp circuits like the Diezel VH4 pedal, which uses a bunch of opamps as an admittedly good preamp. But for the most part they add complexity to otherwise simple circuits. The tube version of the VH4 preamp uses a couple dozen components, whereas the opamp version is pushing a hundred. I will use tubes where I can, FETs where I can't use tubes, and opamps only when I have to.

What about a pentode preamp tube like an EF86 or something?

Could be worth looking into, it may have an interesting sound, and may get closer than a triode to a real power tube sound. It's a small signal pentode though, not high beam like a power tube, but that means if I were to run a pair of EF86 in push-pull it would still likely be less than a watt, which means small transformer and small dummy load.

I don't expect Sushi Box to ever become my full time job, but if it were, things like this are an indication that I wouldn't have any problem filling my days up.

"I don't have anything that I need to do right now, but an EF86 push-pull power amp sounds like fun."

 

[mmbass21]

Reminds me of the old pedal sized Zvex Nanohead, but I don't think it had a line out.

https://www.zvex.com/guitar-pedals/nano-head-tube-amplifier-micro-amp

View attachment 4477601

This with a 6l6 and line out somehow designed for bass would be cool to have for practice and recording.